The first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins tomorrow.
The postseason is an exciting time as teams begin their quest to be the last one standing come early June.
Who will be hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2014?
There are plenty of teams with “Cup or Bust” aspirations, including the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks finished the regular season with a franchise-record 54 wins and won the Pacific Division for the second consecutive season. Anaheim will look to redeem itself against the Dallas Stars after bowing out to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round last season.
The Eastern Conference features the President’s Trophy winner Boston Bruins. The Bruins’ reward for having the best record? Playing the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. The Original Six matchup will be a highly contested series as the Red Wings come into the playoffs red-hot.
California will be a war zone as the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings will do battle in a rematch of last year’s playoff series. The Kings squeaked by the Sharks in seven games.
Patrick Roy leads a resurgent Colorado Avalanche squad that is making its’ first playoff appearance since the 2009-2010 season. The Avalanche will have to deal with the tandem of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter as the two Americans lead the Minnesota Wild into the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will go against each other as the Blackhawks will get back Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as they begin their Stanley Cup defense.
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins look to erase memories of last year’s embarrassing playoff exit when the Bruins swept them out of the Eastern Conference Finals. Pittsburgh will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round.
As Canada’s lone team, the Montreal Canadiens will fly well south of the border for a visit with Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The New York Rangers hope that Martin St. Louis can find his scoring touch as they will entertain the Philadelphia Flyers in a tough first round matchup.
Who will advance?
The staff here at Pucks of a Feather give their predictions on who will move on from Round 1.
Now it’s your turn. What are your predictions? Vote below:
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