Stanley Cup Final Prediction

Jun 4, 2014 by Nick Kazos

Given Montreal lost Carey Price in their opening game against New York I can live with a 1-1 conference final record. These outcomes push my Stanley Cup playoff record to 7-5 assuring me of a winning percentage with only one decisive series left. I much prefer to go 8-5 than 7-6 in my first foray into the prediction business, but all I can do is give 110 percent and see where that takes me eh coach?

As a fan of hockey I’m torn between making a choice between the NY Rangers and LA Kings. My two favourite goaltenders are facing one another in Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick. On the principle of fairness it seems intuitive to want to root for New York, since LA has won a Stanley Cup just two years ago. Lundqvist’s legacy as one of the games greats in goal would be solidified and the Rangers would become Stanley Cup champions for only the second time since World War II. There’s also a sentimental angle here, cheering for Martin St. Louis after his mother died unexpectedly midway through their series with Pittsburgh provides an emotional rational for cheering for the Eastern Conference representatives.

On the other hand I enjoy watching greatness and the LA Kings have shown that this year in their run to the Stanley Cup final. The Kings beat the Sharks, Ducks and defending Stanley cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, arguably the 3 best teams in all of hockey. All victories came in tough seven game series where the Kings faced elimination seven times and won each time, including an improbable comeback against San Jose after being down 3-0 in their series. The Kings are a tough hockey team which has the ability to rise to the occasion when facing adversity among the leagues toughest opponents and their proven champions. The Rangers have certainly faced their share of adversity as well this year but their opponents did not have the depth of talent LA had to face – that is until now.

Unless LA has run out of steam, a Carey Price type of injury occurs or Lundqvist stands on his head, it’s difficult seeing a scenario where New York wins this series. LA is deeper up the middle and their depth in the forward position is unmatched by any team in the NHL. They also have Drew Doughty the best defenceman in this series and among the top few in the NHL. Quick has looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at times in this years playoff run, but has found a way to make the key save when required. I expect nothing less in the Stanley Cup Final.

If the Rangers can win a game in LA we could have a compelling and long series (and hopefully we do), but barring that I think LA dominates and wins in a relatively short series.

Prediction:

LA wins in 5

Conn Smythe Winner:

Anze Kopitar

 

Previous Predictions

Conference Final:

1-1

Second Round:

2-2

First round (East & West):

5-3

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