Columnist predicts Toronto will win NHL’s Eastern ConferencePublished Apr 19, 2025 • Last updated 20 hours ago • 4 minute readFred MacDonald – ContributedToronto hockey fans will enjoy a long playoff run, and I expect this edition of the Maple Leafs will make it right to the Stanley Cup Final.There are a number of reasons I’m calling the Leafs in the East:Finishing as the divisional leader is a huge bonus as they avoid a first-round matchup with Tampa Bay or Florida, and will face the No. 7 seed in the opening round. The Florida teams play a Stanley Cup-style grinding game – the type of opponent that gives Toronto trouble. Ottawa meets the Leafs and the Senators have beaten Toronto three times in the regular season. Nevertheless, I like Maple Leafs in six games.Toronto has solid goaltending right now. Both Anthony Stolarz (2.20 GAA) and Joseph Woll (2.70 GAA) are fresh and rested.The team has added much-needed depth and grit.The Leafs also have more offence than any other playoff team, and I sense this is a team exuding confidence and swagger it hasn’t shown in the recent past.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentFinally, why you should listen to what I have to say. I’m called the Sports Prophet for a reason. Jump on board, folks!Other seriesNow let’s look at the other Stanley Cup matchups:Eastern ConferenceWashington vs. Montreal: The Capitals were swept by Columbus this past week, but they did finish first in the conference. They have Alex Ovechkin, and play a big, heavy, punishing game. Washington in six.Carolina vs New Jersey: The Hurricanes have the extra home game and that matters. They have beaten the Devils the last four times they met in the playoffs. Carolina in six games.Tampa Bay vs. Florida: The Panthers could be missing key piece Matt Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad will miss the first two games due to a suspension, so that changes the picture. For that reason, I like Tampa Bay.Western ConferenceWinnipeg vs. St. Louis: Winnipeg, the Presidents’ Trophy winner for most points overall, meets the bottom seed, St. Louis. The Jets are for real with great goaltending, a top defence, plenty of scoring, and are hungry and confident. The Blues have been hot down the stretch and will give the Jets a tough series, but in the end goaltending and overall depth tips the scale for Winnipeg.Article contentColorado vs. Dallas: The Stars have the extra home game, but the additions that the Avalanche made at the trade deadline – adding Martin Necas, Charlie Coyle, Jimmy Vesey, Brock Nelson, Ryan Lindgren and goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (2.10 GAA) – tells me the Avalanche will down Dallas in six games.Vegas vs. Minnesota: Vegas is a club built for the playoffs – big, grinding and talented and they appear to be too much for Minnesota, which will mark Wild goaltender Marc Andre Fleury’s final playoff appearance. He’ll win a game but Vegas in six is my call.Los Angeles vs. Edmonton: It looks like the Kings will be second and thus have the extra home game versus the Oilers. L.A. has beaten the Oilers in two of three games in the regular season, and it’ll be no surprise if they knock off Edmonton. The Kings beat the Oilers 5-0 in Edmonton this week in the battle for second place. But the Oilers were without their big boys, resting for what will be a tight-checking, physical series. L.A. has the league’s best home record (31-5), and they’ll pull an upset in seven games.Article contentHarness RacingWe’re getting closer to opening day at Red Shores Charlottetown, and you can head to the track the morning of April 19 for the annual baby races, enjoy a great breakfast and see the horses live. Post time for breakfast is 9 a.m.Merigo Magic and Tobins Chester are in to go in Race 2, purse $28,000, at Mohawk on April 19. Merigo Magic’s owners Mike May, Herman McQuaid, Ian Walker and Derrick Walker have a terrific horse on their hands, and he has impressed Ontario horsemen and fans. If the Gold Cup and Saucer were scheduled this month, he’d be one of the favourites. He has Post 6 in the seven-horse field and can win with a little racing luck.All Bets on Tex, owned by Marc Gallant, Kent Livingston and Blair MacLauchlan and handled by Brett MacDonald, won a $14,000 division of the Pop Up series last week at Mohawk. All Bets on Tex goes in Race 7 April 19. Don MacRae’s Eliot Moose and Blue Hunt are both in as well. The Wade Peconi-bred Onlythegooddiyoung goes in Race 3 after a long layoff.A couple of P.E.I. veterans returned to the racing wars this week. Wally Hennessey won five races at Saratoga earlier this week while Mark MacDonald made his debut at Yonkers, fifth with RockNRoll Runa in the $50,000 Borgata Series to winner Verdun and Desperate Man, and fifth with Blazing Home N in the other $50,000 leg of the Borgata.Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com. Article content
FIDDLER’S FACTS: High on Maple Leafs
