Wednesday, October 4, 2017 starts the 2017-2018 National Hockey League season. The fans are ready, the players are ready, and the questions are many. Who will make the playoffs? Who will win the Stanley Cup? What teams will rise and what teams will fall? Who knows –that why we play the games, but if you must know — these are our predictions?
ATLANTIC DIVISION
- Tampa Bay Lightning 1
- Toronto Maple Leafs 2
- Boston Bruins 3
- Buffalo Sabres WC
- Ottawa Senators
- Montreal Canadiens
- Florida Panthers
- Detroit Red Wings
METROPOLITIAN DIVISION
- Pittsburgh Penguins 1
- Washington Capitals 2
- New York Rangers 3
- Carolina Hurricanes WC
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- New York Islanders
- New Jersey Devils
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Tampa Bay vs. Washington – Winner = Tampa Bay
CENTRAL DIVISION
- Minnesota Wild 1
- Dallas Stars 2
- Chicago Blackhawks 3
- Winnipeg Jets WC
- St. Louis Blues WC
- Nashville Predators
- Colorado Avalanche
PACIFIC DIVISION
- Anaheim Ducks 1
- Edmonton Oilers 2
- Calgary Flames 3
- San Jose Sharks
- Los Angeles Kings
- Vancouver Canucks
- Arizona Coyotes
- Vegas Golden Knights
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Minnesota vs. Anaheim – Winner = Anaheim
PRESIDENTS TROPHY – Minnesota Wild
STANLEY CUP CHAMPION – Tampa Bay Lightning
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.