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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our Stanley Cup picks.
Todd Cordell
Winnipeg over Toronto in 7.
I love this Jets team. They're big, strong, fast, skilled, and deep. Their starting 12 up front is maybe the deepest in the league and that's with a quality player like Jack Roslovic sitting up in the press box. It's great to have a talent like him around if they need a boost or run into injuries.
Their defense is a little shallow on the left side but I think Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey make for a fine top-3 and are capable of carrying the load – especially given the help they'll get from the forwards.
The Jets' special teams are solid, too, and Connor Hellebuyck has had an excellent year. If his strong play continues, I don't see why the Jets can't win at all.
Toronto is very similar to Winnipeg. They have a lot of speed, skill, and depth up front, which makes them very tough to match up against.
On defense they're shallow on the right side but Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and Travis Dermott, who has been really impressive, are each capable of doing the heavy lifting on their pairings.
It really comes down to Frederik Andersen. If he can put his March woes in the past and play at the level he did for the vast majority of the season, the Leafs will be an extremely tough out given the firepower they have.
I think they'll go the distance before the Jets and their never-ending supply of top-6 caliber forwards prove too much to overcome.
Adam French
My take is going to less hot than Rosie O'Donnell. I think this is the year the Nashville Predators win the Cup.
When the Preds acquired Kyle Turris, I picked them to win the Cup. I just really liked their 4 line depth. Then they added Mike Fisher again. Now fitted in a much more comfortable 4th line role than the essentially 2nd line role he played in last years playoffs. I just love their forward depth, especially with the emergence of Fiala this year. Losing Jarnkrok for the year is definitely not ideal, but he's replaceable.
They already owned the best top-4 in hockey. While I'm willing to listen to arguments, I simply can't think of a better 1-4 than Subban-Josi-Ekholm-Ellis. Emelin is a fine 5-6 and the rotation of Weber-Bitetto-Irwin are competent enough in their 10 minutes a night. Usually they are used as a way to get Josi more ice time oddly enough, so they aren't even strictly a third pairing. That makes the Preds even more dangerous.
Lastly you have the best goalie tandem. Rinne will deservedly win his first ever Vezina this year. He had an amazing year, seemingly building on a great playoff revival last year. Jusse Saros has had a fantastic year as well. He's looking like he can take the reigns sooner rather than later. That's a lovely problem to have.
At the end of the day, the Preds are the safe choice because they were the best team in the NHL. This isn't to say it's all but wrapped up, because it certainly isn't, but they're the favourites and my choice.
Peter Tessier
Well it would be a homer pick to say the Jets but I do think they have a legit chance to win but should they get to the second round and face the Predators that could derail some dreams.
First round
Jets beat Wild
Press beat Avs
Ducks beat Sharks
Kings beat Knights
Lighting beat Devils
Bruins beat Leafs
Penguins beat Flyers
Capitals beat Jackets
Second round
Preds beat Jets
Ducks beat Kings
Bruins beat Lightning
Penguins beat Capitals
Conf finals
Ducks beat Preds
Bruins beat Penguins
Stanley Cup
Bruins beat Ducks in six games.
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