By: Chris Nosek

Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning (Montreal leads series 3-2)

Many people were eyeing the Dallas-Minnesota series as a must-watch, but this one has been just as good, if not better. So far, three of the five games have gone to overtime, and there has only been one lead of two goals. There is more to dive into when it comes to his game, which we will do another time, but at this point, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s game does not elevate in the playoffs the way it once did.

With the series going back to the Bell Center for game six on Friday, the talent and youth of the Canadiens will get a great boost from their home crowd. The Lightning will absolutely push back on losing this series; their roster is too deep not to. Ultimately, I think not having Victor Hedman is a major loss the Lightning can’t overcome. Guentzel, Hagel, and Kucherov are the only players who can score for Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are getting scoring from around their lineup. I think Montreal will be able to pull this one out with their home crowd behind them.

Original Prediction: Montreal Canadiens advance in 7 games
Prediction after game 1: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 3: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 4: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games
New Prediction: Montreal Canadiens advance in 6 games

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia wins series 4-2)

It’s clear that Arturs Silovs can elevate his game to support his team in the most critical games. In this game, he was matched save for save by Dan Vladar. Silovs has proven he could step up and keep his team in this, and I really thought the experience in the Pittsburgh locker room would help them push through. Instead, Dan Vladar helped push this game into a situation where a single moment would decide it. Philadelphia has completely bought into Rich Tocchet’s coaching and, depending on health, could go further than we expect.

Original Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Pittsburgh Penguins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 4 games
Prediction after game 3: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 4 games
Prediction after game 4: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 5: Pittsburgh Penguins advance in 7 games
Result: Philadelphia Flyers advance in 6 games

Utah Mammoth @ Vegas Golden Knights (Vegas leads series 3-2)

This was yet another incredible game between two of the league’s newest teams. While Utah is an extremely likable team, Vegas seems to keep getting the bounces they need to win the series. Utah is proving it can keep up with Vegas’s scoring. Carter Hart is a very sound goaltender who stays in his crease and plays more conservatively. Meanwhile, for Utah, Karel Vajmela has been absolutely outstanding. However, his style is more aggressive. The force in his side-to-side movements will find him leaving the backside open more and even the entire net exposed. As the series goes on, the games are getting closer. This lends to favorable conditions for Vegas. That plus their experience – I still think Vegas is the team that pulls this out.

Original Prediction: Utah Mammoth advances in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Vegas Golden Knights advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Vegas Golden Knights advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 3: Vegas Golden Knights advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 4: Vegas Golden Knights advance in 6 games
New Prediction: Vegas Golden Knights advance in 6 games