An entire week remains in the 2021-2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. But although not everything has been decided, many playoff seeds remain in the air, we’re ready to make bold predictions. Will the Panthers march to the Eastern Conference Finals? Is Colorado a lock to make it to the Western Conference Finals? Who will win the first round series between Toronto and Tampa Bay? Keep reading for four of the boldest 2022 NHL Playoffs predictions your going to find.

Bold Betting Predictions for the of the 2022 NHL Playoffs

THE CAPS ARE BACK ?

The @Capitals have officially clinched a spot in the #StanleyCup Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/tFokk69NnM

— NHL (@NHL) April 18, 2022

READ MORE: 2022 NHL Postseason Predictions

The Washington Capitals upset the Florida Panthers in the first round

Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals have no problem taking on the Florida Panthers in the first round. The Capitals match up well with the Eastern Conference’s top seed. D.C. matches up so well that the prediction is a Washington series victory. Before laughing consider the following:

• Florida allows close to 3 goals per match
• The Panthers rank 16 th in penalty kills
• Washington averages 3.4 goals each match
• The Caps rank tenth in penalty kills

Also, the Panthers led the regular season series 2-1, but Washington lost one of the games in OT and another by a single goal. Not only that, but the Caps are hot. From April 6 through April 18, D.C. won 6-of-7. Washington beat Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Colorado during the stretch.

The Rangers fall to the Pens in Round 1

The New York Rangers are one of the best teams this season. But NYR will struggle against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first round series. Pittsburgh’s defense will make life very difficult for Armani Panarin and the Rangers. The Pens allow 2.7 goals per, ranking fifth. Pittsburgh kills penalties 86.2% of the time, ranking second in NHL.

NYR’s blue line is fantastic. But the Rangers take just 29 shots per game. That won’t cut it versus Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin, who recently came off a 4-game suspension.

In the biggest first round upset, Dallas knocks out favored Colorado

The Dallas Stars are begging to take on the 1-seed Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Don’t get us wrong, Colorado is a terrific team. But Dallas matches up very well. The Stars lead the regular season series 2-1, including beating the Avs 4-1 in the last head-to-head on Feb. 15.

The Stars lean on a terrific blue line and an efficient offense. Dallas averages under 3 goals per match. But Dallas takes just 30 shot each match. So the Stars will control the pace of the games versus the Avs, just like they did in 2-of-3 regular season contests. In Round 1, Dallas upsets mighty Colorado.

Toronto sweeps Tampa in the first round

The Lightning won the first couple of head-to-head matches. But on April 4, Toronto blasted Tampa Bay 6-2. The final head-to-head is on April 21. The prediction here is that the Maple Leafs beat Tampa in the final regular season match and they do it by dominating on the scoreboard.

Toronto is the better team in 2022. Things have finally come together for Auston Matthews and his crew. So don’t be surprised when the Leafs sweep the Lightning in their Round 1 series.

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.

READ MORE: 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Projected Matchups & Conference Predictions