North Division
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 4 Montreal Canadiens

Why the Maple Leafs should win: The Leafs are 7-2-1 against the Canadiens this season. Toronto is an improved defensive team this season, sitting eighth in the NHL with a 2.54 goals against average. Auston Matthews is a predatory offensive star, always ready to take advantage of weak defensive play. Toronto is the NHL's sixth best offensive team. It feels like this team could make the longest playoff run a Maple Leafs team has made since 1999. But Toronto goalie Jack Campbell, as impressive he has been, has no NHL playoff experience. Let's also not forget that Toronto hasn't won a playoff round since 2004.

Why the Canadiens could win: Goalie Carey Price would have to steal multiple games to give the Canadiens a chance against a deeper Toronto team. But Price is capable of that. Brendan Gallagher said he's got seven good fingers and he's "good to go." When healthy, tenacious and feisty Gallagher can impact a playoff series almost as much as a goalie.


Pick: Maple Leafs in five.


No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Winnipeg Jets

Why the Oilers should win: Connor McDavid has been unstoppable, showing 105 points in 56 games. He's the game's most dangerous scorer. No one comes close matching his dynamic presence. The Oilers were 7-2 against the Jets this season, including 6-0 in their last six meetings. They outscored Winnipeg 21-7 in those five games. McDavid had 22 points in the nine games against Winnipeg. Leon Draisaitl had seven goals.

Why the Jets could win: Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has to be the best player in the series. That means he has to be more dominant than McDavid. With a Vezina Trophy on his resume, Hellebuyck has shown he can be an elite difference-maker. But even he couldn't reduce McDavid's effectiveness. This regular-season, Hellebuyck was 2-5 against Edmonton, with a 3.96 GAA and an .877 save percentage. The Jets have some good news with Nikolaj Ehlers expected to return to the Winnipeg lineup after missing nine games with injury

Pick: Oilers in six

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