Predicting Stanley Cup and division winners
Heading into the 2019-20 regular season, theScore's Mike Dickson, Josh Gold-Smith, John Matisz, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Josh Wegman make their picks for division winners, and the Stanley Cup Final.
Atlantic Division
Scott Audette / Getty Images| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Dickson | Lightning |
| Gold-Smith | Lightning |
| Matisz | Lightning |
| O'Leary | Lightning |
| Teague | Lightning |
| Wegman | Lightning |
A sweep at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round of the 2019 playoffs doesn't change the fact that the Tampa Bay Lightning remain the class of the Atlantic. The division's theirs to lose, and we don't think they're losing.
Metropolitan Division
Patrick McDermott / National Hockey League / Getty| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Dickson | Devils |
| Gold-Smith | Capitals |
| Matisz | Capitals |
| O'Leary | Hurricanes |
| Teague | Capitals |
| Wegman | Hurricanes |
The Washington Capitals are looking to make it five straight division titles, but we're anticipating some heavy competition for the Metro crown. A Hurricanes division victory would be Carolina's first since 2006, when it played in what was then the Southeast Division.
Central Division
John Russell / National Hockey League / Getty| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Dickson | Avalanche |
| Gold-Smith | Predators |
| Matisz | Stars |
| O'Leary | Predators |
| Teague | Predators |
| Wegman | Predators |
The Nashville Predators remain the division favorites, and it's important to note that there's little Central love for the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.
Pacific Division
Dave Sandford / National Hockey League / Getty| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Dickson | Sharks |
| Gold-Smith | Flames |
| Matisz | Golden Knights |
| O'Leary | Golden Knights |
| Teague | Sharks |
| Wegman | Golden Knights |
The Vegas Golden Knights slipped to third in the Pacific after their dream rookie season, but we're bullish on a rebound in 2019-20.
Stanley Cup Final
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Dickson | Predators over Capitals |
| Gold-Smith | Lightning over Predators |
| Matisz | Lightning over Stars |
| O'Leary | Golden Knights over Lightning |
| Teague | Lightning over Predators |
| Wegman | Lightning over Avalanche |
We have Jon Cooper's Lightning headed back to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 (for the most part), and believe that the club has learned all of its requisite lessons from losing. It's Tampa Bay's time.
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