With the play of guys like Tomas Hertl, Connor Hellebuyck, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Tomas Tatar...the Lightning could be the team hoisting the Cup at the end of the SimNet playoffs. While Detroit had a very good season, it's been an all out battle for them in their first round series against Toronto. Tampa Bay certainly has the veteran and playoff experience on their roster to put the pressure on any team they face along the way.

My predictions for the rest of the playoffs...The Bolts are the Eastern Conference champions and win the 2022 SimNet Stanley Cup. Their opponents in the Cup final, the Western Conference champions, Colorado Avalanche. While teams like St. Louis and Nashville have been strong all season in the Western Conference, I see an Avs team with the likes of Carey Price, Steven Stamkos, Joe Pavelski, Brayden Point and company locking down the West.

If this is the case, it will be quite the battle between goaltenders Hellebuyck, Price and their respective teams. Which teams are up for the challenge and can prove my predictions wrong? Don't go anywhere. The 2022 SimNet Stanley Cup playoffs are just getting started!