2022 Calder Cup Playoffs Predicitons

Eastern Conference

ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Charlotte (1) vs. Bridgeport (6)Prediction: Charlotte in 4

The Bridgeport Islanders took some by surprise when they swept Providence in the opening round. Simply put, goaltender Cory Schneider stole the series.

Charlotte is loaded and well-rested coming into this one, and while Bridgeport will do their best to make life difficult for the Checkers as long as the Charlotte team from the stretch run shows up this shouldn't be much of a contest.

Springfield (2) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4)Prediction: Springfield in 4

The Penguins are coming off a thrilling, emotional OT win in an all-or-nothing Game 3 vs their most hated rival Hershey. Springfield has been sitting idle with their first round bye and waiting.

How much do the Penguins have left as they are in the midst of a five-games-in-seven-days stretch to open the postseason? Their first round opponent struggled to score goals. Springfield will not have that problem.

NORTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Utica (1) vs. Rochester (5)Prediction: Utica in 5

While Utica dominated the regular season to start the year, the regular season stats go out the window come playoff time. I'm not nearly as high on the Comets as everyone else is, though I'm not picking against them in this five-game series. I think Rochester will take this one the distance though.

Syracuse (2) vs. Laval (3)Prediction: Syracuse in 4

Nothing against Laval, they have plenty of pieces in place to be a tough out in the postseason, but Syracuse is the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference and my personal "darkhorse" candidate to make it to the final four.

ATLANTIC DIVISION FINALS

Charlotte (1) vs Springfield (2) Prediction: Charlotte in 5

It's a shame this won't be a best-of-seven series, because this is going to be awesome hockey to watch between the top two teams in the Atlantic Division. This one could go either way, but I like Charlotte's depth more than I like Springfield's. Plain and Simple.

NORTH DIVISION FINALS

Utica (1) vs. Syracuse (2)Prediction: Syracuse in 4

I'm just not sold on Utica, sorry Comets fans!

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Charlotte (1-Atlantic) vs. Syracuse (2-North)Prediction: Charlotte in 7

This will be the hardest fought series of the postseason. Might even be a Game 7 overtime in this one - these two teams will be that evenly matched that one goal might decide who goes to the finals.

Western Conference

CENTRAL DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Chicago (1) vs. Rockford (4) Prediction: Chicago in 3

Sorry IceHogs fans, Chicago is just way too loaded to be stopped.

Manitoba (2) vs. Milwaukee (3) Prediction: Manitoba in 5

I'll stick with my original pick when the series started, but the additions to the Admirals for Milwaukee make this a gargantuan task for the Moose to overcome their 0-2 deficit. The good news is all three remaining games in the series - if it goes the distance - are all in Manitoba.

PACIFIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS

Stockton (1) vs. Bakersfield (4) Prediction: Bakersfield in 5

Nothing against Stockton, who had a terrific regular season, but I just really like what Bakersfield has been able to do this season in overcoming non-stop adversity to make it to this point.

Ontario (2) vs. Colorado (3) Prediction: Ontario in 5

Any one of these four teams in the Pacific Division have a legitimate chance to make it to the Western Conference Final. The division was just that good this season. I'll take Ontario here, but not with a lot of confidence after picking against Colorado in the first round.

CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS

Chicago (1) vs. Mantioba (2) Prediction: Chicago in 4

I just don't see anyone in the Central Division slowing down the Wolves enough to give them a legitimate scare.

PACIFIC DIVISION FINALS

Ontario (2) vs. Bakersfield (4) Prediction: Bakersfield in 5

Again, I really like Bakersfield in the Pacific Division. My Western Conference "darkhorse" candidate, if you will.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Chicago (1-Central) vs. Bakersfield (4-Pacific) Prediction: Chicago in 6

Bakersfield will be Chicago's most difficult test in the conference, but I still don't see a team being able to slow the Wolves' attack enough to eliminate them.

2022 Calder Cup Finals

Charlotte (1-Atlantic) vs. Chicago (1-Central)

That's right! The rematch! Though Chicago and Charlotte matched up in the 2019 Calder Cup Finals, that matchup featured Chicago with the Vegas Golden Knights' prospects and Charlotte with the Carolina Hurricanes' prospects. This time around Chicago is affiliated with Carolina and Charlotte is affiliated with Florida and Seattle.

It'll be thrill-a-minute hockey between these two teams, but my 2022 Calder Cup Champion is the Chicago Wolves in six games over the Charlotte Checkers.

Let's look back after it's all said and done, so we can laugh at these predictions!