The NHL playoffs are upon us. The playoff schedule was announced late in the morning and the first round is slated to start on Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning are the favorites to win it all after one of the most impressive regular seasons we have seen, but the NHL playoffs are always a wide open affair. Let’s get into it.
The chase is on. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ha3bIbSyGT
— NHL (@NHL) April 7, 2019
Tampa Bay has home ice advantage throughout the playoffs for the second season in a row, but upsets always abound in the playoffs. The Lightning were knocked off by Washington, the eventual Stanley Cup champions, in the Eastern Conference finals last year, and the Capitals are looming as their biggest threat once again.
THIS. TEAM.
These boys earned their 62nd win of the year to tie the @nhl record for most wins in a single season, set by the Detroit Red Wings in 1995-96.
What a crew. ⚡️ #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/3mMeI9tg1U
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 6, 2019
Speaking of the Lightning, Tampa Bay tied the NHL record for wins in a season yesterday against Boston. The Lightning have only one Stanley Cup in their history, and they are the favorites to hoist the cup once again.
Oh hi there. #Preds | #StandWithUs pic.twitter.com/c6CKBNkXJV
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 7, 2019
Nashville clinched the Central Division on the final day of the regular season. The Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 last night, and they will host the Dallas Stars in the playoffs starting on Wednesday.
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill has announced that Head Coach Phil Housley has been relieved of his duties.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 7, 2019
The end of the regular season doubles as a dark day for coaches that missed out on the playoffs, and it didn’t take long for some teams to make changes. After a red hot start to the season, the Buffalo Sabres parted ways with head coach Phil Housley on Sunday.
The @FlaPanthers have fired head coach Bob Boughner two years into a three-year contract. The Cats won 80 of their 164 games with Boughner on the bench.https://t.co/YJW6ZyzUqU#FlaPanthers #OneTerritory
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 7, 2019
Bob Boughner and the Florida Panthers have gone their separate ways too. Boughner was the team’s coach for two seasons, but their failure to make the playoffs in either season led to his dismissal.
TOP STORIES
- 2019 NHL Playoffs Bracket: Matchups, Schedule as Chase for Stanley Cup Gets Underway | Sports Illustrated
- Lightning won 62 of 82 games. But they aren’t invincible. Here’s who can beat them in the NHL playoffs. | USA Today
- Predators can hoist another banner at Bridgestone Arena after winning Central Division | Tennessean
- Sabres fire head coach Housley after two seasons | TSN
- Florida Panthers Relieve Head Coach Bob Boughner of Duties | NHL
