NHL/NBA playoffs:
First-round hockey predictions; why Durant makes the Warriors clear hoops favorites.
USA TODAY Sports’ NHL staff makes its first-round picks — and explains why — below. If the first round plays out the way many on the panel predict, it will be full of excitement — and surprises.
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1. MONTREAL CANADIENS VS. 4. NEW YORK RANGERS
Kevin Allen: Rangers in 6. Can’t a quality offense beat a quality defense just once? Jimmy Hascup: Canadiens
in 6. The Rangers can’t bank on Henrik Lundqvist being the better goalie and covering up for defensive miscues in this series. Mike Brehm: Canadiens in 5. The Rangers defense isn’t the greatest, and goalie Lundqvist had a down year. He will be outshined by Carey Price.
2. OTTAWA SENATORS VS. 3. BOSTON BRUINS
Allen: Bruins in 5. Special teams will give Boston the edge. Patrice Bergeron’s faceoff skills also will be important. Hascup: Bruins in 6. It only
goes this far because of the Bruins’ banged-up blue line.
Brehm: Bruins in 6. Count on Brad Marchand to be rested and motivated after his suspension. The Bruins’ key will be neu- tralizing Erik Karlsson, who’s coming off an injury.
1. WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS. 4. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
a big difference between qualifying for the playoffs and succeeding in the postseason. Just ask the Capitals. Hascup: Capitals in 5. Washington is a more refined version of the Maple Leafs, who expended a lot of energy down the stretch to get in.
Brehm: Capitals in 5. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin lost in their first career playoff appearances, and Auston Matthews will do the same. The Capitals have better depth, experience, defense and goaltending.
2. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS. 3. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Allen: Penguins in 5. No one, John Tortorella least of all, likes how the Blue Jackets have been playing lately. Hascup: Penguins in 6. Kris Letang’s absence hurts, but the Penguins have the experience to advance.
Brehm: Penguins in 6. Brandon Dubinsky has to be salivating about another chance to tangle with Sidney Crosby, and the Penguins must overcome the loss of Letang. But the Blue Jackets will
find it hard to turn it around after a 1-5-1 finish.
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. 4. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Allen: Blackhawks in 7. There’s a reason the Blackhawks have won 65 playoff games since 2010. Hascup: Predators in 6. Nashville has the league’s best defense and a forward group that is dangerous and deep. Brehm: Blackhawks in 7. This is a tough Predators team, but the Blackhawks are seasoned and Jonathan Toews is back in form after a slow start.
2. MINNESOTA WILD VS. 3. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Allen: Wild in 6. Believe in Bruce Boudreau. Believe in Devan Dubnyk. Believe that the Wild have the right offensive-defensive mix to get it done. Hascup. Wild in 6. Boudreau’s team is built for the playoff grind, and Dubnyk gives them a clear edge.
Brehm: Wild in 6. Minnesota set a franchise record for wins and points despite a 1-7-2 stretch in March. The Wild turned it around with a four-game winning streak. Time for Boudreau to show some playoff chops.
1. ANAHEIM DUCKS VS. 4. CALGARY FLAMES
Allen: Flames in 6. Matthew Tkachuk will be in the middle of it if the Flames upset the Ducks. Hascup: Ducks in 6. The Ducks finished the regular season 11-0-3, and those winning ways will continue.
Brehm: Ducks in 7. Considering how well Flames goalie Brian Elliott played after regaining his No. 1 job, he will steal some games. But the Ducks will take advantage of home ice in Game 7.
2. EDMONTON OILERS VS. 3. SAN JOSE SHARKS
Allen: Oilers in 6. After watching the Oilers down the stretch, how can you doubt Connor McDavid’s ability to lead this team? Hascup: Oilers in 6. The Oilers’ season is not a fluke, and the health of key Sharks Joe Thornton and Logan Couture tip the scales farther.
Brehm: Oilers in 5. Yes, McDavid is making his first playoff appearance, but he should continue his late-season surge against a team that was porous at times down the stretch.