RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The NHL kicks off the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff Wednesday night and we’d be derelict in our duties if we didn’t offer our takes on who will raise the Stanley Cup.
8Sports Director Mitch Carr, 8Sports Anchor Chip Brierre, Digital Content Manager Robb Crocker, Digital Producer Will Armbruster, and 8News Vlogger and Editor Ron Carthen have decided to give the public their Fearless NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Predictions. While all of us stand by our picks, if you decide to use these for gambling purposes, please do so at your own risk.
The closest local squad, the Washington Capitals, who finished with the NHL’s best record, which means a home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, have been considered a favorite to at least play for the Cup since the season began.
First, here is a look at the odds from Las Vegas:
Washington Capitals 4/1
Los Angeles Kings 7/1
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
Anaheim Ducks 8/1
Dallas Stars 8/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 9/1
St. Louis Blues 10/1
New York Rangers 16/1
San Jose Sharks 16/1
Florida Panthers 20/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 20/1
Nashville Predators 25/1
New York Islanders 25/1
Minnesota Wild 28/1
Detroit Red Wings 33/1
Philadelphia Flyers 33/1
- Hear Mitch Carr and Robb Crocker discuss their picks.
We have boldly predicted the playoffs through the Stanley Cup finals. Check out the podcast every Monday and Friday during the playoff season to find out how we are doing.
Eastern Conference first round footnotes:
- Washington Capitals, 56-18-8 (120 points) vs. Philadelphia Flyers,41-27-14 (96 points): Capitals won season series 2-0-2, with two regulation wins.
- Florida Panthers, 47-26-9 (103 points) vs. New York Islanders, 45-27-10 (100 points): Panthers won season series 2-1, with one regulation win.
- Pittsburgh Penguins, 48-26-8 (104 points) vs. New York Rangers, 46-27-9 (101 points): Penguins won season series 3-1, with two regulation wins.
- Tampa Bay Lightning, 46-31-5 (97 points) vs. Detroit Red Wings went 41-30-11 (93 points): Tied season series 2-2.
Western Conference first round footnotes:
- Dallas Stars, 50-23-9 (109 points) vs.Minnesota Wild, 38-33-11 (87 points): Stars won season series 4-1, with one regulation win.
- Anaheim Ducks, 46-25-11 (103 points) vs. Nashville Predators went 41-27-14 (96 points): Predators won season series 2-1, with two regulation wins.
- St. Louis Blues, 49-24-9 (107 points) vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 47-26-9 (103 points): Blues won season series 3-2, all regulation wins.
- Los Angeles Kings, 48-28-6 (102 points) vs. San Jose Sharks, 46-30-6 (98 points): Sharks won season series 3-1-1, with three regulation wins.
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