Here it is! It’s a stacked list. Eastern Conference has a few mainstays (Pitt, Toronto, Boston, Caps, Tampa). The Hurricane’s have a mountain in front of them with the Caps, the NYI Pitt serious could go either way and everyone thinks Tampa will cruise by Columbus,

Three Canadian teams this go around, Calgary has had a fantastic year (50 wins I think) and Winnipeg is no slouch either. Second season for Vegas, second season in the Playoffs which is amazing. They are playing SJS again and I’m sure SJ will be out for blood for last year’s elimenation.

I’m backing Tampa. A bunch of ex-Rangers (Ryan Callahan, JT Miller, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh) and the most important: if they win the Cup the Rangers get a first round draft pick (part of the last year’s trade deal for Miller and McDonagh).

If Dallas goes far, the Rangers get another high draft pick (and Zuccarello has to play in every game now, I think the stipulation in his trade is still valid) but I’m not sure if anyone is confident in their chances. Nashville is again no joke this season.