By: Michael Crowder Freelancer
The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs have finally arrived. The brackets for the first round of games are looking to be intense.
Notably, Canada has five qualifiers for the playoffs this year. After being completely shut down in 2016, Canada is looking to challenge American teams at every step of the Stanley Cup’s progression.
The playoffs kick off Wednesday, April 12, with the Boston Bruins vs. Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens games.
The Rangers and Canadiens find themselves locked to play off in the first round.
Both the Rangers and Canadiens are neck and neck with overall wins in the past season. Their injured players are all expected to be in sufficient condition to play in the first rounds of the playoffs.
The Canadiens won the Atlantic Division with their aggressive presence this season. The Rangers managed to be a 100-point team in the Metro Division. Expect to see good hockey as these two teams compete fiercely.
The Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs are following up on April 13.
The Capitals have been a dominating monster of a team, taking the Metropolitan Division this past season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it this far this season, but their cadre of rookie players is looking at an intimidating challenge. The first round will see if the Leafs have it in them to survive the Capitals and continue on into the playoffs.
Another first round of games to note has two long-term rivals butting heads; the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators will face off to eliminate one another right at the get-go.
Nashville was expected to have a breakthrough of a season after acquiring key players such as PK Subban to bolster their team.
Coming against the first-in-Central Division in the first round of the playoffs can spell only a hard time for the Predators. Especially given that the Blackhawks will surely not pull any punches to ensure their rival goes home without the Stanley Cup.
In another notable game, the Edmonton Oilers have ended what was the longest playoff drought in hockey, and will face the San Jose Sharks.
Contact the author at mcrowder12@wou.edu
