from Rory Boylen of Sportsnet,

In a perfect world, the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets would be playing in the Stanley Cup Final. On one hand, it’s a shame the top two regular-season teams have to meet so early in the playoffs but, on the other, the two titans have treated us to a close, nail-biting series in a second-round that has lacked those characteristics.

Out of 12 series to this point, Winnipeg and Nashville are giving us just the second Game 7.

“Excited and just waiting for the puck to drop,” Patrik Laine said the day before the series-deciding game. “So much on the line, it’s going to be a tight one.”

The Jets sniper couldn’t be any more accurate. Whoever moves on between these two will be the instant favourite to win the Stanley Cup, though the Vegas Golden Knights won’t be a slouch in the conference final. But it’s hard to imagine any other series being as close as this Jets-Predators showdown.

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Feel free to leave a comment with your prediction for the game tonight.

I am taking Nashville for two reasons. 1. I picked them to make the SCF two months ago along with Tampa Bay. 2. Home ice tonight will be the difference.