Pregame Skate’s 2021-2022 NHL Predictions
Writers weigh in on the standings and pick their Stanley Cup champion.
From the Writers
Check out our writers’ 2021-22 standings, finals, and Stanley Cup champion predictions below.
**read through to the end for our aggregated predictions.**
Standings
Thomas Pepin
Atlantic: 1. Lightning 2. Bruins 3. Panthers Metropolitan: 1. Penguins 2. Islanders 3. Hurricanes
Eastern Conference Wild Cards: 1. Maple Leafs 2. Capitals
Central: 1. Avalanche 2. Blackhawks 3. Jets Pacific: 1. Golden Knights 2. Canucks 3. Kraken
Western Conference Wild Cards: 1. Stars 2. Flames
Conference Champions: East: New York Islanders West: Vancouver Canucks
Stanley Cup Champion: New York Islanders
James Wan
Atlantic: 1. Panthers 2. Lightning 3. Bruins Metropolitan: 1. Islanders 2. Hurricanes 3. Flyers
Eastern Conference Wild Cards: 1. Maple Leafs 2. Capitals
Central: 1. Avalanche 2. Wild 3. Jets Pacific: 1. Golden Knights 2. Oilers 3. Canucks
Western Conference Wild Cards: 1. Stars 2. Blues
Conference Champions: East: New York Islanders West: Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Champion: Colorado Avalanche
Andrew Woodbury
Atlantic: 1. Panthers 2. Lightning 3. Maple Leafs Metropolitan: 1. Hurricanes 2. Islanders 3. Capitals
Eastern Conference Wild Cards: 1. Bruins 2. Rangers
Central: 1. Avalanche 2. Wild 3. Blues Pacific: 1. Golden Knights 2. Oilers 3. Kraken
Western Conference Wild Cards: 1. Jets 2. Stars
Conference Champions: East: Tampa Bay Lightning West: Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Champion: Colorado Avalanche
From the Editor: Parker Milner
Standings
Atlantic: 1. Lightning 2. Panthers 3. Maple Leafs Metropolitan: 1. Penguins 2. Capitals 3. Islanders
Eastern Conference Wild Cards: 1. Flyers 2. Hurricanes
Central: 1. Avalanche 2. Wild 3. Blackhawks Pacific: 1. Oilers 2. Golden Knights 3. Canucks
Western Conference Wild Cards: 1. Kraken 2. Jets
Conference Champions East: Washington Capitals West: Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Champion: Colorado Avalanche
Pregame Skate’s Aggregated Predictions and Discussion
After averaging out everyone’s predictions, the combined Pregame Skate predictions are as follows.
Standings
Atlantic: 1. Lightning 2. Panthers 3. Maple Leafs Metropolitan: 1. Islanders 2. Hurricanes 3. Penguins
Eastern Conference Wild Cards: 1. Bruins 2. Capitals
Central: 1. Avalanche 2. Wild 3. Jets Pacific: 1. Golden Knights 2. Oilers 3. Canucks
Western Conference Wild Cards: 1. Kraken 2. Blackhawks
Conference Champions: East: New York Islanders West: Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Champion: Colorado Avalanche
In our opinion, the Atlantic Division seems relatively predictable, with the Lightning, Maple Leafs, and Panthers appearing to be locks. In the Metropolitan Division, the Capitals, Hurricanes, and Islanders are also consistently in. Eastern Wild Cards look to be wide open, but the Bruins seem to lead the way. Of note in the East, opinions on the Penguins vary pretty dramatically, with the team either landing at the top of their division or falling out completely.
In the Central Division, only the Avalanche and Jets appear to be locks, with no shared opinion on the rest of the spots. Over in the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights are the only team with a consistently favorable outlook. As a result, all other spots appear to be at least somewhat open, with the Canucks, Oilers, and Wild leading the way.
The Finals looks pretty set, in our view, with the New York Islanders facing off against the Colorado Avalanche. You heard it here first: Expect the Colorado Avalanche to hoist the Stanley Cup in 2022.
What are your predictions for the 2021-22 NHL season?
Links from the Rink
Kraken get first win, hold off Predators
Ovechkin moves up NHL goals list, Capitals top Rangers in opener
Tkachuk signs seven-year, $57.5 million contract with Senators
NHL down to four players not vaccinated for COVID-19, Bettman says
Ten women on American Hockey League officiating roster this season
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