Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Bold Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 06: The Toronto Maple Leafs stand for the national anthems prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round against the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 06, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 16: MacKenzie Weegar #52 of the Florida Panthers checks Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Tampa Loses in First Round

Nikita Kucherov “miraculously” rejoined the Tampa Bay Lightning for the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs after missing the entire season, and karma is going to get them for that move.

I have a ton of respect for the Lightning and what they did with Kucherov. They were able to essentially circumvent the salary cap in order to get Kucherov back for the most important time of the season.

Now that he’s back, the reigning Stanley Cup champions are going to fall to their cross-state rival, Florida Panthers.

During game one, both teams battled hard and it was hands down the most exciting game of the playoffs so far. In a thrilling 5-4 victory, the Lightning came out on top, but that’s not going to continue the rest of the way.

Sergei Bobrovsky is going to show the Panthers why he’s worth his contract and will help lead his team to a first round victory. It’s not going to be easy and the Lightning are going to give them everything they have, but the home-ice advantage will pay dividends to Florida.

Prediction: Florida Panthers beat Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games

Home/Editorials