The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 1

The National Hockey League (NHL) second season is about to begin. Eastern and Western Conference teams each have eight representatives.  Some fans are preparing themselves for four rounds of intense competition while others are awaiting the results of the Connor McDavid Lottery as done by the League’s tumbler.

The alignment from the 2014 bracketing system has not been altered: Round 1 match-ups follow the NHL realignment instituted for the 2013-2014 season. In each conference, there are two confrontations per division as the top three teams are automatically in based on their record with the 4^th ranked team as a wild card entrant thrown in to balance the field. This does prevent those keeping score from being confused, and makes for an interesting playoff race during the regular season.

The Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Round 1 playoff picture does not feature the 2014 President’s Trophy Winners the Boston Bruins this year.  Here is an overview of the match-ups:

Atlantic Division

#1- Montreal Canadiens

#4-Ottawa Senators

-Montreal and Ottawa are among 5 of Canada’s hockey teams to qualify for the playoffs. They are also one of two head-to-head Canadian match-ups in Round 1.

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning*

#3-Detroit Redwings

-The Tampa Bay Lightning hold steady in their division slot from the 2013-2014 season and have Stanley Cup experience with the additions of former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, and Anton Stralman .

Metropolitan Division

#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

#4-Pittsburgh Penguins

- The New York Rangers- among the first to qualify for the playoffs-face the wild card entrant Pittsburgh Penguins, who bested the Boston Bruins for the final playoff spot.

#2-Washington Capitals

#3-New York Islanders

-the American Hockey League (AHL)’s best are highlighted as Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and other Bridgeport Soundtiger alumni on the affiliated New York Islanders can prove themselves against the Washington Capitals, who boast a few successful stars from the allied Hershey Bears franchise(i.e. Brooks Laich, Jay Beagle, Braden Holtby).

The Western Conference set-up is definitely set to crown a new division champion as the 2014 Stanley Cup Champions-the Los Angeles Kings-failed to qualify for the 2015 playoffs. Not to worry though as this side of the bracket has plenty of interesting storylines:

Central Division

#1 –St. Louis Blues

#4-Minnesota Wild*

-St. Louis Blues’ T.J. Oshie can create more highlight reel moments as he and his team play the Minnesota Wild (who retain their 2013-2014 ranking).

#2-Nashville Predators

#3-Chicago Blackhawks*

 -Nashville’s Pekka Rinne should hope for a rare post-season shutout after a great regular season(like he had in the Milwaukee Admirals-Hershey Bears 2006 Calder Cup Finals), but the Chicago Blackhawks have Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane among other offensive threats in their arsenal.  The Blackhawks also have a decent defenseman like Duncan Keith and great goaltending.

Pacific Division

#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks*

# 4-Winnipeg Jets

-California’s lone playoff entrant-The Anaheim Ducks-retain their 2013-2014 conference and 

 division standing,  but face a new wild card opponent in Canada’s own Winnipeg Jets.

#2-Vancouver Canucks

#3-Calgary Flames

-The second of two head-to-head Canadian match-ups in the playoffs sets the Vancouver Canucks against the Calgary Flames.

Final Thoughts: 1-The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers will be intensely personal; 2-New York Islander fans can celebrate their team’s return to the playoffs; 3- Like California the prior year, Canada will have a major presence in the playoffs

Round 1 commences Wednesday April 15^th, 2015.

*Notates any team whose 2014-2015 standing did not differ from their 2013-2014 ranking.