Who Is Still Playing In The Nhl Playoffs?
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It’s hard to believe that the NHL playoffs are already in full swing. But with so many great teams still in the running, it’s sure to be an exciting finish. So, who is still playing in the NHL playoffs?
NHL Playoffs
The NHL playoffs are underway and there are some great match-ups happening. Who is still playing in the NHL playoffs?
Who is still playing?
The NHL playoffs are down to the final four teams. The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators will face off in the Western Conference Final, while the Ottawa Senators and the New England Bruins will meet in the Eastern Conference Final.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the defending Stanley Cup champions, and they are looking to become the first team since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98 to repeat as champions. The Nashville Predators are in the conference final for the first time in franchise history.
The Ottawa Senators are in the conference final for the first time since 2007, when they lost to the Anaheim Ducks. The Bruins last made it to this round in 2013, when they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.
What teams have been eliminated?
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets have all been eliminated from the NHL playoffs.
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup playoffs are underway and the race for the Cup is heating up. There are a few teams that are still in contention and have a chance to take home the coveted trophy. Who are these teams? Let’s take a look.
Who is in the running?
As the Stanley Cup playoffs head into the conference finals, only four teams remain in the hunt for Lord Stanley’s hardware. In the East, it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Washington Capitals, while in the West it’s the Winnipeg Jets vs. the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Lightning and Capitals are no strangers to each other, as they met in last year’s Eastern Conference final. Tampa Bay ultimately prevailed in seven games, but Washington will be looking for revenge this time around. The Capitals are led by Alex Ovechkin, who is looking to add a Stanley Cup to his resume after years of playoff disappointment.
In the other conference final, it’s a matchup of two expansion teams. The Jets are in their second season since moving from Atlanta, while the Golden Knights are in their inaugural season. Both teams have been among the best in the NHL all year long, and they’re both looking to make history by becoming the first expansion team to win a Stanley Cup.
The conference finals are sure to be exciting, so be sure to tune in and see who comes out on top!
Who has the best chance of winning?
The Stanley Cup Playoffs (French: Les Séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley) are an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League (NHL) that determines the winner of the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the player judged most valuable to their team during the NHL playoffs. It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The trophy was first awarded in 1965 to Montreal Canadiens goaltender Lorne Worsley.
Who is the leading candidate?
As the NHL playoffs move into the conference finals, there are a few players who have emerged as leading candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs, as voted on by a panel of media members.
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand is one of the leading contenders. He has been a key player for the Bruins throughout the playoffs, with 19 points in 16 games. He has also been a physical force on the ice, averaging over two minutes per game in penalties.
Another candidate is Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury has been outstanding in net for Vegas, posting a .947 save percentage and 1.68 goals against average. He has also been impressive in big moments, winning three overtime games in the first round against the San Jose Sharks.
St. Louis Blues forward Ryan O’Reilly is another player to watch. He leads all players in postseason scoring with 23 points in 17 games. He has also been strong defensively, averaging over two minutes per game on the penalty kill.
What other players are in the running?
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded “to the most valuable player for his team during the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.” It is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime owner, general manager, and head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was instrumental in organizing the NHL. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 50 times to 42 different players since it was first handed out in 1964.
While goaltenders have won the trophy a total of 20 times, forwards have taken home the hardware on 28 occasions. Seven defensemen have also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, most recently Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. In terms of individual players, Bernie Parent and Sidney Crosby are tied for the most Conn Smythe Trophies, with each winning two times. Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Joe Sakic have all won the award once.
Looking at this year’s field of potential winners, there are a few players who stand out as potential candidates for the award. Forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand have been two of the best players for the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins respectively throughout the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury has been outstanding in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights, while Drew Doughty has been a stalwart on defense for the Los Angeles Kings.