MY CREDENTIALS: When I call myself a “new” hockey fan, I mean I started watching professional hockey this season, thanks to peer-encouragement from my sister and cousins who have been bitten and slowly consumed by the Minnesota Wild bug (I pinky promise I jumped on the bandwagon before Quinn Hughes did). Since I’m so new, I don’t know much about the intricacies of playoff math or most of the teams in the league, which is why I have limited myself to discussing the Western Conference—what goes on in the East is, quite frankly, none of my Midwestern business.
DISCLAIMER: The following predictions are in accordance with the bracket I made before the playoffs. Technically, I am not incorrect about anything yet, and I am sticking with my previous decisions!
FIRST ROUND
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings: Colorado Avalanche
Being a Minnesotan, I am not supposed to like the Avalanche. They’re too good, it gets annoying sometimes. They’ve been at the top of the league since I started paying attention to standings, so in my perception, they’re a very solid number 1. A first round exit would be incredibly funny, but I am also a disloyal traitor and I really love watching them play, so they could go on a great run this year and I will only complain a little.
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild: Minnesota Wild
The Dallas Stars are NOT real they can NOT hurt me! All I know about the Stars is that they bought the former Minnesota hockey franchise in the 1990s and relocated it to Texas (rude), and that the Stars and the Wild spent a lot of this past season fighting over the number two spot, so I regard them with a healthy amount of animosity. It’s a very even match, very fun and stressful to watch on the ice, but I believe wholeheartedly in the power of hate and I don’t think the Wild are going to let the Dallas Stars knock them out.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth: Utah Mammoth
I don’t like the Golden Knights. That’s my entire reason for this one. Every sports fan needs an enemy and they are mine. Congrats Utah Mammoth and have fun obliterating them!
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks: Edmonton Oilers
This was a super easy pick for me because I have no strong opinion on the Ducks, and the Oilers are one of my favorite teams to watch. Much like the Avalanche, this is something of a guilty pleasure, but they’re fun. They’re fast and high energy and this goes without saying, but Connor McDavid is one of the most exciting players I’ve seen. I also was under the impression that Leon Draisaitl would still be out for the playoffs, so seeing him back in the game was like Christmas coming early. Sorry, Ducks.
SECOND ROUND
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild: Colorado Avalanche
This one is going to get me crucified in my Wild circle, but at some point I need to be realistic. As a newbie, I don’t have extensive knowledge of team histories, but I do know that the Minnesota Wild love to have a first round exit. Despite my hopes to break that curse this year, I will be floored if we make it past the Avalanche. That would be awesome, but coming out of a super competitive series against the Stars (with plenty of overtime under their belts, too), I simply don’t think it’s happening. In traditional Minnesota sports fashion, I’m gonna say maybe next year.
Utah Mammoth vs. Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton Oilers
Basically just copy and paste everything I said about liking the Oilers. See my final prediction for more thoughts.
CONFERENCE FINAL
Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton Oilers
Even though I’m not an Oilers fan, I am honestly invested in their tooth and nail fight for a Stanley Cup. They’ve finished second in the league the past two years in a row, so in my book, just having them in the league final is a win-win. Either they finally pull it off in a perfectly satisfying narrative conclusion like a play in three acts, or they lose at the last minute yet again, which would be a little bit sad, but mostly funny. In my full bracket I have them losing in the final to the Montréal Canadiens because it would be such a beautiful upset. Nobody come back and check my prediction accuracy, though.
LET’S PLAY HOCKEY!
Featured image: Britannica
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