1 bold prediction for each 2018 Stanley Cup playoff team

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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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 14: Mitch Marner /

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner will lead the team in scoring

It seems a bit odd that right winger Mitch Marner would be the pick over center Auston Matthews here, but here we are.

Marner has 22 goals and 69 points this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season. He’s going to have to be a key difference-maker if the Leafs want to go on a deep run, starting with getting past the Boston Bruins in the first round.

He’s going to outperform Matthews this postseason after Matthews was the Maple Leafs’ best player in the playoffs last year. Marner had one goal and four points in six games against the Capitals last season in the playoffs. Look for him to have more than that this season, as he’s going to be very dangerous against Boston. Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask will have his hands full in going against the Leafs again, and Marner will be the biggest reason why.

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