Stanley Cup Final predictions for Lightning vs. Stars

But the Lightning have shown they can deal with defensive teams in these playoffs, defeating the Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins and Islanders.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Victor Hedman, Lightning William Douglas, staff writerConference finals record: 0-2Overall record: 9-13PICK: Stars in 7WHY: The Stars have team of destiny written all over them, overcoming an abrupt coaching change during the regular season and goalie Ben Bishop being deemed unfit to play for much of the playoffs to prosper in the postseason. If Tyler Seguin (two goals, six assists) can get on track offensively and Khudobin continues his superb play, Dallas will win its first Stanley Cup since 1999.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Anton Khudobin, Stars Tom Gulitti, staff writerConference finals record: 1-1 Overall record: 12-10 PICK: Lightning in 6WHY: Tampa Bay has been on a mission after being swept by the Blue Jackets in the first round last season and is 12-4 over the first three rounds of the playoffs, after going 2-1-0 in the round-robin portion of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. The Lightning's depth has been tested without center Steven Stamkos, who has been unfit to play in the postseason, and Point missing two games in the conference final against the Islanders, and they've been undeterred.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Victor Hedman, Lightning Pete Jensen, senior fantasy editorConference finals record: 1-1Overall record: 11-11 PICK: Lightning in 6WHY: This was my Stanley Cup Final prediction in October, and I'm sticking with my winner from back then. This is Tampa Bay's year.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Brayden Point, Lightning  Shawn Roarke, Senior Director of EditorialConference finals record: 1-1 Overall record: 7-15PICK: Lightning in 7WHY: The Lightning are the best team in the postseason and they have proven they can be disciplined and patient to beat a defense-first team like the Stars, who are cut from the same cloth as the Blue Jackets, whom Tampa Bay defeated in five games in the first round, and the Islanders, whom they defeated in six games in the conference final. They're 8-2 in one-goal games, including 5-1 in overtime games.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Victor Hedman, Lightning David Satriano, staff writerConference finals record: 2-0 Overall record: 13-9PICK: Stars in 6WHY: Having picked the Stars to defeat the Lightning in the preseason, I stuck with that matchup for the playoffs and here we are. Expect that to continue as Dallas wins the Cup for the first time in 21 years.CONN SMYTHE WINNER: Miro Heiskanen, Stars Dave Stubbs, columnistConference finals record: 1-1   Overall record: 13-9PICK: Lightning in 6WHY: I picked Tampa Bay as my Stanley Cup champion before the puck dropped on this surreal 2019-20 season and that's not changing now.