March for the Cup is where you will vote on hypothetical playoff matchups in a bracket style setup mimicking the NCAA basketball tournaments. Here is the setup.
I’m going to seed all 31 teams based on the current overall standings with one play in game because of the odd number of teams. You will have a chance to vote on who you think should win the matchup. I’ll give some brief overviews and you’ll use those and your own intuition to make your selections. The results will be hidden until the next blog when the results are revealed. We will go round by round until we have a winner. Who knows? Maybe our selection will be the only winner this season.
This is all hypothetical. However you want to analyze things, go for it. If you want to assume every team has full health, go for it. Anything goes in the Coronavirus era of hypothetical playoff hockey.
The results are in and we have ourselves the Conference Finals matchups for the Mario Lemieux Division. Here are the results
(1) Boston Bruins vs (17) Calgary Flames
The Bruins may have won this fake game, but the real Deleware North employees did not fare as well. Jeremy Jacobs not only laid them off, but did so in an pre-recorded message. Bruins are losing where it really counts.
I did vote for the Boston Bruins in this fake hockey matchup.
(8) Vegas Golden Knights vs (9) Edmonton Oilers
The better team prevailed. Edmonton is a two pony show and the Golden Knights are loaded with talent and now have the goaltending position solidified.
I voted for the Vegas Golden Knights
(4) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (20) Vancouver Canucks
Not a surprise to see Tampa Bay walk away with this one. They were probably super motivated to win here so they don’t disappoint Tom Brady.
I voted for Tampa Bay Lightning.
(5) Washington Capitals vs (12) Toronto Maple Leafs
So this has been one of the better matchups on paper. I’d love to see this in real life. Toronto is one of my favorite teams to watch in the league. I really enjoy their talent. However, I did vote for the Washington Capitals here. It boiled down to Frederik Andersen not having his A game and the backup position not a clear answer either. The Capitals have Samsonov and he might be the best goalie in the series. Again, would love to see this matchcup in real life.
Here is a look at the updated bracket
We have our final four on this side of the bracket and it is (1) Boston, (4) Tampa Bay, (5) Washington, and (8) Vegas. Just like the other side of the bracket these are four really good teams.
I suppose it doesn’t come as a surprise but the remaining seeds are all pretty high with (1) Boston, (2) St. Louis, (3) Colorado, (4) Tampa Bay, (5) Washington, (7) Pittsburgh, (8) Vegas, and (11) Carolina being the remaining teams left. Pour one out for (6) Philadelphia, (9) Edmonton, and (10) Dallas.
Next blog will have voting for Conference Finals of the Mario Lemieux Division. Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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