The first-round matchups are finalized for the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs. That means it’s time for the time-honored tradition of THN.com playoff predictions.

The handful of candidates in the mix for the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP are all unique. Connor Hellebuyck is the backbone and best player for the league-leading Winnipeg Jets. It has also been a decade since a goaltender was voted MVP (Carey Price in a sweep of several major awards in 2015) .

When the full schedule for the 2024-25 NHL season began on Oct. 8, the B/R NHL staff made their predictions for the major awards. That included the Stanley Cup, the Presidents' Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy and the Maurice Richard Trophy.

Defenseman Kaiden Guhle scored twice to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in their season finale, clinching the final spot in the NHL's 16-team Stanley Cup playoff field.

The Canadiens needed at least a point to eliminate Columbus from playoff contention. They will face Washington in the first round. Nick Suzuki broke a tie late in the second period with his 30th goal and also had an assist,

The Canadiens, who were 31st in the overall standings on Dec. 1, clinched the last playoff spot with Wednesday's win over the Hurricanes in their regular-season finale.