Despite the fantastic play of the top teams in either conference, it is hard to guarantee that the two top teams from each will even make it past the first round. As past match-ups in the postseason have shown us, upsets do happen, and it is quite possible that a hot St.Louis Blues – if they take eighth place in the West from Nashville – could upset the first seeded San Jose Sharks who may take too much comfort in first place. Likewise, the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference may fall to the eighth seeded New York Rangers or Florida Panthers, two teams that have picked up their game in order to clinch the final spot in the East. As many NHL faithful will have you know, the regular season stats can mean nothing come playoff time, and the giants on top can fall to the little teams down below.
With the closing of the regular season on Sunday, April 12th – a day that may decide the fate of a few playoff-hopeful teams, and the match-ups of those who have already clinched a spot – the playoff season finally begins. The intensity of play has picked up toward the end of the season and will no doubt continue into the post-season. The playoffs will display some of the best hockey fans can see, as teams will battle in best of seven series’ – a schedule that allows the teams to learn each other’s tactics and develop grudges, two integral ingredients to a great series. So as the regular season gives way to the playoffs in two weeks time, prepare yourself for the best sporting event of the year!