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2020-2021 Stanley Cup Predictions |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our Stanley Cup predictions.
Todd Cordell
I’m going with the Colorado Avalanche over the Toronto Maple Leafs in 6.
I think the Avs are the best team in hockey; by a lot. If healthy, I don’t see anybody taking them out. Their top line is absolute dynamite and they have so much speed and skill throughout their entire forward lineup. They also have, for my money, the best and most mobile six-man defense unit in the league. They get the puck up to the forwards so quickly/effectively and they’re always up in the rush to create extra layers of offense. It’s nearly impossible to defend. Everyone always points to their goaltending as an issue but a quick glance at Phillip Grubauer’s numbers should erase that. He’s rock solid; he just needs to stay healthy.
I have Toronto (yes, Toronto) making it for a few reasons. Firstly, their division sucks. The extremely top heavy Oilers are the consensus No. 2 in the division, which tells you all you need to know. I don’t think the Maple Leafs will have much trouble with Montreal or Edmonton. If that’s the case, they only need to win one round to make it to the big dance. And I think they can do that. They are overflowing with elite talent up front and I think they’re more well-rounded, and deeper, than in previous years. So long as Jack Campbell is anything close to the guy we saw in the regular season, I think the Leafs have what it takes to make a real run.
Sean Maloughney
I'm going to go with the Colorado Avalanche over the Boston Bruins in 7. The Avalanche are such a well built team and as long as injuries don't plague them as they did last post-season I see them having a strong chance at making it to the Cup Final. I fully expect Colorado to walk through the Blues and regardless of who comes out of the North Division I think it's fair to say that Colorado should be the favourite. The forward group up front is dynamic and the skilled defence behind it is in my opinion the best in the NHL.
The Bruins meanwhile are very much the Bruins of the past few years; a hard hitting team that relies on the ridiculous high end skill of Pastrnak, Marchand, and Bergeron. The difference this season is that Boston is more than a one line team with the addition of Taylor Hall. Having Hall allows the Bruins to keep their main three guys together on the top line and still have a big threat for the opposition to deal with on the next shift.
If it rolls out this way I expect an absolute nail biter of a series with the whole thing coming down to OT in Game 7.
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