2021 featured a shortened NHL season, and yet the January start feels like an entire lifetime ago. It was just six months ago, in fact, and now we have just two weeks remaining before the champion will be crowned. One member of the 2019-20 Columbus Blue Jackets will hoist the Cup at the end, either Josh Anderson or David Savard.
Tampa is Tampa, and the defending champions are the heavy favorites. Montreal, on the other hand, was one of the worst playoff teams in the regular season, but have thrived under pressure in the postseason, especially against the talent-heavy Toronto and Vegas lineups.