This is why the parity in the nhl is the best in pro sports, teams getting in or out with one or two games left in the regular season.
The surprises: the defending champion routine of squeaking into 8th came back to bite them this year. And the Bruins being on the outside looking in was also surprising. They played well down the final stretch ( ok maybe not well but ok) but the sens would not be denied! That and Pittsburg swooning it wasn't clear who would make the cut, the pens have been awful.
There are a lot of good stories, in the east and west. I'm an Easter conference fan so here goes
NYR vs Pitt : rangers easy
Mtl vs Ottawa: I have to say habs but the sens are both our kryptonite and the hottest team in the league
TBL vs Detroit: bolts, semi easy
Caps vs isles: caps in a push
Ducks vs jets: ducks but really close, the peg getting back in after 20 years is a a GREAT story. Pavelec is turning it up.
Preds vs hawks: will be the.most physical nasty 1st round series. Great to feed this rivalry. Hawks
Van vs Calgary: who would have thought the flames get in when gio goes down?not me. I'll take calgary.
St Louis vs minny: another pairing with animus, the blues are my sleeper in the west. They have to go deep sooner or later, an early exit might lead to a blow up.
Out of 8 series, I think only one is a clear live ( NYR pitt) but I'm awful at picking winners. But the playoffs are gonna be great!
The surprises: the defending champion routine of squeaking into 8th came back to bite them this year. And the Bruins being on the outside looking in was also surprising. They played well down the final stretch ( ok maybe not well but ok) but the sens would not be denied! That and Pittsburg swooning it wasn't clear who would make the cut, the pens have been awful.
There are a lot of good stories, in the east and west. I'm an Easter conference fan so here goes
NYR vs Pitt : rangers easy
Mtl vs Ottawa: I have to say habs but the sens are both our kryptonite and the hottest team in the league
TBL vs Detroit: bolts, semi easy
Caps vs isles: caps in a push
Ducks vs jets: ducks but really close, the peg getting back in after 20 years is a a GREAT story. Pavelec is turning it up.
Preds vs hawks: will be the.most physical nasty 1st round series. Great to feed this rivalry. Hawks
Van vs Calgary: who would have thought the flames get in when gio goes down?not me. I'll take calgary.
St Louis vs minny: another pairing with animus, the blues are my sleeper in the west. They have to go deep sooner or later, an early exit might lead to a blow up.
Out of 8 series, I think only one is a clear live ( NYR pitt) but I'm awful at picking winners. But the playoffs are gonna be great!