Hi folks,
We were supposed to publish last week but postponed it to this week because the playoff matchups weren't official until last night. The chaos we witnessed as the Washington Capitals clinched the last spot in the Eastern Conference was hilarious. We don't have much to add, except John Tortorella and the Flyers, by association, definitely have new enemies from the Red Wings fandom as of Tuesday evening.
We’ve been doing this for three years, so you know how we roll by now. Here are our predictions à la mode THWL. Enjoy!
Who do you really want to see win?
Perrye: CANUCKS!!! Is this how it feels to see a deserving team you’ve been rooting for so long finally make it to the big leagues?? I’m excited to see their playoff journey, and hopefully, they make it far!
Gaby: If I weren't committed to never seeing the Cup in Canada again, I would also say the Canucks. I'm down with seeing a repeat from the Vegas Golden Knights because I genuinely love the fact that they have managed to piss people off every year with their cap shenanigans. Don't hate the player, hate the game, y'all. In my opinion, it's very Gemini-coded.
Which team do you not want to see win?
Perrye: Honestly, I don’t have a clear answer this year. I'm usually not a fan of two-peats, but I like the vibes that the Vegas Golden Knights bring to the league, so I wouldn't be against them getting another cup. Plus, the teams that I'm usually, hmm, nah (*cough* the Islanders), don't have a big chance to make it all the way anyway, so there is no need to hit them while they're down.
Gaby:
Which series will have an upset?
Perrye: We might see an upset in the Rangers vs. Capitals series. Yes, the former are this year's proud owners of the President's trophy, but you know what they say—nothing's fair in love and war, especially during the NHL postseason.
Gaby: I’ve given some variation of this answer for the past three years, but the Leafs will be upset either way. It’ll be funny, but an upset for sure.
Which series seems boring, and you definitely won’t tune in?
Perrye: Although MacKinnon is hungry for another cup and will give his all, the Jets are the Avs' opponents in the first round. Good luck to everybody because I won't witness any of it. Mind you, I'm saying this knowing full well that we'll probably see the Jets on the other side of that series, so I should buckle up for the ride and tolerate them this year 😭
Gaby: I agree with Perrye, but I will also go with Islanders and Canes. Not even my questionable thirst for Rod Brind’Amour is enough for me to sit still for that series. See one of y’all in the second round.
Which player who’s under pressure to win it all?
Perrye: Any player of the Core Four on the Leafs, but to be honest, any Canadian team. The last time we had that many Canadian teams in the playoffs was when the league created the North division during the pandemic in 2021. That was also the last time a Canadian team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, so hopefully, a team can finally bring the cup “home” after 31 years.
First Round Winners
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Perrye’s pick - Bruins in 5, just because I feel generous this year. However, given the regular season record, I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being a sweep.
Gaby’s pick - The Bible says, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil and Bruins—Maple Leafs first-round series” or something like that. The Leafs are desperate, and the Bruins are hard-pressed to correct last year’s upset, so I think it’ll be the Bruins in a brutal, drawn-out seven-game series.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
THWL’s pick - This one is hard to predict because the Panthers are a better team than they were last time this matchup happened, but the Lightning are fighters, so they definitely won’t go down without a fight, so let’s say the Panthers in 7.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders
THWL’s pick - Hurricanes in 6
New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals
Perrye’s pick - Rangers in 6
Gaby’s pick - I agree it will be the Rangers, but I think it will be in 5. Dylan: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Strome will drag Ovi and everyone else into one win, at least. Two feels like we’re pushing it, lmao.
(Perrye’s note: Are we talking about the same Dylan Strome with similar regular-season stats as the 38-year-old captain? If so, sure, Gaby!)
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets
THWL’s pick - Jets in 6
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
THWL’s pick: Until last night, the Oilers were supposed to play the Golden Knights, but the higher gods looked out for them because they weren’t making it past the second round with the initial matchup. But against the Kings, yeah, it’s gonna be Oilers in 6.
Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights
THWL’s pick: This is another matchup that wasn’t confirmed until last night, and it’s unfortunate because they were both making it to the second round without breaking a sweat. Now, it will be a battle with Vegas coming out on top in 7.
Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators
Perrye’s pick - Ugh, why do my faves always have to battle it out early?! A battle between Saros and Demko will be entertaining until I remember someone has to win. Since I have to choose, my answer is Canucks in 6. I will say that a couple of wannabe Drake released a song to support the Canucks. Unfortunately, they have placed a curse on the Canucks. Nothing good comes out of a cringe playoff anthem!
Gaby’s pick - Canucks in 6 simply because Quinn Hughes has immaculate energy right now.
We hope you enjoy reading this year's playoffs preview, and let us know your predictions. Next time we see you, it will be our annual WAGs jackets review. We are already excited to see the looks they'll choose, but until then, Happy Playoff Season!
With Love,
Perrye and Gaby