NHL Conference Finals Predictions and Round Two Playoff Results

Round two of the NHL playoffs is complete, and now we head into the third round, which is the conference finals. Another round of ups and downs, with no real upsets but some really exciting hockey played as we saw four teams punch their ticket and be one step closer to being able to hoist Lord Stanley.

Let's break down each of these matchups, and end with some brief predictions on what's next to come after the halfway point this postseason.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars

First, let's start with sending thoughts and prayers to Mark Scheifele and family. The night before game six. his father unexpectedly passed. Scheifele scored the first and only goal for the Jets in this very emotional game.

I had the Stars in five, but the Jets took it to six before the Stars were able to put them away. Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck did bounce back and have a better series, but he was unable to hold the fort for his team to berth into the conference final. Injuries played a role for the Jets also, as they saw huge contributors such as the aforementioned Scheifele, as well as defenseman Josh Morrissey and forward Nikolaj Ehlers miss time. 

Ehlers may have unfortunately also played his final game as a Jet as NHL insiders believe he will test free agency next season.

The Stars' depth was the difference maker in this series, especially as newcomer and potentially the torchbearer for the future Mikko Rantanen started the series with a second consecutive hat trick. Defenseman Thomas Harley also looks hot, and will be a cornerstone of the future and for the remainder of these playoffs.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers

I had the Oilers in seven, but they took it in five. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl did what two of the best players in the world do, and that's take over.

From the get go it seemed like the Oilers were hungry and in control. Comparing the top players of each team it wasn't even close.

The Golden Knights' top players, who were Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo had a combined 24 points, but had a +/- of -11. The Oilers' McDavid, Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard had a combined 45 points and a +/- of +10.

I said previously the Oilers needed help from the likes of Corey Perry, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and noted that Evander Kane's return was going to be good for the team, not only for his physical play, but if he can contribute as some secondary scoring it would only be a good thing for the Oilers. It so happens all four of these players rank fourth through seventh now in playoff scoring for the Oilers. It is no wonder they made quick work of the Golden Knights.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Another perfect prediction here. I had the Canes in five, and they did not disappoint. While I feel for Alex Ovechkin and his Caps, I cannot overstate how impressed I have been with the Canes through these playoffs.

Another series where a team just took over from the start, and never really let go. The Canes are not a super high-scoring team with franchise players to carry them, but they have emerged as a very deep, consistent team with great chemistry. There is something to be said for getting players who “fit” the system.

Logan Stankoven and veteran Taylor Hall have been huge additions who seem to fit the system there, and started to see immediate success for them, and everyone playing around them.

It's not like Logan Thompson played poorly, or there was a specific line on the Caps that was getting caved in either. The Canes just had a calm, consistent hold on this series, and have solidified them as my Eastern Conference favorites.

For all of you stat nerds out there, Capital's Dylan Strome kept the lead for Washinton with 11 points, with Ovi in third with only six. The Canes saw two players at 10 points each in Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. Nobody ran away with it, but there were solid numbers from most of the lineup.

One last note on this series is: I really liked how Canes' goaltender Frederik Andersen looked. He sits at a .937 save percentage and I have never seen him look so calm and confident in net. Usually when he gets into panic mode he starts to flail around, but this year he just seems to have a resolve about him. Good news for the Canes, and good news for Andersen owners in keeper/dynasty leagues (to put a rare fantasy spin in a post fantasy season article).

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers

I naively had the Maple Leafs in seven here, but history repeats itself and saw the Leafs get rushed in another game seven defeat. The defending Stanley Cup Champions pounce at the opportunity to put away a fragile team.

This series turning point was Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz getting concussed in game three, continuing to play for about 10 minutes before he skated over to the bench and was seen throwing up. He did not play another minute, and did not play for the remainder of the series.

1B goaltender Joseph Woll did what he could and saw flashes of brilliance with a shutout in game six, forcing game seven, but also had flashes of panic where he was shelled, which led to him being pulled and backup Matt Murray" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#player-pop-up" href="/nhl_player_news/Matt_Murray/">Matt Murray to take his place.

While the Maple Leafs did force game seven, they epicly crumbled under the pressure yet again, and the “core four” was invisible on the ice. The Panthers win essentially will be the straw that breaks the camel's back as the organization will without a doubt break this core up during the offseason to shake things up.

Two standout players to me this series were Panthers' defenseman Seth Jones and forward Brad Marchand. Both trade acquisitions this year paid for their spots in this series alone. Jones continued to make smart players, chip in offensively, and lay the body while Marchand solidified his “rat king” moniker and be a pest that is and has always been a “Leaf killer,” apparently no matter what sweater he puts on.

Western Conference: Stars vs. Oilers

This is going to be a back and forth series, and I don't think it's because these teams are close in talent or depth, but because each will have difficulty closing out the series. Against my better judgement, I do have the Oilers in six.

The Stars had a really tough time with the Jets, and they will absolutely have a tough time with the Oilers. McDavid's will to win is what is going to take the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Stars might have the depth, and be a really good team on paper, however their top-end talent won't be able to compete with the firepower coming the other way.

The Oilers aren't super deep, but have been getting help from outside of the franchise players and have some chippy depth and veterans playing a physical game and it is my opinion that they will be able to take this series. Either way, it'll be a fun one to watch and seeing a Canadian team in the finals will not only bring a lot of eyeballs to the sport, but it will also get under commissioner Gary Bettman's skin.

Eastern Conference: Hurricanes vs. Panthers

The Canes are my pick to win the Stanley Cup this year, so it should not come as a surprise that I have them taking this series, also in six games. The Panthers definitely have the edge on experience and physicality here, however the eye-test tells me that they are going to get a run for their money with this young up-and-coming roster.

Nobody this postseason has the same level of chemistry this Carolina team has, and it's not even close. I keep talking about the “fit” here, and this might bring them a championship for their efforts.

The broken record in the room says; “Imagine losing both Necas and Rantanen in one year, and getting better for it.” That is a wild statement, and I don't mean Minnesota. It would be fun to see the Stars and Canes in a final, so Rantanen has a chance to eliminate both of the teams he departed from this year, and as much fun that would be to watch, I don't believe it's in the cards this year.

The Panthers are a solid team, and have had some excellent tenacity this postseason. Marchand and Bennett running roughshod on the ice has been a treat, but I think their season will end in this series.