Stanley Cup Playoffs: Player Rankings Cheat Sheet

Below are our 2019 playoff rankings. But first, here are the round-by-round scenarios on which the rankings were based:

FIRST ROUND

Tampa Bay vs. Columbus: Columbus will give Tampa Bay all it can handle, but the Lightning's depth up front and throughout the lineup will prove too much. Tampa Bay's power-play should be the difference despite the brilliant play of Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Lightning in 6. 

Boston vs. Toronto: Toronto failed to import a physical third/fourth-liner or blueliner at the deadline. Boston plays a heavy game, which will wear down and take its toll on the Maple Leafs. Both teams have firepower up front and from the back line. Tuukka Rask is a better goalie than Frederik Andersen, which makes the difference. Bruins in 7.

Washington vs. Carolina: Carolina is a great story, but Washington is the better team and should advance easily. If Carolina's penalty kill can shut down Alex Ovechkin, maybe the series goes longer than expected. Capitals in 5.

New York vs. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh should dominate, especially on the power play, but the Islanders have the edge in net. This call is a hunch based on home ice and how well the Islanders played at the Nassau Coliseum. If Pittsburgh wins Game 1, all bets are off. Islanders in 7.

Calgary vs. Colorado: Calgary has more talent, and look for Mark Giordano to be on the ice as much as possible against the Rocky Mountain Trio (Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog). Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer could steal a game of two, while counterpart David Rittich might falter under the weight of starting (and Mike Smith is unreliable). Flames in 5.

San Jose vs. Vegas: If San Jose's Erik Karlsson is truly healthy, this prediction could flip. Sharks goalie Martin Jones has shown he can take a team to the Stanley Cup Finals, but Marc-Andre Fleury has a Cup win and carried Vegas to the Finals last season. The addition of forward Mark Stone helps push Las Vegas over the top. Vegas in 6.

Nashville vs. Dallas: Nashville's blue line and top talent up front will make life tough for Dallas. Goalie Ben Bishop and the power play keeps the Stars in every game, but it's not enough to get past the Predators. Predators in 6.

Winnipeg vs. St. Louis: The Jets should win this series due to their depth up front. But the Blues' top four on D coupled with goalie Jordan Binnington's magic ride continuing, prove to be just enough. Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck is brilliant, but Vladimir Tarasenko gets the game-winner in overtime in Game 7. Blues in 7.

CONFERENCE SEMIFNALS

Tampa Bay vs. Boston: Boston has the pedigree up front, blueline and netminder to win this series, but this is where Tampa Bay's depth proves critical. If you shut down the big boys, Tyler Johnson or Ondrej Palat or Mathieu Joseph or Anthony Cirelli or J.T. Miller can pick up the slack. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Rask negate one another but the Russian netminder gets the betterment of the Finnish goalie. Lightning in 7.

Washington vs. New York: New York shifts to the Barclays Center after the first round, negating its home-ice advance from the Coliseum. Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner are game but too much Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov carry Washington. Capitals in 5.

Calgary vs. Vegas:  The Golden Knights are under no pressure while the favorite Flames are expected to advance. Vegas' experience from last year coupled with the fine play of The Flower should prove the difference. Stone earns his money, outplaying Gaudreau, Monahan and Lindholm. Bill Peters switches goalies throughout the series to no avail. Golden Knights in 6. 

Nashville vs. St, Louis: The Nashville blueline should make life next to impossible for the St. Louiis top line. Pekka Rinne likely will outplay his younger counterpart, while P.K. Subban turns back the clock to last year's postseason. Look for Nick Bonino to be a surprising contributor. Predators in 6.

CONFERENCE FINALS

Tampa vs. Washington: In a rematch of last year, the Lightning still have a bitter taste in their mouths. Vasilevskiy likely outplays Braden Holtby between the pipes to carry Tampa Bay. Lightning in 6.

Nashville vs. Las Vegas: Vegas made a run to the Finals last season thanks to Fleury and production throughout the lineup. But Nashville's blueline, especially Ryan Ellis, will be the difference, carrying the Predators to their second Cup Finals in three years. Predators in 6.

STANLEY CUP FINALS

Tampa vs. Nashville: The Stanley Cup heads back to Tampa Bay for the first time since 2004. The Lightning finally get over the hump, carried by Brayden Point, who earns the Conn Smythe Trophy. Rinne is dominant in the series, winning two games on his own, but he is unable to will the Predators past the Lightning. Lightning in 6.

And now the playoff rankings. Sort by "Team" if you want to back a specific team.

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