2022 NHL Fearless Playoff Predictions Third Round

And then there were four.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche all remain running in the marathon that is the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Lightning, of course, are the reigning champions, having won the Cup in 2020, and 2021, and have three Stanley Cups overall on their resume.

The Oilers have five Stanley Cups on the mantle, though they haven’t hoisted the big mug since 1990.  Edmonton lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.  This is their first Conference Final appearance since that spring.

The Avalanche haven’t been to the Conference Final since 2002, and have two Stanley Cups to their name, last winning it all in 2001.

And the New York Rangers haven’t lit up Broadway since doing so back in 1994, ending a 54-year Stanley Cup Drought.  They were last in the Eastern Conference Final in 2015, were last in the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, and have four Stanley Cups in their trophy case.

In our crazy pool, Joe Thistel was the only participant to go a perfect 4-for-4 in the second round, while Jake Hahn also went 4-for-4…with all wrong picks.

The standings after 2 rounds…

1. Dave McCarthy             18 points (11 for 12)
2. Steve Kouleas               16 points (11 for 12)
3. Jonathan Davis             14 points (10 for 12)
4. Joe Thistel                      14 points (10 for 12)
5. Jim Gordon                    14 points (9 for 12)
6. Jesse Ralph                    14 points (8 for 12)
7. Scott Laughlin               12 points (9 for 12)
8. Bernie Corbett              12 points (9 for 12)
9. Dennis Bernstein          12 points (8 for 12)

10.Mike Lippa                    12 points (7 for 12)

11.Tyler Madarasz            10 points (8 for 12)

12.Mick Kern                      10 points (8 for 12)

13.Bruce Bolton                 10 points (7 for 12)

14.Jake Hahn                      10 points (7 for 12)

15.Gord Stellick                 10 points (6 for 12)

16.Peter Berce                   9 points (6 for 12)

17.Shane Malloy                5 points (2 for 4)

Keep in mind this is not a bracket challenge.  We will submit our predictions round-by-round.  Tune in to “Under Review” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Channel 91, every weekday at 11 am Eastern/8 am Pacific, for the latest Fearless Playoff Predictions updates.

FEARLESS PLAYOFF PREDICTION CHAMPIONS
2022 Champion – ????????

2021 Champion – Bruce Bolton (2)
2020 Champion – Dennis Bernstein
2019 Champion – Jim Gordon
2018 Champion – Joe Thistel (3)
2017 Champion – Peter Berce (2)
2016 Champion – Mike Lippa
2015 Champions – Peter Berce & Nick Alberga
2014 Champion – Joe Thistel (2)
2013 Champion – Bruce Bolton
2012 Champion – Mick Kern (4)
2011 Champion – Joe Thistel
2010 Champions – Scott Laughlin (2) & Shawn Lavigne
2009 Champions – Scott Laughlin & Mick Kern (3)
2008 Champion – Mick Kern (2)
2007 Champions – Mike Ross & Mick Kern

46 points is the maximum number of points one can achieve. Mike Lippa holds the record with 36 points in 2016.

• 1 point for correctly choosing the winner of each 1^st round series
• 2 points for correctly choosing the winner of each 2^nd round series
• 2 points for correctly choosing the winner of each 3^rd round series
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2021 Stanley Cup winner
• 2 points for correctly choosing the 2021 Conn Smythe winner
• 1 point for correctly choosing how long a series goes, but only if one also correctly picks that series’ winning team
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2021 Stanley Cup winner before the playoffs begin
• 3 points for correctly choosing the 2021 Conn Smythe winner before the playoffs begin

And Now…Our Fearless 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions – Third Round

Dave McCarthy – 18 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 6

Steve Kouleas – 16 Points

Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 6

Jonathan Davis – 14 Points
Tampa Bay in 7
Edmonton in 6

Joe Thistel – 14 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Edmonton in 6

Jim Gordon – 14 Points
Tampa Bay in 7
Colorado in 7

Jesse Ralph – 14 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Edmonton in 6

Scott Laughlin – 12 Points

Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 6

Bernie Corbett – 12 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 7

Dennis Bernstein – 12 Points
NY Rangers in 6
Edmonton in 6

Mike Lippa – 12 Points
NY Rangers in 7
Edmonton in 6

Tyler Madarasz – 10 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 5

Mick Kern – 10 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 7

Bruce Bolton – 10 Points

Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 5

Jake Hahn – 10 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 5

Gord Stellick – 10 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 6

Peter Berce – 9 Points
NY Rangers in 7
Colorado in 6

Shane Malloy – 5 Points
Tampa Bay in 6
Colorado in 7