NHL.com, NHL Network playoff forecast

The experts from NHL.com and NHL Network have made their Stanley Cup Playoff picks, and the winner will be the Washington Capitals. Or the Anaheim Ducks. Or the Los Angeles Kings.
A total of 21 analysts, writers and editors made their predictions, and seven, including NHL Network analysts Scott Stevens, Mike Rupp and Dave Reid, picked Washington to win the Stanley Cup for the first time. The Ducks and Kings each had five experts pick them to win it all.

NHL.com columnist Dave Stubbs was the only one to pick the Chicago Blackhawks to repeat.
The playoffs begin Wednesday with three games. Here are our picks:

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Kevin Weekes, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Kings over Penguins
Conn Smythe Trophy:Anze Kopitar, Kings

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Scott Stevens, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Kings
Conn Smythe Trophy:Evgeny Kuznetsov, Capitals

Brian Boucher, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Detroit Red Wings
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Kings over Penguins
Conn Smythe Trophy:Drew Doughty, Kings

Brian Lawton, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
TBL vs. DET: Detroit Red Wings
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Final:Ducks over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:John Gibson, Ducks

Dave Reid, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Kings
Conn Smythe Trophy:Braden Holtby, Capitals

Mike Rupp, NHL Network Analyst

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Detroit Red Wings
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Kings
Conn Smythe Trophy:Braden Holtby, Capitals

Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Nashville Predators
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Kings over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Drew Doughty, Kings

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Bill Price, NHL.com Editor in Chief

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Nashville Predators
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Stars over Penguins
Conn Smythe Trophy:Patrick Sharp, Stars

Shawn Roarke, NHL.com Director - Editorial

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: New York Islanders
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Kings over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Jonathan Quick, Kings

Nick Cotsonika, NHL.com Insider

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Ducks over Penguins
Conn Smythe Trophy:Corey Perry, Ducks

Amalie Benjamin, NHL.com Regional Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Ducks over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Ryan Gelzlaf, Ducks

Tom Gulitti, NHL.com Regional Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Kings over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Drew Doughty, Kings

Mike Morreale, NHL.com Staff Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Nashville Predators
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Kings
Conn Smythe Trophy:Alex Ovechkin, Capitals

Brian Compton, NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: New York Islanders
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Minnesota Wild
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Ducks over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Corey Perry, Ducks

Adam Kimelman, NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Blues
Conn Smythe Trophy:Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals

David Satriano, NHL.com Staff Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: New York Islanders
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Lightning over Blues
Conn Smythe Trophy:Ben Bishop, Lightning

Pete Jensen, NHL.com Fantasy Insider

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: New York Islanders
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Detroit Red Wings
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Sharks
Conn Smythe Trophy:Alex Ovechkin, Capitals

Dave Stubbs, NHL.com Columnist

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:Chicago Blackhawks
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Blackhawks over Capitals
Conn Smythe Trophy:Patrick Kane, Blackhawks

Arpon Basu, LNH.com Senior Managing Editor

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Philadelphia Flyers
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final:Ducks over Penguins
Conn Smythe Trophy:Corey Perry, Ducks

Robert Laflamme, LNH.com Senior Writer

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: Pittsburgh Penguins
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Final:Penguins over Ducks
Conn Smythe Trophy:Kris Letang, Penguins

Matt Cubeta, NHL.com Director - International

Round 1: Eastern Conference
WAS vs. PHI: Washington Capitals
FLA vs. NYI: Florida Panthers
PIT vs. NYR: New York Rangers
TBL vs. DET: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 1: Western Conference
DAL vs MIN: Dallas Stars
ANA vs. NSH:Anaheim Ducks
STL vs. CHI:St. Louis Blues
LAK vs. SJS: San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Final:Capitals over Ducks
Conn Smythe Trophy:Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals