The Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived! Welcome to opening night of the two-month grind that ends with an NHL team being awarded the Cup.
The 2018 postseason features a ton of storylines as we get underway Wednesday night. Can the Pittsburgh Penguins make it a three-peat? Will the Washington Capitals come up short yet again? Will the Vegas Golden Knights’ magic continue through the playoffs? Is the Cup Nashville’s to lose this time around?
[NBC’s Stanley Cup Playoff Hub]
We’ll have those questions answered over the next two months. As we get going, the PHT staff has made their predictions for the opening round and who we think will make the Final and eventually win the thing.
Be sure to let us know your series and Cup picks in the comments!
PHT’s 2018 Stanley Cup playoff previews
Lightning vs. Devils
Bruins vs. Maple Leafs
Capitals vs. Blue Jackets
Penguins vs. Flyers
Predators vs. Avalanche
Jets vs. Wild
Golden Knights vs. Kings
Ducks vs. Sharks
• PHT Power Rankings: Why your team won’t win the Stanley Cup
• PHT 2018 Stanley Cup Playoff Roundtable: Teams under pressure, sleeper picks
• Biggest contract years for NHL playoff teams
• NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 1 schedule, TV info
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Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy.