NHL predictions 2022-23: Stanley Cup and division winner picks

The NHL regular season is HERE. Well, OK, it was already here, as it commenced last week with the Global Series in Prague. But the confusing schedule blend of real and pre-season games is mercifully behind us, as all 32 NHL teams are ready to start their regular seasons, beginning with the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the New York Rangers and the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday.

With the season beginning, it’s time for Daily Faceoff’s senior staffers to lay their pride on the line and make some major predictions for the 2022-23 season. How do the standings play out in each division? Which teams make the playoffs? And, most importantly, who beats whom in the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Final?

Our very own Frank Seravalli, Matt Larkin, Mike McKenna, Tyler Yaremchuk, Jason Gregor, David Quadrelli, Nick Alberga and Steven Ellis lay our their predictions below.

Common themes? It seems many of us are bullish on the Edmonton Oilers this season after they showed significant progress in 2021-22, reaching the Western Conference Final for the first time in the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl era. Five of eight prognosticators have the Oilers winning the Pacific Division, and five have them reaching the Stanley Cup Final this season. In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes have serious juice. Five of us picked the Canes to reach the Stanley Cup Final and, incredibly, four have Carolina winning the Stanley Cup. That’s some surprising cohesion.

Other noteworthy trends? Most of us aren’t buying the revamped Ottawa Senators as a contender just yet. Only one voter picked them to make the playoffs. The defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche were the only unanimous choice to win any of the four divisions, while there was no unanimous pick to finish last in any division.

What do you think about the DFO crew’s predictions? Hit us up on Twitter @DailyFaceoff to fire up the debate.

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