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Reasons to root for each team still alive in the playoffs;Wed's Buzz |
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If your team didn't qualify for the playoffs or was ousted in the first round, here is a reason to like each of the teams still alive in the postseason:
Practical Choice
Colorado Avalanche
Everyone who knows anything about hockey understands how talented this Colorado team is. Fans, media, players, your pastor, your wife's cousin, the person who cuts your hair knows this is the team to beat.
Late last summer, they became the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Nothing really has changed. Odds shifted here and there. But Colorado was mostly considered the favorite all season.
Nathan MacKinnon. Cale Makar. Mikko Rantanen. These are thoroughbreds. If you like to saddle up a frontrunner, and ride it hard, then this is the team for you.
Underdog Choice
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are the only franchise among the eight remaining teams that has no Stanley Cup championship in their history. Before downing the Washington Capitals in the first round, they had not even won a playoff round since 1996.
Not much good has happened for this franchise over the past couple of decades. Fans haven't supported the team because the team hasn't been successful.
This is team that needs an extended playoff run to create visibility for hockey in South Florida. The last time they won a playoff series in 1996, the Panthers went all the way to the Stanley up Final.
Old School Choice
Calgary Flames
The Flames are challenging to play against. They are a bigger, hard-checking team that knows how to kill penalties effectively and win faceoffs. They give offensive teams little room to operate.
Coach Darryl Sutter is the face of the team. He is as old school as station wagons and chicken-fried steak. He looks like the grumpiest coach in Western Civilization. He's not really all that bad. But he's a no-nonsense guy coach who likes his players to bring that attitude to every game.
He's a Western Canadian farm boy and he brings that attitude to every team he coaches. He believes hard work is the key to a bountiful harvest. The Flames usually reflect his message.
Defense Is King Choice
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes led the NHL in goals-against average in the regular-season. They are allowing 2.86 goals per game in what has been a high-scoring postseason.
They fore-check opponents with a wolfpack ferocity. Their defensive group is one of the NHL's very best.
If the NHL awarded the Rod Langway Trophy for the best defensive defenseman, Jaccob Slavin would be a multiple-winner by now. He eats opposing forwards, devours their ability to make plays. In this postseason, he is +10 in seven games. Slavin has two goals and six assists for eight points.
Historical Choice
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are trying to become the first team in four decades to win three Stanley Cups in succession. The last time a team accomplished that feat was when the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980 to 1983.
It would certainly be monumental if the Lightning could win their third. It would be something to tell your grandchildren. This is a crazily difficult feat, especially now when there are 32 NHL teams. It is much harder to make the playoffs than it used to be.
People's Choice
Edmonton Oilers
If you appreciate talent and want to see the NHL's most dynamic player throughout the playoffs, then the Oilers are for you.
We need to see Connor McDavid play into June. It's amazing the plays McDavid can make at high speed. When he breaks down the ice, it's like a rocket launch.
It's unfair to hockey fans across North America that McDavid had only played 21 playoff games before this season. Thanks to the Oilers winning a Game 7 game against the Los Angeles Kings, he's up to 28. He has 14 points in seven games this season and 14 goals in his 28 career playoff games. He's reason enough to root for the Oilers.
Sleeper Choice
St. Louis Blues
The Blues won the Stanley Cup three years ago, but no one was talking about the team this season. They had four defensemen injured in the first round. They switched goalies in the first round.
This is the best team no one is talking about. They are a different team than the one that won the Cup.
But Craig Berube is still the coach and they still have players who understand the art of winning in the playoffs.
Original Six Choice
New York Rangers
The Rangers are the only Original Six team still standing. Madison Square Garden. Memorable jerseys. Legions of followers. A century of history.
This is venerable franchise with a fresh collection of young talent. Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox are leading this next generation of Rangers heroes. Their rebuild is ahead of schedule. This team has enough talent and gusto to make a run.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
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