Boston Bruins: Predictions for the 2017-2018 NHL season

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 12: Matt Beleksey
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 12: Matt Beleksey
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Playoff Predictions

Boston Bruins
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) get set for puck drop in the third period of the NHL game between the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning on February 21, 2017, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In the Eastern Conference, if the stars on the team can stay healthy, which has derailed them in years past, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be victorious.  Between the high powered offense and a Norris Candidate in Victor Hedman, this team will be hard to beat in a 7 game series.  The playoffs is where this teams experience will pay off.

From the Western Conference, unless something drastically changes, I think this is the Edmonton Oilers year.  McDavid in his 2nd year had 100 points, and the sky is the limit for he and Draisaitl.  Cam Talbot is better than people expect, I think partially because of East Coast bias and many people not getting to watch Edmonton games due to the time difference.

Next: Bruins opening roster for 2017-2018

With that said, after a hard-fought, likely 7 game Stanley Cup finals, I predict that the Edmonton Oilers will be your 2017-2018 Stanley Cup champions, and the Cup will return to Canada for the first time since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens.  I think this will be the first of many Cups for Connor McDavid, so long as Peter Chiarelli and the organization surround him with even a average supporting cast.  He is just that special.