Pucks of a Feather Round Table: Predictions for the Stanley Cup Finals

The Stanley Cup Finals begin on Monday and the Pucks of a Feather staff puts in their predictions on who will lift Lord Stanely at the end of it all.

For the first time in years, Anaheim Ducks fans are on the outside looking in. While at first it was a disappointment to see our teams summer on the links start early, there have been a few benefits to the Ducks missing the playoffs. We’ve finally had the opportunity to focus on the Stanley Cup Finals as a whole.

Our focus hasn’t solely been on one series while simultaneously routing against every other team who made it into the playoffs. We haven’t had to struggle with the disappointment of our team missing the Stanley Cups Finals by a mile once again.

This year we have been challenged with the task of making up our minds about teams we normally root against. It’s caused us to think critically and have fun while doing it, and while we are still Anaheim Ducks fans through and through, we have had the opportunity to interact with other fanbases and cheer for players we think truly deserve a shot at the Cup.

The playoffs started with 16 teams who, one by one, were eliminated from the playoff race. Starting with the Tampa Bay Lightning, they dropped like flies until only the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues were left.

On Monday, May 27th, the final battle for the Stanely Cup begins. The Pucks of a Feather staff has put in their predictions for the 2019 Stanely Cup Finals. Do we think St. Louis will be singing the blues or Boston become the prey?

Kenny Marcial— St. Louis Blues in 6

It’s going to be a tough series. Both teams have so much depth. I am a bit biased as my best friend is a huge Blues fan. With Zdeno Chara taking a slight step back, I think the Blues defensive core is a bit stronger. Tuukka Rask is a wildcard, but I think the Blues have the depth, defense, and goaltending to get the job done. It’s going to be a great series regardless.

Jake Robles— Boston Bruins in 6

Boston will take the series in 6. I just think Boston has the edge solely because their core has been there before and has had success going all the way. I don’t think St. Louis will just roll over, but Boston has been really good at home and having home ice advantage really gives them that extra edge.

TJ Watson— St Louis Blues in 6

Boston has too much rust and that might give St. Louis a chance to split the first two games. Also, as much as Tuukka Rask may be spectacular, the fact that Jordan Binnington has had more experience playing recently and not being out of the net for a long period of time might be their key advantage.

Going to St. Louis, the Blues will do everything to respond to whatever the Bruins throw at them and the fact that they’ve responded after some adversity has me believing that they can possibly take a 3-1 lead back to Beantown. In the end, St. Louis will have a 3-2 series lead heading back to St. Louis, and fans like Laila and Anthony Maroon will see their beloved Blues win the Stanley Cup.

A key in this series is who’s fourth line will rise to the occasion. Both teams have shown they can do that at any time, but, I like St. Louis because of the fresh legs. I do think this series will be long and, to quote Mike Emrick, “what happens next is history’s next chapter.”

Jonathan Maxfield— Boston Bruins in 7

This is the first Stanley Cup Finals, since 2003, that I don’t dislike either of the finals two teams. That is exciting in its own right, throw in the fact that one of my three favorite Western Conference teams is in the finals and it’s even more enjoyable.

This Stanley Cup Finals match-up seems more like a chess match than any other finals in recent memory, in that neither team has any glaring weakness or “Achilles heel.” So., to say that I have any deep insight into my prediction would be foolish. I simply think that we’re going to see two great hockey teams battle it out to be crowned champion. I’m all aboard the Blues bandwagon and want to give them the win, but if Boston sports has taught me anything over the past decade it’s never bet against Boston sports.

For that reason, I predict the Boston Bruins will win the Stanley Cup in 7 hard fought games with the series-clinching goal coming off of the stick of one Brand Marchand. Last season, we got a happy ending with Alexander Ovechkin finally hoisting the Cup, so it’s only fitting this year that the biggest villain in the league did the same.

I do think that regardless of which team wins the Cup, however, that their goaltender will be the recipient of the Conn Smythe. I have a hard time seeing anyone but Jordan Binnington or, even more so, Tuukka Rask, winning the trophy given to the MVP of the playoffs. Overall, I’m excited about the finals, and even more excited for the Anaheim Ducks off-season to begin.

Kahlid Hart— St. Louis Blues in 6

My prediction is that the Blues will win the Stanley Cup in 6 games. They’re more war-torn throughout these playoffs, having faced the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and the San Jose Sharks. They’ve had a hard road to travel compared to the Bruins who have faced the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Bruins were the heavy favorite to win all of those series’ and they did. The difference will be who can stay out of the box and when. The Blues have mightily struggled on the power play for the majority of the postseason but recently came alive against the Sharks.

The Bruins have been deadly on the power play, being around 75% efficient on the man advantage. Looking at goaltending, Rask has been fire for a majority of the playoffs, at worst, he’s only allowed 4-5 goals. But, when he keeps the opposition to 1-2 goals, the Bruins usually secure the win. On the Blues side, Binnington has sharp. We haven’t seen this kind of rookie playoffs performance since Matt Murray 3 seasons ago with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

If Binnington can maintain his cool under the bright lights and the big stage, the Blues will come out on top. My players to watch for the Blues are Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Jordan Binnington. For the Bruins, watch out for Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and David Pastrnak. Some of this Bruins team is left from the 2011 and 2013 Stanley Cup Finals Bruins teams, so that experience will be key in this matchup.

Alan Negrete— Boston Bruins in 6

This is it. It all comes down to the two teams who gave it their all the entirety of the season, or in the Blues case, half of the season. Either way, it’s no coincidence that these two teams got where they are now without the skill, speed, and sheer determination. Now, the big questions come up with Tarasenko and Pasternak heating up. Who can keep the fire scorching longer? WillRask or Binnington start looking nervous or keep playing on their heads?

The Blues have names like Schwartz and Ryan O’Reilly leading the Blues offensively, with 16 and 14 points respectively. They also get offensive production from the blueline from Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko with 13 and 11 points in the postseason. Ever since the start of the Blues-Sharks series, Taresanko has been starting to heat up, with 3 goals and 5 assists, the right-winger has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Bruins outscored the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals 17-5. Outscoring your opposition by scoring 17 goals in 4 games in a daunting task, especially in the playoffs. The Bruins have offensive dangers such as Marchand and Pastrnak leading Boston with 18 and 15 points respectively. They haven’t had as much of a boost from their blueline as St. Louis, instead, the forward do the offensive work with at least 6 forwards in the double digits. Pastrnak has begun to heat up, but there are dangers in staying hot.

Both the Bruins and the Blues goaltenders have been nothing short of spectacular. Rask has faced 549 shots against him and only 32 have slipped past him, giving him a save percentage of .942, which includes two shutouts. Binnington has been a miracle on ice for the Blues, facing 537 shots against and letting in 46 goals. That gives him a save percentage of .914%, including one shutout, which is very impressive for the rookie.

Both teams have been exceptional this postseason. This is a matchup of the ages, or 49 years to be more specific. Either way, this will be a very close series with scoring opportunities everywhere. It is going to be a physical matchup. With that all being said and done, I will have to predict that the Bruins take it in 6 games. Binnington will be spectacular, but his time will most likely be up when the final games start. Pressure will overcome the Blues and nerves will get the best of them.