Written Task: In at least 150 words, make some bold predictions for the first round (or second, if we are well into it for the back half of this PT being open) and justify your choices. Who do you think will win the series? Who will be the most important players from each team? Will there be any upsets? The question is open-ended, so simply put, what do you have to say about this season’s playoff matchups? Must mention at least two playoff teams.

My bold prediction is that the Calgary Dragons are going to come back from being 2-0 and 3-1 down in their series versus the Winnipeg Jets and actually WIN the series and move on to face the winner of LAP/EDM. Like I said, I think the Dragons will dig deep and continue being the thorn in the Jets side in the playoffs. I think the most important players from both of these teams is gonna be the guys wearing the bigger pads: the goalies. Hoculate and Zhumbayev are both goalies with cup winning experience, finals experience and game 7 experience. Neither of them will get flustered in the moment. However, almost every game thusfar in the series one team has heavily outshot the other team and in two or three cases, the team that was heavily outshot actually WON the game on the back of their goalie.

Upset wise, I think Buffalo (if it's really considered an upset) is going to shock and I think Minnesota will finally fall before the finals this year. Edmonton looks posed to shock as well. All in all, this years playoffs are really hotly contested and pretty damn interesting.