The Boston Bruins’ regular-season dream run continues into the playoffs.
• Also read: That’s how much Pierre-Luc Dubois would cost the Canadians
• Also read: A first Stanley Cup in 33 years?: “That would be incredible for the city of Edmonton” – Kelly Buchberger
At least that is the opinion of 11 of our 15 analysts, who forecast the highest awards for Jim Montgomery’s team.
Only one team, the Edmonton Oilers, could stop the Bruins from lifting the precious trophy for the first time in 12 years. In fact, four of our experts advocate establishing Alberta as the successor to the Colorado Avalanche.
The Oilers last won the Stanley Cup in 1990. And for the record, CH, then led by Jacques Demers, was the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup…30 years ago.
No weakness
“The Bruins have no weaknesses and they will do everything,” said Michel Bergeron.
“There is no such balanced team in the NHL. The Bruins have their next Vezina Trophy winner in Linus Ullmark [honneur individuel remis au gardien par excellence dans le circuit Bettman]a solid defensive brigade and a scorer of 60 goals [David Pastrnak]’ the Journal columnist and TVA Sports analyst continued.
Only downside, Patrice Bergeron, who was ill, did not attend his team’s final training sessions.
The Bruins captain’s presence in Monday night’s first clash against the Florida Panthers in Boston therefore seems uncertain.
I’m feeling lucky
The former Quebec Nordiques and New York Rangers coach is among 13 analysts predicting a Maple Leafs victory in a long-awaited series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening round.
“The Maple Leafs don’t have a choice,” Bergeron said. This team does well in the regular season but fails in the playoffs. When history repeats itself, heads will explode. Now is the time to win when it counts. Like the Oilers, by the way.”
Keep in mind that the Toronto team has lost in the last six attempts in the first round of the NHL playoffs and has never reached the second round since defeating the Ottawa Senators in 2004.
Only Jonathan Bernier and Jean-Nicolas Blanchet provide the victorious Lightning in this confrontation that begins Tuesday in Queen City.
Michael Bergeron
columnist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 4th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
David Pastrnak
Jonathan Bernier
journalist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 5th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay on the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmonton in the 7th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Dallas
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
David Pastrnak
Jean Nicolas Blanchet
deputy
to the sports director
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 4th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay on the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 6th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New Jersey in the 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Winnipeg in the 7th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 6th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
David Pastrnak
Mathieu Boulay
journalist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 7th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in the 5th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 6th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Patrice Bergeron
Ludwig Metzger
journalist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 6th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Winnipeg in the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 4th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Colorado
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
David Pastrnak
Stephane Cadorette
journalist
The Journal of Quebec
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmonton in the 7th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Edmonton
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Connor McDavid
Jean Francois Chaumont
journalist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 5th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 7th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Patrice Bergeron
Marc de Foy
columnist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 5th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - NY Rangers v. New Jersey
New York Rangers in 6th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 5th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmonton in the 7th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 6th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Colorado
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Patrice Bergeron
Kevin Dube
journalist
The Journal of Quebec
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 5th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 6th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New Jersey in the 6th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
David Pastrnak
Jean Charles Lajoie
animator
VAT Sports
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 7th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Winnipeg in the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 6th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Minnesota
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Linus Ullmark
jessica rabbit
journalist
The Journal of Quebec
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 6th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 6th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 5th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Patrice Bergeron
Yvon Pednault
columnist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 6th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Vegas on the 7th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 6th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 6th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 6th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Edmonton
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Connor McDavid
Dennis Poissant
sports director
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston on the 5th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
NY islanders in the 7th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Winnipeg in the 7th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 6th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Edmonton
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Connor McDavid
Mylene Richard
journalist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 6th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 5th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 7th
Western association
- Vegas v. Winnipeg
Winnipeg in the 6th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 5th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 4th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Minnesota in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Boston and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Boston
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Linus Ullmark
Rejean Tremblay
columnist
Journal
Eastern Club
- Boston v. Florida
Boston in the 6th - toronto v Tampa Bay
Toronto in the 7th - Caroline v. New York Islanders
Carolina in the 7th - New Jersey v. NY ranger
New York Rangers in 6th
Western association
- New Jersey v. NY ranger
Vegas on the 7th - Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Edmont on the 6th - colorado v Seattle
Colorado in the 6th - Dallas v. Minnesota
Dallas in the 7th
Stanley Cup Finalist Teams
Carolina and Edmonton
Stanley Cup winning team
Edmonton
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy
Connor McDavid