Although the New York Rangers have already jetted off for the summer, hockey fans in the Big Apple will no doubt still be looking forward to the start of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight.
We at the Blue Line Station are no different, although it would be much better if we had a New York Rangers postseason to cover of course.
Fingers crossed that happens next year.
None the less, playoff time is a special time of year for hockey fans no matter who your loyalties lie with, and we have five First Round matchups to look forward to tonight.
So, to get in the mood for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a few of our writers have offered up their predictions.
Here’s how some of us think the Stanley Cup will pan out…
Steve Paulus
As a true Ranger fan I have to believe that it will be Tampa Bay-Dallas final, with the LIghtining winning the Cup and netting the Rangers two more first round draft picks. It won’t be easy for Tampa and they will emerge from a Conference Finals series against the Boston Bruins battered and bruised. While I have a selfish reason to root for Dallas, I believe that the underrated Calgary Flames will make it to the Finals, but will lose in five games to the Lightning.
Steve’s 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
Jennifer Moglia
While the Islanders have made strides this year, I don’t think they’ll be able to make it past the defending champs in the Capitals. Similarly, while the Leafs have gotten better this season, I think they’ll fall to the experienced Lightning. The Jets have been a powerhouse in the West, and I think they’ll be able to make a real run at it this year.
Jennifer’s 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
Curtis Jetter
The Jets traveled the tough road to the Western Conference Finals last year when they faced Nashville in Round 2.
That tough, physical series clearly took its toll on the team, which was shown when they simply ran out of gas against a very well rested Vegas team in the Conference Finals. They looked exhausted and the 4-1 series defeat to the expansion Knights kind of proves that point.
I think the Jets learned a valuable lesson on how to approach the Playoffs and they will be much tougher this year.
Rangers head coach David Quinn said earlier this year that Winnipeg was the best team the Rangers had faced after their first match-up and I believe him. Winnipeg beats Tampa Bay in the Finals.
Curtis’ 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Winner: Winnipeg Jets
Andrew Steele-Davis
I don’t care what stats or history lessons are thrown at me, I pick Tampa Bay Lightning to navigate the Eastern Conference and then go all the way to lift Lord Stanley.
The Western Conference is a lot harder to figure out. Every team has their flaws and you could pick any one of them to embark on a deep run.
Calgary seems the obvious pick out of the West but I worry about their goaltending, and I can’t see the Winnipeg Jets getting past a very confident and hot hockey team in the St. Louis Blues.
I’m not convinced by the Nashville Predators either but they are loaded with talent and have enough depth to see them through to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Vegas Golden Knights could pose a legitimate threat, however.
But whoever gets out of the Western Conference won’t be a match for the Lightning in my opinion, who are just too stacked both on offense and on the blueline.
It will finally be Tampa Bay’s year.
Andrew’s 2019 Stanley Cup Finals Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
Make sure you get involvedand let us know your predictions for the 2019 Stanley Cup either in the comments section or by tweeting us!