2016 NHL Playoffs
It’s that time of year again, the NHL playoffs are among us. This year however Canadian hockey fans do not have a Canadian team to cheer for as the final 16 teams are all US based teams. This is only the second time in the history of the NHL that a Canadian team has not made the playoffs.
The Hockey Fanatic is ready to make predictions for the 2016 NHL Playoffs. We begin with the Eastern Conference:
Eastern Conference Round One
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers. – Washington Capitals in six games.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers – Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders – Florida Panthers in seven games.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings – Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
Western Conference Round One
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild – Dallas Stars in five games.
St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Chicago Blackhawks in seven games.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators – Anaheim Ducks in six games.
Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks – San Jose Sharks in seven games.
Eastern Conference Semi Finals
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Washington Capitals in seven games.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Florida Panthers in seven games.
Western Conference Semi Finals
Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks – Dallas Stars in six games.
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks – San Jose Sharks in seven games.
Eastern Conference Championship Series
Florida Panthers
Winner: Washington Capitals in six games.
Western Conference Championship Series
Dallas Stars
vs.
San Jose Sharks
Winner: San Jose Sharks in six games.
Stanley Cup Finals
Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks
2016 Stanley Cup Champion: San Jose Sharks (six games)
The Hockey Fanatic is predicting that the San Jose Sharks will be the 2016 Stanley Cup Champions. We definitely see a California team winning the Stanley Cup this year. It’s too bad that the California teams play each other in the first two rounds, it would make for a great Western Conference final. For the record Joe Thornton will win the Conn Smythe with an honorable menttion to Brent Burns.
Of course we always like to pick a darkhorse team from each conference. This year our darkhorse picks for Stanley Cup Champions are:
Western Conference: St. Louis Blues
Eastern Conference: Pittsburgh Penguins (although we also like the Panthers)