JetsNation Makes Their Round One Playoff Picks

5 years ago

It wouldn’t be a proper Stanley Cup Playoff if the entire JetsNation crew didn’t get to weigh in on their first round picks! So just before we get to puck drop of opening night, here are our thoughts. We’re all in agreement about Tampa and Washington moving on, but every other series seems to have one or two that are thinking opposed to the majority…

(A1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (WC2) Columbus Blue Jackets

Art: Tampa in four – I rarely pick sweeps, but I don’t see how this goes any other way. I guess the Jackets should be happy they at least made it into the postseason, but it says here that they went “all-in” with *checks notes* Ottawa Senators players.

Cassie: Tampa in 5: I think Columbus can squeak out at least one win.

Josh: Tamp in 7: The Blue Jackets are way better than a second wild card team, and i even think if Bobrovsky is playing at the top of his game and Panarin is as dominant as he can be, i could see there being an upset.

Zee: Tampa in six – It’s easy to just write off Columbus as a wildcard team that’s about to get plowed over by a Stanley Cup favorite, but Columbus isn’t a horrible team that randomly squeezed into the playoffs. The east was tough this year and they earned their spot just like everyone else. They made some solid trades to bolster up their team at the trade deadline, and this is finally Matt Duchene’s moment to shine and prove he deserves to play in the postseason after missing it with Colorado and Ottawa. That being said, Tampa is the behemoth to beat here and there’s no way they’re out in the first round.

Sean S: Tampa in 5 – As much as I expect a sweep by Tampa, I think Columbus will steal a win in game 4 to extend the series back to Tampa for game 5.

Kyle: Tampa in 4 – Tampa’s clearly the best team we have seen in the last decade, if there’s ever going to be a sweep, it’s this series.

Sean: Tampa in 6: Six? Really? Yeah, that’s what I’m going with. Columbus has a lot of talent and most are playing for new contracts. I think Tamps comes out slow but ultimately dominates.

Alec: Tampa in 6: What a terrible prize for Tampa’s record season. They play a Columbus team who is better than a 2nd wild card team. The skill in Tampa is just too much throughout the series.

(A2) Boston Bruins vs. (A3) Toronto Maple Leafs

Art: Toronto in six – Not really sure why I am picking the Leafs because Boston seems like a deeper team, but I just have this hunch the Leafs are due.

Cassie: Boston in six: I’m not picking Toronto for personal hatred reasons. I hate Boston less.

Josh: Boston in 6: Toronto’s defence is no where near deep enough to get past the big bad Bruins. Maybe one year, but not this year

Zee: Boston in 7 – It’s going to be a hard fought battle here, these two teams have plenty of playoff history, but Boston is definitely the stronger team. Toronto isn’t sure on their goaltending and I don’t think their defense is prepared for the onslaught of Bruins they’re about to face.

Sean S: Boston in 7 – I just want to see Toronto burn, to be honest… Give them hope in the way of a fight back from a 3-1 series lead by Boston only to lose in game 7. It would be glorious.

Kyle: Boston in 6 – Is this the year that Toronto can finally be the Bruins? Nope, they get ousted in round one. The Bruins are as good as ever and the Leafs will be able to compete but won’t be able to get it done.

Sean: Boston in 6 – Boston has Toronto’s number and are really just better. The Leafs will not be able to contain Boston’s top line and that will be the deciding factor.

Alec: Boston in 7 – Goaltending will be the difference in this series. The workload will be too high for Andersen, and home-ice is the X-factor.

(M1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) Carolina Hurricanes

Art: Washington in six – The defending champs get started off the right way but don’t sleep on the Canes and just how pesky they will be until goaltending becomes their undoing.

Cassie: Washington in five: The Canes goaltending situation is shaky at best. I wish the Bunch of Jerks a lot of luck though!

Josh: Caps in 6: I’m so happy the Canes got in, but i don’t think they’re deep enough up front to beat Washington, and as Cassie said, their goaltending is a major question mark

Zee: Washington in 5 – I love the Canes, and have for years so I’m happy as hell that they’ve made it to the playoffs. I think they’ll put up a really good fight, but they’re a young team that will absolutely get taken to out back and throttled by a well seasoned team that knows what it takes to bring home a cup.

Sean S: Washington in 6 – The Jerks will win the first two home games in Raleigh, leading to an all out celebration for the Surge. But will lose out in Raleigh in game 6. Leading to one final Storm Surge to celebrate the season with their home fans.

Kyle: Carolina in 6 – Carolina has been underperforming by most of the advanced stats this season. Is it enough to beat the defending champs? If they get a bit of luck on their side, they have a chance to do it.

Sean: Washington in 4 – I’d say in 3 if it was possible. Carolina is not even close and the Caps will walk all over them.

Alec: Washington in 6 – The Storm Surge will be cut short in the 1st round. Washington learned their lessons last year, and look well on their way to be back to the East final.

(M2) New York Islanders vs. (M3) Pittsburgh Penguins

Art: Pittsburgh in six – The Isles are strong defensively but they’ve struggled lately with offense. Pens are seasoned and not having home ice shouldn’t faze them.

Cassie: Pittsburgh in six: The Pens are good and have been here and done that. This series should be fun to watch though.

Josh: Islanders in 7: Pens are experienced, Islanders have a major chip on their shoulder and lots to prove. Lehner will ride the high of his first playoff appearance and carry the Islanders past Pittsburgh

Zee: New York in 6 – The Penguins are my least favorite team in the league, quite frankly while I can acknowledge they’re great, I’m also tired of seeing them in the playoffs. The Isles on the other hand are hangry, they want to continue to prove they’re surviving without Tavares and have exactly the right coach to guide them into the playoffs. Also Lehner is awesome!

Sean S: New York in 7 – Barry Trotz has turned this team around in a big way. He beat the Pens last year in the playoffs and he can do it again. Each team will win their home games.

Kyle: New York in 7 – It’s a changing of the guard as the Penguins aren’t as strong as they once were. New York can take advantage and win this series.

Sean: Pittsburgh in 7 – The Penguins are built for the playoffs and while it’s been a great story on the Island this year, the team is not ready to take the next step.

Alec: Islanders in 7 – In the playoffs, the Penguins have a tendency to struggle to keep the puck out of their net. The Islanders have completed a remarkable turnaround from worst in the league defensively last year. Like the Boston series, home ice will be an X-factor.

(C1) Nashville Predators vs. (WC1) Dallas Stars

Art: Dallas in six – There is a reason some Jets fans were actually fine with the team missing out on the division title. It would have meant a date with Dallas who will be a tougher out than most realize. Nashville hasn’t looked right all season and Dallas could be just stingy enough to put them away.

Cassie: Nashville in seven: Dallas is hot but I think Nashville can turn it on in the playoffs. It’ll go the distance though.

Josh: Nashville in 6: Dallas has been hot, but one line can’t carry you through the playoffs, and unless Dallas somehow finds secondary scoring (other than Zucc) i think Nashville moves on

Zee: Nashville in 5 – While Nashville hasn’t been overly impressive this year they’re still an incredibly tough team to beat in the playoffs. Dallas has done really well with their defensive style of game lately but despite the momentum they’ve built up Nashville is going to take that apart pretty fast.

Sean S: Nashville in 5 – Dallas has been playing great hockey the last month, but in a 7 game series they’re donezo. Bishop will get hurt of Khudobin won’t be up to the task of dealing with Nashville’s speed.

Kyle: Dallas in 5 – The Preds haven’t been at their best for a while now. They don’t have quite the reputation this season compared to last year. Dallas can win if their top players keep producing.

Sean: Nashville in 6 – The Predators, like another Central team we will talk about have been pretty much a. 500 team in the second half. I think they are better than that but will struggle with the wild card Stars.

Alec: Dallas in 6 – The Preds are not as good as their record suggests, and the Stars have been one of the best defensive teams in the league. If Radulov, Seguin, and Benn are going, this series could even be over in 5.

(C2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (C3) St. Louis Blues

Art: Winnipeg in six – I still believe, recent issues with this team be damned. There is too much talent on this team to let it go to waste in a first round defeat.

Cassie: Winnipeg in seven: This is going to also go the distance, but I think the teams are more evenly matched than people think.

Josh: Jets in 6: Despite the last 2 months, if the Jets play the way that they played last spring, combined with the inexperience of Binnington who’s first NHL playoff game will come in Winnipeg for the Whiteout, it will prove to be too much for St Louis to handle

Zee: Winnipeg in 6 – I don’t want to be a total homer, but I am what I am. I think St. Louis definitely gives Winnipeg a run for their money but ultimately, the Jets playoff experience is what will push them into round two. I’m also expecting Binnington to come back down to earth at any minute now, leaving a shell shocked team with Jake Allen at the helm to carry them into golf season.

Sean S: Winnipeg in 6 – Having Morrissey back for playoffs will be huge for the Jets. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we started really sucking when buff and JoMo went down. We’ll figure out Binnington and light him up! But Paul…. Please don’t play Kulikov over Beaulieu.. I’m begging you..

Kyle: Winnipeg in 5 – Sometimes you have to be bold. Jets take it in five games.

Sean: St. Louis in 7 – This may get my Winnipeg card revoked but no one has watched this team this year and thought they looked close to the same Jets as last year. The only chance Winnipeg has is home ice, but I think the Blues steal it.

Alec: Winnipeg in 7 – Home ice was important to get, Bell MTS Place has been an extremely tough place to play the last 2 seasons. I don’t trust a goalie who hasn’t been in the playoffs since the 2011 OHL Championship.

(P1) Calgary Flames vs. (WC2) Colorado Avalanche

Art: Calgary in five – Colorado couldn’t really match them in the regular season and there is nothing that they’ve done the last month or so that convinces me they’ll do any better in the playoffs.

Cassie: Calgary in 6: Colorado might be able to pull off a couple of wins based on pure luck and if the Flames use Mike Smith and he does Mike Smith things.

Josh: Calgary in 6: Colorado, much like Dallas, is a one line team, and i think Calgary has the tools to shut down those 3 in a 7 game series, but stranger things have happened. If Calgary’s shaky goaltending falters then who knows

Zee: Colorado in 7 – Look, my love for Colorado isn’t a secret but hear me out! Last year they got matched up against a very fiesty Nashville team and played a highly competitive series where everyone expected a sweep. Is this year’s Calgary better than last year’s Nashville? I don’t think they are. It won’t be easy, Calgary is a tough bunch of dudes but I think Colorado is up for the challenge provided their goaltending doesn’t fall apart.

Sean S: Calgary in 7 – This will be the final exam for Rittich. Does he falter or shine like the diamond in the rough? Tight, low scoring games on both end, finaled by an all out assault by Calgary in game 7 to win the series 8-1. Sorry Colorado..

Kyle: Calgary in 6 – I’m not convinced the Flames are for real this year, but I also don’t believe in the Avs. I think Calgary will get it down in round one at least.

Sean: Calgary in 6 – Neither of these teams is going to make a long push in this year’s playoffs. Calgary is far more complete and will be able to score at will.

Alec: Calgary in 6 – Calgary is the better team, and if they get decent goaltending from Smith and Rittich, they will win comfortably.

(P2) San Jose Sharks vs. (P3) Vegas Golden Knights

Art: Vegas in seven – Here we go again with Vegas… It’s been a rocky second season for them, but if they have a healthy Marc-Andre Fleury they have a chance.

Cassie: San Jose in six: Did I pick San Jose because I’m bitter about last year? Maybe so, but who’s judging?

Josh: San Jose in 7: Sharks are big, fast, skilled and have something to prove. This is their last year to be considered a legitimate contender. Goaltending will be huge though, can Jones pick up his game to take the Sharks on a deep run?

Zee: San Jose in 6 – Vegas this year is a shadow of Vegas last year. They’re still good, but part of what made them so great last year was a lot of guys having career years *cough* Fleury. The Sharks are going to want revenge and I think they have a solid enough team to make that happen. The only thing making me hesitate with this pick is the Sharks’ goaltending situation, can Jones and Dell hold up?

Sean S: San Jose in 6 – Sharks will be looking for revenge after last years sweep. Vegas isn’t nearly as dominant as they were last year. Unless Fleury goes super saiyan in the playoffs like he did last year I don’t think vegas can get past a nearly completely healthy Erik Karlsson.

Kyle: San Jose in 7 – This might be the best series of the entire first round. Both teams are very strong but I think San Jose will be able to come out on top.

Sean: San Jose in 7 – I picked against Vegas in every series last year and how did the work out?

It worked out with me eventually being right, and I’m going to ride that hot streak.

This will be an amazing series.

Alec: San Jose in 7 – The Sharks won’t get Fleury’d a second year in a row, will they?

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