Well, April 8th brought us a step closer to what to expect for the NHL Playoffs, with the Ottawa Senators punching their ticket in. And it shows us, once again, why you play all 82 games. Nobody thought the Senators would end up in the NHL Playoffs, and now, this well-balanced hockey team is ready to prove its season was no fluke.
Speaking of which, another team in the Eastern Conference just got another step closer to sneaking in. That team being the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs won yet again, this time against the flailing Detroit Red Wings, a team that’s once again on the cusp of an unprecedented collapse.
So, now that the Canadiens look like they’re in full control of the second wild card, who will they play in Round 1 if Game 82 occurred last night?
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Caps moved one step closer to snagging the No. 1 overall seed in the East, winning the Metropolitan Division just days after Alexander Ovechkin set the all-time goal record. But, we’ve gotten to the point where it would be foolish to underestimate Montreal.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
The Maple Leafs could finish as low as third as only a few points separates them from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. But if Toronto wants to get the best of the Sens, they need to stay hot because Ottawa is cruising into the playoffs with a purpose.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
Most NHL fans might be rooting for Toronto to win the division outright for two reasons. One, so they can get up to seven ‘home games’ vs. the Senators, and two, so we can see an intense in-state rivalry go head-to-head.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
The casual fan may scoff at this one, but when one does their research, they’ll know that this potential matchup is anything but bland. Yeah, maybe it would be more intense if the ‘Canes still played in Connecticut as the Whalers, but this series will nonetheless bring fireworks.
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild
This one might be the 4-0 sweep if you were going to make an educated guess. Nobody can score consistently on them and the Wild have yet to score consistently all season. Yeah, that’s not going to bode well should this matchup manifest.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are the Western Conference’s version of the Senators. In other words, if the Golden Knights give them any leverage, expect the surprising Blues to take it. Note, that if the Blues were in the Pacific, they’d be battling for a top-three spot.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
As each day passes, we’re priming ourselves for what might be the most entertaining series of the bunch thanks to two players and you know who they are. Can Winnipeg just win the Central Division already so we can lock in this matchup?
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Sooner or later I’m going to have to make a pick since this matchup is almost a lock unless something dramatic happens. And sorry, Oilers fans, but as it stands, I have more faith in the Kings.