3 Bold predictions for NHL playoffs

We are just over a week away from the start of the NHL playoffs, I can't believe I am saying that in late July, but the playoffs start next Saturday on August 1st. The Stanley Cup playoffs are always unpredictable and exciting, with the type of year 2020 has been already I would expect more unbelievable scenarios to play out during the completion of the season. There are three scenarios that come to mind which would turn the hockey world on its head.

A Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup this year for the first time since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens beat Wayne Gretzky's LA Kings 27 years ago. That long drought may have its best shot of ending this year with the extended 24-team format. The extended format has allowed 6/7 Canadian teams to have a shot at Lord Stanley. Toronto and Edmonton are hosting all the games as the HUB cities chosen by the NHL, that combined with the fire power that both teams have may be advantage in the playoffs. The same can be said for Vancouver, they can also light up the opposition when they are on their game. Calgary has the grit to play a shutdown style that can be tough to manage. Montreal and Winnipeg have elite goalies that if they get hot they can take their respective teams deep into the post-season. Not sure what the oddsmakers say, but its not a bad bet to pick one of Canada's teams to win it all.

The NHL will hold a 2nd draft lottery after the first round is complete, with all 8 losing play-in teams having an equal 12.5% chance of getting the 1st overall pick in 2020. This ensures that pick will go to a team that is not a rebuilding team, but a bubble team that may be put into contender status with the top pick. If the Oilers, Maple Leafs and Penguins lose in the first round, Alexis Lafreniere may be suiting up next year along side Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby or Auston Matthews if those teams fail to advance past the first round. Can you imagine if this happens? Detroit and Buffalo fans would have the most reason to be upset.... Lafreniere would be the perfect cornerstone for either organization. Something in my gut says that Montreal will end up with that pick, we will find out in 3 weeks or so.

The Stanley Cup winning team will NOT be allowed to kiss or drink from the cup. This is almost an obvious prediction, depending how bad infections are maybe the players won't even be able to touch the cup? They would have to take a picture with it like it was the Wales or Campbell Conference Trophy, those conference trophies haven't been touched in years anyway. More than likely if things are this bad the players will have to put on rubber gloves so they can at least skate with the Stanley Cup and celebrate with their teammates. 

These playoffs are going to the most wide open of all-time. Expect the unexpected, especially in 2020.

photo credit: Sam Stringer/Icon Sportswire