2023-24 NHL Playoff predictions

[smuddan]

My prediction is the biggest upset will come from one of the Rangers/Caps, Oilers/Kings or Canes/Isles series. The other five series are close enough that any team can win. The NHL first round Playoffs are prone to upsets.

 

[The Oracle]

I'm picking the Jets to go the distance this year. You heard here first.

Leafs will make it out of the first round

 

[roddermac]

I'm picking the Jets to go the distance this year. You heard here first.

Leafs will make it out of the first round

Other than Dallas they're the most complete team but I do think Dallas is ahead of them defensively

 

[roddermac]

This season there appears to be no clear cut favorite to win the cup. Aside from picking higher ranked teams and hunches, my feeling is it will go down to what ever team has a hot goalie, stays healthy, or has overtime success/luck.

Should be fun to watch, especially the first round with so many games.

Golden Knights are the champs until someone knocks them out.

 

[roddermac]

My prediction is the biggest upset will come from one of the Rangers/Caps, Oilers/Kings or Canes/Isles series. The other five series are close enough that any team can win. The NHL first round Playoffs are prone to upsets.

Only if Lindgren gets hot. I can't see it happening with the other two series. I can see Nashville beating the Canucks.

 

[The Oracle]

Other than Dallas they're the most complete team but I do think Dallas is ahead of them defensively

Jets have the best goaltending I believe. The deadline acquisitions of Toffoli and Monahan were big additions and have pushed them to another level. Rick Bowness as them firing on all cylinders.

 

[mitchell76]

Leafs down 3-0. What else is new......LMAO

 

[roddermac]

Leafs down 3-0. What else is new......LMAO

They're now down 4-0. That's new.

 

[superstar_88]

Florida beat TB in OT
Last playoffs
they won both OT games against Boston, both OT games vs Leafs, and both OT games vs Carolina.
In the Finals with Vegas they won the only game that went into OT.
They did not lose 1 single OT game.

 

[tml]

Canucks get outshot 31-12 .............AND WIN!!!!!!!

 

[chuckertmg]

Jets have the best goaltending I believe. The deadline acquisitions of Toffoli and Monahan were big additions and have pushed them to another level. Rick Bowness as them firing on all cylinders.

They looked good - I don't know if they counted on a battle of attrition like this in the first round though... that series has been kinda crazy.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-playoffs-while-east-teams-romp-through-round-1-avalanche-and-jets-are-in-a-war

 

[mitchell76]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1784739799846318195

 

[chuckertmg]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1784739799846318195

Canucks pulled out that win with a 3rd string goaltender who's only played a handful of NHL games.
Their top two goalies were both injured in the first 3 games of the playoffs.
Exciting win.

 

[roddermac]

Canucks pulled out that win with a 3rd string goaltender who's only played a handful of NHL games.
Their top two goalies were both injured in the first 3 games of the playoffs.
Exciting win.

Vegas did the same last season.

 

[K Douglas]

Vegas did the same last season.

Indeed they did and Hill was good enough. Definitely helped to have a big physical D corps in front of him.
The year prior to that the Avs won with a mediocre at best Darcy Kuemper. Seems like having a stud goaltender is not a prerequisite for a long playoff run anymore.

 

[superstar_88]

No, but having a dud goalie who gives up freebies can cost you a series.

 

[mitchell76]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1786572936968601639

 

[mitchell76]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1786578449877905882

 

[roddermac]

Indeed they did and Hill was good enough. Definitely helped to have a big physical D corps in front of him.
The year prior to that the Avs won with a mediocre at best Darcy Kuemper. Seems like having a stud goaltender is not a prerequisite for a long playoff run anymore.

Chicago and LA as well. All teams need now is a goalie who can hold the fort not conquer it. But then again how far would the Panthers have gotten last season without Bobrovsky

 

[roddermac]

No, but having a dud goalie who gives up freebies can cost you a series.

The Avs might soon find that out the hard way.