Toronto Maple Leafs vs Habs and Other 1st Round Predictions

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens fights Wayne Simmonds #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 23: Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Penguins vs the Islanders

The Penguins are going to win in five games. The Islanders are a terrible, terrible team that is so incredibly overrated it boggles the mind. Since March the 1st, the Ottawa Senators are ahead of them, which is 20 games.

Like last year, they were hot to start and finished so badly that if the season was longer they almost certainly would have missed the playoffs. The NHL’s most average division features three good teams that used to be great, so if you’re nostalgic for last decade, this is the division for you.

Capitals vs Bruins

At least one of my least favorite teams will be eliminated in round one, so that’s sweet. I predict that the Bruins will get this done because the addition of Taylor Hall has prolonged their run at the top. They’ve got the experience, the talent and the goaltending to get it done.

I just wouldn’t bet on it, because with Taylor Hall on the roster there is likely a better chance they somehow end up picking first overall next season than win a playoff game.

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