Like the vast majority of observers, our 15 experts had not predicted the elimination of the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Florida Panthers.
Nor that of the Colorado Avalanche, defending Stanley Cup champion, who lost in seven games against the Seattle Kraken.
Not only did all of our participants predict the Bruins would make it through the opening round successfully, but 14 of them put the Jim Montgomery-led squad in the Stanley Cup final. What’s more, ten expected the Bruins to lift the prized trophy.
Still among our experts, only one, Réjean Tremblay, sees his two finalist teams determined at the start, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers, still in contention.
Speaking of the Oilers, they’re a unanimous pick to win their matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. The first game of this series will begin Wednesday evening in the capital of the game. The Dallas Stars also have the odds of our experts, who place them as winners (some of them in five games) against the Kraken.
Favorite Maple Leafs
In the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs are widely favored to defeat the Panthers. Only two of our analysts, Jessica Lapinski and Réjean Tremblay, foresee the elimination of the representatives of the Ville-Queen.
As a reminder, the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round of the playoffs last Saturday for the first time in 19 years.
In the other series, 12 of our participants believe the Carolina Hurricanes will beat the New Jersey Devils, the last team to secure their second round berth on Monday.
Towards an all-Canadian final?
Michel Bergeron claims that the unexpected collapse of the Bruins will open the door to the Maple Leafs, whose last Stanley Cup victory dates back to … 1967.
“I am still shaken by the loss of the Bruins, indicated the columnist to the Journal and analyst at TVA Sports. But, it’s good news for the Maple Leafs and also for the Oilers. Maybe we are heading for an all-Canadian final?
The Canadian, led by Jacques Demers, is the last Canadian team to win top honors 30 years ago.
And, the last all-Canadian final dates back to 1989, when the Calgary Flames beat the Habs.
SECOND ROUND PREDICTIONS
Michel Bergeron, columnist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline c. New Jersey : New Jersey en 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 5
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Jonathan Bernier, journalist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 7
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Jean-Nicolas Blanchet, assistant sports director
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 5
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 6
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Mathieu Boulay, journalist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Louis Butcher, journalist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 3 in 8 (38%)
Stéphane Cadorette, journalist, The Journal of Quebec
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 6
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Jean-Francois Chaumont, journalist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline c. New Jersey : New Jersey en 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 4 in 8 (50%)
Marc De Foy, columnist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Seattle en 7
Results of the first round: 5 in 8 (63%)
Kevin Dubé, journalist, The Journal of Quebec
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 6
Results of the first round: 6 in 8 (75%)
Jean-Charles Lajoie, TVA Sports host
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto : Toronto in 6
- Caroline c. New Jersey : New Jersey en 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 5
Results of the first round: 3 in 8 (38%)
Jessica Lapinski, journalist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida v. Toronto: Florida in 7
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Seattle en 7
Results of the first round: 5 in 8 (63%)
Yvon Pedneault, columnist, The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Florida c. Toronto: Toronto in 6
- Caroline c. New Jersey : New Jersey en 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Seattle c. Dallas : Dallas en 6
Results of the first round: 5 in 8 (63%)
Denis Poissant, sports director
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Toronto v. Florida: Toronto in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Dallas c. Seattle : Dallas en 6
Results of the first round: 3 in 8 (38%)
Mylène Richard, journalist The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- toronto v. Florida: Toronto in 7
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 7
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 6
- Dallas v. Vegas: Dallas at 6
Results of the first round: 3 in 8 (38%)
Réjean Tremblay, columnist The Journal of Montreal
EASTERN ASSOCIATION
- Toronto v. Florida: Florida in 6
- Caroline v. New Jersey: Caroline in 6
WEST ASSOCIATION
- Edmonton c. Vegas: Edmonton en 7
- Dallas v. Vegas: Dallas at 6
Results of the first round: 5 in 8 (63%)
