Image courtesy nytimes.com
| System ID: | jl-a831c2301b48be263048a8fc568403cd |
|---|---|
| Title: | NHL playoff predictions 2026: Conference final winners, Stanley Cup champion and MVP |
| Link: | Original article on nytimes.com |
| Region: | US |
| Topics: | predictions; champion; win; stanley; team; nhl; conference; playoff; cup; final; winners; round; pick; hurricanes; mvp; colorado; vegas; knights; golden; going; Vegas Golden Knights; Colorado Avalanche; Carolina Hurricanes; Stanley Cup; Mark Stone (ice hockey); Goaltender; Montreal Canadiens; The Athletic; Pacific Division (NHL); Jonas Brodin; Eastern Conference (NHL); Western Conference (NHL); Conn Smythe; Short-handed; Joel Eriksson Ek; National Hockey League |
| Datetime: | 5/20/2026, 9:45:38 AM |
| Summary: | The Golden Knights are stacked down the middle, unlike Minnesota, but there were stretches of this season during which they were truly awful. Ultimately, it feels like the Avs will still overpower the Golden Knights, especially with Mark Stone’s injury. The Golden Knights can’t get outplayed at five-on-five here and then flip the switch for quick scoring plays as they did at times last round. Maybe the Golden Knights push the series longer and give them a little more trouble. Lazerus: Mitch Marner winning the Conn Smythe (which he almost certainly would if the Golden Knights win the Cup) is objectively the funniest possible outcome to this hockey season.... |
