On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues with predictions for each of the eight first-round playoff series, three of which begin Wednesday.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
And theScore's NHL editors are ready for what will be an exciting two months - and an especially exciting two weeks. There's nothing better than the first round. Here are our predictions.
Western Conference
Stars vs. Wild
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Stars |
| Gold-Smith | Stars |
| Hagerman | Wild |
| McLaren | Stars |
| O'Leary | Stars |
| Vaswani | Stars |
| Whyte | Stars |
Total: 6-1 Stars
Only one pick for the Wild against a Dallas team with defensive issues. If Minnesota's able to pull this off without Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek, it would be one of the more monumental upsets in NHL playoff history.
Blues vs. Blackhawks
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Blues |
| Gold-Smith | Blues |
| Hagerman | Blackhawks |
| McLaren | Blues |
| O'Leary | Blackhawks |
| Vaswani | Blues |
| Whyte | Blues |
Total: 5-2 Blues
We're surprisingly in favor of the St. Louis Blues. Since 2013, the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup every two years - and that means they're going home. At least, that's the consensus among some of the most brilliant hockey minds of our time.
Ducks vs. Predators
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Predators |
| Gold-Smith | Ducks |
| Hagerman | Ducks |
| McLaren | Ducks |
| O'Leary | Ducks |
| Vaswani | Ducks |
| Whyte | Ducks |
Total: 6-1 Ducks
The Nashville Predators need a miracle against the high-flying Anaheim Ducks, and only one of us thinks they can pull it off. Godspeed, Pekka Rinne.
Kings vs. Sharks
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Kings |
| Gold-Smith | Kings |
| Hagerman | Kings |
| McLaren | Sharks |
| O'Leary | Kings |
| Vaswani | Sharks |
| Whyte | Kings |
Total: 5-2 Kings
In the battle of California, the Los Angeles Kings are the consensus pick, but a couple of us are rooting for Joe Thornton's beard. Since 2012, the Kings have won the Cup every two years. If history is our guide, it's their year.
Eastern Conference
Capitals vs. Flyers
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Capitals |
| Gold-Smith | Capitals |
| Hagerman | Capitals |
| McLaren | Capitals |
| O'Leary | Capitals |
| Vaswani | Flyers |
| Whyte | Capitals |
Total: 6-1 Capitals
The presidential Capitals are the sexy pick. Clearly. This will be one of the more interesting series of the first round, considering how early the Capitals locked up the No. 1 seed. The Flyers will be emotionally charged, too, after the death of owner Ed Snider.
Panthers vs. Islanders
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Panthers |
| Gold-Smith | Panthers |
| Hagerman | Panthers |
| McLaren | Panthers |
| O'Leary | Islanders |
| Vaswani | Panthers |
| Whyte | Islanders |
Total: 5-2 Panthers
Jaromir Jagr's back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. We clearly don't want to see him go home after only one round. As for the Islanders, if they're dispatched by Florida, it will be their third first-round exit under Jack Capuano. Strike three.
Penguins vs. Rangers
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Penguins |
| Gold-Smith | Penguins |
| Hagerman | Penguins |
| McLaren | Penguins |
| O'Leary | Penguins |
| Vaswani | Penguins |
| Whyte | Penguins |
Total: 7-0 Penguins
We believe the Rangers' competitive window is about to slam rudely shut in New York's face.
Lightning vs. Red Wings
| Editor | Pick |
|---|---|
| Cuthbert | Lightning |
| Gold-Smith | Lightning |
| Hagerman | Lightning |
| McLaren | Lightning |
| O'Leary | Red Wings |
| Vaswani | Red Wings |
| Whyte | Red Wings |
Total: 4-3 Lightning
We believe this will be the closest series of the first round, and Pavel Datsyuk will provide some magic, but the Tampa Bay Lightning will prevail, even without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman. They've got a sizable advantage in goal, and so much of the playoffs comes down to the men in the crease.
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