The Stanley Cup Playoffs are at hand and we’ve assembled a panel of Sportsnet NHL Insiders to take a shot at predicting the always unpredictable four-round tournament.
Our panelists have shared their picks for first-round winners, Eastern and Western Conference champions, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup champion.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
Tampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. New Jersey Devils (WC2)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Thurs., April 12 | New Jersey @ Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | SN |
| G2 | Sat., April 14 | New Jersey @ Tampa Bay, 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT | SN360 |
| G3 | Mon., April 16 | Tampa Bay @ New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN |
| G4 | Wed., April 18 | Tampa Bay @ New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN |
| G5* | Sat., April 21 | New Jersey @ Tampa Bay, TBD | TBD |
| G6* | Mon., April 23 | Tampa Bay @ New Jersey, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Wed., April 25 | New Jersey @ Tampa Bay, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Devils in 7
Eric Francis: Lightning in 6
Mark Spector: Lightning in 7
Gord Stellick: Lightning in 7
Colby Armstrong: Lightning in 4
Scott Morrison: Lightning in 6
Kelly Hrudey: Lightning in 6
John Shannon: Lightning in 6
Eric Engels: Lightning in 6
Sean McIndoe: Lightning in 7
Christine Simpson: Lightning in 6
Iain MacIntyre: Lightning in 6
Luke Fox: Lightning in 6
Nick Kypreos: Lightning in 6
David Amber: Lightning in 6
Damien Cox: Devils in 7
Daren Millard: Lightning in 6
Rory Boylen: Lightning in 5
Chris Johnston: Lightning in 6
Kristina Rutherford: Lightning in 6
Gare Joyce: Lightning in 4
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Thurs., April 12 | Toronto @ Boston, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G2 | Sat., April 14 | Toronto @ Boston, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT | CBC, OMNI |
| G3 | Mon., April 16 | Boston @ Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G4 | Thurs., April 19 | Boston @ Toronto, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G5* | Sat., April 21 | Toronto @ Boston, TBD | CBC, OMNI |
| G6* | Mon., April 23 | Boston @ Toronto, TBD | CBC |
| G7* | Wed., April 25 | Toronto @ Boston, TBD | CBC |
Jeff Marek: Maple Leafs in 6
Eric Francis: Bruins in 7
Mark Spector: Maple Leafs in 7
Gord Stellick: Maple Leafs in 6
Colby Armstrong: Bruins in 7
Scott Morrison: Maple Leafs in 7
Kelly Hrudey: Maple Leafs in 7
John Shannon: Bruins in 7
Eric Engels: Bruins in 7
Sean McIndoe: Bruins in 6
Christine Simpson: Maple Leafs in 7
Iain MacIntyre: Bruins in 6
Luke Fox: Maple Leafs in 7
Nick Kypreos: Bruins in 7
David Amber: Maple Leafs in 6
Damien Cox: Maple Leafs in 6
Daren Millard: Maple Leafs in 7
Rory Boylen: Bruins in 6
Chris Johnston: Maple Leafs in 7
Kristina Rutherford: Maple Leafs in 7
Gare Joyce: Maple Leafs in 6
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Thurs., April 12 | Columbus @ Washington, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN360 |
| G2 | Sun., April 15 | Columbus @ Washington, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN360 |
| G3 | Tues., April 17 | Washington @ Columbus, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN360 |
| G4 | Thurs., April 19 | Washington @ Columbus, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN |
| G5* | Sat., April 21 | Columbus @ Washington, TBD | TBD |
| G6* | Mon., April 23 | Washington @ Columbus, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Wed., April 25 | Columbus @ Washington, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Blue Jackets in 6
Eric Francis: Capitals in 7
Mark Spector: Blue Jackets in 7
Gord Stellick: Capitals in 5
Colby Armstrong: Blue Jackets in 7
Scott Morrison: Capitals in 7
Kelly Hrudey: Blue Jackets in 6
John Shannon: Blue Jackets in 6
Eric Engels: Capitals in 7
Sean McIndoe: Capitals in 6
Christine Simpson: Capitals in 6
Iain MacIntyre: Blue Jackets in 7
Luke Fox: Capitals in 7
Nick Kypreos: Blue Jackets in 7
David Amber: Capitals in 7
Damien Cox: Blue Jackets in 6
Daren Millard: Capitals in 6
Rory Boylen: Blue Jackets in 6
Kristina Rutherford: Capitals in 5
Gare Joyce: Capitals in 7
Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Wed., April 11 | Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G2 | Fri., April 13 | Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G3 | Sun., April 15 | Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT | CBC |
| G4 | Wed., April 18 | Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G5* | Fri., April 20 | Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, TBD | TBD |
| G6* | Sun., April 22 | Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Tues., April 24 | Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Penguins in 6
Eric Francis: Penguins in 6
Mark Spector: Penguins in 6
Gord Stellick: Penguins in 6
Colby Armstrong: Penguins in 6
Scott Morrison: Penguins in 6
Kelly Hrudey: Penguins in 5
John Shannon: Penguins in 6
Eric Engels: Penguins in 7
Sean McIndoe: Penguins in 6
Christine Simpson: Penguins in 6
Iain MacIntyre: Penguins in 5
Luke Fox: Penguins in 6
Nick Kypreos: Penguins in 7
David Amber: Penguins in 6
Damien Cox: Penguins in 5
Daren Millard: Penguins in 6
Rory Boylen: Penguins in 6
Chris Johnston: Penguins in 5
Kristina Rutherford: Penguins in 6
Gare Joyce: Penguins in 4
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
Nashville Predators (C1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Thurs., April 12 | Colorado @ Nashville, 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT | SN |
| G2 | Sat., April 14 | Colorado @ Nashville, 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT | SN |
| G3 | Mon., April 16 | Nashville @ Colorado, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | SN |
| G4 | Wed., April 18 | Nashville @ Colorado, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | SN |
| G5* | Fri., April 20 | Colorado @ Nashville, TBD | TBD |
| G6* | Sun., April 22 | Nashville @ Colorado, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Tues., April 24 | Colorado @ Nashville, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Predators in 4
Eric Francis: Predators in 4
Mark Spector: Predators in 5
Gord Stellick: Predators in 6
Colby Armstrong: Predators in 5
Scott Morrison: Predators in 6
Kelly Hrudey: Predators in 5
John Shannon: Predators in 5
Eric Engels: Predators in 6
Sean McIndoe: Predators in 4
Christine Simpson: Predators in 5
Iain MacIntyre: Predators in 5
Luke Fox: Predators in 5
Nick Kypreos: Predators in 5
David Amber: Predators in 5
Damien Cox: Predators in 5
Daren Millard: Predators in 4
Rory Boylen: Predators in 4
Chris Johnston: Predators in 5
Kristina Rutherford: Predators in 6
Gare Joyce: Predators in 4
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Wed., April 11 | Minnesota @ Winnipeg, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | SN |
| G2 | Fri., April 13 | Minnesota @ Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT | SN |
| G3 | Sun., April 15 | Winnipeg @ Minnesota, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT | SN |
| G4 | Tues., April 17 | Winnipeg @ Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT | SN |
| G5* | Fri., April 20 | Minnesota @ Winnipeg, TBD | SN |
| G6* | Sun., April 22 | Winnipeg @ Minnesota, TBD | SN |
| G7* | Wed., April 25 | Minnesota @ Winnipeg, TBD | SN |
Jeff Marek: Jets in 5
Eric Francis: Jets in 5
Mark Spector: Jets in 5
Gord Stellick: Wild in 7
Colby Armstrong: Jets in 6
Scott Morrison: Jets in 6
Kelly Hrudey: Jets in 5
John Shannon: Jets in 5
Eric Engels: Jets in 5
Sean McIndoe: Jets in 5
Christine Simpson: Jets in 6
Iain MacIntyre: Jets in 6
Luke Fox: Jets in 4
Nick Kypreos: Jets in 5
David Amber: Jets in 5
Damien Cox: Jets in 7
Daren Millard: Jets in 6
Rory Boylen: Jets in 6
Chris Johnston: Jets in 4
Kristina Rutherford: Jets in 7
Gare Joyce: Jets in 6
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Wed., April 11 | Los Angeles @ Vegas, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G2 | Fri., April 13 | Los Angeles @ Vegas, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G3 | Sun., April 15 | Vegas @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G4 | Tues., April 17 | Vegas @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G5* | Thurs., April 19 | Los Angeles @ Vegas, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | CBC |
| G6* | Sat., April 21 | Vegas @ Los Angeles, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Mon., April 23 | Los Angeles @ Vegas, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Kings in 6
Eric Francis: Golden Knights in 6
Mark Spector: Kings in 7
Gord Stellick: Kings in 5
Colby Armstrong: Golden Knights in 7
Scott Morrison: Kings in 7
Kelly Hrudey: Kings in 7
John Shannon: Kings in 7
Eric Engels: Kings in 6
Sean McIndoe: Kings in 7
Christine Simpson: Golden Knights in 5
Iain MacIntyre: Golden Knights in 6
Luke Fox: Kings in 6
Nick Kypreos: Kings in 7
David Amber: Golden Knights in 7
Damien Cox: Kings in 6
Daren Millard: Golden Knights in 6
Rory Boylen: Golden Knights in 6
Chris Johnston: Golden Knights in 7
Kristina Rutherford: Golden Knights in 7
Gare Joyce: Kings in 6
Anaheim Ducks (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)
| GAME | DATE | TIME | STATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | Thurs., April 12 | San Jose @ Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | SN360 |
| G2 | Sat., April 14 | San Jose @ Anaheim, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | SN360 |
| G3 | Mon., April 16 | Anaheim @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | SN1 |
| G4 | Wed., April 18 | Anaheim @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT | SN1 |
| G5* | Fri., April 20 | San Jose @ Anaheim, TBD | TBD |
| G6* | Sun., April 22 | Anaheim @ San Jose, TBD | TBD |
| G7* | Tues., April 24 | San Jose @ Anaheim, TBD | TBD |
Jeff Marek: Ducks in 7
Eric Francis: Sharks in 7
Mark Spector: Ducks in 7
Gord Stellick: Ducks in 6
Colby Armstrong: Sharks in 7
Scott Morrison: Sharks in 6
Kelly Hrudey: Ducks in 7
John Shannon: Ducks in 6
Eric Engels: Ducks in 7
Sean McIndoe: Sharks in 7
Christine Simpson: Sharks in 7
Iain MacIntyre: Sharks in 7
Luke Fox: Ducks in 7
Nick Kypreos: Ducks in 7
David Amber: Sharks in 6
Damien Cox: Ducks in 7
Daren Millard: Ducks in 6
Rory Boylen: Ducks in 7
Chris Johnston: Ducks in 6
Kristina Rutherford: Sharks in 7
Gare Joyce: Ducks in 5
Stanley Cup Final
| East Champ | West Champ | Cup Winner | Conn Smythe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Marek | Pittsburgh | Nashville | Nashville | Rinne |
| Eric Francis | Boston | Nashville | Boston | Marchand |
| Mark Spector | Pittsburgh | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Wheeler |
| Gord Stellick | Washington | Anaheim | Washington | Ovechkin |
| Colby Armstrong | Boston | Winnipeg | Boston | Marchand |
| Scott Morrison | Pittsburgh | Winnipeg | Pittsburgh | Malkin |
| Kelly Hrudey | Pittsburgh | Nashville | Nashville | Rinne |
| John Shannon | Pittsburgh | Nashville | Pittsburgh | Malkin |
| Eric Engels | Boston | Nashville | Nashville | Subban |
| Sean McIndoe | Boston | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Hellebuyck |
| Christine Simpson | Pittsburgh | Vegas | Pittsburgh | Crosby |
| Iain Macintyre | Boston | Nashville | Nashville | Rinne |
| Luke Fox | Tampa Bay | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Wheeler |
| Nick Kypreos | Boston | Nashville | Nashville | Josi |
| David Amber | Toronto | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Hellebuyck |
| Damien Cox | Columbus | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Laine |
| Daren Millard | Washington | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Wheeler |
| Rory Boylen | Boston | Anaheim | Anaheim | Getzlaf |
| Chris Johnston | Toronto | Winnipeg | Winnipeg | Scheifele |
| Kristina Rutherford | Washington | Nashville | Nashville | Rinne |
| Gare Joyce | Pittsburgh | Winnipeg | Winnipeg |
