NHL predictions: Will Avalanche repeat? Experts make their picks for the 2022-23 season

Recent NHL seasons have been all about the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021 and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final last season.

But now that the Colorado Avalanche have ended the Lightning's reign with a six-game victory in the Final, can they start their own run?

Four USA TODAY Sports staffers predict that the Avalanche will win the Central Division and three had them going to the Final, but none had them repeating.

USA TODAY's Mike Brehm, Jace Evans and Jimmy Hascup and For the Win's Mary Clarke weigh in on NHL awards and division and Stanley Cup winners.

Here are their 2022-23 predictions:

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL season 2022-23 predictions: Experts mixed on Stanley Cup winner