21-22 EAST Playoff Primer and 1st Rd Predictions

Eastern Conference

New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes (M1 vs WC2)

Matchups:

Game 1 - NYI 6-4 W

Game 2 - NYI 3-2 SOW

Game 3 - CAR 4-3 SOW

Carolina's team is vastly superior on paper. The biggest surprise of the season would be Islander's top defensman Matt Irwin leading them to a playoff series victory. New York has plenty of depth, but if those contributions run dry at any moment their playoff dreams will end quickly.

Prediction: Carolina in 6

Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers (A1 vs WC1)

Matchups:

Game 1 - Philadelphia 3-2 W

Game 2 - Buffalo 4-3 W

Game 3 - Buffalo 6-2 W

This might be the tightest matchup on paper out of every series. Both teams have a strong top 6 and top 4. Both teams score at a very high rate compared to the league. The only real difference is in net. The nod goes to Buffalo with Varlamov.

Prediction: Buffalo in 7

New Jersey Devils vs Columbus Blue Jackets (M2 vs M3)

Matchups:

Game 1 - New Jersey 7-1 W

Game 2 - Columbus 3-1 W

Game 3 - New Jersey 3-1 W

Game 4 - Columbus 4-2 W

Columbus has to be the most stacked bad team in the league's history. New Jersey is no slouch either, but their top 6 simply doesn't stack up against Columbus. Both of these teams have elite goaltending, hell their backups are better than a lot of team's starters. Ultimately special teams will be the downfall of Columbus.

Prediction: New Jersey in 7

Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning (A2 vs A3)

Matchups:

Game 1 - Tampa Bay 4-1 W

This is the toughest matchup to predict out of all of the series. Neither team is spectacular nor should you expect them to advance past the second round. Tampa Bay gets the nod because defense wins championships.

Prediction: Tampa Bay in 7