Stanley Cup Playoffs: 3 Predictions for Saturday’s Slate of Game 7s

It doesn’t get any better than this in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Saturday, six teams will take the ice with win-or-go-home scenarios as the first round of the postseason nears its conclusion.

The action will begin in the Eastern Conference, as the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins do battle in Raleigh, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning north of the border.

The day will end out west when the Los Angeles Kings visit the Edmonton Oilers. All three series have been wildly entertaining to this point, and with three Game 7s on tap, Saturday should be no different.

What should we expect from Saturday’s slate of Game 7s?

While the storylines on Saturday are endless, there are perhaps none more prominent than those in the Tampa Bay/Toronto series.

After the Florida Panthers eliminated the Washington Capitals on Friday, the longest active series win drought now belongs to the Leafs. While they look to end that, the Bolts are looking to continue their quest for a third consecutive Stanley Cup title.

What can we expect from that series and the others? Here are three predictions for Saturday’s action.

Bruins Get a Shutout From Jeremy Swayman

The series between the Hurricanes and Bruins has not been the same since goaltender Jeremy Swayman was named the starter.

In four games this series, the 23-year-old is 3-1 with a 2.51 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. He has allowed only two goals in three of his games, and his lowest save percentage in any game was .892.

I’ve thought for a while that he would be a key contributor to any success that the B’s find this playoff season, and tonight, I’m predicting he shuts the Canes down as Boston wins on the road for the first time in this series, 2-0.

Maple Leafs Fold Under Pressure

Toronto has not won a playoff series since 2004, and that will not change tonight. Given the team’s recent playoff history, plus the mental toughness necessary to overcome an overtime defeat in Game 6, I think the mountain is too tall to climb.

Having to play the back-to-back champions in round one is a terrible draw for the Leafs, and now that Game 7 has arrived, the disparity in postseason experience will come into play more than it has all series.

I’m anticipating a tight game, but I’ll take the Bolts to continue their title defense. Tampa Bay beats Toronto, 5-4.

Oilers’ Depth Fails Them Again

The Kings may not have the best depth in the playoffs, but they don’t need to be the deepest team to be deeper than the Oilers.

Edmonton has long relied too heavily upon Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and it has been their downfall for several years. Now, faced with a Game 7 against a team that has championship experience, it will end their season again.

This series reminds me a lot of last year’s Maple Leafs/Montreal Canadiens series. One team has experienced guys, while the other is looking to break through in the playoffs. The inexperienced team, though the better of the two opponents, did not fare well in that series, and the same will hold true here. Kings win, 4-2.

With three Game 7s on Saturday and two more on Sunday, it is going to be a fun weekend in the NHL.