Fansided

1 bold prediction for each 2018 Stanley Cup playoff team

By Hunter Hodies

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 04: The Pittsburgh Penguins watch their 2017 Stanley Cup Championship banner rise to the rafters behind the Stanley Cup prior to a game agains the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 4, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 04: The Pittsburgh Penguins watch their 2017 Stanley Cup Championship banner rise to the rafters behind the Stanley Cup prior to a game agains the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 4, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Lightning

Both Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will have hat tricks

This is a very bold prediction, but that’s the name of the article, after all.

First, let’s set it up. This postseason will be the first time Steven Stamkos plays a full series since 2014-15. That was the year the Lightning went to the Stanley Cup Final. He’s going to be fired up to be back in the playoffs, and he has the ability to go off against New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid in the two teams’ first-round series.

Kucherov had another outstanding season and emerged as a Hart Trophy contender as the regular season mVP. He hit 100 points for the first time in his career and is also an outstanding playoff performer. In 45 career playoff games, he has 42 points. That’s almost at a point per game average, and he’s going to have at least one hat trick during these playoffs. So will Stamkos.

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