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EXACTLY What Will Happen in The Stanley Cup Final.

September 19, 2020, 6:40 PM ET [26 Comments]
Eklund
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Ok kids. I entered the last round with my best playoffs in terms of predictions EVER. I was 10-2 going into the Conference Finals and I let the world know about it. The only series I missed on going into the last round was Montreal vs. Pittsburgh and Dallas vs. Colorado. And of course we all know that the second you talk about how great you are...the hockey Gods skate into your zone and show you what a forecheck is all about. Last round I picked the Islanders in 7 and Vegas in 6....so yes...I couldn't get out of my own zone.

Yet undaunted here I am.... about to tell you EXACTLY what's going to happen next and who's going to raise that trophy to piped-in boos as Bettman hands it to them. I will be using my bubble criteria that got me my still respectable 10-4 record. These factors are what I call the "Ek's Factors for the playoffs..."

Goaltending...

Its the best goalie in the world vs. the hottest goalie in the world. I lean a bit more towards Tampa and Vasy, but really this is one hell of a commercial for the Russian Goaltending schools.
Advantage: Slight to Tampa.

Special Teams
Power Play: Dallas is better. They rank 4th overall in the playoffs at 27.3% and their 18 power play goals is tops by alot. Tampa's 17.9% puts them at 11th, and they only have scored 10 times with the man advantage, and very few of those coming from the forwards...
Penalty Kill: Here the teams are virtually identical in their kill percentage. 83.6 for Tampa, 86.3 for Dallas.
Advantage; Dallas


Special Teams Variables...

Dallas has taken WAY more penalties than any other team...They have been short 84 times, where Tampa has been short 67 times. Another odd stat. Dallas has given up 3 short handed goals against them. No one else has given up 3. Tampa hasn't allowed a short-handed goal against them.
Advantage: Tampa.

How the teams they have played so far prepare them for their new opponent.
Dallas has faced down Colorado and Vegas, two teams with plenty of firepower. They are very much prepared for and have shown they can thrive against a team with Tampa's traits.
Tampa has likewise played tough nosed teams that like to grind it out.. The Jackets and the Islanders share many similarities with Dallas, but don't have the firepower the Stars have.
Advantage: Even

Who has more to lose:

Tampa is a powerhouse, while Dallas has the old "Team of Destiny" feel.

Better 4th line?
Again...I would say even.

Healthier?
Advantage Dallas

and finally...
Who is the counter-attack team?

When its this close to call I usually find the team that is the counter-attack team wins... It just tends to play out that way...

My pick: Dallas in 6

Your thoughts?
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