The Chicago Blackhawks backed their way into the eight and final playoff spot in the Western Conference by failing to beat the Detroit Red Wings, leaving their fate in the hands of the Dallas Stars. With a Stars win, every team in the Pacific Division would have been playing for the Stanley Cup, but Dallas couldn’t get past the Minnesota Wild. So Chicago is in and Dallas is out.
Only true hockey fans can fully understand the NHL points system, let alone how more than half of the teams in the league can go to the playoffs after an 81/82 game season. But for those of us that get, we love it and love this time of year. So here are the match ups for the first round of playoff games.
#1 seed Washington Capitals vs. # 8 seed New York Rangers.
During their regular season series the Rangers beat Washington 3 out of 4 games.
#2 seed Philadelphia Flyers vs. #7 seed Buffalo Sabres.
The regular season series was tied at two games each.
#3 seed Boston Bruins vs. #6 seed Montreal Canadiens.
A classic match up that should produce some great hockey. Montreal took the season series 4-2.
#4 seed Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 seed Tampa Bay Lightning.
The regular season series was tied at two games each.
#1 seed Vancouver Canucks vs. # 8 seed Chicago Blackhawks.
The regular season series was tied at two games each.
#2 seed San Jose Sharks vs. #7 seed Los Angeles Kings.
The regular season series was tied at three games each.
#3 seed Detroit Red Wings vs. #6 seed Phoenix Coyotes.
The regular season series was tied at two games each.
#4 seed Anaheim Ducks vs. #5 seed Nashville Predators.
During their regular season series the Nashville beat Anaheim 3 out of 4 games.
The first games start on Wednesday. Enjoy the ice show everyone!
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Teams decided, Round One Matchups Set for NHL Playoffs, the Chase for the Stanley Cup
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