Yes I know I said I was doing these every Wednesday but tomorrow I have a very busy schedule so I decided to do it today. Here is the current state of things:

ONGOING 

Atlantic Division- #3 Toronto vs #2 Boston  (3-3)
Winner plays Tampa Bay in Round 2
Schedule: 1- Boston 5-1; 2-Boston 7-3; 3-Toronto 4-2; 4-Boston 3-1;
5-Toronto 4-3; 6-Toronto 3-1; 7- 4/25 @Boston 7:30pm

With Boston up 3-1, everyone thought the series was over. However, Toronto has won 2 consecutive games. The Leafs come into game 7 with momentum and a desire to help their community. Yesterday, a terrible tragedy struck the city of Toronto when a man drove a van into pedestrians killing 10 people. The city has charged the man responsible with 10 counts of 1st degree murder and 13 accounts of attempted murder. Last night, the Leafs rallied for their community winning 3-1. I expect the Leafs to come out with a lot of intensity tomorrow night and a lot of heart. To be honest, I think the series tide has turned and Toronto will take it.

FINALIZED 2ND ROUND MATCHUP PREDICTIONS

Pacific Division- #3 San Jose Sharks vs #1 Vegas Golden Knights
1st round- VGK swept LA 4-0 and SJ swept ANA 4-0
Predicted Winner: Golden Knights in 6
Entertainment Value: 8/10

This will be an interesting matchup as both teams have had over a week of rest and both swept their respective series. I think it will be a goaltending series. However I feel like Vegas has the better offense and will be able to score on Jones. I think Fleury will shine again. Although I expect the Sharks to put up a fight, I think Vegas ultimately wins this.

Central Division- #2 Winnipeg Jets vs #1 Nashville Predators
1st round- NSH beat COL 4-2 and WPG beat MIN 4-1
Predicted Winner: Predators in 7
Entertainment Value: 10/10

This is gonna be a wild one. The Jets have one of the NHL’s best up and coming young offenses while the Predators boast the league’s best defense. I think this will ultimately come down to goaltending. I don’t see a lot of low scoring games but I see a lot of 1 goal games with scores like 4-3. A lot of overtimes should happen too. It will all depend on who is more clutch but I think Nashville takes it due to experience.

Metropolitan Division- #2 Pittsburgh vs #1 Washington
1st Round- PIT beat PHI 4-2 and WSH beat CBJ 4-2
Predicted Winner: Penguins in 6
Entertainment Value: 9/10

The entertainment value would be higher if this wasn’t the third year in a row this happened. Everyone knows what will happen. Ovechkin will disappear and the Pens will dispose of the Capitals in 6 games. It will be more physical than what we have seen in the past but this feels like deja vu for the third time.