This article covers the NHL Pro Hockey winner predictions for each of the divisions leading up to the Stanley Cup winner.
I could have studied all of the 2019-2020 NHL team and player statistics to make valid predictions for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. I could have taken the time and developed a robust algorithm to plug career stats into a computer and then project player performance via analytics as highlighted in the excellent movie Moneyball.
Or I could pull a Han Solo and talk my way through the 2021 NHL team playoff predictions using one data point (the quality and history of each Reverse Retro jersey). Seems like a sound method to make hockey predictions, so “never tell me the odds” and let’s get to work.
Here’s how the divisional pro hockey winner predictions will end up with uniform comments for the teams that don’t make the playoff bracket:
Division NHL Hockey Winner Predictions
East Division
- Buffalo Sabres
- Boston Bruins
- New York Islanders
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- New York Rangers – almost a duplicate of the 1996 third alternate jersey, should have taken more time in the design department
- New Jersey Devils – reversed red and green colors on existing jersey, that works but it’s not updated
- Washington Capitals – Peter Bondra’s logo meets Alex Ovechkin’s Rock the Red era and it doesn’t mesh
- Philadelphia Flyers – Eric Lindros won the Hart Trophy in 1995-1996, but the sleeves need some modifications
Central Division
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Florida Panthers
- Dallas Stars
- Chicago Blackhawks – have played in a lot of Winter Classics and Stadium Series games, which means the design department took a vacation during this assignment
- Nashville Predators – the inaugural season in Smashville but looks almost identical to the current jersey
- Columbus Blue Jackets – nice use of red but miss the third alternate blue cannon jersey
- Detroit Red Wings – resembles a practice jersey
West Division
- Colorado Avalanche
- Minnesota Wild
- Los Angeles Kings
- St. Louis Blues
- Arizona Coyotes – purple is better than a green desert, but this jersey screams “Minecraft”
- San Jose Sharks – teal just doesn’t do it anymore
- Anaheim Ducks – miss the 2003 Cup Finals run and the second logo used until 2006-2007
- Vegas Golden Knights – too new of a franchise for a throwback jersey
North Division (Canada Only)
- Edmonton Oilers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Winnipeg Jets
- Ottawa Senators – all of their historical jerseys blend together
- Vancouver Canucks – where is the flaming ice skate or the lumberjack
- Calgary Flames – current 1980s retro jerseys are top notch, just not a fan of the horse
NHL Hockey Playoff Predictions – First Round of 16 Winners
East Division Predictions
Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – no contest when Mario Lemieux and the 1997 squad sweep away Dominik Hasek and the Sabres in four games
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders – Seven game series that is air tight with the budding Isles dynasty outlasting Raymond Bourque and his teammates
Central Division Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars – Mike Liut doesn’t allow Brett Hull to stick his skate in the crease during Game 6 and momentum carries the Canes to series win
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers – John Vanbiesbrouck and Ed Jovanovski shut down Martin St. Louis and Vincent LaCavalier
West Division Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues – hungry expansion team beats a tired Blues team with a rent-a-player named Gretzky
Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings – the home state of hockey beats the team that opened up professional hockey to the entire USA
North Division Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg Jets – young dynasty in progress beats an expansion team
Montreal Canadians vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – two Original 6 teams play a tight series with the Leafs finally winning a series in Game 7 overtime
Round of 8 Pro Hockey Winner Prediction
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – in an exact repeat of the 1993 playoffs, the veteran Isles bottle up the Pens potent offense and advance
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers – solid and timely goal tending by both teams keeps this series tight with the Hurricanes advancing in 6 games
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild – Avs get revenge for the 2003 and 2014 playoffs exits, both in Game 7 OTs by sweeping the Wild in four games
Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Gretzky, Curri, Coffey, Anderson, Messier and Fuhr simply overwhelm the Leafs in all facets of the game
NHL Conference Semi-Final Winner Prediction
- Colorado Avalanche vs. 4. New York Islanders Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote frustrate the Islanders and try to start their own dynasty
- Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Carolina Hurricanes – In a shocking upset, Cam Ward stands on his head and shuts down the Oilers offense. This is the one series in the 2021 NHL playoffs where a hot goalie steals a series.
Stanley Cup NHL Finals Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs Carolina Hurricanes
The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals that should have happened. Tail end of the Avalanche Western Conference consistent playoff runs vs. the renaissance of Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour and Artus Irbe. The series swings with an Avs OT win in Game 5, and this time Patrick Roy doesn’t showboat with a save in Game 6 and the Avalanche are Stanley Cup champions! Quebec Nordique fans are upset their franchise moved to Denver and ended up with three Cups, but both teams 1979 throwback jerseys remind all fans that nothing beats the Stanley Cup playoffs tourney!
Put the biscuit in the basket and keep it classy everyday!
For more information about the Adidas Reverse Retro jerseys for the 2021 season, please see this posting.
For more information about NHL rules changes for the 2021 season, please see this posting.
