NHL predictions 2019-20: Final standings, playoff projections, Stanley Cup picks

Jackie Spiegel

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NHL predictions 2019-20: Final standings, playoff projections, Stanley Cup picks image

It's the best time of year. Hope springs eternal in the NHL with the 2019-20 season set to begin on Oct. 2. 

Officially, the slate has been wiped clean and all 31 teams are now set to travel, on what they hope, is a road painted in silver with the Stanley Cup at the end. But that road is a long, twisting, curving one with never-ending potholes. It is one that eventually splits where only one can take the road less traveled — one that less than 100 teams have taken — one that ends in a championship.

This road will also carry the best and brightest in the league with a select few standing above the rest.

Who will go the distance down these paths is still be determined, but our Sporting News hockey experts attempted to look into the future and see who will make all the difference.

NHL predictions for 2019-20

Jackie Spiegel

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Toronto Maple Leafs 1. New Jersey Devils1. Boston Bruins 
2. Tampa Bay Lightning2. Washington Capitals2. New York Rangers
3. Florida Panthers3. Carolina Hurricanes 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche* 1. Calgary Flames1. Winnipeg Jets
2. Dallas Stars2. San Jose Sharks2. Vancouver Canucks
3. St. Louis Blues3. Vegas Golden Knights 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champToronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference champDallas Stars
Stanley Cup champToronto Maple Leafs
Conn Smythe winnerJohn Tavares

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyBen Bishop
Art Ross TrophyAuston Matthews
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyMorgan Rielly
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Brandon Schlager

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning* 1. Washington Capitals1. Florida Panthers
2. Boston Bruins2. Carolina Hurricanes2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. Toronto Maple Leafs3. Pittsburgh Penguins 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche1. Vegas Golden Knights1. Winnipeg Jets
2. Nashville Predators2. Calgary Flames2. Dallas Stars
3. St. Louis Blues3. San Jose Sharks 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champSan Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerSteven Stamkos

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyNathan MacKinnon
Vezina TrophyFrederik Andersen
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyDavid Pastrnak
Norris TrophyErik Karlsson
Calder TrophyJack Hughes

Sammi Silber

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 1. New York Rangers1. Florida Panthers
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Washington Capitals2. Ottawa Senators
3. Boston Bruins3. New Jersey Devils 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Winnipeg Jets 1. San Jose Sharks*1. Arizona Coyotes
2. Dallas Stars2. Calgary Flames2. Vancouver Canucks
3. Nashville Predators3. Vegas Golden Knights 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champWashington Capitals
Western Conference champSan Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup champWashington Capitals
Conn Smythe winnerBraden Holtby

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophySergei Bobrovsky
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyErik Karlsson
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Sean Farrell

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Florida Panthers
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Pittsburgh Penguins2. Montreal Canadiens
3. Boston Bruins3. Carolina Hurricanes 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche1. Calgary Flames1. St. Louis Blues
2. Dallas Stars2. Vegas Golden Knights2. Arizona Coyotes

3. Nashville Predators

3. San Jose Sharks 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning 
Western Conference champColorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerNikita Kucherov

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyAndrei Vasilevskiy
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyConnor McDavid
Norris TrophyVictor Hedman
Calder TrophyJack Hughes

nikita-kucherov-lightning-072219-getty-ftr.jpeg

Steve Kournianos

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning* 1. Carolina Hurricanes1. Boston Bruins
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Washington Capitals2. New York Islanders
3. Montreal Canadiens3. Pittsburgh Penguins 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific Division Wild cards
1. Nashville Predators 1. Calgary Flames1. St. Louis Blues
2. Winnipeg Jets2. Vegas Golden Knights2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Colorado Avalanche3. San Jose Sharks 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champToronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference champWinnipeg Jets
Stanley Cup champWinnipeg Jets
Conn Smythe winnerMark Scheifele

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyFrederik Andersen
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyNikita Kucherov
Norris TrophyMorgan Rielly
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Dave McCarthy

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Boston Bruins
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. New York Rangers2. New Jersey Devils
3. Florida Panthers3. Pittsburgh Penguins 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche1. Calgary Flames1. Dallas Stars
2. St. Louis Blues2. San Jose Sharks2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Nashville Predators3. Vegas Golden Knights 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champColorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerSteven Stamkos

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyNathan MacKinnon
Vezina TrophyAndrei Vasilevskiy
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAuston Matthews
Norris TrophyMorgan Rielly
Calder TrophyJack Hughes

Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko

Mike Murphy

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Florida Panthers
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Pittsburgh Penguins2. Montreal Canadiens
3. Boston Bruins3. Columbus Blue Jackets 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Dallas Stars1. Calgary Flames1. Colorado Avalanche
2. St. Louis Blues2. San Jose Sharks2. Winnipeg Jets
3. Nashville Predators3. Vegas Golden Knights 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champDallas Stars
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerAndrei Vasilevskiy

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyBen Bishop
Art Ross TrophyNikita Kucherov
Rocket Richard TrophyLeon Draisaitl
Norris TrophyBrent Burns
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Murray Pam

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Florida Panthers
2. Boston Bruins2. Carolina Hurricanes2. New York Islanders
3. Toronto Maple Leafs3. Pittsburgh Penguins 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Nashville Predators 1. Calgary Flames1. Colorado Avalanche
2. St. Louis Blues2. Vegas Golden Knights2. Winnipeg Jets
3. Dallas Stars3. San Jose Sharks 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champVegas Golden Knights
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerBrayden Point

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyAndrei Vasilevskiy
Art Ross TrophyNikita Kucherov
Rocket Richard TrophyAuston Matthews
Norris TrophyErik Karlsson
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Ryan Pike

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 1. Washington Capitals1. Carolina Hurricanes
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Pittsburgh Penguins2. Florida Panthers
3. Boston Bruins3. New York Islanders 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche 1. Vegas Golden Knights1. Nashville Predators
2. St. Louis Blues2. San Jose Sharks2. Dallas Stars
3. Winnipeg Jets3. Calgary Flames 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champColorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup champColorado Avalanche
Conn Smythe winnerNathan MacKinnon

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyNathan MacKinnon
Vezina TrophyAndrei Vasilevskiy
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyVictor Hedman
Calder TrophyAdam Fox

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Lyle Richardson

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning 1. Washington Capitals1. Toronto Maple Leafs
2. Boston Bruins2. Carolina Hurricanes2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Florida Panthers3. New Jersey Devils  

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Colorado Avalanche1. Calgary Flames1. St. Louis Blues
2. Nashville Predators2. Vegas Golden Knights2. Winnipeg Jets
3. Dallas Stars3. San Jose Sharks 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champNashville Predators
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerVictor Hedman

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyNathan MacKinnon
Vezina TrophyAndrei Vasilevskiy
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyVictor Hedman
Calder TrophyCale Makar

Jace Mallory

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Montreal Canadiens
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Pittsburgh Penguins2. Florida Panthers
3. Boston Bruins3. New York Rangers 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Dallas Stars 1. Vegas Golden Knights1. Nashville Predators
2. St. Louis Blues2. Calgary Flames2. Arizona Coyotes
3. Colorado Avalanche3. San Jose Sharks 

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champDallas Stars
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winnerNikita Kucherov

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyJohnny Gaudreau
Vezina TrophyBen Bishop
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyMiro Heiskanen
Calder TrophyKaapo Kakko

Tommy McArdle

Eastern Conference

Atlantic DivisionMetropolitan DivisionWild cards
1. Tampa Bay Lightning*1. Washington Capitals1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Toronto Maple Leafs2. Carolina Hurricanes2. Florida Panthers
3. Boston Bruins3. New York Islanders 

Western Conference

Central DivisionPacific DivisionWild cards
1. Nashville Predators 1. Calgary Flames1. Dallas Stars
2. Colorado Avalanche2. San Jose Sharks2. Arizona Coyotes
3. St. Louis Blues3. Vegas Golden Knights 

*Presidents' Trophy winner

Playoffs

SeriesWinner
Eastern Conference champTampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference champCalgary Flames
Stanley Cup champTampa Bay Lightning
Conn Smythe winner 

Awards

AwardWinner
Hart TrophyConnor McDavid
Vezina TrophyDarcy Kuemper
Art Ross TrophyConnor McDavid
Rocket Richard TrophyAlex Ovechkin
Norris TrophyMorgan Rielly
Calder TrophyJack Hughes

Jackie Spiegel