(1) Edmonton Oilers - (4) Minnesota Wild

Season Series: 2-1-0 (Oilers)

There isn't much to say here other then the Edmonton Oilers are one of the favorites to win it all. They have the best top 12 of any team in the playoffs lead by Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, J.T. Miller, Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart. Goaltending isn't particularly a strength with Connor Hellebuyck, but it shouldn't hurt them. Defensively is where the Oilers need help and may ultimately be why the don't win the cup this year.

The Minnesota Wild on the other hand don't have the forwards, defense or goaltending to compete with the Oilers. What they do have is experience and lots of it. Nicklas Backstrom and Kris Letang lead a group of players who are aging, but have the playoff experience. Come playoff time, this is important. With that said, it's going to be too much for them to handle the Oilers offense and lose this series in 5 games.

Prediction: Edmonton Oilers in 5



(2) Calgary Flames - (3) San Jose Sharks

Season Series: 2-1-1- (Flames)

Kevin has done a good job building a sustainable team who should have enough turn around to continue to be a top team in the West. This year, they are lead by Sidney Crosby, and a plethora of great young players in Alex DeBrincat, Drake Batherson, Kirby Dach, Jared McCann and Adam Fox. Goaltending should prove to be solid as they can bring in both Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson. Defensively the team is better then it has been in years past with a focus on the defensive side of the game with guys like Hakanppa, van Riemsdyk, Lindgren, Parayko and Fox.

GM Sumit has always been confident his Sharks will win a cup, and perhaps that mindset would rub off on his team if this wasn't a computer operated sim. Instead we see a team nearing the end of its cup window. Ryan O'Reilly, Jordan Staal, Reilly Smith and Brent Burns all have 2 years left. Roman Josi just 1. John Tavares and his 3 years left could be sent packing after year 2. This is a team that needs to win, and soon. It's a deep roster that can be sneaky good and win a round. Unfortunately they dont have the depth on offense to match the Flames. Defensively they are solid and perhaps just as good, maybe better then the Flames. This series could be decided by goaltending, and that doesn't work in the Sharks favor as the tandem of Talbot and Stolarz isn't good enough. This may go 7 games, but I'm predicting 6.

Prediction: Calgary Flames in 6


(1) Colorado Avalanche - (4) Dallas Stars

Season Series: 2-2-0 (Tied)

These two teams have met each other in the playoffs a whole bunch of times as of late, because they are both very successful BRHL franchises. It's a shame we get this matchup in Round 1, but Junya's Dallas Stars havent been quite the powerhouse that they have been in the past. The Avalanche have some really high end talent in Sebastian Aho, Roope Hintz, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Evander Kane up front. On the defensive side of the puck they are also pretty deep at forward with P.E. Bellemare, Sebastian Aho, Alex Iafallo, JT Compher and Valeri Nichushkin all being very responsible two way players. On Defense they have a ton of experience with Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty, Justin Faulk and Tyson Barrie. In net they have a great goaltender in Frederik Andersen.

The Stars on the other hand are no slouches either, especially on the defensive end of things. Sean Couturier, Elias Lindholm and Nick Paul are very good two way players that compliment Steven Stamkos, Jeff Skinner, Jesper Bratt and Mark Schefiele. Forward wise, I think both teams are very even. On Defense, the Stars can also hold their own against the Aves with Neal Pionk, Aaron Ekblad, Cam Fowler and Brett Pesce. It's not quite as deep as the Aves though. Goaltending is where the Stars may have the edge as Igor Shersterkin is a beast. This is going to be a tough series to predict, and could also end up being a 7 game series.

Prediction: Colorado Avalanche in 7.


(2) St.Louis Blues - (3) Nashville Predators

Season Series: 3-1-0 (Blues)

The defending champs look to make another deep run with a similiar roster as last season. The Blues sport perhaps the best defensive forward group in the BRHL with Logan Couture, Mikeal Backlund, Andrew Cogliano, Nic Dowd, Michael Raffl and Eetu Luostarinen all being above average defensive players. Bringing the offense is Filip Forsberg, Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel and of course Alex Ovechkin. They are built well with a mix of everything, including playoff experience. Defensively the team is solid, but lacks some high end offensive talent. Only Noah Dobson can move the puck, and that could be a problem as they get deep into the playoffs. Tristan Jarry is a great goaltender who can steal them games.

The Predaors cannot match the offense of the Blues, but are also a very good two-way team with Lars Eller, Casey Cizikas, Anton Lundell, Riley Nash, Gustav Nyquist and Clayton Keller all being above average defensively. They lack the firepower as only Clayton Keller is a major scoring threat up top. On Defense, the team is steady defensively and has some two way firepower in John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun. The Predators have the advantage there. Unfortunately they will be rolling with two goalies, Husso and Elliott come playoff time as neither can manage the workload. It should be interesting to see how they play their matchups. This series will go to 6 games.

Prediction: St.Louis Blues in 6.