The NHL Playoff Picture - by Moses

  This year there are standout teams in the NHL in the name of the Tampa Bay Lightening, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and the Las Vegas Golden Knights among other contending teams.


  In this writer's opinion here is how the standings will read at the end of the season;


In the Eastern Conference

1.  Tampa Bay Lightening

2.  Pittsburgh Penguins

3.  Toronto Maple Leafs

4.  Boston Bruins

5.  Washington Capitals

6.  New York Islanders

7.  Columbus Blue Jackets

8.  Montreal Canadiens


In the Western Conference

1.  Winnipeg Jets

2.  Calgary Flames

3.  Nashville Predators

4.  San Jose Sharks

5.  Colorado Avalanche

6.  Dallas Stars

7.  St. Louis Blues

8.  Las Vegas Golden Knights


Playoffs

Eastern Conference

1st Round

1.  Tampa Bay Lightening vs Montreal Canadiens (Montreal in 7)

2.  Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets (Pittsburgh in 6)

3.  Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders (Toronto in 5)

4.  Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals (Washington in 5)


2nd Round

1.  Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens (Montreal in 7)

2.  Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals (Toronto in 6)


Eastern Conference Finals

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens (Toronto in 6)


Western Conference

1st Round

1.  Winnipeg Jets vs Las Vegas Golden Knights (Winnipeg in 5)

2.  Calgary Flames vs St. Louis Blues (Calgary in 6)

3.  Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars (Nashville in 5)

4.  San Jose Sharks vs Colorado Avalanche (Colorado in 7)


2nd Round

1.  Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche (Winnipeg in 7)

2.  Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators (Calgary in 7)


Western Conference Finals

Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames (Winnipeg in 6)


Stanley Cup Finals

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets (Toronto in 7)