Current:Home > NewsWho will win the Stanley Cup? Predictions for NHL playoffs bracket-LoTradeCoin
Who will win the Stanley Cup? Predictions for NHL playoffs bracket
View Date:2024-12-23 21:04:51
The only thing predictable about the Stanley Cup playoffs is that they're unpredictable.
Last year, the Boston Bruins were a popular pick to win the Stanley Cup after finishing with a record 65 wins and 135 points. But they blew a 3-1 series lead in the first round and were shocked by the second wild-card seed Florida Panthers, who got to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Vegas Golden Knights.
So what could happen this postseason?
USA TODAY Sports' Mike Brehm and Jace Evans provide their predictions for the Stanley Cup Final teams, the NHL champion and the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP.
Mike Brehm
Stanley Cup Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars
Champion: Hurricanes
Conn Smythe: Jake Guentzel
Both of these teams got to the conference final last season and didn't advance. But their additions make them deeper and better able to get to the championship round. Guentzel is a point-a-game player in the playoffs and has been a highly productive player after moving at the trade deadline.
Jace Evans
Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers
Champion: Oilers
Conn Smythe: Connor McDavid
The Panthers are a better team than the group that lost in the Stanley Cup Final last year, and that's even with Matthew Tkachuk posting his lowest shooting percentage since his rookie season. Him getting hot is a scary thought for teams. But I think they fall in the Final to the Oilers. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been knocking on the door for years now and I think they finally kick it down in emphatic fashion.
veryGood! (864)
Related
- Taylor Swift touches down in Kansas City as Chiefs take on Denver Broncos
- What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
- Katie Holmes Reacts to Sweet Birthday Shoutout From Dawson's Creek Costar Mary-Margaret Humes
- What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
- Taylor Swift Becomes Auntie Tay In Sweet Photo With Fellow Chiefs WAG Chariah Gordon's Daughter
- 'The Color Purple' movie review: A fantastic Fantasia Barrino brings new depth to 2023 film
- Results in Iraqi provincial elections show low turnout and benefit established parties
- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor honored as an American pioneer at funeral
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Florida house explosion injures 4 and investigators are eyeing gas as the cause, sheriff says
Ranking
- Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
- Taylor Swift's Super Sweet Pre-Game Treat for Travis Kelce Revealed
- Florida house explosion injures 4 and investigators are eyeing gas as the cause, sheriff says
- 20-year-old wins Miss France beauty pageant with short hair: Why her win sparked debate
- A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
- UN resolution on Gaza hampered by issues important to US: cessation of hostilities and aid monitors
- Wisconsin man faces homicide charges after alleged drunken driving crash kills four siblings
- Convicted sex offender escaped prison after his mom gave him disguise, Texas officials say
Recommendation
-
Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’
-
South Carolina couple is charged with murder in the 2015 killings of four of their family members
-
South Carolina couple is charged with murder in the 2015 killings of four of their family members
-
Amanda Bynes says undergoing blepharoplasty surgery was 'one of the best things.' What is it?
-
Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence
-
Excessive costs force Wisconsin regulators to halt work on groundwater standards for PFAS chemicals
-
US technology sales to Russia lead to a Kansas businessman’s conspiracy plea
-
Tesla’s recall of 2 million vehicles to fix its Autopilot system uses technology that may not work