NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups and Predictions

Welcome back to the postseason, folks! As promised, our focus is on the playoffs, so we will touch base each round. Here are the remaining four teams in the East - let's dive into some amazing round one matchups!

If you didn't catch my matchup predictions from the Western Conference, you can read that here.

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

This is the toughest one to call, for me. I've thought about it for a while, and talked to many people and although the consensus should be that the Caps should mop the floor with the Hab, my head says Caps in five - but my heart says Habs in seven. I think I am going Habs in seven.

Yes, the Capitals have Alex Ovechkin, who just does not stop scoring, but a lot of their season has been riding on the high of the great eight's chase of the goal scoring record. Ovi had 44 goals, 29 assists, and 73 points in just 65 games.

I genuinely believe that the Caps overachieved this year. That said, they've also had some young talent step up and produce, like Connor McMichael, who had 26 goals, 31 assists, and 57 points. 

But as a whole, their momentum is on a downward trend. All that excitement pent up aiming for for one goal (well, 895 actually) and they did it! Ovi is the greatest goal scorer in history, and has put up a couple more since. It's over.

The Habs, on the other hand, are on an upwards trajectory for momentum. The dynamic duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have their production on point. Captain Suzuki had 30 goals, 59 assists, and 89 points, while ‘goal' Caufield had 37 goals, 33 assists, and 70 points, respectively.

This year also saw the emergence of their goaltender of the future Sam Montembeault, who had an unreal workload with 62 games started and 31 wins and four shutouts. Following this trend is defenseman Lane Hutson, who is a likely Calder finalist, if not winner. He is a legit franchise defenseman in the making, and in my opinion, is still somehow highly underrated.

Lastly that really hammered the upwards trajectory thrusters was phenom Ivan Demidov, who should have been the first overall pick if not for political views. Demidov played two games coming over from Russia and scored a goal and an assist. This kid is the real deal and should be immediately targeted next year for fantasy, especially in keepers and dynasty leagues. Expect him to go first round in dynasty.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Devils in six. That's it.

This is not going to be a super exciting series. Both teams struggled this season for different reasons. The Canes kind of set themselves back with the whole Martin Necas and Mikko Rantanen saga. They are good for the future, getting back Logan Stankoven and a couple first round picks, but they did not fill the huge hole they had offensively and fell stagnant.

Their top scorer Sebastian Aho will need a supporting cast to help produce if they are to best the Devils. Aho had 29 goals, 45 assists, and 74 points this season.

The Devils have been plagued by injury most of the year. Their top three up front were lethal all season when playing, but they will be without Jack Hughes, which will have a significant hit on their hopes of making a deep playoff run. Hughes was second in scoring to Jesper Bratt, who had 21 goals, 67 assists, and 88 points.

Despite being without their best player, I still think the Devils will be too much for the Canes to handle consistently, and though it is likely they will see a second-round exit, the Devils should take round one.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

The battle for Ontario is back, baby! There will not be a more watched series in round one than this Canadian heavyweight bout. The Maple Leafs are poised to make a run at the cup, but the Senators have had their number all season long.I still have the Leafs in six, although they do notoriously love a first-round exit. 

The Senators are on the cusp of really being in a place where they have enough depth, firepower, and veteran presence to compete, however they just have not made that jump yet. They are so close, and under the leadership of Brady Tkachuk it will be a physically explosive series. The Tkachuk effect has been taken so seriously that the Maple Leafs have recalled Ryan Reaves to add some enforcer presence and protect their stars.

Tkachuk has missed significant time since the Four Nations Face-Off, but will be returning to be unleashed in the postseason against the long time rival Maple Leafs. He had a team leading 29 goals, plus 26 assists and 55 points.

Tim Stutzle led the team in points with 24 goals, 55 assists, and 79 points. The leading defensemen was Jake Sanderson, who had an excellent season. Move over Thomas Chabot, a new top blueliner has taken over. Sanderson had 11 goals, 57 assists, and 57 points on the season.

The ‘core four' of the Maple Leafs are at a do or die stage right now. They have had a decade of dominating the regular season, then falling short with quick exits in the postseason. This is the year that if there are not deep results, ownership might break the core apart and start over.

Further, Mitch Marner is in a contract year and has refused to negotiate a contract until postseason. This could go one of a couple ways here. If the Maple Leafs see success in the playoffs, they will likely give Marner whatever he wants to stay. If they lose to the rival Senators in round one after winning the Atlantic Division, they may not even give him an offer. He did lead the team in points with 27 goals, 75 assists, and 102 points. This was his first 100+ point season, though he has been close several times in the past.

Captain Auston Matthews had a shadowed season compared to efforts in the past with only 33 goals, 45 assists, and 78 points. While elite in itself, it is a disappointment for his talent level. He has also notoriously turned into a ghost on the ice in the playoffs, so all eyes will be on him to produce and lead the charge to victory this year. His legacy is on the line.

William Nylander led the team in goals this year with 45, and former captain John Tavares had one of his best seasons as a Maple Leaf with 74 points in 75 games. All four were top four in point production in the regular season and need to continue this trend to be successful if they plan on making a deep run.

Anthony Stolarz looks to be getting the nod in the crease over tandem partner Joseph Woll, but nobody would be surprised if we see both of them in the crease before this series is done.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

Last but certainly not least, we have the battle of Florida. Who will dominate the sunshine state? In my opinion, it's the Bolts in six.

Why not the Panthers? They are the defending champions. They went out and made a big splash getting Brad Marchand and Seth Jones. They have Matthew Tkachuk. True, but man is this team beat up. I don't think they will give up easily, but they are nowhere near 100%.

Their leading scorer was Sam Reinhart, who had 39 goals, 42 assists, and 81 points. While the Panthers don't have the depth as a lot of competing teams, they lean on their physical hard to play against style of play. They will grind you down and make you want to make safe plays instead of risky ones. They make you second guess going into the corner, and a paranoia to always keep your head up. 

But... But you can't play that way hurt, and you certainly can't keep it up for a whole series as banged up as they are. Tkachuk looks like he will return, but hasn't played since the Four Nations Face-Off. Marchand had several back surgeries last offseason, then took significant time off this season to rest in the middle of his being dealt from the Boston Bruins at the deadline. Even with his 10 games played, he's only put up two points which is concerning. 

The Bolts on the other hand are eager to take back their spot on top. Since parting ways with former captain Steven Stamkos, they have not skipped a beat to compete in the East, and that's sweet!

Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is still one of the best in the world, and continues to handle a heavy workload, starting 63 games and winning 38 of them.

They have the top points producing player in Nikita Kucherov for the second year in a row. He had 37 goals, 84 assists, and 121 points. They also had three other players over 80 points in Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and Jake Guentzel. Even defenseman Victor Hedman had 66 points.

The Bolts still remember how to win, and will be fast and skilled enough to skirt by the rough and tough style of play of the Panthers and get back to being on top of the sunshine state.