Playoff predictions, first round: Peter vs Ian vs Keith, a coin

I know I say this every year, but here come the best couple weeks in hockey. Manufacture whatever excuses you can to get out of your commitments and come watch hours upon hours of entertaining hockey.

But before we get there, it’s time for our predictions, which feature a fan-favorite quarter.

Keith, a coin, is a coin. Specifically, he’s a quarter from 2002. He’s got Missouri on his tails side, if you even recognize them as a state. Keith predicts playoff series correctly about fifty percent of the time, which is supposed to be a critique on predictive statistical models and the 2010 Montreal series specifically.

Just in case you were wondering: last season, Peter got 10 series right, Keith (a coin) got 7, and Ian got 6.

New York 🐟 vs Carolina 🌀

Peter: I think this is quietly an interesting matchup. Carolina is a weird team, great overall but doing so in an unconventional way: dominant puck possession but without lots of offense close to the net, depending on outside shots and deflections. The Islanders aren’t a particularly good or even interesting team, but if Semyon Varlamov gets into a groove, it could be an upset. I’m not calling that though. Carolina in 5.

Ian: These two teams were number two and number three in the division, but they’re worlds apart. The Islanders survive off defense and and good goaltending while the highly-skilled Hurricanes put everything on net from the perimeter, causing chaos to create goals. Just looking at both teams, I think the obvious choice is the Hurricanes. Upfront they have an All-Star team at forward and you know I’m rooting for Evgeny Kuznetsov. But there’s something about the Islanders that remind me of the 2012 Dale Hunter Capitals where their system is better suited for the playoffs. They’re also 8-1-1 in their last 10. I think they’ll just somehow find a way. Islanders in 7.

Keith: New York in 7.

Toronto 🍁 vs Boston 🧸

Peter: Give me chaos. Toronto has the best scoring talent the league has seen in decades, but Boston has weathered the exit of Bergeron way better than I expected. They’re a great defensive team with the best goalie tandem in the league. I’m going for the maximum-drama prediction: Boston in 7.

Ian: Judging off recent games these two teams have played off the Capitals, one team can score at will (Maple Leafs) while the other is kind of meh. Goaltending could win this series for the Bruins, but I’m going to choose to be a believer in Ilya Samsonov, which I’m sure I won’t regret. This probably will be a great series, but in my head, it might be the most straightforward. Toronto in 5.

Keith: Boston in 6.

Tampa ⚡️ vs Florida 🐱

Peter: The battle of Florida! I’m amped for this. The Bolts are well past their prime and are probably going to lose Stamkos this summer. The Panthers are having a down season but finished strong with top-five shot share over the last 25 games. I think the Bolts have too many weaknesses. I’ll take Florida in 6.

Ian: This likely will be more of a close series than what the standings might suggest. It’s hard to quantify how experience actually helps, but I think the Lightning will pull out a surprise upset here. It’s hard to pick against the Art Ross winner and one of the best goaltenders in the league. Tampa in 7.

Keith: Florida in 7.

Washington 🦅 vs New York 🏙️

Peter: Is it possible the Caps drew a stealthily fortunate opponent in the rego szn champion New York Rangers? They’re unbelievably good at special teams (ranked third in both PP and PK), but are they going to get the whistles in the postseason? Probably yeah, but what if it’s just enough to prolong our anguish to seven games? New York in 7.

Ian: Nothing about the previous three seasons before this year make me think Peter Laviolette could out-coach Spencer Carbery. Lavy is still surviving off tactics from nearly two decades ago, just this time he has the best roster in the NHL. Can this Rangers team handle adversity? Can this Rangers team handle Matt Rempe being undisciplined in the playoffs? Can this Rangers team handle the huge expectations of being a President’s Trophy-winner that is so desperate to win the Stanley Cup? Can this Rangers team handle the goaltending of THE OUTLAW? My head says no on all of this. The Capitals are playing with house money here and they’re very familiar with this system. And I know there is extra motivation to beat this coach. Washington in 6.

Keith: New York in 6.

Dallas ⭐️ vs Vegas ⚔️

Peter: I love Jason Robertson. I love weird old Joe Pavelski, who keeps scoring (67 points) despite being 39 years old and not very good anymore. Dallas is my Cup pick, which I admit is more tenuous now than it was when I chose them in October, and with the Knights likely doing their miracle recovery routine as soon as the salary cap is moot, I guess this will go the distance. Dallas in 7.

Ian: If I’m honest, I know nothing about the West because I’m always writing about the Capitals for you, my dear reader. So all these are uninformed and guesses, meaning I will probably go four for four. Usually the defending champions have an uphill battle. The team is one year older and a little different. VGK has played a lot of hockey over the last year. And usually that unexplainable magic is gone. But the Golden Knights, after #spleengate, are getting back a fresh Mark Stone at the very right time. They have a superior roster. Vegas in 5.

Keith: Vegas in 7.

Winnipeg ✈️ vs Colorado ❄️

Peter: Ah, here is the series I’m least likely to see. Nathan MacKinnon is obviously cracked, no cap, that’s on god. He’s so good, I’m gagged. The Jets were above them in the standings, but I think the Avs are the better team. Colorado in 6.

Ian: The Jets’ team speed and their goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is hard to match. But Nathan MacKinnon is a beast and there’s no way I’m picking against the Avalanche here — even though this could be a long drawn out series. Colorado in 6.

Keith: Winnipeg in 6.

Vancouver 🐋 vs Nashville 🐯

Peter: Quinn Hughes is the most valuable player (to his team) in the league. He’s going to dead lift those boys to a win over the late-season-surging Preds. Vancouver in 6.

Ian: Ah the battles of the Mid Boys. I actually have no idea, but I’m not going to pick against My Guy Fil, who would be one of the greatest Capitals of all time if the team didn’t trade him for Martin Erat. Predators in 7.

Keith: Vancouver in 4. 🧹

Edmonton 🛢️ vs Los Angeles 👑

Peter: Ugh, I don’t know. The Oilers are great and have the best player on the world on their roster. They’re puck-possession wizards, but so are the Kings. Strength vs strength. But again the Kings don’t have the best player in the world on their roster, so I guess that settles it. Edmonton in 6.

Ian: I think the Edmonton Oilers know how to win and they are going to be a very difficult team to stop this year. And really, how do you stop Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman? Edmonton in 7.

Keith: Los Angeles in 7.

Your turn. Drop [CITY] in [NUMBER OF GAMES] and call us wrong.