TSN Analysts Make Predictions & Festivities Around The League
March 24th, 2025
The regular season is over and the playoffs are finally here! Hockey analysts at TSN Studios are here to give their first round predictions. Let’s dive right in.
(1) Rain City Bitch Pigeons vs. (8) Long Beach Ice Dogs
MELROSE: This is probably the most interesting first round series. Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Lucas Main, takes on the three-time (defending) Stanley Cup Champion, Jason Henley. The defending champs dominated all season finishing with the best record in the league to capture another President’s Trophy. But Rain City closed the season with a pedestrian loss to Shawinigan. If Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl return from injury, maybe that changes things, but the Bitch Pigeons just don’t seem to be playing well without their top two players to come away victorious. Long Beach wins 6-5.
LEBRUN: Everyone loves an underdog story, and what Lucas Main has done with the Ice Dogs is nothing short of remarkable. After winning back-to-back Cups in 2017 and 2018, Lucas decided to step down and take over the worst team in the league. Now, five years later, hed has made his triumphant return to the playoffs. The roster doesn’t have the sexiest names, but don’t count out one of the smartest GMs this league has ever seen. Long Beach wins 8-2.
(2) Laval Nomads vs. (7) Antigonish X-Men
MELROSE: Maybe life in Antigonish will come full circle and the X-Men will do their best impression of the 2024 X-Men, defying the odds just a little longer. More likely than not, though, this series will end exactly as everyone expects: With the Nomads using it as a tune-up toward a more worthy challenge. Laval wins 7-3.
LEBRUN: Although the X-Men are playing great hockey lately, this team does not have the same fire power they boasted last year. They’re matched up with a Laval squad that knows what it takes to win and has the motivation of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals loss to fuel them. It’s easy to count out Antiognish with the odds completely in Laval’s favor — the Nomads have been a favorite all season long and it’s their series to lose. Laval wins 8-1.
(3) Shawinigan Vikings vs. (6) Manhattan Supermen
MELROSE: If any team has the potential to do some damage now that they’re in the playoffs, it’s the Supermen. But that won’t be easy against a contender like the Vikings. Shawinigan likes its group for a reason. With the greatest goal scorer in history of hockey in the mix, the Vikings should be the team to beat. Shawinigan wins 7-5.
LEBRUN: This is big-boy hockey. Shawinigan and Manhattan are two heavyweight teams with serious championship aspirations and it wouldn’t be a shock to see either team go all the way when all is said and done. If Manhattan wins this series, you can assume how it’ll play out; Sorokin, Andersen, Stolarz will stand on their heads, and the skaters will score enough to get by. If the Vikings win, it’ll be treated as another example of Nikita Kucherov and company exorcizing their playoff demons. Manhattan wins 5-4.
(4) Boston Giants vs. (5) Sarnia Sting
MELROSE: This series is a star-studded showdown between two teams that most expected to make the postseason. With how both teams play, the entertainment should be sky-high for what will likely be a sneaky-fun series. Both teams have a real shot in this series, but only one can prevail. That’s probably Auston Matthews and the Giants. Boston wins 6-3.
LEBRUN: Sarnia can score with the best teams in the league, but can it keep the puck out of its net? The blue line is diminished from what it once was and goaltenders other than Kuemper have been inconsistent. Not exactly the combo you want against a team that can come at you in waves. The Giants get the edge because their top offensive players are that special. Boston wins 7-3.
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PLAYOFF FESTIVITIES AROUND THE LEAGUE:
Rain City Bitch Pigeons
The Playoff Plaza Party presented by Pepsi begins at 3:30pm featuring live music and fan activations such as airbrush hats, cotton candy, inflatables, gaming truck, Kids Zone and more. All fans who attend Game 1 will receive a Pigeons Gold t-shirt, and there will be additional activations from Pigeons partners Icee, Nestle, and Pizza Pizza.
Long Beach Ice Dogs
The Smash Car will make its debut in Long Beach for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans will have the opportunity to take a hit at the car, painted in Rain City’s team colors, with a sledgehammer in exchange for a small donation to the Ice Dogs Foundation.
Laval Nomads
The Nomads have partnered with the City of Laval in celebrating playoff season by installing light pole banners on streets surrounding their home ice arena. In addition, all fans attending Nomads playoff games will be given a special Red & Blue playoff rally towel upon entering the building through the turnstiles.
Shawinigan Vikings
Prior to Game 1, a celebration will be held in front of Shawinigan’s home ice arena to kick off the 2025 Playoff series against the Manhattan Supermen. This celebration will include music from DJ Paulie D, giveaways and photo opportunities with John Tavares and Filip Forsberg beginning two hours ahead of puck drop. Fans can fuel up at Vikings Tap and Kitchen or Stammer’s Hall before the game. During this time, Main Street will become a car-free zone for fans to gather.
Antigonish X-Men
The X-Men will host a special open practice on Monday morning featuring giveaways, opportunities to win playoff tickets and signed memorabilia, a sign-making station, an appearance by X-Men mascot “Xeno” the mutant beast with glowing eyes. Fans are encouraged to attend all X-Men practices throughout the playoffs, which are free and open to the public.
Boston Giants
Fans are invited to pick up free Giants playoff lawn signs at the Giants Iceplex Arena beginning Monday, March 24th. The offer is limited to one item per person, while supplies last, during normal store hours. Also, all babies born in Boston during the Giants postseason run will receive a Giants Playoff Babies gift bag.
Sarnia Sting
A brand new bar named “The Hive” has just opened a few steps away from Sarnia’s home ice arena and it will be buzzing with energy every night during the Sting’s playoff run. The Hive has quickly become the most popular spot for Sarnia fans to swarm and enjoy an electric atmosphere, revel in the spirit of the Sting playoff games, sip on handcrafted cocktails, ice-cold craft beers, or favorite classic beverages along with favorite dishes from Stingers Bistro.