ADSF: (2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (3) Montreal Canadiens

[The Stork]

Go Habs Canada's got your back at least some do

[Master Mind]

With realignment, the Playoffs format has changed as well as the qualification system.

In the First Round, the division winner with the best record in each conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the lesser record; the wild card team with the better record will play the other division winner.

The teams finishing second and third in each division will meet in the First Round within the bracket headed by their respective division winners. First-round winners within each bracket play one another in the Second Round to determine the four participants in the Conference Finals.

Shouldn't it be Atlantic Division (2) Montreal vs (3) Tampa Bay? Although Tampa can still pass Montreal for home ice.

[Master Mind]

I'm going to say Habs in 7. Bishop's health is a big factor here.

While I want a Canadian team to win, I also want Salo to win. And since Salo might not have much hockey left in him, I'm hoping Tampa wins this series.

[BanTSN]

Habs.

[hockeyfan90]

Habs in 7

[Drouin]

I'm only going for MTL because they're the only remaining Canadian team..

Go Habs!

[-Vintage Canuck-]

Shouldn't it be Atlantic Division (2) Montreal vs (3) Tampa Bay? Although Tampa can still pass Montreal for home ice.

Yeah, it should be by Division but I ranked it by Conference though keeping it like the old system to create less confusion.

[Where's Wellwood]

Yeah, it should be by Division but I ranked it by Conference though keeping it like the old system to create less confusion.

Seems like it's creating more confusion.

[-Vintage Canuck-]

Seems like it's creating more confusion.

I'm not sure whether the NHL will call it WCQF or PDSF, so I'm sticking with WCQF for now.

[goalie13]

Seems like it's creating more confusion.

I agree. It's supposed to be divisional semi-finals / divisional finals / conference finals / Stanley Cup finals.

The second round is still in the division + the wild card (if they are still in). It doesn't get re-seeded like it used to. It's it straight bracket system.

[-Vintage Canuck-]

I agree. It's supposed to be divisional semi-finals / divisional finals / conference finals / Stanley Cup finals.

The second round is still in the division + the wild card (if they are still in). It doesn't get re-seeded like it used to. It's it straight bracket system.

Yeah, sure. I'll change it then.

[canuckfan_21]

I know it's messed up. 1st place with most points play 2nd place wild card 2nd team with most points play 1st place wild card and 2nd and 3rd place in each division face each other

Ok thanks. Old way is better imo, but I'm sure I'll get used to it

[Canuck or Die]

I'll cheer for the habs just to watch Laffs cry even more.

[Jiggs50]

With all that skill upfront it should be Tampa in 5 or 6.

[Del Rio]

Lets go Stammer and the Lightning!

[HockeyHound93]

Oh yea, this will be fun. Both of these teams are very offensive, so it will be awesome seeing a lot of goals in this one. Even though both teams have plenty of offensive capabilities, it could come down to whoever has better defense/goaltending. Special teams will be important as well.

I think the Habs will have the better special teams and defense, so I'll say they take it in 7. I normally always get predictions wrong but I'll try anyways, just to make all the series more interesting since the Canucks won't be there.

[khay]

Cheering for TBL because of Salo and think they actually have a good chance to win especially if Bishop plays well (if he plays). But would hate for all Canadian teams to be out by the first round...

[Captain Aerosex]

The two teams I'm rooting for in the East, damn.

I'll take Habs in 6.

[Madness]

Tampa in 6 if Bishop plays.

[-Vintage Canuck-]

Alex Galchenyuk will miss the first round of the playoffs with a lower-body injury.