What NHL Teams Are In The Playoffs 2021?
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It’s that time of year again! The 2021 NHL playoffs are just around the corner. Here’s a look at what teams are in and what to expect.
NHL Teams
The NHL playoffs are an annual tournament featuring the top teams from around the league. This year, the playoffs will begin on April 11 and the Stanley Cup will be awarded to the winner of the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the teams that are in the playoffs this year.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Lightning have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2004.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, headed by Ted Leonsis. From 1974 to 1997 the Capitals played their home games at the Capital Centre, in Landover, Maryland. In 1997 the team moved to the arena now called Capital One Arena, their present home arena in Washington’s Chinatown neighborhood. The Caps have won one Stanley Cup championship in 2018
The first professional hockey team based in Washington, D.C., wasthe Washington Eagles of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), which played at Uline Arena from 1935 to 1942 and again during the 1945–46 season after World War II. The team did not finish their season on either occasion due to financial difficulties and relocation attempts; first to Brooklyn, New York in 1942 and then to Norfolk, Virginia in 1946.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Golden Knights are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team began play in the 2017–18 NHL season, and is the first major professional sports franchise based in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights play their home games at T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Avalanche were founded in Quebec as the Quebec Nordiques in 1972 as one of the initial four WHA expansion teams. The franchise joined the NHL in 1979 as a result of the NHL–WHA merger. Following the 1994 players’ strike, ownership changed hands three times; in 1995, Patrick Roy, team captain at the time of their two Stanley Cup victories, led a group that purchased the franchise from Ascent Entertainment Group and subsequently relocated it to Denver; in 2000 he was traded to the Avalanche.
NHL Playoffs
The NHL playoffs are an elimination tournament held after the conclusion of the NHL regular season. The Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, is awarded to the playoff champion at the end of the Playoffs. The playoffs are contested by 16 teams, 8 from each conference.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2021 NHL playoffs. The Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and they’ll be looking to repeat this year. The Blue Jackets are a dangerous team, however, and they’ll be looking to upset the Tampa Bay squad. This should be a great series between two very good teams.
Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins
The Washington Capitals are set to take on the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2021 NHL playoffs. The Capitals are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and they will be looking to repeat as champions this year. The Bruins are one of the top teams in the league and they will be a tough opponent for the Capitals. This should be a great series between two of the best teams in the NHL.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Vegas Golden Knights: The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team began play in the 2017–18 NHL season, and is owned by Black Knight Sports & Entertainment, a consortium led by Bill Foley and the Maloof family.
Minnesota Wild: The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference. The Wild are owned by Craig Leipold and play their home games at Xcel Energy Center.
Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues
The Colorado Avalanche take on the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2021 NHL playoffs. The Avalanche are the top seed in the West and are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs after falling short last year. The Blues are a dangerous team and will be looking to upset the Avalanche. This is sure to be a great series between two evenly matched teams.
