Eastern Conference Matchups
Washington vs. Toronto
One of the factors with these Leafs, and I found this out big-time when I was doing the Buzztron 9000, is looking at the matchups of the Maple leafs in any year prior to this year is really pointless. The Caps are 9-1 against the Leafs in their last ten…This year the Caps were 2-1…But the goal differential in those four games only favored the Caps 15-12. The Leafs put 3 per behind Holtby, and not many did…The matchup favors the Caps, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who wants to play Toronto right now.
Winner: Washington
Columbus vs. Pittsburgh
These teams have split the last ten, with the Penguins winning 3 of 5 this season in close games…In fact the only game that was an outlier this year came three days before Christmas when Columbus dominated the Penguins 7-1. I will get into other factors when I make my predictions, but just going on matchups…
Winner: Pittsburgh
Montreal vs NY Rangers
The Rangers have The best record versus the Capitals, but in order to stop the Caps the Rangers would have to get past Montréal… and Montréal has won 8 of the last 10… including going 3-0 this season. One oddity about this matchup, is that 4 of the last 10 games have ended with one team shutting out the other…
Winner: Montreal
Ottawa vs. Boston
Surprisingly, Ottawa has won 8 of the last 10 meetings, including all five games this season. Injuries will play a factor however, and of course they aren't taken into account when picking purely by matchup records…
Winner: Ottawa.
Round 2
Washington vs. Pittsburgh
A Second Round Pens/Caps rematch would offer everything you would ever want from a playoff series. The Penguins have won six of the last 10 meetings with the team splitting this season 2-2. And of course everyone remembers the 8-7 epic battle played back in January.
Winner: Pittsburgh
Montreal vs. Ottawa
These teams have split the last 10 games, but the Canadiens won 4 of 5 this season including the last 3 in a row…
Conference Finals:
Montreal vs. Pittsburgh
The Penguins have won 6 of the last 10 including 3 of 4 this season…
Stanley Cup Final…
Pittsburgh versus Chicago
This would be a battle the NHL would love to see… to say the least. So much star power…two teams who have been dynasty like…it would be epic. Not many teams have won 8 of the last 10 against the Penguins….but Chicago has…including 6 in a row, outscoring Pitt 20 - 8 in those 6 games…
If the Matchups stay true…ANOTHER Cup in Chi-town...
Tomorrow, I'll be back at my gut predictions as well as another, new concept for selecting winners.