The NHL takes one step closer to deciding who will raise the Stanley Cup, as the Conference Finals begin tonight.
Four teams from each division make the playoffs. The one seed plays the four, and the two play the three.
The Florida Panthers began the postseason burning hot, putting a premature end to the Boston Bruins’ historic season. The Bruins set a record for wins (64) and points (135) while winning the Presidents Trophy in the process. The Panthers, as the four seed, couldn’t care less and broke the hearts of Boston after a game-seven victory. They then rolled over the Toronto Maple Leafs, and in typical Leaf’s fashion, they managed one measly win in the series. The Panthers matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes beat the New York Islanders in six before a matchup with the New Jersey Devils. This series felt like one we will be seeing for years to come. A matchup of two of the best fan bases in the sport and a sea of red and white is a background you are guaranteed to see while watching. A good series, but spotty goaltending led to a one-sided result. Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes take on Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers on Thursday at 8 pm EST on TNT.
On the other side of the country, the #1 Las Vegas Golden Knights take on the #2 Dallas Stars.
Only missing the playoffs one time in their short six-year existence, the Knights are hungry for the cup. They made light work of the Winnipeg Jets, only letting one game slip away. They stayed in Canada, traveling from Manitoba to Alberta to play the Edmonton Oilers and the best player in the world, Connor McDavid. A back-and-forth series led to a win-or-die game for the Oilers at Rodgers Place in Edmonton. Jonathan Marchessault took over the game with a natural hat trick in the second period. On the other bench not 5 feet away, the best player in the world and one of the best one-two punches we have ever seen in the league felt as if the season was a waste.
“Obviously, when you start a season, you’re in it to win it, and we’re at that stage. If you don’t complete that, just feels like a failure or a wasted year almost. It hurts.” Leon Draisaitl said post-game.
The Stars have had two deep series against the Minnesota Wild and the brand-new Seattle Kraken. They beat the Wild in six after going down 2-1 through the first three ugly games. They then turned it on and though slight hiccups have been playing great hockey. The mighty sea monster couldn’t keep their offense alive long enough to take the series as the Knights took the series in game seven. The Stars will start the series on the road, as they fly to Vegas to start the series against the Knights on Friday the 18th at 8:30. It’ll be on ESPN and ESPN+.
