NHL Playoffs Schedule, Storylines and Predictions

Good morning and happy Monday, April 17th.

It’s officially the best time of year — the NHL playoffs begin tonight! 🎉

Btw, do you want these? 👇

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Champ Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2)

First game: Monday, April 17: Panthers at Bruins

Story: The Bruins set new NHL records for wins (65) and points (135) while the Panthers got into the playoffs on the final weekend of the season.

Forecast: Panthers will make the Bruins work hard to win in six.

Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A3)

First game: Tuesday, April 18: Lightning at Maple Leafs

Story: Rematch of last season’s first-round matchup. Tampa Bay didn’t play well down the stretch, losing eight of its last 12 games.

Forecast: Tampa Bay won a Game 7 last season against Toronto. Maple Leafs will return the favor this season

New Jersey Devils (M2) vs. New York Rangers (M3)

First game: Tuesday, April 18: Rangers at Devils

Story: The two teams are 14 miles apart, but haven’t met in the playoffs since the 2012 Conference Finals.

Forecast: Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin will be the difference in a tight series. Rangers in seven games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Champ Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Seattle Kraken (WC1)

First game: Tuesday, April 18: Kraken at Avalanche

Story: The defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche have been undermined by injuries. Gabriel Landeskog won’t play in postseason and Cale Makar isn’t definite for Game 1.

Forecast: Avs know what it takes. Colorado in five.

Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)

First game: Monday, April 17: Wild at Stars

Story: Numbers tell the story. The Stars were 2-0-2 against Minnesota this season and were 10-2-1 in their last 13 games.

Forecast: Dallas coach Pete DeBoer is 3-0 in first-round series when he is with a new NHL team. Stars in five

Pacific Champ Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Winnipeg Jets (WC2)

First Game: Tuesday, April 18: Jets at Golden Knights

Story: The Golden Knights set a new team record with 111 points to earn the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Forecast: Vegas forward Jack Eichel is playing in the postseason for the first time in his eighth season. Look to lead Vegas to a five-game triumph over the Jets.

Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (P3)

First game: Monday, April 17: Kings at Oilers

Story: The Oilers are the hottest NHL team going into the playoff, finishing the regular-season with a nine-game winning streak. The Kings lost three of four meetings against Connor McDavid and Co. this season.

Forecast: Edmonton is the trendy pick to win it all. Oilers in six.

⭐️ Injured Captain Patrice Bergeron (upper body injury) may not be ready to play Monday when the Boston Bruins play Game 1 of their opening round playoff series against the Florida Panthers. He did not practice Sunday after leaving after the first period of the Bruins’ season finale against the Montreal Canadiens. Per playoff tradition, the Bruins aren’t providing much information about Bergeron other than to say the decision will be made Monday after the morning skate. When GM Don Sweeney was asked whether Bergeron was dealing with injury or illness, he said it was a “little bit of both.”

✌️ The Minnesota Wild is the only NHL team entering the playoffs with a tandem approach to goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury played 45 games this season and Filip Gustavsson has logged 37 appearances. Don’t think for a minute that makes Fleury the No. 1 goalie. Gustavsson has started 16 out of the team’s last 28 games. This isn’t a rotation. Coach Dean Evason makes his goalie decision every game about who he thinks is the best choice. Coaches like to have one starter for the playoffs, but Evason hasn’t committed to that. He said he’s fine with sticking with the tandem. However, he’s also open to sticking with one goalie if someone emerges as a hot goalie. The Wild play Game 1 against Dallas Monday.

Who is the Los Angeles Kings all-time playoff points leader? Bonus: name 2nd and 3rd too.

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TRIVIA ANSWER

Wayne Gretzky is the Los Angeles Kings all-time playoff points leader with 94 postseason points. Luc Robitaille is 2nd with 89 points and Anze Kopitar is 3rd with 70.