Predictions for the 2023-24 season

The Hurricanes are favourite for the Cup. I don’t expect it will be easy for them to get there.

Let’s look at the first round individual match-ups.

• Panthers (72.3%) vs Lightning (27.7%): The Panthers are largely favourtite but I expect this to be a good matchup between the two Florida teams. It could be a long series.

• Bruins (48.9%) vs Maple Leafs (51.1%): A repeat of last year first-round matchup. That’s going to be a great series to watch. It’s a toss-up. I wish for the Maple Leafs to win.

• Rangers (80.7%) vs Capitals (19.3%): I expect the Rangers to win and that’s it’s going to be short.

• Hurricanes (85.0%) vs Islanders (15.0%): The Hurricanes should win and I expect it won’t be a long series. We will see it Patrick Roy’s intensity will have an impact on the Islanders.

• Stars (78.8%) vs Golden Knights (21.2%): I expect the Stars to win but it’s going to be tough. The Golden Knights are the latest Cup winner after all.

• Jets (61.5%) vs Avalanche (38.5%): I would love to see the Canadian team win, but my guess is that the Avalanche will win this series. My models say otherwise.

• Canucks (54.4%) vs Predators (45.6%): It will be tough but the Canucks should get by the Predators.

• Oilers (70.9%) vs Kings (29.1%): A repeat of last year first round matchup. The exiting Kings should prevail over the boring Kings.

Power ranking

The Hurricanes are still on top with the the Panthers second. Defence seems to make for the best teams.