FOUR BOLD PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Kevin Allen

Auston Matthews will register 1012 points in the first round. Matthews, 20, enters the playoffs riding a 10-game points streak. The Arizona native seems poised to have a monstrous postseason. With his blend of size, drive, skating ability and skill, Matthews is built to fight through the tighter playoff checking.

Jimmy Hascup

The Los Angeles Kings will upset the Las Vegas Golden Knights in

Round 1. The NHL has seen nothing like a Vegas party in the playoffs, but the Golden Knights have never faced playoff pressure. How will this group react to the momentum swings in games and within a series? The Kings are experienced and battle-tested. Their stingy defensive style is conducive to the playoffs. Plus, they possess two of the series best players in Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty.

Mike Brehm

Bruins forward Brad Marchand will be suspended at some point during

the postseason. He has been pushing the limits, and it will catch up to him. But because it’s the playoffs, he’ll miss only one game.

Jace Evans

The Toronto Maple Leafs will win a playoff series for the first time since

2004. The Maple Leafs’ 2013 playoff collapse against the Bruins might as well be ancient history given the amount of turnover each team has experienced in the past five seasons. That devastating Game 7 loss after leading 4-1 will not be a factor for a Maple Leafs team that quietly posted the best regular season in its history with 105 points. Goalie Frederik Andersen also set a franchise record for 38 wins, and star Auston Matthews is now back from injury and ready to make a huge difference.