*Note: This article was written on April 21, before any games were played.
 
The regular season has come and gone, and the best time of year is upon us. It’s playoff hockey season! Before I give my opinions and predictions of the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup in the year 2016, let’s take a look at how my playoff team predictions from November fared.
West Predictions: St. Louis, Dallas, Minnesota, LA, Vancouver, San Jose, Winnipeg, Nashville (6/8)
East Predictions: NY Rangers, Washington, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, NY Islanders, New Jersey (5/8)
I went 11/16, which means I got a D+ (69%). Not my best work, but it was a long season. Now, let’s take a look at the first round series and get round two of my predictions.
Western Conference
Stars vs. Wild (DAL currently up 3-1)
This series was widely considered by experts to be the most lopsided matchup in the bracket. Dallas overmatched Minnesota in Game 1 with a 4-0 dismantling, and most people were penciling the Stars into Round 2 already. However, with a couple of different bounces, the Wild could be the ones with the 3-1 lead. A baffling goal for the Stars in Game 2 proved to be the difference in the end, and Game 4 came down to a two man advantage in the final two minutes of the game that Minnesota could not capitalize on. This series has been closer than the experts had thought, but the Wild have missed their chance to pull off the upset. The Stars should finish the series on home ice tomorrow. Stars in 5
Blues vs. Blackhawks (STL currently up 3-1)
By the time this article is up on KCOU’s website, this series may be over. The Blues, maligned for years because of their playoff ineptitude, went to Chicago and took firm control of the series by winning both games at the United Center. This series has been very exciting, with great play and lots of physical action. Chicago has had multiple chances to take the momentum in this series, but every time the Blues find a way to stop it and take momentum back for themselves, which is a change from what we’ve seen out of them in the last three years. Most people thought this series would go the distance, but St. Louis has taken such firm control that I don’t see it going that far anymore. Chicago will prolong the series tonight, but St. Louis will win its third game in Chicago to finally see the light of the second round. Blues in 6
Ducks vs. Predators (NSH currently up 2-1)
This series is throwing the concept of home ice advantage right out of the window. Nashville went to the Honda Center in Anaheim and won both games, then promptly lost their first home game. Game 4 is tonight, and I see this trend for the away team continuing. Anaheim was able to dominate the NHL in the second half of the year, and it’s no doubt they are the better team, but their execution is always a question mark. The Ducks have the talent, but the Predators have the will. I think this series goes the distance, but in Game 7 home ice finally becomes a factor and the Ducks find that drive they’ve been looking for. Ducks in 7
Kings vs. Sharks (SJ currently leads 2-1)
This series is going exactly the same way that the other series on the Pacific side of the West is going. San Jose took both games in LA, then gave up a Game 3 win to the Kings on their home ice. The Sharks have seen this situation before, only worse: they took a 3-0 lead in their first round series against the Kings two years ago, only to lose four straight and be eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champions. There’s a reason people say the shark in San Jose’s logo is choking on the stick it’s biting into. It’ll happen again. Kings in 6
Eastern Conference
Capitals vs. Flyers (WSH currently leads 3-1)
Philadelphia avoided being swept by the best team in the NHL, and that’s about as good as it’ll get for them. Much like the Wild, they had to win both games at home, and when Washington won Game 3 in Philly, this series was effectively finished. This one hasn’t been close. Washington won’t choke – just yet. Capitals in 5
Penguins vs. Rangers (PIT currently leads 2-1)
This series looked to be over in Game 1, when Henrik Lundqvist left after taking a stick to the neck. Pittsburgh took advantage of backup Rangers goalie Antti Raanta and took Game 1, and have split the two games in which Lundqvist has played in full. This series will come down to Pittsburgh’s goaltenders. With Marc-Andre Fleury battling injuries, Pittsburgh’s hopes rest on their backup goaltender Matt Murray. I think Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin give Murray enough breathing room to sneak past the Rangers. Penguins in 7
Panthers vs. Islanders (series currently tied 2-2)
Surprisingly, the most evenly matched series in the entire bracket features a division champion and a wild card team. Both the Panthers and Islanders have won one game at home and one game in the other team’s arena. Only one game in the series has been decided by more than one goal – and that’s because Florida scored on an empty net. This series will easily go to seven games, and it’s hard to pick a winner. In cases like this, I usually go with the team which has more playoff experience, and that would be the Islanders. Islanders in 7
Lightning vs. Red Wings (TB currently leads 3-1)
Tampa Bay looked to be on the wrong end of the momentum shift when Steven Stamkos was ruled out for the season after a blood clot was discovered. Then Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk revealed that this year would be his last in the NHL before returning to Russia to be closer to family. These developments led me to predict an early exit for Tampa Bay and a deep playoff run for Detroit. Of course, exactly the opposite has happened. Aside from a gritty Game 3 win on home ice, Detroit has looked overmatched in this series. Tampa should close this one out back at home. Lightning in 5
For the rest of the playoffs:
Second Round
Blues over Stars in 6
Kings over Ducks in 7
Capitals over Penguins in 6
Lightning over Islanders in 6
Conference Finals
Blues over Kings in 7
Capitals over Lightning in 7
Stanley Cup Final
Capitals over Blues in 6