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As The NHL Nears Towards The Stanley Cup Finals. The Eastern And Western Conferences Begin Their Finals.

  The first and second rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs have concluded. And while there are only four teams that remain, how those four teams got there has been a journey itself. The Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, and the Carolina Hurricanes will face off against each other for the right to represent their respective conferences in the Stanley Cup Finals. Before we dive into the preview, let’s look back at some of the surprises of the first and second rounds. 

First Round

  We’ll begin with the Eastern Conference. First, the series between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres. Entering December, the Sabres were 11-14-4 (26 points). Essentially, they were in last place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division in early December. However, due to a coaching change, Buffalo had a resurging record of 39-10-5 to finish the season, and an overall record of 50-23-9 (109 points). Similarly, the Boston Bruins were 45-27-10 (100 points). The Sabres ended a 14-year playoff drought. The Sabres won the series 4-2. Second, a Metropolitan Division rivalry between the Flyers and Penguins. The Penguins entered this season under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Most fans were surprised the Penguins finished with a record of 41-25-16 (98 points). In contrast, with about a month to go in the regular season, the Flyers odds at making the playoffs were hovering between 3% and 6%. However, due to an impressive 18-7-1 record down the stretch. Philadelphia finished with a record of 43-27-12 (98 points). Ultimately, the Flyers won the series 4-2. Lastly, the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators. This series was interesting. The Hurricanes finished the regular season as the top seed in the conference with a 53-22-7 (113 points). Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators finished with a record of 44-27-11 (99 points). The Hurricanes swept the Senators 4-0.

  Moving on to the Western Conference first round. First, the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers finished the regular season with a record of 41-30-11 (93 points). Edmonton was coming off of back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. In contrast, prior to making the playoffs this year, the Ducks last made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2018 which marked an eight-year drought. To be fair, Oilers captain Connor McDavid was playing through a foot and ankle fracture, which limited his mobility. Anaheim finished with a regular season record of 43-33-6 (92 points). The Ducks won the series 4-2 in an upset. The other series that shocked people was the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. The Stars finished the season with a record of 50-20-12 (112 points). Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild finished the season with a record of 46-24-12 (104 points). Minnesota’s overall play along with a game 4 overtime winner dictated this series. Minnesota won the series 4-2. 

Second Round

  Transitioning back to the Eastern Conference, the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres went down to the wire. Chaos defined this series in various ways. This series was tied on three separate times, games two, four, and six. Meanwhile, the Canadiens lead this series twice. Game six and seven really defined resilience for Montreal who didn’t have home ice. Buffalo won game six 8-3 and heading into a winner take all game seven, Montreal fought with all they had. The Habs won 3-2 in OT to win the series 4-3. Moving back to the Western Conference, The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild faced off against each other. Even with Minnesota’s star-studded roster, the Avalanche won the series in five games. Transparently, the Wild were dealing with a few key injuries including: Center Joel Eriksson Ek, and defenseman Jonas Brodin. Both suffered lower body injuries that sidelined them. Also, Rookie Jesper Wallstedt started 10 of 11 games in the postseason posting .909 save percentage, and 2.77 goals-against average overall. Filip Gustavsson served as the Wild’s goalie in the regular-season. His only start in the playoffs was game two against Colorado. After the Wild were eliminated, it was revealed that Gustavsson suffered a hip injury. 

Eastern And Western Conference Finals

  In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes will face each other. The Hurricanes opened as a -275 favorite. Which reflects how the Hurricanes swept both of their opponents in the first two rounds. As a result, Carolina has had nearly ten days off. Meanwhile, Montreal has been battle tested in each of their first two series. Both of those series went seven games! Lastly, in the Western Conference Finals, the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche will battle it out. The Avalanche opened up as a -275 favorite to win this series as well. They will be without star defenseman Cale Makar he is currently dealing with an upper-body injury. Though the injury is day-to-day. Similarly, Vegas, at least for the start of the conference finals, will be without their captain Mark Stone. 

Who do you have winning the conference championships and the Lord Stanley Cup?!