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The Brackets are Coming! The Brackets are Coming!

Prepare Well

4/15/2023 • Chuck McMinn

West leading Colorado taking on the Anaheim Ducks. Splitting the series, the Mighty Aves coasted into the playoffs going 3 & 7 at the end. Fans are hoping this isn’t a sign of things to come. It has been well known they can turn it up a notch whenever they want. I am sure they are looking for redemption on last year's performance. The Ducks also limped into the last playoff opening by 1 point. Going 4 & 4 in close games but losing their last 4 gives them a chance at the Cup.

The Pacific leading Knights have also split with the Flames. One big difference…this was a high scoring match up. The last game left Calgary with a bright red face in a 6-0 shellacking. Vegas enters the plays with a 5 & 2 for their last 7. Calgary limps in with 6 straight losses and only 2 wins in their last 10.

Kings-a-Kraken

After a dismal start 4 & 12 start, a few mid to late season moves, The Kings come in playing well riding a 6 game win streak. Seattle has a 5 & 2 record in their last 7. Both teams play has been looking good. The Match up between the Kings and Seattle has been very close with a split and only 1 game being more than a 1 goal differential. Look for a great series here.

Hawks versus the Jets could be the matchup of the West. Two games were played at season end resulting in a split. The ownerless Hawks, well what can you say…there is no human error. How many times have we seen that ownerless team take you 7 games? Having dealt All Star Goalie Hellebuyck, Winnipeg was still able to maintain a good pace. The Jets ended the season on 5 & 5 note.

Who is the Beast in the East?

The Panthers (yes you know how cats take control of our lives) get the nudge by tie breaker. Matching up with the Buffalo Sabres in round 1, Florida took the series 3 to 1. The Sabres had a good run down the stretch with a 6 & 1 record to end the season. Losers of their last 2, the Panthers ended the season 7 &3.

The other half has the Leafs Matching up, dare we say it, against the red hot Habs. Leafs went 6 & 1 to finish including beating Montreal. The Habs finished the season 9 & 2. The season series was split. For the numbers, see Deep dive article!

Losing their final 3, The Metro leading Devils went 5 & 5 to end the season. Facing off against the N. Y. Rangers who also went 5 & 5 with 2 losses to end. The season series was a split but it seems like last season. Rumor has it Igor is out for the playoffs.

And Finally the Canes vs the Jackets who split the series with the Canes taking games 3 & 4. The Jackets lost their final game but won the previous 5. The Canes, winners of their final 3 went 6 & 4 to close it out.

There you have it, close matchups all around. Choose wisely!