The NHL Playoffs began yesterday, Saturday, April 20th. I’m writing this while waiting for the Rangers game at 3 pm. I’m going to talk about my two favorite and my two least favorite teams who will be battling it out.
My Favorites
New York Rangers: Duh, I’m a Rangers fan so of course my favorite team to win the cup is the Rangers. All bias aside, I do think the Rangers have a great shot at the Stanley Cup this year.
Artemi Panarin has been on fire this season and playoff Igor Shesterkin is going to lock down the goal for the next month. I think the Rangers’ first-round matchup against the Capitals should be a layup, but I guess only time will tell if they can compete for a championship.
Edmonton Oilers: I don’t know how, but somehow the Oilers will find themselves back in the Western Conference Finals and will make their way to the championship. They may not look like a championship team but I have two words for you… Connor McDavid.
McDavid elevates the players around him and I think that one of these times they’ve got to hit their stride at the right time, that time being the playoffs. I think if McDavid keeps up his level of play from the regular season, the Oilers are serious contenders.
My Least Favorites
New York Islanders: I don’t think this team can compete in the playoffs. I think it is too large of a gap in talent between them and the other playoff teams. Especially their first-round drawing of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Yeah, Ilya Sorokin is a great goalie, but you can’t win games without offense. As we saw yesterday in game one of the series, the Isles are going to have a hard time creating offense against the Canes.
Vegas Golden Knights: The Vegas salary cap manipulators are not very popular with fans this year with their questionable maneuvering around the league-enforced salary cap. I also think they are just not a good hockey team.
They choked a commanding division lead after the all-star break and ended up having to battle for a wild card spot. I think they will be a first-round exit.
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