St. Louis Blues: What If There’s Playoff Play-in Games?

First Regular Round

We’ll zip right through the Western Conference. For those of you that read the other article, you’ll know how it turns out since nothing changes since all the play-in games gave us the same opponents in this round.

Blues vs. Predators

The Blues have trouble with Nashville, going winless in the regular season. Still, they come out of this break refreshed and take down Nashville.

Theoretically, in this scenario, the Predators might be a sharper team given they will have had actual games played while the Blues were just practicing. However, Vancouver is good enough that they would have taken the Predators to the limit in just three games.

Blues still win in six.

Vegas vs. Winnipeg

This is the only series I considered switching in the west. One of the reasons I gave the edge to Vegas in the other article was the Jets losing their momentum and sharpness with no games.

That disappears after taking down Minnesota in a couple games. Suddenly, they’re more on their game.

Still, I feel like home ice will manage being the main factor with this series. If that is the case, the Golden Knights still win in seven.

Colorado vs. Dallas

Nothing changes here. Colorado wins in seven, even with a slightly less playoff experienced lineup.

I just don’t see Dallas being able to produce enough, even with their stout defense.

Edmonton vs. Calgary

I did consider switching this one. For whatever reason, I failed to realize how tepid the Calgary Flames offense was, with only 210 goals and a minus-five goal difference.

That said, this is a rivalry. Throw everything out the window in the Battle for Alberta.

Still sticking to my guns though and seeing a Flames win in seven.

Boston vs. NY Rangers

By the numbers, this one should not be that much different than my prediction of a sweep against Columbus had the playoffs just begun without play-ins. However, this is Boston against New York.

Pit those cities against one another in any sport and they will rise to the challenge. That is not to say the Rangers could knock Boston out.

I don’t think they have the talent, the depth or the goaltending. Even so, I think the Rangers would pose much more of a threat and challenge Boston.

The Bruins did win the season series, but an early season blowout (7-4) shades the stats for Boston too much. The other games were won by the B’s, but it was 3-2 in OT and 3-1.

New York has improved since then and the layoff, plus the Rangers having games played would help them. Boston still wins, but it would go six games and maybe even seven.

Washington vs. Islanders

This is an odd series to predict. Nothing makes sense.

The teams split their regular season series and home ice did not mean a damn. The road teams won both games in a 2-2 split.

Additionally, each team won a game by only one goal and the other game was won by two goals. So, what separates them?

Mostly, it boils down to Washington being a better team. However, they lack the revenge factor they would have had against the Carolina Hurricanes in the other scenario.

If New York can get back to their stifling defensive style that Barry Trotz loves, they stand a chance. They might even push the series to seven.

That said, the Capitals are just too good to fall out again. Caps win.

Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

Another rivalry series. Another seven game series.

Not changing any prediction with this one. Philadelphia eeks it out.

Tampa Bay vs. Toronto

No change here either from the previous article. Toronto is heavily loaded with talent at the top and this one might have the offensive firepower to match an All-Star game for goals.

I just don’t see Toronto being a complete team. Frederik Andersen can win a series, but I don’t like their defense and Tampa has a slightly more complete roster.

Lightning in six.