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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DENVER, CO – MARCH 30: Nathan MacKinnon /

Colorado Avalanche:

Nathan MacKinnon will put up 10-12 points in the first round and still lose

Colorado Avalanche center and alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon is one of the heavy favorites for the Hart Trophy after the regular season, due to the outstanding year he had taking the Avalanche to the playoffs.

MacKinnon is going to continue that amazing season into the playoffs and get double-digit scoring. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough to take down the Nashville Predators, who have had another outstanding season, leading the league in points with 117. The Presidents’ Trophy winners will be too much for the Avalanche to handle. Even with MacKinnon lighting the lamp, the loss of Semyon Varlamov in goal won’t make up for it since it’s a downgrade to Jonathan Bernier. Predators netminder Pekka Rinne is also the likely pick to win the Vezina Trophy this season, and he isn’t likely to lose four games to the Avalanche. It’s going to be fun watching MacKinnon, but it won’t be enough for Colorado to advance.

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