Ten events I don't want to see in this year's NHL playoffs:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins playing in the first round
Anyone but the Bruins. That's my mantra for the Maple Leafs. Weary of that Bruins. Let's freshen up the Maple Leafs-can't-get-out-of-the-first-round tale. It would actually be good for the sport if the Maple Leafs could survive the first round
2. Marc-Andre Fleury sitting on the bench in the postseason
No matter how well Cam Talbot plays down the stretch, I want Fleury in the net for Game 1. Just in case he is going to retire, I want to see one last playoff run. I assume that will happen, but you can't be sure. There is plenty to like about the Minnesota Wild's playoff chance. This is a big, tough team that can score plenty of goals. If they get exceptional goaltending, they have a chance to win it all.
3. A shortage of overtime games Don't understand fans who complain about NHL games going too late into the net because of overtime. I know you have to work. But overtime playoff games are one of sports' greatest gifts. The playoffs are only two months are you team probably won't get to the Stanley Cup Final anyway.
4. The Vegas Golden Knights on the sidelines Many around the NHL don't like the Golden Knights because of they way they manipulate their salary cap. It's all within the rules my friends. We need Vegas in the playoffs. Too much talent to sit on the sidelines. I think they have a shot to win. Imagine what this team will be like when they add injured Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Reilly Smith to the playoff roster.
5. Connor McDavid gone after the first round Leon Draisaitl, too. The Edmonton Oilers' managerial failure over the last several years has deprived of seeing these superstars in enough important games. We've seen Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane win Stanley Cup. How many important games have we seen McDavid and Draisaitl play? 6. No major officiating blunders
Too many times officiating becomes a focus in the postseason. Maybe it's inevitable because the human element of officiating is never going to be perfect. Humans make mistakes. But why does it have to happen at inopportune times in NHL playoff games. 7. The Tampa Bay Lightning to be an easy out Would like to see them make a charge at a third consecutive title. And I don't like how they are playing right now. Don't look like the Lightning we know and the playoffs are around the corner.
8. Cale Makar and Roman Josi taking their foot off the gas.
Both of these defensemen have had amazing offensive seasons. Makar has 24 goals and 75 points. Josi owns 19 goals and 84 points. Of course checking will be tighter, but it would be fun to see them continue to run and gun in big games, like Paul Coffey did in the 1980s.