NHL playoffs bracket 2021: East Division sequence predictions, odds, breakdowns, Stanley Cup predictions

NHL Postson is formally right here.

Sixteen groups opened the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and nobody is telling who could be the final membership to face out and drink from Lord Stanley’s Cup.

The East Division was made up of eight groups that stretched from the Mid-Atlantic area to New England. Four groups stay: Penguins, Capitals, Bruins and Islanders. There are some well-known faces – and a few historical past – amongst these golf equipment.

Will or not it’s Sidney Crosby and the Penguins popping out of the division, or will or not it’s Mr. 700-plus targets Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals? And do not rely the individuals of 2019 runners-up Beantown or Long Island.

The Sporting News watches the playoffs of the East Division and predicts how the primary spherical will likely be shaken.

Nhl playoff bracket 2021

NHL Playoff 2021: East Division Predictions

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) New York Islanders

Backstory

Two years in the past, these groups met within the first spherical of the season and the Islanders beat the Penguins in a one-sided affair with new bench boss Barry Trotz. Now 2019 is the third yr on the island for the Jack Adams Award winner; Will we see a repeat?

It’s been a very long time for these groups to return head to head; The final of their eight-game units in 2021 (the Penguins received the season sequence 6–2–0 with one time beyond regulation win and one shootout win) was on March 29. Both groups have since made modifications: The Penguins added Jeff to Carter and the Islanders, after shedding captain Anders Lee in mid-March, bringing in Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the Devils.

The sequence additionally has mainstays, together with uber-talented and high Islanders level producer Matthew Barzal (17 targets, 28 assists) and naturally Crosby. The Penguins captain posted a 62-point marketing campaign in 2021, together with three targets and 9 assists towards the islands. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how he handles New York’s sturdy protection this submit season; In 2019, he had an help because the pens have been swept away.

X-Factor: Simeon Varlamov

The Russian netminder posted a Vezina Trophy-eligible season with a 19–11–4 document, .929 save share, and an NHL-best seven shutouts. Hot goaltending is normally referred to as for a powerful membership. If he can replicate his .921 save share from the 2020 bubble, the Islanders needs to be in a powerful place to make a future.

Large quantity: 125

Known for a stingy protection, the Islanders allowed simply 125 targets in 56 video games in 2021, the second lowest within the league. Only the Golden Knights allowed a low (122). By comparability, the Penguins allowed 155 targets.

Although New York allowed solely 2.23 targets per sport, the workforce scored solely 2.71 targets per sport. The Islands would wish their defensive sport because the Penguins have been second within the NHL at 3.45 GF / GP.

SN Picks: 6. Islander in

Series schedule

(* if obligatory)

More: Islanders legend Brian Trottier works in reminiscence of HOF profession in NXT world

(2) Washington Capitals vs. (3) Boston Bruins

Backstory

The squads have been evenly matched within the common season, splitting the eight-game set (Boston’s two losses have been in OT / SO). The Bruins scored 26 targets, the Caps pumped in 24 and every workforce made a mean of 30.0 pictures per sport aim. Both groups have strong netminders, aim scoring machines and powerful protection, however just one has veteran rearguard Zadeno Bait. The huge man is now with the Capitals after spending the final 14 years along with his first-round sequence opponent.

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how they match after the season. The Bruins can have netminder Tuukka Rusk, whereas Caps rookies Vitek Venacek (who left Game 1 early with a decrease physique damage) and Ilya Samsonov (who have been on the league’s COVID-19 record earlier than Saturday) might cut up the time Were. Will the 2 be capable to cease Boston’s “The Perfect Line”? Will Ovechkin, TJ Oishi and Caps commerce deadline pickup Anthony Mantha, who’re making their playoff debut, be capable to counter the Bruins’ offense? This needs to be one.

X-Factor: Taylor Hall

The winger was acquired by Boston across the commerce deadline, and was rejuvenated at Beantown, after scoring 19 factors (two targets, 17 assists) in 37 video games for the Sabers. He scored eight targets and had six assists in 16 video games with the Bruins. Hall has some post-season expertise: in 2020 with the Coyotes (six factors) and in 2018 with the Devils (six factors). He is aiming for a brand new contract and an prolonged keep in Boston, so the 29-year-old might want to show his eligibility.

Large quantity: 86.0

Special groups can play an vital function right here. The Bruins penalty kill was second within the NHL at 85.9 p.c effectiveness through the common season, an vital reality contemplating the Capitals have the third-best energy play (24.8 p.c). In the season sequence, the Bruins’ energy play was solely 70 p.c efficient, whereas the Capitals scored 9 targets in 30 events and averaged 1.13 power-play targets per sport. It could be finest if Boston stayed out of the field in order that Ovechkin couldn’t arrange in his workplace, but when it racked up penalty minutes, he would wish to shut it towards the remainder of the division. .

SN Picks: 5. I’m in Bruins

Series Schedule:

(* if obligatory)

Odds of East Division first spherical

Betting odds courtesy of FanDuel till 14 May.

Sporting News’ 2011 Stanley Cup Playoff Prediction

Round 1, 2

Stanley Cup Semifinals

Stanley Cup Final