The Playoff matchups are Finally Set

Source:NHL

The schedule is finalized and the first playoff games will begin at the same time 7 p.m. ET in Ottawa and Montreal on Wednesday, April 12th. The most exciting part of the season is here and this year five Canadian teams made the playoffs after last year's disappointment of none of the seven Canadian teams making it.

The Biggest surprise is the addition of the Toronto Maple Leafs back in the post season after a four year absence. The Toronto faithful is one if not the biggest Hockey Market in the NHL. 1st round draft pick and American born Auston Matthews has led the way with scoring an impressive tally of 40 goals, the most out of any player in his first year at an original six team. 

Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs making a good run this season, they will have to verse the hottest team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have spent their previous seasons on building a team worthy to finally bring the cup to Washington. Alexander Ovechkin and the Caps are hungrier than ever to win the Stanley Cup. 

The very first matchups on Wednesday consist of the Montreal Canadiens vs the New York Rangers and the other 7 P.M. game is between the Boston Bruins vs the Ottawa Senators. The Rangers and the Canadiens will be squaring off first at the Bell Centre which will be a rematch of the 2014 Eastern Conference Final. The Boston Bruins have made the playoffs after an impressive run with new head coach, Bruce Cassidy. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets will square up against the defending champs in what is seen to be the most even match up on paper. The two head coaches have worked together in New York with the Rangers, so this will be almost a chess game between Mike Sullivan and John Torterella. 

In the West, the Blackhawks finished at the top of the conference and will host the Nashville Predators. The Blackhawks continue to look strong as they have solidified their team with young and veteran talent. Last Years finalist, the San Jose Sharks will verse Conor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers who make their first playoff appearance since 2006.

The other 2 playoff matchups in the west consist of the Anaheim Ducks vs the Calgary Flames, and Minnesota vs the St. Louis Blues.