Nothing beats playoff hockey, and while the Red Wings might not be in it this year, that doesn’t mean THN Detroit can’t get in on the fun. Below, you’ll find our brackets and a little insight behind each pick. Some are upsets, some are chalk, all of them are 100%, absolutely right. Just kidding, but we hope you enjoy our bracket shenanigans. Sam Stockton Sam Stockton's Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, with the Florida Panthers winning it all. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1ODc2ODAxNDE3NzgyNzM4/stockton-bracket.jpg] Sam Stockton's Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, with the Florida Panthers winning it all. Western Conference Dallas Stars over Vegas Golden Knights in 7 I’m expecting both series in the Central to be knock-down-drag-out type fights, but I’ll still give the Stars the edge here. I think they are the most complete team in the conference, and I think there’s an advantage in the continuity of playing a season together in a way the Knights did not. Colorado Avalanche over Winnipeg Jets in 7 Because of Hellebuyck, you can’t count the Jets out of any series, and it’s a skater group that shouldn’t be dismissed either, but I think Colorado’s firepower will prove a little too much, especially with the Avs having something to prove after last year’s first round exit. Vancouver Canucks over Nashville Predators in 6 This is the series I have the worst feel for. I don’t love the Canucks as a playoff proposition, and while his limited playoff history is uninspiring, I think Andrew Brunette has the Predators playing the right way to cause problems for Vancouver. Still, I think the Canucks find a way to score their way through at least one round. Edmonton Oilers over L.A. Kings in 5 We’ve seen this movie before, and I don’t think the Kings have narrowed the gap in a meaningful way. They’ll try to trap their way through this thing, but I’m not buying it. Eastern Conference Florida Panthers over Tampa Bay Lightning in 7 I like Florida to win the East, and I think this may be their toughest series on that road. Tampa isn’t deep enough to win the Cup (I don’t think), but Kucherov and Vasilevskiy alone can make things very difficult for the Panthers. Still, I trust that the Ice Cats can pull it together for the playoffs, and their depth and nastiness gets them through this. Toronto Maple Leafs over Boston Bruins in 6 I feel weirdly bored by this match-up. I don’t trust either team to go all the way, but I’ll give the Leafs a slight edge. They’ll have to do it in six though, because I certainly don’t trust them to win in a Game 7 in Boston. Washington over New York Rangers in 6 This is all about vibes. The Caps have no business in this spot, but the consensus on the Rangers cruising is so strong, I can’t help but pick against them. Charlie Lindgren causes an existential crisis about the Rags’ goaltending, and Alex Ovechkin has one last glorious playoff series. Carolina Hurricanes over New York Islanders in 5 After years of questioning their playoff legitimacy, I’m ready to believe in the Hurricanes. I love the deadline moves to supplement what already worked about this team, and there is simply nothing about the Islanders I find inspiring. Connor Earegood Connor Earegood's Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, in his traditional colored pencil. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1ODc2Nzg0Nzc0Nzg0NDY2/earegood-bracket-1.jpg] Connor Earegood's Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, in his traditional colored pencil. Western Conference Dallas Stars over Vegas Golden Knights in 5 Dallas is deep at forward and defense, with nine players above 50 points on the season. Even in net, Jake Oettinger is normally exceptional. While Vegas is coming off last year’s Stanley Cup, it lacks a lot of the same pieces that brought it all the way last season. The Golden Knights might’ve stacked the roster with deadline adds, but I don’t think they’re enough to put them past the Stars. Winnipeg Jets over Colorado Avalanche in 7 This pick feels destined to be an upset given how talented a Colorado team with Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen is. But, shut down that line and these Avs aren’t all that scary. I think Winnipeg can do that, and Connor Hellebuyck can stand tall. Give me the Jets. Vancouver Canucks over Nashville Predators in 5 The Canucks might have one of the best offensive defense pairings in the league between Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek. While the forward depth might not score a whole lot, but Thatcher Demko lowers the necessity of that by a lot. Nashville came on late in the season thanks to some stellar play from Juuse Saros and Roman Josi. But, I think the Preds’ luck runs out in round one. Edmonton Oilers over Los Angeles Kings in 6 Is it possible to pick against Connor McDavid? Not only do the Oilers have the best player in the world right now, but they’ve got a better support cast around him than I’ve seen in previous years. L.A. had one of the best team save percentages in the league, but I don’t think that’s going to matter much against McDavid and his Oilers. Eastern Conference Florida Panthers over Tampa Bay Lightning in 6 This series is going to be bananas. Tampa Bay has all its Stanley Cup pedigree, and Nikita Kucherov is still Nikita Kucherov-ing. But Florida might be the most offensively deep team in the playoffs while still playing great defense. The Cats are going deep again this year. Book it. Toronto Maple Leafs over Boston Bruins in 7 I don’t think Ilya Samsonov can outduel either Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman, but I think he’s going to get enough run support. This pick is my least confident, but my gut tells me the Maple Leafs get the last Maple Laugh. New York Rangers over Washington Capitals in 5 Well this one’s easy. It didn’t matter to me whether the Caps, Wings or Flyers made this spot, I was picking the Rangers. They’re a buzzsaw that can score multiple ways — I love their grinding fourth line. The Capitals can't get carried by Charlie Lindgren forever. Carolina Hurricanes over New York Islanders in 5 The Canes made defensive hockey cool again since Rod Brind’Amour took over, but they haven’t really gone deep with it. I think that changes this year. The Islanders are another team riding good goaltending late in the season, and I don’t think they’re going to get much on the Canes. My weather forecast says a storm surge deep into May. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Yzerman's Prospect Update: On Traverse City, Sandin Pellikka, Berggren & Johansson, and Cossa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/yzermans-prospect-update-on-traverse-city-sandin-pellikka-berggren-johansson-and-cossa] With Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider Set for Big Raise, Red Wings’ UFAs Hang in the Balance [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/with-lucas-raymond-moritz-seider-set-for-big-raise-red-wings-ufas-hang-in-the-balance] "We're Not a Finished Product": Lalonde, Yzerman Keep Focus on Process Over Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/were-not-a-finished-product-lalonde-yzerman-keep-focus-on-process-over-playoffs] "The Feeling in the Locker Room Should Be That This is a Springboard": Andrew Copp Reflects on Red Wings Evolution [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/the-feeling-in-the-locker-room-should-be-that-this-is-a-springboard-andrew-copp-reflects-on-red-wings-evolution] After Injury Filled Season, Ville Husso Aims to Return Next Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/after-injury-filled-season-ville-husso-aims-to-return-next-season] ‘There’s no Reason at this Point to Think about Anywhere Else’: David Perron Wants to Stay with Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/theres-no-reason-at-this-point-to-think-about-anywhere-else-david-perron-wants-to-stay-with-red-wings] "It was Fun to Be a Wing": Patrick Kane Expresses Gratitude for Opportunity in Detroit, Uncertainty Around Future [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/players/it-was-fun-to-be-a-wing-patrick-kane-expresses-gratitude-for-opportunity-in-detroit-uncertainty-around-future] Red Wings Post-Mortem & Frozen Four Debrief: The Silky Mitten State Episode 22 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/latest-news/red-wings-post-mortem-frozen-four-debrief-the-silky-mitten-state-episode-22] Lessons from the Red Wings Playoff Elimination
