It's that time of the year: where all our hopes and predictions are locks until they're not. Alex and Ced wrote down their quick thoughts on what will happen in Round 1.

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Alex's picks

Yeah. The Habs are winning the Cup. I physically can't choose otherwise. But I also believe they have the exact type of dark horse team that all teams fear - perhaps even more than in 2021.

Round 1 

STL vs WPG - STL in 6

Yes I know: how could the President's trophy winners go out in the 1st round? Because they are cursed, and the run STL has been on in the leadup to this has been INSANE. I think the Blues have enough grit to wear down the Jets, but it won't be easy.

DAL vs COL - COL in 6

This one is gonna come down to experience, and despite Rantanen, I think the Avs are hungrier than ever to try and get another Cup in this window and the addition of Necas has proven to be INVALUABLE to Colorado.

VGK vs MIN - VGK in 5

I am a MIDnesota Wild hater. I don't know how they get in the playoffs every year just to exit in the 1st round, but it'll happen again this year. Self explanatory. They're getting into Leafs territory.

LAK vs EDM - LAK in 6

Some of you might laugh, but I think McDavid won't be 100% for this series and it could cost them. The Kings have been playing very well in the leadup, and considering the injuries to the Oilers players, don't be surprised if Kings cause an upset. Byfield will be bringing the BOOM.

OTT vs TOR - OTT in 6

I won't lie: nothing would please me more than seeing the Leafs getting knocked out by the Sens, to the point that I will be rooting for them in this series. The Sens' grit and depth is gonna wear down Toronto, and Captain Auston Matthews will not show up. Neither will his partner Mitch Marner. It won't necessarily be easy, but if you look at this season, the Sens have had their number every time. Go. Sens. Go.

TBL vs FLA - TBL in 6

The Tampa Bay Lightning are not to be messed around with this year. I feel like the Panthers without Tkachuk are closer to domestic cats than panthers. Their core and defence got a lot weaker, and I don't feel that Seth Jones changes too much in that. The Habs manhandled them. Tampa has been rolling and went all in at the deadline.

MTL vs WAS - MTL in 5

I'm not cocky when I say this, but there is not much that seperates these 2 teams. I think the Ovi goal chase elevated the Caps game to a level that cannot be reproduced come playoff time. It'll take the Habs to be on their A game, but with the rest coming in and Demidov likely playing more minutes, we can do it. 

NJD vs CAR - CAR in 5

It's very simple: no Jack Hughes, no party for the Devils. They've been dropping like an anchor since they lost him and only finished 2 points ahead of the Blue Jackets, which could have been a disaster for the Habs. Carolina's team didn't necessarily get better at the deadline, but it didn't get much worse either.

Ced's picks

Yeah. I also have the Habs winning the Cup. Deal with it.

Round 1

STL vs WPG - WPG in 7

They'll make it past round 1, but the Jets are bound to choke in Round 2. You can't bust the President's trophy curse - maybe with a few paintballs.

DAL vs COL - DAL in 7

Little known fact: my 2nd team is the Dallas Stars because when the Habs traded Erik Cole, I followed him for a few years. I'm on the Green Wave for the Western Conference, and with Rantanen getting comfortable in the team, I think it's happening.

VGK vs MIN - VGK in 4

It doesn't get more mid than Minnesota. Vegas sweep, not even worth digging deeper. 

LAK vs EDM - LAK in 5

Lakers. Bakers. Slappers. Clappers. Kings in 5.

OTT vs TOR - TOR in 5

Brady Tkachoke's harder than Toronto - and that's saying a lot. Toronto's team is gonna be too stacked for Ottawa, it'll be quick.

TBL vs FLA - TBL in 5

The Florida Panther's core has been DECIMATED. They are not the same Panthers we knew, and without Matthew Tkachuk at 100%, their task becomes increasingly difficult. 

MTL vs WAS - MTL in 4

No playoffs expectations, we were last in the league in December, the wind is in our sails. Do you really think the Capitals are a much better team than last year? I don't. Habs in 4. Lock it in.

NJD vs CAR - NJD in 7

For some reason, those "Bunch of Jerks" find it difficult to have success in the playoffs and seem to play for the name on their back rather than the logo on the front. The Devils have a better team game and are able to shock offensive teams with their defensive game. We saw it a couple of years ago when they faced the Rangers. I BELIEVE IN KOVACEVIC.