Too Hot to Handle: Playoff Hot Takes

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A few weeks ago, this season’s top teams took to the ice to play each other in contention for the NHL’s ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup. Though the Stanley Cup Playoffs happen annually, this year’s postseason is like no other.

None of the American “Original Six” teams made the cut. The Florida Panthers are looking to repeat their big win Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are hoping to reverse their fate and get out of the same position they were in last year. The Winnipeg Jets are pushing to continue their winning record. The Maple Leafs are wanting to put their long-standing curse behind them for good. The underdogs in the running, such as the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, are looking to make their names synonymous with hockey glory.

With all sorts of action taking place, here are some top hot takes of the playoffs.

Washington Makes a Run in the East

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Yes, the Eastern Conference is deep–and the reigning champion Panthers are favored to repeat.

Though everyone is betting on the Panthers, the Capitals shouldn’t be slept on. They not only led the Metropolitan Division, but the entire Eastern Conference in points this season with 111. They’re also no stranger to winning, having won their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2018.

This season, captain Alex Ovechkin is scoring goals. He already secured the record for most career goals, and it looks like he isn’t stopping soon. The mix of veteran talent with years of valuable experience and young talent who have stepped up to the plate make the Capitals a threat. Additionally, the Capitals have the home-ice advantage in the first round, which is a plus.

The Montreal Canadiens Find Their Grit Again

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For the first time in four years, the Montreal Canadiens have returned to the playoffs in a wildcard spot.

Back in 2021, the Canadiens also barely qualified as the wildcard spot in the North Division. Not expected to amount to much, they were pinned against the favored Maple Leafs for a classic rivalry in what was supposed to be a quick series. However, the Canadiens shocked everyone. Just when it looked like the Leafs would win, the Canadiens came back and obliterated the Leafs in Games 5, 6 and 7.

In the next round, the Canadiens swept the Winnipeg Jets. In the third round, the Canadiens were expected to lose to the dominant Vegas Golden Knights. But, once again, the Canadiens shocked everyone, beating the Golden Knights in six games and advancing to the Finals.

Much has changed for the Canadiens since then. Both their coaching and player rosters have changed tremendously. Still, the Canadiens proved they can rally under pressure and defy the odds. Could this be the year the Canadiens find their spark again?

A 2022 Rematch

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2022 was a crazy year for playoff hockey. The Tampa Bay Lightning almost accomplished a three-peat, doing what they could to cement their name as the best hockey team of the decade. However, the Colorado Avalanche owned the show. Since then, both teams have performed decently in the regular season, but struggled in the postseason.

Until now.

The Lightning sat comfortably in second place in the Eastern Conference, while the Avalanche were in third in the Western Conference, with both teams totaling 102 points. Both have played well during the regular season and are continuing to look strong. Though the Lightning are facing the reigning champions in the first round and the Avalanche are playing the rock-solid Dallas Stars, both teams are known to show up and show incredible grit when it really matters. Both teams making the finals is a definite possibility.

Vegas Cruises to the Finals

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This past season, the Western Conference had enough drama to probably have their own reality TV show. However, despite it all, the Golden Knights still managed to come away with a 110-point season.

Besides having an exceptional regular season, the Golden Knights also have an easier path to the Finals than most of the other teams. They play the Minnesota Wild in the first round, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t beat them. In the next round, they’d either play the Los Angeles Kings or the Edmonton Oilers, which could be tough. But again, the Golden Knights have a better record than both teams.

With all the drama in the West, it’s highly likely that everything could change on a dime. Even if they were to face the Winnipeg Jets, who have the best regular season record in the league, the Jets have not been able to prove they can continue winning in the playoffs.

Overall, it's highly likely that the Golden Knights could have a smooth sail to the finals.

Edmonton Gets Eliminated in the First Round

Courtesy of the New York Times

What?! The team with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard winner and the Conn Smythe winner not making it out of the first round? Huh?!

Hear me out.

In this round, the Oilers are playing the Los Angeles Kings. During the regular season, both teams had pretty similar records–with the same number of wins. However, the Oilers have more losses. Even though the Oilers boast about having players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, they seem to be struggling in the first round. The Oilers lost the first two games, and both those losses have been far behind. Even if they were to make it out of the first round, it seems unlikely that they’d be able to stand up to any of the other Western teams far beyond that.

Though it’s early, it’s already evident that this year’s playoffs will be a wild ride, pulling fans along with every turn. It will be interesting to see how many of these hot takes become truths throughout the summer!

Edited by Jenna Mandarano