Stanley Cup playoffs begin on April 19. The Winnipeg Jets are the NHL's top overall seed, having finished the regular season with the most points in the standings, and the Washington Capitals earned the No.

Fans, media and statistical models are all giving their takes and projections, but what do people inside the league think?

USA TODAY's Jason Anderson, Mike Brehm and Jace Evans provide their predictions for the Stanley Cup Final teams, the NHL champion and the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP: Stanley Cup Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Colorado Avalanche