NHL Insiders Share Their Bold Predictions for Maple Leafs' First Round Playoff Matchup

It's that time of the year again, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs are going to kick off in a week and it's the time for people to get their bets and predictions in when it comes to not only who is going to win each series, but win the whole darn thing at the end of the day.

There certainly are favourites such as Vegas, Florida, Winnipeg, and Washington who are all going to make strong pushes for a Finals appearance, however don't count out teams like Toronto, Ottawa, Dallas, or Edmonton who could all get there too.

Speaking of Toronto and Ottawa, the two are set to do battle in Round One as we all get the matchup we hoped for.

The Battle of Ontario is going to be an exciting and intense series which is harkening back to the early 2000s where it was Mats Sundin vs. Daniel Alfredsson fighting for supremacy and the chance to win the Cup.

So with that, a lot of prominent figures are giving their thoughts on who reigns supreme and for two NHL analysts; it seems they have different takes.

Jason Gregor and Frank Seravalli discussed who would come out on top in that first round matchup with Gregor favoring the Maple Leafs, and Seravalli taking the Nation's capital representative:

Gregor then rebounded with the Maple Leafs:

Interestingly enough, both men picked six games as the amount, which would be a huge change of pace for the Maple Leafs who want to avoid as many Game 7's as possible (it's feeling like a curse at this point).

Seravalli believes the Senators are more well equipped for a longer playoff run, meanwhile Gregor thinks the firepower and revamped game plan of the Maple Leafs will take them to round two.

It's going to come down to a lot of factors including the health of both rosters, who Toronto is going to start in net, and if Ottawa has the veteran leadership to make a push past the first round; oh and a whole lotta luck involved as well.

But in the case of both teams, they would rather be lucky than good when it comes to sneaking into the Stanley Cup Finals.

Let's just hope the luck doesn't run out before it's too late.