You should have put the fact that you expected each team to win their divisions. Would have saved me some time.

Chicago being a large market might be a big deal for the sport normally, but the league also really wants to showcase it's superstars. Edmonton has two of the biggest. The NHL would also love for those guys to be introduced to the casual fan who only watches the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This match up is a win/win for the NHL.

I mean, Pittsburgh isn't exactly the biggest market in the world, but if you don't think the league absolutely loved a young Crosby and Malkin showing off their game against much larger cities, man, I think you'd be mistaken. They ate it up. They arguably saved the whole franchise!

This is the same deal. This is their new Crosby and Malkin. I'm not saying that they'll succeed like those two, let alone have their HOF careers, but they are both elite talents of their generation. This is the equivalent all the same. They are fast, clever, skilled, slick, and fun to watch. The NHL would have no problem with Edmonton making a name for themselves in the playoffs.

Don't buy into some malarky conspiracy that the league wants Chicago to win before the puck even drops.

Oh, and I think Edmonton has no problem in this round. I think they'll be just fine. Then again, this is hockey. That Jackets beat the Lightning last year. You can never be 100% certain. Instead, I'll go 80% Oil on this one.

I don’t think we will see the playin round in 40 days. That’s July 25th. Camp doesn’t open until July 10th. I highly doubt we see any meaningful games until the 2nd week of August

Hawks were nowhere near the playoffs and the Oilers were getting out shot 2:1 and 3:1 in the final games before the shutdown

This idea that these teams are juggernauts or something is ridiculous media hype...Oilers had a ridiculously good power play that kept them in it and that is all. 5 on 5 they were still one of the worst teams in the league. Hawks were just a run of the mill non-playoff team
- flashfire

From New Years Eve on (when they called up Yamo and were able to ice 2 scoring lines), the Oilers were 17-8-5; good for 6th in the league during that time. In those games, the team had 107GF and 88GA (84-77 at even strength) and were between 48 & 49% in CF, FF, SCF and HDCF measures.

Hawks in 4

I think their PK(which kept getting better this season) is able to contain the Oilers PP, as long as that’s the case the Hawks should be okay. CHI is the better team 5v5 and still have a few key pieces with playoff experience. Also getting de Haan back will be a big boost to the depth on the blue line.
- SimpleJack

Appropriate name

Both teams are fodder to lose in the 1st round no matter which team wins the play ins. The bigger question is which players on both teams will rise to the occasion.
Will the stars be stars?
Who besides stars will step up & shine?

Hawks in 4

I think their PK(which kept getting better this season) is able to contain the Oilers PP, as long as that’s the case the Hawks should be okay. CHI is the better team 5v5 and still have a few key pieces with playoff experience. Also getting de Haan back will be a big boost to the depth on the blue line.
- SimpleJack

Let me say not a big fan of this tournament .Don't think it should qualify as a Stanley Cup playoff .Starting 5 months after the season ended, is hardly a post season .
If the NHL did mange to get this farce off the ground then I do believe the HAWKS have a very good chance to advance by Edmonton for the reasons stated above . How do I feel about that ,well winning will take them out of a top ten pick facing steep odds to proceed any further .Hoping they lose if not in the equation ,so I will cheer for the Hawks to win this Mickey Mouse Cup and if they lose in 3 straight no big deal . HAWKS in 5

Ek, are you planning to do another article with another player in mind? Jack Eichel? Or did you do that already?

Hope Chicago wins...McDavid will demand a trade. Can’t blame him.

From New Years Eve on (when they called up Yamo and were able to ice 2 scoring lines), the Oilers were 17-8-5; good for 6th in the league during that time. In those games, the team had 107GF and 88GA (84-77 at even strength) and were between 48 & 49% in CF, FF, SCF and HDCF measures.
- MaximumBone

When you need to cherry pick stats between certain dates that tells you everything...Oilers were one of the worst 5 on 5 teams in the league this season.

McDavid puts up 100 points and is a minus player...Drai barely above water. Maybe that can beat the 12th seed but I don't see it as a recipe for playoff success.

Appropriate name
- LordHumungous

You....m-m-m-make me happy! 😂😂😂

A 35g 81 pt season is horrible and he rebounded????

A 35g 81 pt season is horrible and he rebounded????
- BluemanGuruu

Come on guys. Give Ek a break. It's possible that the last time he watched a Blackhawks game was 2017-18. Toews only had 52 points that year and was a minus player for the first time in his career. So he has rebounded from that. This year he also had the big distraction of possibly being traded with Keith for Doughty. All 3 guys had NMC's, but it was probably a huge worry, according to sources.

A 35g 81 pt season is horrible and he rebounded????
- BluemanGuruu

This was my first thought as well. Toews was exceptional last season.

Jason Botterill