Stanley Cup Playoffs: 3 most exciting matchups in the play-in round

Which play-in round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the most intriguing?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature 24 teams this year. To sort things out, a play-in round will take place. This round will feature best of five games series to determine which teams get to make it to the playoffs.

There are plenty of exciting contests but these three stand out the most and will be the most fascinating match-ups to watch.

3. Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers

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These two teams are built very similarly and are a sign of the NHL’s new era of speed, speed, speed. Both teams score a lot of goals and it will be a very offensive-filled match-up. The Hurricanes average 3.2 goals per game while the Rangers score 3.3 a night.

Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen are young and establishing themselves in the NHL while Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad are veterans that are trying to maximize their chances while their windows are wide open. Will Petr Mrazek re-find the magic from last year’s postseason or will the Rangers’ three-headed monster of Igor Shesterkin, Alexandar Georgiev, and Henrik Lundqvist prevail? This will be a very exciting series to follow.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

This is a match-up of ice and fire. The Blue Jackets are a very tight defensive team that doesn’t score too much while the Maple Leafs are a high-octane offensive power that puts defence to the side. Which style of hockey will prevail?

Columbus doesn’t have a single player on their roster with 50+ points this season. The Maple Leafs have four. The Blue Jackets’ team save percentage is .915 while the Leafs are not even close with a .904.

John Tortorella has always coached his team to be strong defensively and clog up the neutral zone. Sheldon Keefe on the other hand is known for encouraging his defensemen to join the rush and the cycle while having forwards man the point. Both teams have completely different approaches and it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top.

1. Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl vs. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. A new era faces off against the old dynasty. Do the veterans have what it takes to shut down the young superstars? This is the most exciting match-up in the play-in round and it’s not even close.

In the playoffs, the stars always get the most attention and coaches do whatever it takes to shut down their opponent’s stars. The Blackhawks have two very strong defensive forwards in Toews and Brandon Saad and if they can shut down McDavid and Draisaitl with the help from Corey Crawford in net, it could give Patrick Kane the chance to run wild on the ice.

The Oilers added more winger depth before the trade deadline and if Dave Tippett decides to split up his two superstars it could spell trouble for Chicago. The way the Blackhawks choose to defend Edmonton’s stars and the opportunity to see Patrick Kane in the playoffs again make this series a must-watch.