With both TB and Pens out the SC race it is now wide open. Who wins it?

[Advanced stats]

Washington - Toronto ECF

Winnipeg vs Vegas wCF

Winnipeg - Washington final

 

[Zazzaro703]

I’m disappointed the Lightning and Pens are out, those were two layups and would have guaranteed us a return trip to the Cup final if we get past the Hurricanes. The Islanders and CBJ, TML or Boston are much tougher matchups than both of those scrub teams. I think the East is wide open and can see any of the remaining teams in the cup final. Even the Hurricanes now know the gear they need to hit to win playoff games and cannot be counted out. The West doesn’t much matter as it will be an Eastern team that wins the cup.

 

[nothingbeatshockey]

I just want to know how much anguish and impotent rage will be expressed here if the Canes win the next 3 straight. "Muh integrity of the sport" etc...

??

 

[LittleSpoon]

San Jose. Deep lineup, you got Burns and EK, two good goalies, a history of playoff success... all the way, San Jose.

I dont think goalies are SJ strong suit.

 

[LittleSpoon]

I’m disappointed the Lightning and Pens are out, those were two layups and would have guaranteed us a return trip to the Cup final if we get past the Hurricanes. The Islanders and CBJ, TML or Boston are much tougher matchups than both of those scrub teams. I think the East is wide open and can see any of the remaining teams in the cup final. Even the Hurricanes now know the gear they need to hit to win playoff games and cannot be counted out. The West doesn’t much matter as it will be an Eastern team that wins the cup.

Quit licking the paint bud.

 

[McDLT]

Washington - Toronto ECF

Winnipeg vs Vegas wCF

Winnipeg - Washington final

i wish

 

[N o o d l e s]

Until Washington is eliminated nothing is wide open

 

[WolfgangPuck]

It’s wide open.
But I’ll bet on a team that’s full of free agents who are playing for their next contract

 

[SpezDispenser]

This makes the road a lot easier for Washington to repeat.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I thought the final is going to be Tampa - Nashville so I guess now I'm gonna say Nashville. In any case, Tampa being eliminated just doubled the chances of Western team winning it in my opinion.

 

[Riddum]

I was super impressed by Columbus and they gelled at the right time. I think they've got this.

To be honest, they have a great team on paper. Even before they got Duchene, they were really underachieving.

 

[Midnight Judges]

I liked the Pens and Lightning as match-ups for the Caps. The Capitals over-match them both physically while playing a tighter team game.

 

[SI90]

This first round thus far should prove that in the playoffs anything can happen.

 

[danielpalfredsson]

NYI vs Knights final.

I wouldn't like seeing the Leafs go deep, but the best storyline right now would be Islanders vs Leafs in the conference final due to the Tavares drama.

Selfishly, I'd like SJS to make the Cup final so that if Karl stays, the Sens get another 1st. I don't think they make it past the Golden Knights though.

Entertainment value wise, I can't think of a great confer nice final matchup for VGK. Maybe WPG just for how they play on the ice and to have a big rematch from last year's final.

The problem with a VGK vs NYI final to me is that it's an all Babyface matchup. It's really too bad that we don't have top 4 re-sending because "Toronto" John Tavares is the biggest drawing heel right now and NYI vs TOR is the real money matchup. Everything after that is underwhelming.

 

[joestevens29]

Was pretty wide open going into the playoffs. Don't really see how PIT going out would change a lot of people's mind anyway. TB sure were the Vegas odds, but to a lot of people they were falling into that category that STL and SJ had found themselves in. Real good teams that just can't get over the hump

 

[MattySnipes]

It’s wide open.
But I’ll bet on a team that’s full of free agents who are playing for their next contract

Don't take teams with young players who lack playoff experience for granted. They don't know any better. Once they've acquired the taste of what it's like to win a game they can be very dangerous.

 

[NoName]

Washington has to be the favorite. They are up in their series and are defending Champions. Still, right now the field is more wide-open then I have ever seen it. Literally would not count anyone out.

If I had to pick maybe it would be Washington v Nashville?

Have a funny feeling that the winner of Winnipeg vs St Louis (hopefully Winnipeg) will go far though.

 

[TheOtherOne]

I don't understand why there are so many threads that seem to assume Pittsburgh was a Cup favorite. They barely made the playoffs. Detroit could have knocked them out with 1 more win in game number 81.

In other words, a bubble team got eliminated early- who cares?

 

[Madifer]

What a foolish poll.

It can easily be anyone's cup this year.