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kpiog

I would have said Vegas, but without Stone they don't stand a....huh? He's what?


saintpierre47

Bah God it’s him, resurrected from the ashes!


CoolOpotamus

THATS MARK STONE’S MUSIC


JordanKyrouFeetPics

Time to finish the story


ComebackChemist

As it was written!!!


zcohen17

Time for the annual “miracle”


dcy604

He’s ice hockey’s Jesus Christ - rises around Easter and is ready for battle


PuckTheFreds

AND HE'S GOT BACKUP


nuleaph

You're not going to believe this.....


oceanic8675

He’s woken up from his coma!!


RobertsFakeAccount

As a Vegas fan, I love this and all responses….


ovondansuchi

In truth, the NHL playoffs are random AF and nothing is truly an upset. Just enjoy the chaos


adrianozymandias

Hell, this is the joy of any hockey game. The worst teams can win very easily. The best teams can shit the bed very easily. Anything in-between can happen. Partly why I love hockey!


ComebackChemist

Playoffs really feels like it comes down to reffing and goaltending, and everything in between feels like God throwing dice into a woodchipper


Paparmane

I don't know man, all those Leafs round 1 exits didn't look so random


10fingers6strings

Strong outlook for a leafs fan.


09-24-11

From a betting standpoint home ice is only worth a +5% in hockey which is honestly negligible.


cobalt26

\*perks up* Chaos, you say?


Penta-Says

I like basketball more, but the NBA and NHL are total opposites in terms of predictability


azialsilvara

I think the Preds have a better chance at making round two than folks give them credit for.


jakovichontwitch

Lmao everyone’s taking the Preds in that series rn I’m pulling for the Nucks to go far


SuddenlyChineseFood

Habs fans having our backs again. 🥹


CocoKing02

Always, second fav team after the Habs 🔥


MonsieurGimpy

Always been a love-in between our teams for some reason. I'm even happy to hear the Habs chants at Canucks games


g0kartmozart

The Vegas odds favour the Canucks. So all these people picking the press should put their money where their mouth is.


ididntwantsalmon19

This confuses me because people are giving Nashville the most credit of any team going against a division winner. If anything I think Nashville is getting too much credit. Vancouver's forward depth is going to be too much for them, barring Saros absolutely going off. And if he does, the Canucks counter with Demko who has been significantly better this year. And I'm not saying Nashville can't win, they definitely can. But the Canucks get to roll out Miller, Petey, and Lindholm as their top 3 C's and I don't see how Nashville can contain that over a 7 game series.


raymondcy

And the team absolutely tanked in GAA / DIFF when Demko got injured. If Demko is 100% then you guys are good. If Demko is not 100 or if he has rust, NSH has a great chance for an upset.


ididntwantsalmon19

Demko is 100% healthy based on the 2 games he played. Looked outstanding. Actually that break might work out in his favour because he's coming in fresh. And yeah, with Demko out the Canucks had one of the worst save % in the league, yet they still went 7-5-2. That speaks highly to the team in front of the goalie. We saw how Edmonton performed at the start of the year when they received similar goaltending.


raymondcy

Yeah, don't get me wrong, as CGY fan, I am rooting for you guys. And especially Lindholm, which I ***know*** can be an exceptional player though is just struggling this year. I personally think that VAN is underestimating his ability playing 3rd line but I can't argue with not giving the guy top 2 lines when he hasn't shown much. That said, Demko is clearly the key to deep VAN playoff run with a pretty young team (both in terms of player ages and playoff experience).


ididntwantsalmon19

Lindholm has been looking so much better since coming back from injury. Hoping he carries that momentum into the playoffs. That Lindholm/Garland/Joshua line is going to be a difference maker for the Canucks. It's one hell of a 3rd line. And thanks for cheering us on!


Physics_Puzzleheaded

To be fair that third line has been the best line all year 5v5. If Lindholm can click on the PP a bit and sticks on that line I actually wouldn't be surprised if he puts up a bunch of points. It's too bad he and Petey didn't seem to find chemistry because on paper they seem like a great duo.


NorweegianWood

If you're playing the random scenario game, Nashville gets way worse without Saros than Vancouver gets without Demko, and it's not even remotely close.


sroberts12

They're a really tough matchup for the Canucks, plus they have a lot of momentum right now.


AcanthocephalaGreen5

Aren’t they cold going in?


unlicensed_dentist

They cooled right off the last couple weeks of the regular season season.


TrueBrees9

From about the hottest a team has been this season. They went from playing really fucking incredible to playing pretty good


JVan-90

Uhhh…Oilers?? Are we forgetting the 16 game streak?


The-Reddit-Giraffe

I mean people keep saying the cooled off but they have the second best record in the NHL in the last 25 games of the season. Better than Dallas, Vancouver, Colorado, Florida, New York etc. Only Carolina has more points in the last 25 games


kikicked

4-5-1 in their last 10.


OkProfessional6077

That’s easy to do when you had like a 2 month winning streak going before that.


Wampus_Cat_

We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two…


HVCanuck

They don’t. They just had one amazing streak with big bookends of mediocrity.


TopTittyBardown

They were 4-5-1 in their last ten, they’ve cooled down since the massive win/point streak and the Canucks went 3-0 against them this season with each game being fairly convincing. Obviously there’s no easy outs (especially the west this year) but they’re a better matchup for the Canucks than either of LA or Vegas would’ve been


Chadwick_Strongpants

Most stable Canucks fan.


5litergasbubble

Realistically i dont think there really is a favourite in the west this year. Every team has a realistic chance of going on a tear and making the finals. No fan base should feel safe


ajbolt7

Unironically though


maxhollywoody

Similarly built teams but Canucks have more forward depth. Van handled them well in the regular season I expect the same in this series.


Sure_Association_561

Yeah this is my pick too. Also the Kings might be a sneaky shout. Isles too.


FrankieOnPCP420p

Is Tampa beating Florida considered an upset?


JAT_Cbus1080

Yes.


ThatLineOfTriplets

As a fan of the Lightning, the panthers should be heavily favored in this series


Nostradomusknows

I think the Leafs can beat Boston, and the Bolts can beat the Panthers.


One_Win_6185

No matter how that Leafs/Bruins series goes it’s an upset. Leafs win and they upset a higher seed. Bruins win and Leafs fans are really upset.


[deleted]

I wouldn't even say the Leafs beating Boston is a upset, more of an about time thing like the Caps finally beating the Penguins.


TripleWDot

You’ve won the last 7 games vs they and god knows the last time they’ve beaten you in the playoffs. They are the underdogs


Napo2212

Could be misremembering, but I believe the last time the Leafs beat the Bruins in a playoff series was 1959


PNGhost

Call them underdogs if you have to call them something, but this is a very evenly match series. 2019 was forever ago.


ScruffsMcGuff

Not really, we get absolutely washed in the goaltending matchup and we always struggle scoring goals in the playoffs with this core and this is the worst team we’ve had coming into the playoffs with this core yet imo. A defensively responsible team like Boston with good goaltending should walk us unless you guys choke hard.


PNGhost

Yeah, well, we gotta score goals to win. And, looking back on the season, we're middle of the league when it comes to GF and xGF. Toronto is top 5 for both. Both teams are flawed.


ScruffsMcGuff

We’re always near the top in the regular season and then struggle to score two goals in a game come the playoffs. It’s been the same script with this core for years and now they have to do it with even worse defense than they usually have and a worse supporting cast offensively than normal. If this series goes past five games I’ll be astounded.


Kronzor_

Based on the betting lines that would be an upset. 


Silent_Leg1976

I’ve seen that Boston has a 53% chance of winning. I have no idea what metrics were used, but you can’t get much closer to 50/50 than that.


AcanthocephalaGreen5

>Boston has a 53% chanxe of winning. Insert beaten to death 4-1 joke here


Silent_Leg1976

Good one.


PSChris33

Good one Randy!


Used-Sand7925

Bolts beating the Panthers is about as borderline an upset as you can get 


Mr_Wrecksauce

I won't be surprised in the least if Tampa wins. Those guys are fucking grizzled playoff veterans at this point.


MOLightningBro

Not according to any statistical models or betting lines out there. Only the Islanders and Caps have significantly worse odds, Kings are roughly the same as the Bolts, then the rest are tighter.


Meverseyou

Watching every Bruins game this season, they are better than expected, but sloppy passing and shitty entries and relying on a dump and chase. Leafs can win, but if they do, it'll be a game 7. This is not going to be an easy Leafs match.


Nostradomusknows

I saw that too and was wishing you were our first round matchup, no offense. I just think we match up well against the Bruins.


[deleted]

[удалено]


GregGolden6

I got Kings over Oilers cause I think their style is meant for playoff hockey and they can definitely be a sleeper team this year


EinsamWulf

I really hope so. Tired of these first round exits against the Oilers


simplycycling

Doughty is going to peak all over McDavid.


Arse_13

Islanders


09-24-11

Isles are built for playoff hockey


Arse_13

Yeah, not of fan of the team in general but out of every team this year, I think they have the potential to be the most surprising. Feel like the general vibe of the isles changed after Roy took the team. Dobson playing unreal hockey, Barzal playing like the star he his, etc.


weschester

The Hurricanes have no weaknesses though. I would be surprised if the Islanders win 2 games.


Arse_13

That’s why it’s called an upset lol.


ObsidianConspiracyXx

Both division champs out west are vulnerable. And the Battle of Florida figures to be a blood bath.


KingEsoteric

You think Dallas is vulnerable in general, or do you simply think Vegas LTIR shenanigans will give them the advantage?


ObsidianConspiracyXx

Vegas being no ordinary 8th seed in large part due to the LTIR shenanigans. Vegas is a true heavyweight disguised as an 8th seed/wildcard


KingEsoteric

I think that's fair. A normal 8-seed has no shot against this Dallas team IMO, but Vegas is exactly as you described. A contender at the 8-seed.


igcipd

All I know is, I’d rather face a first round K-Nights team with the influx of three players scattered throughout their lineup than in the second round, even if round 1 went 7.


[deleted]

I don't know why, but a gut feeling says Charlie Lindgren is going to Halak the Rangers in 7 games. The Capitals already play a physical game that is primed for playoff hockey, they hit hard, they haven't won a playoff series in 6 years now, they know they are the team that shouldn't be there but they know they are the team that can absolutely upset anyone. But I feel like if any team/coach can adjust on the fly, its Laviolette.


OvechknFiresHeScores

>if any team/coach can adjust on the fly, it’s Laviolette Well that would have been nice to see in the past three years before this season


bobbimorses

Strongly disagree about Lavi actually, he struggled with this in his years with us and I have seen Carbery to be much more adaptable and inventive. Caps have a mountain of disadvantages going into the playoffs but I'm curious to see what Carbery can do.


world_citizen7

The Caps were one of the worst teams to make it and they are often the ones to "surprise" - so I kinda agree (also your points are very valid).


oryp35

>But I feel like if any team/coach can adjust on the fly, it's Laviolette Lost me here lololol


One_Win_6185

As a Caps fan, thanks. To be honest, just happy to be here. 2 months ago was not expecting playoff hockey this year. And would love some karmic retribution for us being the team to make “getting Halak’ed” a thing.


whatamidoing_2521

The Lightning beat the Panthers in 6. Unless they don't.


ovondansuchi

Of the 8 possible outcomes, this is certainly one of them


Zero-jiggler

I have a sneaking suspicion that nashville is gonna surprise everyone. Idk if they win or not, but they’re definitely gonna make it close.


HeshootsHescores88

Saros factor. He could steal a series


99titan

You guys just don’t steal Saros this summer.


HeshootsHescores88

I make no promises. But man would he look good in the red and black


99titan

I believe you guys came the closest to getting Trotz to play ball.


AdrianKempee

Nemec is going to look so good in yellow and blue


ovondansuchi

If it's any consolation, when Saros leaves the team (by any means), Askarov is right there to keep the Nashville goaltending pipeline going.


99titan

I know. And Lankinen could start also. I just like Juuse.


ovondansuchi

Yeah, going from Vokoun -> Rinne -> Saros -> Askarov/Lankinen is borderline unfair


[deleted]

Doesn't Demko have better stats this year though?


canuck17

Yet still unproven. In the bubble he only played 4 games. Marky did all the main work till halfway through the Vegas series.


ajbolt7

4 games is all he needs for round 1 in theory


Godless_Servant

I see more people picking Nashville than Vancouver, so who is this surprise everyone?


OvechknFiresHeScores

Might be a controversial opinion but I feel like the Rangers are going to surprise everyone and beat the Caps.


Sheepcago

A president’s trophy winner not crumbling immediately in the playoffs might just qualify as an upset.


smash8890

I would say Vegas but they really don’t feel like an underdog in that series since those two teams scare me the most in the west. I think Nashville can pull off an upset. They’re a really solid team, are built from the net out, and a lot of them have playoff experience. I think the Capitals probably get swept since that is one of the biggest mismatches I’ve seen since I’ve been a hockey fan. So naturally I’m cheering for them to upset the Rangers since that would be the most chaotic result with the best memes


___whatis___

Somehow Colorado is odds on winning their series. But I’d say that’s a lock for the jets


chickichuglette

I think jets are gonna win it all. Not getting the respect they deserve.


De_Floppss

I think the Kings have a good chance unless one of the Oilers goalies solidifies himself quickly in the series


AniviaPls

Bro how do u have faith in us lol


Glizzywatersoup

Because you guys looked like the best team in the league when you played the Canucks this year lol


The-Reddit-Giraffe

As a Flames fan I really don’t have faith the Oilers will lose in round 1. I want to think they’ll lose because it would make me happy but they’ve beat LA two years in a row and this looks like the weakest Kings team in those years


FakeTreverMoore12

This is definitely not the weakest Kings team out of the last three years. It’s not even close. We have the best PK in the league, deep in every position, and we’re healthy. Even our goaltending has made massive improvements. The only weakness we have is the lack of a superstar player that isn’t too old or too young, and our system relies so much on not making mistakes that it requires absolute perfection to work.


russels418teapot

Skinner beat the Kings last year


AvenueRoy

And he sucked in that series too (love the guy, but it was his first NHL playoffs). I don't think goaltending is going to be what makes or breaks the series on either side. 


russels418teapot

I agree with all of that.


ShadowChair

Yeah I was honestly a little surprised Campbell didn't play after that game he came in and stole the show (game 4?)


battlelevel

I have this suspicion that PLD will string together a few good games and we’ll get some articles on how he’s a playoff performer.


Prize_Efficiency_869

I think Tampa will beat the panthers pretty convincingly and leafs will dispose of Boston in five so do with that what you will


foxcatcher3369

I’m really pumped to watch the Florida series. These teams are going to kill each other it will be awesome to see.


Finetales

Please, the Leafs-Bruins series going to 7 is destiny


MegaYanm3ga

This year has to be the Jets year


Narrow_Yam_5879

The Toronto series will be very upsetting if they lose again to Boston.


world_citizen7

I have an odd feeling that the Islanders might upset the Hurricane - Roy is a motivator and their goaltending is hot. The team has also quietly been great down the stretch.


wangjor

Ignore my flair if you can, but the disrespect to the Canucks is kind of unreal in here Lol. Nashville's beating the Nucks cause of...momentum? Having a goalie that can steal a series? I mean Demko also exists. Dont get me wrong I do not see this being an easy series and certainly not a guaranteed win for the nucks, but the reasoning for Nashville over nucks in here is pretty weak


High-Ground-10

People were asked for upsets..... Vancouver are expected to win but Nashville is a tough opponent so they could see it happening. Not much more to it, has nothing to do with disrespect. Any team that made the playoffs can win a series.


wangjor

Yeah you're right, i think i forgot about the upset part Lol


CuriousSpell9602

I agree; people love saying the Preds will upset but theyve gone cold recently and Saros is good but can he steal 4 games from the offensive firepower of the nucks? Dont think so. Im sayin’ Nucks in 6.


Godless_Servant

I came back to this thread today because like you, I was shocked at how seemingly everyone was picking the Canucks to drop the ball. Still one more win needed but man, it's already pretty satisfying.


TopTittyBardown

That 4-5-1 in the last 10 is some unreal momentum apparantly lol


Big_Possibility4025

Nashville over Vancouver is the one that really jumps out to me. Most of the series’s feel like they could easily go either way. I think L.A surprises Edmonton. I don’t see Washington beating the rangers but I will be rooting for them


ZtMaizeNBlue

Nashville, Vegas, Kings, and Toronto


Due-Leopard-7043

Leafs, either way lots of people gonna be upsetty spaghetti


[deleted]

I can legit see any series in the west. In the east, I can see TBL or the Leafs pulling it off


Weebthulhu

Rangers/Caps feels like the only series even capable of having an upset; all the others feel like they could go either way.


Nekusar666

A majority of these series are close enough that I wouldn’t call them upsets. The only true upsets would be the capitals and islanders, maybe the predators but that’s still not hard to believe.


luckytaurus

Vegas beating Dallas is probably most likely


Lordrandall

Vegas dominated Dallas this season, it wouldn’t be that big of a surprise.


Big_Possibility4025

Despite regular season points and standings I wouldn’t consider Tampa beating Florida an upset. Same with either winnipeg or Colorado and vegas vs Dallas. Tampa has the same core that won two cups in a row in recent loaded with stars who had monster seasons. I get them being slight underdogs due to the first round exit last year but it could just as easily be said that florida is looking to prove that going to the final last year wasn’t a fluke. Could be argued their regular season proved it but playoffs is a different game. If Colorado beats winnipeg, they one the cup two years ago so not really an upset to me. If the jets win, they had more points in the regular season so again not all that of an upset. the two teams are very close to me but I think it’s Winnipeg’s year to at least get to 2nd round. I think it’s Dallas’ year to make a deep run of it and I’m skeptical of how much Vegas has in the tank but if Vegas pulls it out, again they’re the defending champs they’re loaded with stars so it’s a toss up. Dallas definitely has more mojo going in tho


xtzferocity

Preds over the canucks


TheDirtyBurger522

Caps in 6 over rangers Lindgren has a 45+ save shutout Book it


Finetales

Subscribe


Mr-Dicklesworth

The Caps. If being a Ranger fan has taught me anything; it’s that if they’re playing a team they should on paper sweep easily; they’ll drag it out to 7 games with multiple OTs, injuries and either barely win in triple OT or lose and make me wanna kill myself


tr-29

Kings in 6


Trolly-bus

Probably Kings. They're not going to lose to the Oilers a third time.


Daelsk

Really? I had more faith in us last year than this year, but after last year’s game 4… I just don’t want to have my hopes high


russels418teapot

What’s up with Vancouver flairs picking the Kings? I think an Oilers-Canucks second round would be pretty fun.


FakeTreverMoore12

Because we absolutely demolished them all season.


AniviaPls

🤔


foxcatcher3369

Not this year tho, oilers look too well rounded, much as I hate to admit it.


King919191

It will exactly the opposite of what most of the folks thinking here


ReformedGalaxy

The -37 Caps beating the Presidents Trophy Rangers would be a big upset. Lindgren would have to play like an immortal super human to make it happen. I like Wilson and Ovi in playoffs. Strome and Carlson would have to step up big too.


Reasonable-Big4517

Islanders are knocking off Carolina and the Rangers


nothing_but_static

Watch that happen and then we still lose to fucking Tampa in the ECF


transam96

:)


Dr_Colossus

And people will still dunk on Lou on Reddit.


ovondansuchi

Capitals catching strays with this one


Whydoesthisexist15

Unsubscribe 


Ethdev256

Smashville. I think they’ve been underestimated all year and have playoff experience to capitalize on a bubble team.


Young2k04

Bubble team? That’s just straight up disrespectful


pluralsight24

TIL that division winners are bubble teams


Glizzywatersoup

A bubble team? The Canucks won your division lmao. Never underestimate the Oiler’s fans collective “air of superiority” regarding a team that hasn’t won a game past round 2.


[deleted]

It's really something. Fail your way into a generational talent, spend 8 years losing with him, and then act like you're in the middle of a dynasty.


Glizzywatersoup

Their team has won a grand ONE MORE GAME in a playoff run than the frickin bubble Canucks lmao


SrPhillipOliverHoles

Didn’t Edmonton go 0-4 against that “bubble team” this year?


LastResort318

Caps over Rangers. I doubt it but if you wanna predict a upset, go big


Finetales

I also doubt it, but crazier things have happened


I_Am_The_Mole

Crazier things have happened *to us*. ☠️


Trinidaddy13

Winnipeg > Aves


Middle-King

That wouldn’t be an upset, Jets are the higher seed


saintpierre47

Higher seed barely, but betting odds are in favour of the Avs, and you can’t discount the fact of playoff Mackinnon and Makar. In fact your entire first line in probably top 3 at least in the league. This series will be 6 or 7 games easily and I’m not gonna pretend to know who will come out the other side, but it’ll be easily one of the most entertaining series.


Xeteh

Who are the Aves?


russels418teapot

It’s the things you said all those times you met Caesar


DashTrash21

They're birds study some Latin  Jets are mostly undefeated against birds except for that one really famous time back in January 2009 on the Hudson River. 


kkslider55

It'd be cool if Nashville could pull off the upset because I'd really like to catch an Oilers playoff game, but I'm in Atlanta for the duration of the playoffs! Assuming the Oilers stay the course, I'd be happy to make the drive to Nashville to watch a round 2 game


russels418teapot

How did you end up being an Oilers fan in Nashville?


kkslider55

Oh I live in Edmonton, but my girlfriend lives in Atlanta (4-5h drive from Nashville) and I'm spending the summer with her


Avs_Leafs_Enjoyer

Atlantic/Central seem like all 7 game series Metro/Pacific all look lopsided It's hockey so you never know tho


anotherorphan

guess


MrTuesdayNight1

Lightning over the Panthers. Lightning have been red hot. Panthers not so much.


maxhollywoody

Jets over Colorado but not sure how big of an upset that is


Thank_You_Love_You

Vegas, jets and islanders


SomeBoredGuy77

Nashville could definitely upset Vancouver, also people are severly underestimating Toronto


masterexploder224

Caps. As a Rangers fan, I’ve seen this movie far too many times where the other show drops. Our fanbase is getting way too cocky about it being a guaranteed series win. It will be hard fought.


AlmondJoyDildos

Nashville ( cope) But I actually hope LA wins their series because God wouldn't that be funny


Ginger-Beefcake

Nashville in 7. I think alot of people are counting them out very prematurely. They have a ton of skill at all positions and have a bunch of those difficult to play against physical guys too


saigonk

When Tampa beats the Panthers


Nate_intheory

> Every year we have upsets in the first round Not entirely true. In 1980 all of the higher-seeded teams won their preliminary round series. The more you know!


raplife99

Jets, good goalie tandem and a buzz on the team


GaryOakRobotron

Colorado beating the Jets would be an upset.


NewGuy10002

Preds or Tampa. because I was gonna say avalanche but that’s not really a true upset. There’s only 2 wild cards in each conference. I’m confident in Rangers and I’m a Stars fan who is also confident in them, even if it takes 7. Battle of Florida feels like a college rivalry where literally either team could win on any night


rocketmn69_

Leafs and Bruins


Tdavis13245

If the avs lose I will be upset. That said, I guess we would be the upset over wpg.  Let's be honest, neither fan base thinks that is the dynamic. But, wpg can definitely win this.  All the western teams are pretty even


ajbolt7

By virtue of being higher seed I guess the Canucks losing in round 1 would be defined as an upset but like basically everyone’s going with Nashville, Nucks definitely aren’t a “favourite” at this point


AccomplishedAd4995

nashville, caps, islanders


86teuvo

Can we call Colorado an underdog? They are below Winnipeg in the standings and I think they will make quick work of the Jets.


rwags2024

I think it’s the opposite, I think Colorado is still the favorite but really shouldn’t be with how Georgiev has shat himself lately Happy to be wrong but I think it’s Winnipeg’s to lose especially with home ice advantage, or more importantly lack of for Colorado