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It’s finally here! The first round of the 2023 NHL playoffs has officially begun, with some of the most exciting matchups we’ve seen in a long time. We have rematches from last year’s first round, we have a classic New York vs New Jersey rivalry series, and more. Which underdogs will be able to upset the favourites? Let’s find out.

New York Rangers to beat New Jersey Devils 

Overall, I expect the Devils to win this series between the two classic rivals. They’re the better team overall, but they’re also in the playoffs for the first time since Nico Hischier’s rookie season in 2017-18, where they were easily bounced in five games.

I’m not a proponent of the thought that a team needs to learn to lose before they can learn how to win in the playoffs, but the Rangers are a very experienced playoff team, and with Igor Shesterkin in goal, I think they steal game one from their superior opponents.

Mitch Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs) to score anytime vs Tampa Bay Lightning 

With the way the playoffs have gone for Marner in the past, you know he will want to get on the board as soon as possible, and he broke his poor playoff track record last postseason. So, we know he can play as well in the playoffs as in the regular season, and Mitch just had what was arguably the best season of his career, with a whopping 99 points.

All the Leafs' best players are in their prime years now, and while Auston Matthews had a worse season than the previous one, he still hit 40 goals despite missing time. Adding Ryan O’Reilly to the second line also makes the top line’s job easier, which should create more space for Marner’s electrifying skillset.

Winnipeg Jets to beat Vegas Golden Knights 

With the return of Mark Stone, the Golden Knights were given a shot in the arm to start this series as their best player is back in the fold. However, they still have to face Connor Hellebuyck every night of the first round.

Combine the difficulty of scoring on Hellebuyck with the sneaky offence of the Winnipeg Jets that doesn’t actually need much control of the puck, plus the fact that Stone is likely to look a little rusty to start, and I think the Jets shock the Golden Knights in Vegas for Game 1.

Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) to score first vs Seattle Kraken 

With team captain Gabriel Landeskog out for the year and the Avalanche without a legitimate second-line center behind him to make things easier, MacKinnon had the best year of his entire career this season at the age of 27. Racking up 111 points in just 71 games tells you a lot about how little the Stanley Cup hangover affected MacKinnon this year, and his linemate Mikko Rantanen also had the best year of his career, including scoring 55 goals.

When it comes to scoring big goals, with nine of his 42 goals being game winners this year, including a hat-trick performance in the final game of the season to ensure the Avs won their division, I fully expect MacKinnon to set the pace for this series.