The NHL Playoffs begin tomorrow as the next part of the long season kicks in, and once again the Buffalo Sabres fans are on the outside looking in, trying to find their own rooting interests.
The Bruins play the Leafs in a series that Sabres fans are hoping both teams lose. Also, will the Lightning finally fulfill their potential and actually win the Stanley Cup, or will we have to suffer the ignominy of watching the Penguins lift the trophy yet again? Also, what of the Capitals, are we going to see Alexander Ovechkin get knocked out early once again?
In the West, the upstarts Golden Knights surprised everyone to win the division, but can they cap off a memorable opening season by going all the way? The Predators swept all before them during the regular season to lift the President’s Trophy, but will they be able to replicate that form during a long, grinding playoff season like they did last year?
All playoff series are best-of-seven with a 2-2-1-1-1 format favoring the higher seed, with the puck dropping tomorrow in the first series.
Who will represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals?
| Washington Capitals | 29 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 7 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 27 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 73 |
| New Jersey Devils | 2 |
| Boston Bruins | 24 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 8 |
Who will represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals?
| Nashville Predators | 83 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 2 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 13 |
| Minnesota Wild | 0 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 29 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 6 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 6 |
| San Jose Sharks | 20 |