Predicting Every Round Of The NHL Playoffs

These picks may not be typical, but they are fun nonetheless.

These picks may not be typical, but they are fun nonetheless. 

(Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty)

The 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs will begin on Tuesday, when the Los Angeles Kings will attempt to become the first repeat champions in the NHL since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98.

Standing in the way of the Kings’ pursuit of another championship are several top contenders and a few dark horses with Stanley Cup dreams.

The favorites in the Eastern Conference are the Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished with a stellar 36-12 record to earn the top seed. In the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks are expected to reach their second Stanley Cup Final in four seasons. They started the regular season with a record 24-game point streak and continued to win games consistently throughout the year.

On a historic note, this is the first season since 1996 that all of the Original Six teams are in the playoffs, which will be great for the league.

Will the Penguins and Blackhawks meet in the finals? Let’s look at some predictions for all four rounds of the 2013 NHL playoffs.

Check out the predictions on Bleacher Report!