Of the 16, 10 predicted that Avalanche would win the Cup, and the other six believed that Lightning would escape with their third consecutive championship.
Game 1 is at the Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday (20:00 ET; ABC, ESPN +, CBC, SN, TVAS).
As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which goes to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Avalanche defender Cale McCarthy received six votes, and his teammate, striker Nathan McKinnon, received four votes.
Goalkeeper Andrej Vassilevski was the only Lightning player to receive several votes with three; Defender Victor Hedman and forwards Nikita Kucherov and Stephen Stamkos received one each.
Here is how the experts chose and why:
Amalia Benjamin, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 7-7
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: In his press conference after game 6 against the New York Rangers on Saturday, Lightning coach John Cooper acknowledged how important it is that his team finally got a break before the Eastern Conference final after sweeping the Florida Panthers, something the Rangers didn’t get with their victory in seven games in the second round against Carolina Hurricanes. It didn’t help the Lightning at first, but it eventually got big. I see the same thing happening in this series. The rest that Avalanche received will prove the difference between two extremely talented teams.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Nathan McKinnon, Avalanche
Tim Campbell, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 12-2
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: Defending champion Lightning will receive his toughest test of the three consecutive Stanley Cup finals he has competed in. They face the best team in the opposite conference, which I don’t think was the case in the last two years against the Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadiens. Tampa Bay performed wonderfully and dominated the previous two finals, real champions and full value for their titles, but are very deep this season. If Avalanche do something close to their best game, the Cup is theirs to win.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Cale McCarthy, Avalanche
Brian Compton, Editor-in-Chief
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: Avalanche can actually boast more offensive talent than successive champions, but Lightning have a better goalkeeper in Andrei Vassilevsky, who happens to be the best in the NHL in his position and is thriving again this postseason. Glory to Colorado for overcoming the humps in these playoffs, but the last step in this process is always the steepest. Tampa Bay has been in this position several times before and knows how to sign the deal. This should be a close series, but expect Lightning’s remarkable series to continue.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Andrey Vasilevski, Lightning
Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Lightning at 7
WHY: Avalanche are 12-2, but have not faced a team that can block him as Lightning or a goalkeeper like Andrei Vassilevski. The key will be whether Avalanche can use their speed and skills as usual, and if and when they punch, whether they can put the puck behind one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. In the past, they struggled to keep a level playing field amid the difficulties in the playoffs. This will be their biggest test this season. The benefit of the doubt is for the team that has won consecutive championship titles and 11 consecutive playoff series. The slogan for the Colorado playoffs is “FIND A WAY”; that’s what Tampa Bay has proven it can do.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Andrey Vasilevski, Lightning
William Douglas, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 0-2Overall record: 7-7
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: Nathan McKinnon, fueled by the relegation of Colorado in the second round of last year’s playoffs at the hands of Vegas Golden Knights, and the game of Cale McCarthy, who compares with Bobby Orr, will lead the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup. Colorado also has a strong support lineup that could become stronger if Nazem Kadri and Andrew Coliano return to the final after arm surgery. Avalanche can beat teams in a variety of ways, whether it’s a high-scoring game or a defensive battle. It is difficult to choose against Lightning goalkeeper Andrei Vassilevsky and consecutive Stanley Cup champions, but this is the time of Colorado.
CONN SMYHTE WINNER: Cale McCarthy, Avalanche
Tom Gulity, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: Tampa Bay has come this far. He may be done and become the first team to win the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons since the New York Islanders won four consecutive 1980-83 championships. I thought Lightning would have run out of gas. Their 65 playoff games in the last three seasons have been tied for the most in three seasons in NHL history (Chicago Blackhawks, 2013-15). But Lightning continue to dig down to find more ways to win, even after losing forward to Brayden Point due to a lower body injury in Game 7 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Point is now expected to return to the Cup final at some point, giving Tampa Bay another boost against Avalanche.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Nikita Kucherov, Lightning
Pete Jenson, director, senior fantasy editor
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: In this clash of the Titans (and my pre-season prediction for a Cup final match), this is the time for Avalanche to triumph. Colorado, a jaggernaut with puck possession, is more talented, motivated and tested in battle than he has been since his last victory in 2001. Champion consistently Latning will undoubtedly be the toughest test for Avalanche so far, but Colorado doesn’t have one. star power like Tampa Bay, but also superb depth, the advantage of home ice, more rest and hunger to finally overcome the hump. Colorado is leading the NHL in wins (137) in the last three regular seasons combined and is late for its third title.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Nathan McKinnon, Avalanche
Adam Kimmelman, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 11-3
CHOOSE: Lightning at 6
WHY: Lightning met every challenge thrown at them. They came together 3-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, winning game 7 on the road. They beat the Florida Panthers in the second round without perhaps their best striker, Braden Point. They lost the first two games against the New York Rangers in the conference finals, then won four in a row. Their game is exactly where they need it and they will probably get their points back at some point during the final. Lightning and Avalanche have top-class stars, reliable depths and game-controlled defenders. But Lightning have goalkeeper Andrei Vassilevski and champion experience. No moment will be too big for them and that is why the Lightning will win the Cup for the third year in a row.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Victor Hedman, Lightning
Mike G. Moreale, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 12-2
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: I will stick to the club I chose to win everything at the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite the fact that they may have a slight goal deficit. Still, the Avalanche may have greater depth of attack, led by their star center Nathan McKinnon. They proved to be extremely great in defense, supported by their distinction in the position at Cale McCarthy. Colorado averaged more goals (4.64 goals per game) and tied for third place with the fewest goals against (2.86) among all 16 teams to qualify for the postseason. They have the second best percentage of power of play (31.1) and are tied in eighth place with the Toronto Maple Leafs with the fewest penalties (43); played seven games less than Toronto.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Cale McCarthy, Avalanche
Tracy Myers, freelance writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: I’m pretty sure I’ve chosen Avalanche every year when I’m on NHL.com, and I’ll keep picking them until I get better. On the non-personal front, Avalanche are rested, refreshed and may be healthier (at least on the goal front. Darcy Kumper should be available for the final after missing the last three games of the Western Conference final with an upper body injury, received in Game 1 against Edmonton Oilers). With all due respect to Lightning, who were incredibly impressive in reaching the finals for the third consecutive season, but I think it’s the time of the Avalanche.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Nathan McKinnon, Avalanche
Bill Price, vice president, editor-in-chief
Conference finals record: 0-2Overall record: 9-5
CHOOSE: Lightning at 5
WHY: Until I see someone beat Lightning in the postseason, I can’t choose against him. In fact, I did it at the end of the Eastern Conference and I got burned. I will not make that mistake again. They have a better goalkeeper in the final in Andrei Vassilevsky, they have real leaders in Stephen Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh and they just know how to win. Avalanche will be the toughest team they have faced in the final over the last three seasons, but that won’t matter. This season we will get three peat.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Andrey Vasilevski, Lightning
Sean P. Roark, senior editor
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 7
WHY: Colorado Avelanch are the best team in the playoffs and have the speed and skills to finally decide Tampa Bay Lightning, which won 11 consecutive series. Striker Nathan McKinnon and defender Cale McCarthy will present challenges that Lightning have not faced in their previous series, each playing at a world level. It will be fun, it will be close, but Avalanche have a little too much.
CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Cale McCarthy, Avalanche
Dan Rosen, senior writer
Conference finals record: 2-0Overall record: 10-4
CHOOSE: Avalanche at 6
WHY: It seems absurd to choose …
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