It’s my Parting Shot for The Fearless Predictor finishing up Round 2 Stanley Cup picks and a re-done final prognostication…..
By way of review from yesterday, The Fearless Predictor – a-k-a T-F-P for the young ones out there who insist on having everything be an acronym – had five of the eight opening round series winners right, and the Edmonton over L-A Kings result was bang-on in six games. I also said two other series would end the in the correct number of games, but I had the wrong winner in Ottawa and Colorado! As for the Conference semi-final that opened last night, I said Toronto in seven for my heart, but my head – which is my official selection – says Florida in six games!
The other Eastern semi starts tonight with Washington having home ice against Carolina. If you put Capitals’ goaltender Logan Thompson with the Hurricanes, the series would be a four-game sweep in favour of Carolina. I think the Hurricanes will overcome a gallant effort by Thompson, Alexander Ovechkin and company in six games!
Out West, Edmonton takes on Vegas, who have home-ice advantage. The Golden Knights play a very good structured game that will serve them well against an Oilers team that tries to out-score their defensive deficiencies. I believe you’ll see Stuart Skinner back in goal in place of Calvin Pickard – likely in time for Game 3. But, Skinner, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl won’t be able to prevent the Oil from being taken out in seven games by Vegas!
In the other Western Conference semi-final, starting tomorrow in Winnipeg, the big question marks for the Jets are, 1, Can Connor Hellebuyck play this round like the Vezina and Hart Trophy finalist from the regular season and the final 60 minutes of Game 7 against St. Louis?, plus 2, when will Mark Scheifele and/or Josh Morrissey be available? Dallas is expected to have Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson back from injury, if not for Game 1 then not long after, likely by Game 3. My heart says Jets in seven games while my head – again, my official pick – says Stars in six games!
In all honesty, as much as I dislike the Oilers, I’d love to see all three Canadian-based teams advance to the Conference finals, making N-H-L Commissioner Gary Bettman lose control of his bodily functions!
However, prior to the first round, I had Tampa Bay beating Vegas in the Stanley Cup final. That means I have to pivot and say the Golden Knights will win the title over Florida in seven games!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
