The thrilling Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs commenced on Saturday. I had already picked the winners in my
head on Saturday and here they are along with my respective MVPs of each Leagues’ Playoffs.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference
First Round
Toronto Maple Leafs over Ottawa Senators in 4
Tampa Bay Lightning over Florida Panthers in 6
Washington Capitals over Montreal Canadiens in 6
Carolina Hurricanes over New Jersey Devils in 5
Conference Semifinals
TB Lightning over Toronto in 7
Capitals over Hurricanes in 7
Conference Finals
Lightning over Caps in 7
I would love to pick my man Alex Ovechkin and the Caps. Ovechkin, “the Great 8” broke Wayne Gretsky’s “The
Great One’s” all time goal scoring mark at 894 on Sunday, April 6th at the New Islanders with his 895th goal.
He now has 897 and counting. This was historic as it looked like a record that would never be broken. The 39
year old from Moscow, Russia is an amazing competitor and is also in amazing physical shape and
looks like he could play another 2 or 3 years. He wants to and the Caps want him to, so that’s a hopeful
scenario. My heart is with the Caps, which won the Cup in 2018. I had picked them to make it to the Stanley
Cup Final in 2018 and have become a passionate fan ever since then. The “Great 8 Chase” of the “Great One”
was historic. But I’ll take the Lightning in the Conference Finals, barely.
Western Conference
First Round
Winnipeg Jets over St. Louis Blues in 5
Dallas Stars over Colorado Avalanche in 7
Vegas Golden Knights over Minnesota Wild in 5
Edmonton Oilers over LA Kings in 6
Conference Semis
Stars over Jets in 7
Oilers over Golden Knights in 7
Conference Finals
Stars over Oilers in 7
Stanley Cup Finals
Should be a classic. I picked Dallas in my head on Saturday, but they lost to Colorado in game 1, so hoping
they can regroup. I like the Tampa Bay superstars, Brayden Point (42 goals this season, 6th in the NHL), Jake
Guentzel (41 goals, tied 7th) and Nikita Kucherov (121 points, led the league-goals and assists combined- 37
goals, 84 assists) to lead the Lightning back to the pinnacle of the sport. They have already won it in 2004,
2020 and 2021.
Tampa Bay over Dallas in 6
Conn Smythe Trophy, Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Jake Guentzel
Coverage on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT and truTV with the Finals exclusively on
ESPN.
NBA Playoffs Predictions
Eastern Conference
First Round
Cleveland Cavaliers over Miami Heat in 5
Indiana Pacers over Milwaukee Bucks in 5
New York Knicks over Detroit Pistons in 7
Celtics over Magic in 4
Conference Semis
Cavs over Pacers in 7
Celtics over Knicks in 6
Conference Finals
Celtics over Cavs in 7
Western Conference
First Round
OKC Thunder over Memphis Grizzles in 4
Denver Nuggets over LA Clippers in 7
Lakers over Minnesota Timberwolves in 7
Golden State Warriors over Houston Rockets in 6
Conference Semis
OKC over Nuggets in 7
Warriors over Lakers in 6
Conference Finals
Dubs over OKC in 7
NBA Finals
Warriors over Celtics in 7–
This will be the Warriors 8th NBA Championship.
Finals MVP
Steph Curry
Coverage on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV with the Finals exclusively on ABC.
13 Responses
I don’t follow hockey so no thoughts on that.
I like your long shot pick the Warriors and would love to see that and Steph get MVP too. However, I’ve been so impressed with the Cavs and Thunder, especially their stifling defense, and think that defense is going to prevail this time. Both know how to win with 60+ for each which is so impressive. OKC had more wins and a greater point differential vs. their opponents this season, but I’m going to go with Donovan Mitchell to lead the way to a Cavs title. I won’t be surprised to see OKC win it all or the Celtics repeat either.
Thanks for the comments,D.Great pick on Rory @ Augusta National. Let’s get’er done Wednesday,weather permitting.
I no nothing about the NBA but asking my insider he said take OKC Thunder. I love the Stanley Cup but know nothing as well but pulling for Gretzky’s old team the Oilers. Thanks for the preview/predictions DW
Thanks, Joseph. Hope I’m a better picker than your insider. Track record’s pretty good.
I never doubt the DW
I don’t follow either much until playoffs.
I lean toward Cavs or TWolves due to defensive abilities of players. OKC is similar. Would love to see the Warriors do it once more.
I can’t go against your NHL finals picks.
I should have weighed in on MLB sorry was focused on college hoops.
Thanks, MB.
Great coverage for both the NHL and NBA.
GO BOLTS!!! Puck drops tonight here in Tampa. NHL Playoffs are a grind,….
I’m thinking The CAVS should do well,…..
JJ Redick has done a great job coaching The Lakers,….I’ll keep an eye on The NBA but don’t watch a lot. Many thanks.
Thanks, JD!
Thanks, SH!
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