The season is wrapping up quickly, and before we know it, we will be watching playoff hockey once more. Now I know that the last thing I should be writing about as someone who covers the Hawks is the playoffs, but the hockey fan in me could help but get excited for what the 1st round matchups could be. Most of the teams in playoff spots as of now have around 20–22 games left on their schedule, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, things are going to get interesting. What if the playoffs started today, and what could the matchups look like? Well, thanks to the NHL Europe Instagram account, we have a nice little graphic of how things line up.
At first glance, the Western Conference feels extremely random and, honestly, a bit surprising. I don’t think anyone had the Canucks making the playoffs, let alone in contention for the President's Trophy. Seeing them play the Hawks three times this year, I think they are a fun and exciting team who could really make a decent run. Another team that seems to be defying expectations is Nashville. The first year of the Trotz era felt like a for-sure rebuild season, but they have gotten hot at the right time, and it's paying off. Other than that, I think the teams line up pretty much as everyone expected them to for the Oilers. Personally, I had them winning the President's Trophy and the Cup in my preseason picks, but after the start of the season, it was impressive to see the way they have clawed their way back into contention.
For me, the real entertainment is going to come from the East, and let's hope these matchups stay this way. First, you have the Battle of Florida. It's always a big brother, little brother feel when these two teams meet up. The Lightning are out to prove that they can still be the championship-caliber team they once were, and the Panthers are looking to prove that last year's trip to the Final wasn’t a fluke, and there is part of me that wants to see them win it all.
If you want to talk about a prove-something matchup, Boston vs. Toronto will be a must-watch on TV. We all know the history between these two teams and the curse the Bruins have on the Leafs. Everyone thought Toronto making it to round two last year was finally going to do it for them, and they were going to get their first Stanley Cup in 55 seasons, but we all know how that ended up for them. Maybe what this team really needs is to beat the Bruins in round one to break the curse, and then they can finally end the longest drought in the NHL. Highly unlikely, but hey, Leafs fans can dream, can't they?
The matchup I really want is between the Rangers and the Wings, purely to see how the Kane-DeBrincat-Panarin love triangle plays out under the bright lights of playoff hockey. This could be the second of the original six teams, which is exactly what the NHL wants because when the original six teams are good, it is good for business and viewership.
If these end up being the matchups come day one of the playoffs, which series are you most excited for? Who do you think falls out, and who do you think overtakes one of these teams in the playoff field?
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»