The 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Qualifying Round

Instead of adding more teams to the playoffs, there should have been less teams to shorten the season under the current circumstances, namely the four best teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. Teams like Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks simply don't deserve to be here. And I'm saying this as an Arizona Coyotes fan who are making the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. You have got to be objective here. In general, I find the purpose of playing sports in empty stadiums and arenas questionable. I admit to having watched the DFB Pokal semi finals yesterday and today but sports are first and foremost live entertainment for fans. The fact that the playoffs are taking place doesn't have much to do with sports and fans but with media contracts and marketing strategies. I'm not certain whether hockey playoffs make much sense in the Canadian summer when it's going to be thirty-five degrees outside in mid-July. Still, I obviously like the sport enough to watch a couple of games here and there. I expect these playoffs to be very difficult to predict since the last regular season games will have taken place four months before the playoffs. A lot of things might have changed in four months under the current circumstances. This is why I expect quite a few surprises and have taken some risks with my predictions.

These are my predictions for the first round in the Eastern Conference:

Pittsburg Penguins (5) vs. Montreal Canadiens (12):

Canadiens in five. It's an incredible gift for the Canadiens to participate in the playoffs. Nobody expected this to be happening. The players feel fresh and relaxed. They don't face any expectations. The incessant usual pressure from local fans and media in Montreal will be gone. They have got nothing to lose. With Carey Price being focused and Shea Weber being in great shape, I could imagine the Canadiens to surprise the Penguins who face much higher expectations and pressure.

Carolina Hurricanes (6) vs. New York Rangers (11):

Rangers in five. The Carolina Hurricanes have surprised the hockey world last season. This will be difficult to repeat. The chemistry isn't exactly the same as last season. The Rangers are currently rebuilding their team and the future actually looks rather promising. They have many young, hungry and energetic players that could make a difference and cause a surprise.

New York Islanders (7) vs. Florida Panthers (10):

Islanders in four. The Islanders have the better players, more experience and one of the greatest coaches to be around. The Panthers are fast but overall still lacking consistency.

Toronto Maple Leafs (8) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (9):

Maple Leafs in four. They have outstanding players that should have performed much better than they actually did this season. The Columbus Blue Jackets managed to shock the hockey world last season. Everyone will be prepared now. The individual skills of the Toronto Maple Leafs should favour them here.

These are my predictions for the first round in the Western Conference:

Edmonton Oilers (5) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (12):

Oilers in three. No Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup since 1993. The only team that has a chance of changing this in the near future are the Edmonton Oilers. Offensively, they have two of the very best players with Leon Draisaitls and Connor McDavid. Their defense has finally improved over the past few seasons as well. Mike Smith is a goalkeeper who always performs extraordinarily well in the playoffs. Dave Tippett is a calm and experienced coach with a clear strategy. The Oilers shouldn't have too many problems with the old and tired Blackhawks.

Nashville Predators (6) vs. Arizona Coyotes (11):

Coyotes in five. This duel is very difficult to predict. The Predators could have won the Cup a few seasons ago but their window of opportunity is rapidly closing now. On the other side, the Arizona Coyotes have sucked for many seasons but are now showing much promise for the future with great young players and the exciting addition of Taylor Hall. I suspect this series to go all the way to five games and predict the Arizona Coyotes to surprise the hockey world here.

Vancouver Canucks (7) vs. Minnesota Wild (10):

Canucks in four. The Canucks have a young and exciting team with many promising rookies. The Wild is experienced but getting old. I expect the more energetic Canucks to come out victorious here.

Calgary Flames (8) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9):

Jets in five. This one is also very difficult to predict. Both teams have been playing great hockey in the past few seasons but their windows of opportunity seem to slowly be closing again. I believe that the Jets overall still have the better individual players. Despite having lost some important players in the recent past, they have adapted rather well. That's why I believe they could win this duel in five games.