NHL predictions 2021: Final standings, awards, playoff projections, Stanley Cup pick

After some uncertainty, the 2021 NHL season formally is right here and the puck will drop on a 56-game, 116-day dash to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Like all the time, hope springs everlasting for all 31 groups and, like earlier seasons, it is totally different for each. Some are wanting on the subsequent couple of months as a time to set up their technique and put together for the postseason as a Cup contender whereas others are utilizing the time to proceed to construct and breed success with their membership. 

This season will likely be a singular one stuffed with twists and turns. Except for the compact schedule, which can embrace the primary time in league historical past that groups will play 4 consecutive video games towards the identical opponent inside a daily season, COVID-19 has and can impression issues. Divisions have already been realigned based mostly on geographic places, with one containing simply Canadian groups due to a journey ban between the U.S. and Canada. And the NHL is anticipating extra video games to be postponed; the Stars’ first three video games — two towards the Panthers and one towards the Lightning — have been postponed due to 17 gamers testing optimistic. 

The postseason has additionally been tweaked, with the 4 high groups in every division advancing to the playoffs and the No. 1 workforce enjoying No. four and No. 2 enjoying No. three. The winners then face off, with the champ of the division assembly the opposite 4 winners in a re-seeded semifinal earlier than the Stanley Cup Closing.

NHL SCHEDULE CHANGES: List of games postponed, rescheduled because of COVID-19

Usually, the highway to the Stanley Cup is an extended, twisting, curving one with unending potholes — this 12 months will likely be further winding however it should finish with the identical end result: a Stanley Cup champion. Who will likely be there may be the best thriller. The tight schedule this 12 months makes it much more essential to get off to a very good begin whereas avoiding shedding streaks all through the season. Predicting what will likely be is all the time a tough idea, however it is time to look into the longer term and see who will make the 2021 season one to recollect.

NHL predictions for 2021

Awards

East Division

Central Division

West Division

North Division

*Presidents’ Trophy: Avalanche

Playoffs

East bracket

Central bracket

West bracket

Semifinals

Groups are re-seeded based mostly on factors from the common season.

Stanley Cup Closing