NHL exhibition games are over and it’s time for the real thing. The Return to Play begins this weekend as 24 teams vie to be crowned the 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion.
These unique times called for unique solutions from the NHL and NHLPA -- thus the 24-team format with two hub cities. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to halt the regular season, we get to watch hockey in August. It’ll be different, and maybe a little weird with no fans in attendance, but we’ll hopefully see a completion to the season.
As the Stanley Cup Qualifiers begin Saturday, here are our picks for the eight best-of-five matchups as well as the final seeding for the round-robin. We’ll make our predictions for the NHL’s 2019-20 champion once we know what the First Round will look like.
[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]
PHT’s 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifier previews • Eastern Conference top seed round-robin preview • Penguins vs. Canadiens • Rangers vs. Hurricanes • Islanders vs. Panthers • Maple Leafs vs. Blue Jackets
• Western Conference top seed round-robin preview • Jets vs. Flames • Oilers vs. Blackhawks • Predators vs. Coyotes • Wild vs. Canucks
• NHL Power Rankings: Stanley Cup-less veterans to root for • 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Qualifiers schedule