As the NHL postseason commences this Saturday, hockey enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation about which teams will emerge victorious. The question on everyone's mind is whether the Vegas Golden Knights can secure a second consecutive championship or if Canadian teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs will clash in the first all-Canada Stanley Cup Final since 1989. However, there is also speculation about whether an unexpected underdog team, akin to the Florida Panthers last year, will make a major splash in this year's playoffs.

To help unravel the mystery, The Athletic reached out to its esteemed NHL staff for their predictions on first-round series, conference champions, the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy, and ultimately, the highly coveted Stanley Cup. National writer Sean Gentille, analytics expert Shayna Goldman, and NHL betting specialist Jesse Granger were brought in to thoroughly analyze and critique the staff's picks.

In the Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Florida Panthers. This exciting clash between fierce division rivals promises to be a riveting series from the get-go. With top-tier talent on both sides, the Lightning, led by household names such as Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman, are favored by many to emerge victorious. However, the Panthers, known for their surprising performance last year, cannot be underestimated. The likes of Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau have the ability to ignite their team's offense and create major upsets.

While the predictions for this particular series varied among The Athletic's NHL staff, the overall consensus seems to lean towards the Tampa Bay Lightning coming out on top. However, as history has shown, anything can happen in the unpredictable world of playoff hockey. Thus, fans can expect a thrilling battle between these two Atlantic Division powerhouses.

As the puck drops this Saturday, all eyes will be on the opening matchups and the teams vying for victory. With intense competition and high stakes, the stage is set for an exhilarating NHL playoff season. Only time will tell which teams will rise to the occasion and create lasting memories on their quest for the Stanley Cup.

Analysts will continue to scrutinize the players, strategies, and matchups as the playoffs progress, providing fans with insightful commentary and predictions to further enhance the excitement of the game. As the journey to crown a champion begins, hockey enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the conclusion of each series, leading up to the ultimate showdown in the Stanley Cup Final.

So, buckle up and prepare for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the NHL playoffs as the quest for hockey's most prestigious trophy begins.