2018 NHL Playoff Preview with Brett Kissel, High Valley, One Bad Son, and More

With the NHL playoffs set to start, we reached out to some hockey loving musicians to get their predictions for the postseason.

Thanks to Brett Kissel, Brad Rempel (High Valley), Adam Hicks (One Bad Son), Hunter Brothers, Kris Barclay, and Forest Blakk for giving their two cents… here’s hoping at least one of them is right when the dust settles and the last team standing raises the Stanley Cup.

We asked each of these hockey loving musicians the same five questions and gave them a chance to add some comments at the end. Have a look to see what they think about the 2018 NHL playoffs, who their favourite teams are, and more.

Brett Kissel

Favourite Team: Edmonton Oilers. But with them out of the playoffs, I have to cheer for my “away” team – the Nashville Predators!

Favourite Player: Taylor Hall. I’m thrilled he’s about to experience his very first taste of “playoff hockey!”

Pick to Win the East: Pittsburgh. Thinking about their opponents, and their hot streak going into the postseason, it’s hard to “not” pick the Penguins as favorites (yet again) in the East. Their bad blood with Philadelphia will be exciting to watch, but once they beat them, they’ll beat Washington (again) and go onto win the East.

Pick to Win the West: Nashville. I know it may seem like I haven’t given a lot of thought to this, but I have. A repeat in the Cup Finals is very likely. Pittsburgh is built for the postseason. That’s all they care about. The same way Nashville is built for the postseason. GM David Poile is hungry for a Cup. Peter Laviolette is hungry for another Cup (sadly he beat my Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 as the coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.) And their players are hungry for a Cup.

Pick to Win the Stanley Cup: Nashville. This time, in the final matchup of the playoffs, Nashville will learn from its’ mistakes much like Pittsburgh learned from its’ mistakes in the 2009 season, when they went head to head against Detroit for a second time in a row. That’s what I predict. And Nashville will win it at home in 6 games.

Other Comments: Playoff newcomers like the Vegas Golden Knights will likely be eliminated in the first round. The LA Kings know what playoff hockey is all about and they’re planning to put a big dramatic end to the amazing inaugural season that Vegas had. Watch out for the two Canadian squads too, as the Leafs and Jets will make for very exciting hockey. My prediction is that only the Jets will emerge as the victorious Canadian team, that is until they hit the brick wall called “the Preds” in Round 2.

Brad Rempel, High Valley

Favourite Team: Nashville Predators

Favourite Player: Mike Fisher

Pick to Win the East: Phildelphia Flyers

Pick to Win the West: Nashville Predators

Pick to Win the Stanley Cup: Nashville Predators

Other Comments: Mike Fisher is back to finish what he started. This is Nashville’s year. Side note: Giroux is on fire right now.

Adam Hicks, One Bad Son

Favourite Team: Obviously The Toronto Maple Leafs

Favourite Player: Auston Matthews

Pick to Win the East: Toronto Maple Leafs

Pick to Win the West: Nashville Predators

Pick to Win the Stanley Cup: Toronto Maple Leafs

Other Comments: I really think this could be the Leafs year. If they can get by The Bruins then The Leafs can go all the way. The first round may be the toughest. Auston Matthews is back from injury and is just hitting his stride again. He finished the season very strong. If Freddy Andersen keeps playing like he has then it’s gonna be really hard to beat the Leafs. My second pick from the east would be the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby can be a lights out kinda player. I took the Predators in the West because I really feel after losing in the final last year they have a lot to prove. They have proved all season that they can be the best. Plus they got Subban who can win a series all on his own. Sorry Jets fans, they could do it. I could be wrong.

The real season is here. I can’t wait.

Hunter Brothers

Favourite Team: Winnipeg Jets

Favourite Player: Ryan Getzlaf

Pick to Win the East: Tampa Bay Lightning

Pick to Win the West: Nashville Predators

Pick to Win the Stanley Cup: Nashville Predators

Other Comments: The guys want to add a notation that they find Nikita Kucherov the most exciting player to watch! (not to confuse this with favourite player!)

Kris Barclay

Favourite Team: Toronto Maple Leafs. I was born into it, I have to support my Blue and White!

Favourite Player: Connor McDavid. What he manages to do with the puck at the speed he does it is on another planet.

Pick to Win the East: Toronto. Although not favoured, if they can maintain solid goaltending, which they have for the majority of the season, their offense and their power play is deadly and their youth and energy can carry them deep. The speed of players like Marner and Nylander, will the scoring ability of Mathews, and the veteran presence of players like Marleau and Kadri to name a few is dangerous for any opponent, but the leafs will need the strength of their defence to keep them in each game.

Pick to Win the West: Nashville. Having watched some of their games this year, this is a deep roster. They have several lines that are threatening offensively, led by the always dangerous Forsberg. On the back end, Josi, Ellis, and Subban are all major contributors and Rinne continues to give them a chance to win every night. The problem they ran into last year was winning on the road in the final. If they can find a way to win on the road I think we will see them in the final.

Pick to Win the Stanley Winner: Nashville. This team is built solid top to bottom. Goaltending, Defence, Offence, Speed… As I stated above, as long as the Preds can find a way to win on the road, I think the team and the fans will be partying and parading their way up and down Broadway!

Other Comments: Although teams like Washington has solid firepower, I do not believe they have what it takes to be a serious contender for the cup. I think Pittsburgh will be a tough competitor as they always are, but I do not see them getting past the conference final. I’m predicting that Vegas may make a bit of a run, I wouldn’t count them out too early, they surprised us all year, I don’t think they’re done yet. I’m extremely excited for these playoffs, there are so many great matchups, and although everyone has their favourites, there are no guarantees with this sport or with these matchups, it’s going to be an exciting race for the cup!

Forest Blakk

Favourite Team: Montreal Canadiens

Favourite Player: Mark Recchi

Pick to Win the East: Boston Bruins

Pick to Win the West: Winnipeg Jets

Pick to Win the Stanley Cup: Winnipeg Jets

Other Comments: I can still recall the first goal I ever remember. It was the Kings vs the Canadiens in the final and Wayne Gretzky scored on his own net… instant fan! Plus my team won the playoffs that year!

Thanks again to Brett Kissel, Brad Rempel, Adam Hicks, Hunter Brothers, Kris Barclay, and Forest Blakk for playing along. We hope you all enjoy the NHL playoffs!

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Joshua Murray

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