2020_SCQ

NHL.com staff members have made their predictions for the Stanley Cup Qualifiers and Playoffs, and they believe the race for the championship is wide open.

Four of the 16 picked the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup, and the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights each were chosen as champions by three.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars each were predicted to win the Cup by one staff member.

The defending champion St. Louis Blues were picked by three to get back to the Cup Final but lose.

The Qualifiers will have eight best-of-5 series, four in the Eastern Conference and four in the Western Conference. The winners advance to the playoffs, and the losers will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, to be held Aug. 10. The top four teams in each conference, based on points percentage, will play in the round-robin portion of the Qualifiers to determine seeding for the playoffs.

Three players were picked by more than one staff member to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs: Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask and Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

Here are NHL.com's picks for the Qualifiers:

Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Eastern Conference Qualifiers

PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

TOR vs. CBJ: Columbus Blue Jackets

Round-robin order of finish: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Philadelphia Flyers; 4. Washington Capitals

Western Conference Qualifiers

EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

CGY vs. WPG: Calgary Flames

Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Bruins

Conn Smythe Trophy:Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Tim Campbell, staff writer

Eastern Conference Qualifiers

PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

Round-robin order of finish:1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Philadelphia Flyers; 4. Washington Capitals

Western Conference Qualifiers

EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

VAN vs. MIN:Minnesota Wild

CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

Stanley Cup Final:Maple Leafs over Avalanche

Conn Smythe Trophy: Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs

Brian Compton, deputy managing editor

Eastern Conference Qualifiers

PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

TOR vs. CBJ: Columbus Blue Jackets

Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Philadelphia Flyers; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Washington Capitals

Western Conference Qualifiers

EDM vs. CHI:Edmonton Oilers

NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

Round-robin order of finish:1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

Stanley Cup Final: Golden Knights over Lightning

Conn Smythe Trophy: Robin Lehner, Golden Knights

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      The Stanley Cup Qualifiers

      Nick Cotsonika, columnist

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA:New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Washington Capitals; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI:Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN:Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Lightning

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

      William Douglas, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Washington Capitals; 3. Philadelphia Flyers; 4. Tampa Bay Lightning

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI:Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Calgary Flames

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Golden Knights over Bruins

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights

      Tom Gulitti, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA:New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ: Columbus Blue Jackets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Washington Capitals; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN:Minnesota Wild

      CGY vs. WPG: Calgary Flames

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Bruins over Golden Knights

      Conn Smythe Trophy:Tuukka Rask, Bruins

      Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editor

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Washington Capitals; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Arizona Coyotes

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. St. Louis Blues

      Stanley Cup Final: Golden Knights over Lightning

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Mark Stone, Golden Knights

      Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Philadelphia Flyers; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. Washington Capitals

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. St. Louis Blues; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Lightning over Golden Knights

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Victor Hedman, Lightning

      Tracey Myers, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ: Columbus Blue Jackets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Washington Capitals; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Arizona Coyotes

      VAN vs. MIN:Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish:1. St. Louis Blues; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Lightning

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

      Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ:Columbus Blue Jackets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Philadelphia Flyers; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Boston Bruins; 4. Washington Capitals

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN:Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Flyers over Blues

      Conn Smythe Trophy:Carter Hart, Flyers

      Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL:Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish:1. Boston Bruins; 2. Philadelphia Flyers; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Washington Capitals

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI:Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Calgary Flames

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final:Bruins over Blues

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Tuukka Rask, Bruins

      Shawn Roarke, Senior Director of Editorial

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA: Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ: Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Boston Bruins; 2. Washington Capitals; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Minnesota Wild

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. St. Louis Blues; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Bruins over Golden Knights

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Brad Marchand, Bruins

      Dan Rosen, senior writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA:Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ:Columbus Blue Jackets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Washington Capitals; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Tampa Bay Lightning; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Arizona Coyotes

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Lightning over Avalanche

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Victor Hedman, Lightning

      David Satriano, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA: Florida Panthers

      TOR vs. CBJ:Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Philadelphia Flyers; 4. Washington Capitals

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Chicago Blackhawks

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Vegas Golden Knights; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Colorado Avalanche

      Stanley Cup Final: Stars over Lightning

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Ben Bishop, Stars

      Dave Stubbs, columnist

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: Carolina Hurricanes

      NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ: Columbus Blue Jackets

      Round-robin order of finish:1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Washington Capitals; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. St. Louis Blues; 2. Dallas Stars; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Vegas Golden Knights

      Stanley Cup Final: Lightning over Blues

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Victor Hedman, Lightning

      Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

      Eastern Conference Qualifiers

      PIT vs. MTL: Pittsburgh Penguins

      CAR vs. NYR: New York Rangers

      NYI vs. FLA: New York Islanders

      TOR vs. CBJ:Toronto Maple Leafs

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Washington Capitals; 4. Philadelphia Flyers

      Western Conference Qualifiers

      EDM vs. CHI: Edmonton Oilers

      NSH vs. ARI: Nashville Predators

      VAN vs. MIN: Vancouver Canucks

      CGY vs. WPG: Winnipeg Jets

      Round-robin order of finish: 1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. St. Louis Blues; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars

      Stanley Cup Final: Lightning over Avalanche

      Conn Smythe Trophy: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning