Preusser's NHL Rundown: The Stanley Cup Playoffs Are Almost Here

(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press AP Photos via baynews9)

The Stanley Cup Finals start next Tuesday and only one division has all top four teams locked in for a playoff run. 

The MassMutual East playoff teams will consist of Washington, Pittsburgh, Boston, and the Islanders. The order of the final standings may shift in the next week or so, but those four teams have clinched a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Washington and Pittsburgh are currently tied for first, but the Capitals have more OTs than the Penguins, which is a stat that might come into play if they stay tied for the home stretch. 

Heading out west, the Honda West division has three of four playoff spots locked in. Vegas, Colorado, and Minnesota have all clinched with St. Louis holding onto that fourth spot at the moment. The Blues are currently five points ahead of Arizona, and I’m thinking that St. Louis will clinch. By next week, I think these standings will stay, so that means Vegas would play St. Louis and Colorado would play Minnesota. If those are the matchups, I would say Vegas and Colorado would win those series (hopefully!). 

The other division with three of four is the Discover Central. Carolina, Florida, and Tampa Bay will advance to the playoffs. I sure hope that Carolina and Tampa don’t play each other in the first round because I want the ‘Canes to advance so we can see Florida and Tampa Bay battle it out, and of course I want Florida to win. I’m not about the back-to-back championships. 

Up in Canada, only two teams have clinched their spots: Toronto and Edmonton. I predicted that Edmonton would end the season in first, but as of now, Toronto is a good amount ahead of them at 72 while the Oilers trail at 64. Winnipeg is at third and Montreal is at fourth which is most likely where they will finish. The fifth spot is Calgary and they are ten points behind them. The Jets and the Canadiens are tied at 57 points, but Montreal has nine OT appearances where Winnipeg only has three. 

After a crazy COVID season, I’m excited to get to watch some playoff hockey (even if my beloved Blackhawks are out). I still hold true to my prediction that Colorado will take it home, but one thing I know for certain is there’s nothing like the Stanley Cup Playoffs!