Toronto Maple Leafs vs Habs and Other 1st Round Predictions

Edmonton vs the Jets

The Oilers would have a tougher time in this series if they had to play the actual Jets from Westside Story.  The hockey version isn’t too hot and will get absolutely torched by McDavid, Draisaitl and whatever other guys happen to suit up for them.

Many people don’t think that the Oilers are a good team, because they think that depth and balance are large factors in who wins hockey games.  Sometimes, when one team doesn’t have a player who is twice as good as any other team’s best player, this is true.

However, in the case of Connor McDavid, if you took him off the Oilers right now and made him play for the Sabres, or Ducks, or Red Wings, each of those teams would then be a top five contender for the Cup.

Oilers in five.  Four if Connor feels like a rest between rounds.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs the Habs

The same thing I just said about the Oilers applies to Auston Matthews, just not quite as explicitly. Still, expect Matthews to score five goals in the five games this series takes, and the expect the Leafs to finally make it to round two without breaking a sweat.

The Habs are a superstar short of being one of the NHL’s best teams.  Until they find their own Matthews, or at the very least, their own Mark Stone, they won’t make much of their excellent depth and roster.

A summer time acquisition of Jack Eichel should be their priority.  As for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it should be finally their time to break through.