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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mary Clarke

Predicting the first round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

NHL Stanley Cup playoffs

This is it, hockey fans! The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this evening on Monday, May 2!

The most wonderful time of the year for hockey fans is finally upon us after a long 82-game regular season. Whether you’re a casual hockey fan or a hardcore nerd, the NHL playoffs offer something for everyone. And especially this year, when the NHL’s playoff format is back to normal after two years of pandemic related changes.

Now that the field of 32 teams has been trimmed to 16, it’s time for the first round of the playoffs. And before the playoffs begin, let’s take a crack at predicting the winners of all eight first round series! Plus, I’ve added a bold prediction for each series, just for fun.

Here’s how we predict the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round will go!

2022 Stanley Cup Playoff power rankings: Panthers look poised as first round begins

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