Wide World of Women

Another team who got the "they shouldn't be here" label was the Chicago Blackhawks, but they also proved their doubters wrong and took down Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the Qualifying Round--in only four games. This was the Blackhawks' first playoff series victory since the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, and their prize is a meeting with the top seeded Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights, like the Flyers in the East, swept the Round Robin; winning in comeback fashion against Dallas, tearing through Jordan Binnington and the defending champion Blues, and winning an OT thriller over Colorado to capture the #1 seed. This series will be very interesting, and as much as I want to say Chicago will shock people and beat Vegas out, I see the Knights taking this, but it'll be close.

Prediction: Knights in 7

#1

Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 1

Reilly Smith's three point night (2 G & A) leads Knights to victory in Game One.

Vegas has a lot of depth and a team who can win anywhere with the roster they have constructed.

Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)

Reilly Smith scores 7:13 into the extra period to give the Knights a commanding 2-0 lead.

Golden Knights 2, Blackhawks 1

Marc-Andre Fleury's stellar performance puts the Blackhawks on the brink of elimination.

Blackhawks 3, Golden Knights 1

Blackhawks stay alive and hand Knights their first loss of the playoffs behind Corey Crawford's 46 saves.

I haven't been able to catch the Black Hawks on TV except for last night's thriller...but, man these games have been closer than I thought for Vegas being up 3-1.

The 'Hawks may still go down, but they'll make on hell of a last stand.

Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 3

Knights are the first to advance to the West Semifinals; Alex Tuch's early 3rd period goal wins the game for Vegas.

Look out for Vegas. This team can win it all this year. They are deep and their goaltending is really good.

Especially during the last 20 seconds.
Four times the Hawks came close to tying it.

I think Vegas has the team to go all the way. They definitely know to start every period scoring early, and that is a very good sign during the playoffs.