It is playoff hockey time in the NHL and you better get your popcorn ready. The intensity of NHL action gets turned up to 11 once the postseason starts. The battle of attrition begins on Tuesday and the schedule was officially released at 11 p.m. EST following Ottawa’s win in Boston.
The NHL playoffs are the opposite of what has taken place in this abbreviated season. They are a long and grinding set of games where familiarity truly breeds contempt. Rivalries are born and certainly renewed in every round. The traditional handshakes at the completion of each series brings and end to one season and the continuation of another.
Like any tournament, placement entry is earned through merit. The regular season becomes exactly that: regular. Playoff hockey brings about something in the men competing that far exceeds regular. The hunger to win rivals the skill between the boards as the most crucial component for victory.
There is no discriminating between who has lifted Lord Stanley’s cup and who yearns for their first championship. Every victory is earned and every loss bitter. Legends are born and history is made in the playoffs.
Every team wants the cup. It is the goal for each team going into each season. Getting to the playoffs is the first hurdle. Once you get in everyone has a chance. Just ask the 2012 Los Angeles Kings. The eighth seeded Kings took down three division winners on their way to their first Stanley Cup. Hunger and determination brought Los Angeles the glory. Here are five teams that will need to show similar desire to reach their goal.
5. Washington Capitals
The impressive run to the Southeast Division title was topped by the (re)ascent to the Richard Trophy by Alexander Ovechkin. As Ovechkin goes, so go the Capitals. The determination down the stretch by the entire team will carry over in to the Capitals’ series against the New York Rangers. The fourth meeting in the past five years will go to the team that wants it more. The Rangers might have more talent on paper, but we’ll see who wants it more.
4. Minnesota Wild
As surprised as we all were that Minnesota landed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last summer, it was more surprising that they almost choked themselves out of the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. All you have to do is get into the dance, and anything can happen. The Wild drew the top seeded Chicago Blackhawks and their resolve will be tested immediately.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
The pressure is on the Penguins to validate all of the moves made prior to, and at the trade deadline. Ray Shero proved to be the sharpest general manager with all of his wheeling and dealing, but it will be for naught if Pittsburgh falls short. Expect to see an intense and driven Penguins team in this postseason.
2. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have played like a team that believes that it has the pieces in place to successfully defend their Stanley Cup. It hasn’t been done in 15 years, but the talented Kings return almost the entire team that lifted the fabled trophy last summer. They won’t sneak up on anyone this time, and will certainly have a bulls eye on their back. However, they know what it takes to get the job done, and will be in the mix as the playoffs unfold.
1.Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are getting healthy at the right time and return to the postseason looking to put the 2012 playoff behind them. Last year’s President’s Trophy winning team was humiliated in the first round with a loss to the eighth seeded team. The Canucks could take solace knowing that the Los Angeles Kings went on to win the Stanley Cup. However, with a coach on the hot seat, a pair of aging twins and a pair of world class goaltenders, the Canucks are chomping at the bit to get their 2013 playoff campaign underway.