Keeping with tradition, we’ve brought together a panel of experts to weigh in on the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins.  Here’s how they see this year’s Finals playing out. 

Eli from Mathematics

Which team will win the Cup?  Nashville.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  I want to see P.K. Sub win the Cup in his first season after being traded from Montreal.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  So much of this is dependent on how the narrative of the series goes, and there really isn’t a wrong or right answer.  If you want a specific game number though, Game 7.

How many games will be played in the series?  6.

Clavicle from Serbia

Which team will win the Cup?  Predators.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  Penguins slide – not fight.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  All games important.

How many games will be played in the series?  4.

Rachel K from LBS, Inc.

Which team will win the Cup?  Predators.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  Shea Weber made me love the Predators, and even if he’s not there anymore Nashville is a pretty fun city.  More specifically, I’m a Devils fan, and the closest I can get to rooting for them in the playoffs these days is shitting on the team from their division that made it this far.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  Game 1. It’s the first!

How many games will be played in the series?  7, because Bettman’s gotta get paid.  BOOOOO Gary.

Jerome from Poutine Machine

Which team will win the Cup?  Nashville.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  For a couple reasons, but the popular one is that we’re all hoping Cro isn’t doubly smug for the remainder of 2017.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  I think the game following whoever wins 2 this series (could be as early as Game 3) is vital.  I’ll bitch and moan about why American sports are so focused on even more masochistic ideas in sports, namely why there is a best-of-7 series instead of a simple home-and-home matchup.  But you know, #becausemoney.

But why is that specific game important?  It’s generally proof of how much fight is left in the trailing team… I’m willing to wager that, historically, the number of hockey teams that have recovered (and perhaps won) from a 3-0 or 3-1 deficit are less than all the fingers I have.  No, I don’t have 11 fingers.

How many games will be played in the series?  As a neutral in this series, I’d dream of a seven-game series and hope Nashville upsets those piss-colored towel-brandishing so-called ‘fans’ in Pittsburgh.  Get at me, son.

Rachel G from Butchers

Which team will win the Cup?  Phish.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  I’m watching Game 1 in a sports bar in Colorado and they are playing Phish.  PHISH!

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  Any game the Rangers are playing.

How many games will be played in the series?  I’ve moved on.  Go J-E-T-S!

Derek from Exile

Which team will win the Cup?  Nashville.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  Because my wife said so.  “The team from a place that seems like it wouldn’t have hockey always wins.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  Game 4 is most important.  Someone clinches, goes up 3-1 (nearby insurmountable) or a series is tied.

How many games will be played in the series?  This one goes 6.

Tommy from Gut Rot

Which team will win the Cup?  GUT ROT, BITCHEZZZZZ!!!!!

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  Peaches.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  GUT ROT, BITCHEZZZZZ!!!!!

How many games will be played in the series?  GUT ROT, BITCHEZZZZZ!!!!!

Isaac from Instant Karma

Which team will win the Cup?  Pittsburgh.

Why do you think they will win the Cup?  Because American has already sold her soul.

Which game do you consider to be the most important in a series?  Game 3 is the most important.  Regardless of the series standing, one team will be able to either take the lead or build on one.

How many games will be played in the series?  Can’t see this series going past 6 games.  Even though Nashville has the far better defensemen, so has every other team Pittsburgh has faced.

Conclusion

It appears that Nashville is the overwhelming favorite to win the Cup this year.  No two panelists could agree on a reason why, but perhaps that is why the Predators have a fighter’s chance against Pittsburgh’s juggernaut offense.  If the distance goes as predicted, then we’re in for at least a 6 game series.

Note: as of this writing it is the third period of Game 1 and even though Nashville has controlled/dominated the majority of the game Pittsburgh is still leading.  I’d like to tell Predators fans to hang in there and eventually the hard work will pay off, but I’m a Caps fan and that advice didn’t work for us.