Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Predictions

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights are the most favorite to meet in the Stanley Cup final, according to a team of 16 NHL.com staff.

Fourteen out of 16 predicted that the Lightning would beat the New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference Final, and that the Golden Knights would beat the Dallas Stars in the West.

Only Staff Writer Bill Douglas and Editor-in-Chief Bill Price selected the Islanders against Lightning, while Price and Staff Writer David Satriano only chose the Stars to defeat the Golden Knights.

Satriano is the only staff member behind the Colorado Avalanche Stars to be defeated in the second round of the Western Conference.

Here are their picks for the conference finals:

Amali Benjamin, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 2-2
Total record: 12-8

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Golden Knights of Vegas

Tim Campbell, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 2-2
Total record: 8-12

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Golden Knights of Vegas

Brian Compton, Deputy Managing Editor
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 14-6

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Nicholas J. Cotsonica, columnist
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 9-11

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

William Douglas, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 1-3
Total record: 9-11

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: New York Islanders

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Tom Gulitti, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 11-9

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Golden Knights of Vegas

Pete Jensen, Senior Fantasy Editor
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 10-10

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Adam Kimmelman, Deputy Managing Editor
Second Round Record: 2-2
Total record: 7-13

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Tracy Myers, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 11-9

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Mike G. Moreley, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 2-2
Total record: 10-10

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief
Second Round Record: 1-3
Total record: 9-11

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: New York Islanders

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Dallas Stars

Shawn Rorke, Editorial Senior Director
Second Round Record: 1-3
Total record: 6-14

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Dan Rosen, senior author
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 14-6

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

David Satriano, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 11-9

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Dallas Stars

Dave Stubbs, columnist
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 12-8

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights

Mike Jisberger, Staff Writer
Second Round Record: 3-1
Total record: 9-11

Eastern Conference Final
TBL vs. NYI: Tampa Bay Lightning

Western Conference Final
VGK vs. Song: Vegas Golden Knights