Toronto Maple Leafs vs Habs and Other 1st Round Predictions
By James Tanner
The Cheetahs vs the Panthers
Just because there are (seemingly) no laws in Florida doesn’t mean teams don’t have to abide by the NHL’s rules, it just seems like that.
Asking the 2017 Astros to hold their beer, the Lightning used ridiculous state tax laws and the long-term injured reserve to build a (approximately) $300 million dollar roster in a league with an $80 million dollar salary cap.
The question on everyone’s mind here is “does there even have to be a winner?” and yes, unfortunately there does. The defending Stanley Cup champs aren’t going down to the Panthers, as much as we’d like to see it.
Like a certain man who may or may not be Gritty’s biological father, the Bolts will prove that Karma isn’t real while they waltz to a four game sweep of the Aaron Ekblad-less Panthers.
Carolina vs Nashville
Could there be a blander matchup? Also known as the series whose TV ratings will be single digits, the two best musical locations in the NHL will go head to head.
The tunes will no doubt be great, but the hockey? Honestly, probably great too. Just because these aren’t popular teams doesn’t mean it won’t be a good series.
Roman Josi is always worth the price of admission and so is Sebastion Aho. Dougie Hamilton has fully recovered from his broken leg to almost score a point per game and finally get credit for being the NHL’s best defenseman……..ironically around the same time that Cale Makar passed him for the title.
This series will be a blast, don’t sell it short. Hurricanes will get it done in six though.