2022 NHL Hockey Playoffs: What to Expect

As the 2021 NHL regular season comes to a close, we turn our attention to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Here’s a look at what to expect from this year’s postseason:

The first round of the playoffs will feature the usual 16 teams, with the top seed in each conference receiving a bye to the second round. The first round will be a best-of-seven series, with all games played at neutral sites.

In the second round, the eight remaining teams will be seeded according to their regular season records. Again, this will be a best-of-seven series, with all Games Played at neutral sites.

The Conference Finals will also be best-of-seven series, with all games played at neutral sites.

Finally, the Stanley Cup Final will be a best-of-seven series played entirely at one team’s home arena.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still some uncertainty surrounding the 2022 NHL playoffs However, we can expect the playoff format to be similar to what we’ve seen in recent years So start making your predictions and get ready for another exciting postseason!

The 2022 NHL hockey playoffs are just around the corner. Here’s what to expect.

The NHL hockey playoffs are one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Fans from all over the world tune in to watch their favorite teams battle it out for the Stanley Cup This year’s playoffs are sure to be just as exciting as previous years, with a number of teams fighting for a spot in the postseason. Here’s what to expect from the 2022 NHL hockey playoffs.

The first round of the playoffs is always the most unpredictable, as any team can win on any given night. However, there are a few teams that are expected to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers are two of the favorites to win it all, and both teams are loaded with talent. The Lightning have won the Stanley Cup in two of the last three years, and they will be looking to make it three out of four this season. The Oilers have not won a Stanley Cup since 1990, but they have one of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid. They also have a talented young core that includes Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The other teams that are expected to contend for the Stanley Cup are the Toronto Maple Leafs Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins These three teams have all made deep runs in recent years and they will be looking to take home hockey’s ultimate prize this season.

No matter who you’re rooting for, you can be sure that the 2022 NHL hockey playoffs will be must-see television.

The top teams in the NHL this season

As we approach the end of the 2021 NHL season it’s time to start looking ahead to next year’s playoffs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the teams that are likely to be vying for the Stanley Cup in 2022.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently the top team in the NHL, and they are led by reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov. They are also the defending Stanley Cup champions, so they will be looking to repeat next year. The other top teams in the league include the Colorado Avalanche Vegas Golden Knights Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins All of these teams have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs next year.

So, which teams do you think will be playing for the Stanley Cup in 2022?

The teams that could make a run in the playoffs

As the NHL regular season comes to a close, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of which teams will be in the playoffs and which ones will be watching from home.

There are a few teams that appear to be locks to make deep runs in the playoffs, including the Tampa Bay Lightning Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche. But there are also a few dark horse candidates that could make some noise in the playoffs, including the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators

No matter who ends up making the playoffs it’s sure to be an exciting postseason!

The players to watch in the playoffs

As the 2022 NHL hockey playoffs approach, fans are wondering which players will have the biggest impact on the outcome of the games. With so many talented and skilled players in the league, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just a few. However, there are a few players who are sure to be standouts in this year’s playoffs.

For starters, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is always a force to be reckoned with when it comes to playoff hockey Crosby has helped lead the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships since he joined the team in 2005 and is always a top scorer during postseason play. Crosby will once again be a key player for the Penguins as they look to defend their title in 2022.

Another player to watch is Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers McDavid is considered by many to be the best player in the league and he has already amassed an impressive amount of hardware, including two Hart Trophies as league MVP. The Oilers have not had much success in recent years but with McDavid leading the way, they could make a deep run in this year’s playoffs.

Finally, keep an eye on Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. MacKinnon is one of the most exciting young players in the league and he led the Avalanche to a surprising playoff appearance in 2020. The Avalanche are expected to be one of the better teams in the Western Conference again in 2022 and MacKinnon will be a big reason why.

These are just a few of the players to watch during this year’s NHL Hockey Playoffs With so much talent on display, it should be an exciting and eventful postseason.

The biggest storylines of the playoffs

From the moment the 2021 NHL playoffs start on May 16, all eyes will be on the defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning Will they be able to repeat? Can anyone stop them?

There are plenty of other storylines to keep an eye on as well. The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are both looking to take the next step and win their first Stanley Cup The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are loaded with young talent and will be looking to make a deep run. And don’t sleep on the Florida Panthers who could be a dark horse in the East.

No matter what happens, it’s going to be an exciting playoffs. Here are the biggest storylines to watch for.

The most exciting first-round matchup

In the 2022 NHL Playoffs the most exciting first-round matchup will undoubtedly be between the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins These two teams met in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, with Tampa Bay coming out on top in seven games.

Since then, both teams have made a few changes to their rosters, but they remain two of the best teams in the league. The Bruins added some offensive firepower by acquiring winger Taylor Hall from the Buffalo Sabres The Lightning, meanwhile, added some defensive depth by signing defenseman Victor Hedman to a contract extension

Both teams are loaded with talent and should be able to make a deep run in the playoffs. However, only one team can win it all. Who will come out on top in this highly anticipated matchup?

The potential upsets in the first round

NHL fans can look forward to an exciting slate of first-round playoff matchups this year, with several potential upsets on the horizon.

In the West, the seventh-seeded Vancouver Canucks will take on the second-seeded Edmonton Oilers a team that many believe is a Stanley Cup contender. The Oilers are led by superstar forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the Canucks have been one of the surprise teams in the NHL this season and will not be an easy out.

The fifth-seeded Winnipeg Jets will take on the fourth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in another intriguing matchup. The jets are led by young forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, while the Canadiens have veteran stars Carey Price and Shea Weber anchoring their defense. This series could go either way.

In the East, the eighth-seeded New York Rangers will take on the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last year’s first-round series, which the Penguins won in five games. The Rangers have been one of the most improved teams in the NHL this season and will be looking for revenge against a Penguins team that is once again being led by superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

The seventh-seeded Carolina Hurricanes will take on the second-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in another potential upset matchup. The Lightning are coming off of back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and are once again one of the favorites to win it all, but they will not have an easy time against a Hurricanes team that has been one of the best Defensive Teams in the NHL this season.

The teams that could make a deep run in the playoffs

Each year, a new crop of NHL Teams emerges as potential contenders for the Stanley Cup Some teams are perennial playoff contenders, while others seem to come out of nowhere to make a deep run in the playoffs. So, which teams are the ones to watch out for in the 2022 NHL playoffs?

The Tampa Bay Lightning are always a team to watch in the playoffs. They have one of the best rosters in the league and always seem to find a way to win when it matters most. The Boston Bruins are another team that is always dangerous in the playoffs. They have a deep and talented roster that is capable of going on long winning streaks. The Toronto Maple Leafs are also a team to keep an eye on in the 2022 NHL playoffs They have been close in recent years and could finally break through with a deep run in the postseason.

The players that could be the difference-makers in the playoffs

The NHL playoffs are just around the corner, and there are a few players that could be the difference-makers in the playoffs. Here is a look at some of the players that could be the difference-makers in the playoffs.

Forwards:

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – One of the best players in the world, Crosby always seems to step up his game in the playoffs. He is a proven winner and will be looking to lead the Penguins to another Stanley Cup this year.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers – The young superstar is looking to lead the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup since 1990. He is an elite offensive player and has the ability to take over a game at any time.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs – The Maple Leafs are looking to end their long Stanley Cup drought this year, and Matthews will be a big part of that. He is one of the most talented players in the league and will be looking to carry his team to glory.

Defenders:

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings – Doughty is one of the best defensemen in the world and he always steps up his game in the playoffs. He will be key for the Kings as they look to make a deep run this year.

Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks – The Sharks acquired Karlsson last season with the hopes of winning a Stanley Cup and he could be the difference-maker they need. He is an elite defenseman and will be key for their playoff run.

Goalies:

Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens – Price is one of the best goalies in the world and he always steps up his game in the playoffs. He will be key for Montreal as they look for a deep run this year. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals – Holtby was spectacular for Washington last year as they won the Stanley Cup He will need to be at his best again this year if they want to repeat as champions

2022 NHL Hockey Playoffs: What to Expect