Pregame Skate’s 2021-2022 NHL Predictions

Writers weigh in on the standings and pick their Stanley Cup champion.

Oct 17

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

New York Islanders @NYIslanders

Breaking down the #Isles roster heading into opening night with the 2021-22 Season Preview ⬇️

New York Islanders 2021-22 Season PreviewBreaking down the Islanders roster heading into opening nightnhl.com

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

Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche

A little skate, but a good one. #GoAvsGo

Avalanche Host Optional Practice After Home Opener WinCENTENNIAL, Colo.-The Colorado Avalanche took the ice Thursday at Family Sports Center following its 4-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.Forwards Alex Newhook, Logan O’Connor and Sampo Ranta along with defensemen Bowen Byram, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Kurtis MacDermid were amongst those on the …nhl.com

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

Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche

Tonight’s lineup? “Gonna be a blender.” #GoAvsGo

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

Washington Capitals @Capitals

Vitek gets the nod in net tonight. #CapsBolts

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

Colorado Avalanche @Avalanche

Who will we be seeing? #GoAvsGo

Avalanche Faces Blues on Division Rival NightThe Colorado Avalanche continues the start of the 2021-22 regular season on Saturday at home against the St. Louis Blues.The Avalanche and Blues last played in Round 1 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Colorado earned a 4-0 series win. Both teams competed in the West Division last season and the…nhl.com

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.