Who’s Still in the NHL Playoffs?
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As the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs wind down, we take a look at which teams are still in the running for the coveted trophy.
Eastern Conference
It’s been a wild NHL playoffs so far. We’ve seen some surprising results, some dominant performances, and some upsets. The Eastern Conference has been particularly interesting. Who’s still in the running for the Stanley Cup?
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 were established in 1992 and joined the NHL in 1993 as an expansion team. The club played their home games at the Expo Hall of the Florida State Fairgrounds until they moved to Amalie Arena (originally the Ice Palace) in 1996.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team has been in existence since 1924, making them the third-oldest active team in the NHL, and the oldest to be based in the United States.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals entered the NHL in 1974 as an expansion team. The Caps have won one Stanley Cup championship, in 2018. They have also won nine division titles and three conference championships. The Caps are currently in first place in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia Flyers
As of the 2019 NHL season, the Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers were founded in 1967 as one of six expansion teams, increasing the size of the NHL at that time to 12 teams.
The Flyers have played their home games on Broad Street since their inception. The team first reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1974–75, losing to the Buffalo Sabres in six games. They returned to tournament play in 1975–76 and won a showdown with the Boston Bruins that ultimately resulted in a berth in the Finals against defending champions Montreal Canadiens. However, they lost that series four games to two. In 1977–78, led by newly acquired center Reggie Leach and goaltender Bernie Parent, they won a franchise record 51 games en route to their second Finals appearance but again lost four games to two – this time against their cross-state rivals, the dynastic New York Islanders.
Western Conference
The Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, and Vegas Golden Knights are the three Western Conference teams who are still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. All three teams have been excellent this season and it should be a great battle to see who comes out on top.
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 City, Quebec, as the Quebec Nordiques in 1972. The franchise moved to Denver in 1995 and was renamed as the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avalanche have won twice as Stanley Cup champions, in 1996 and 2001. As of 2020, they are the only NHL team located in the Rocky Mountain States. They play their home games at Pepsi Center.
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 (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded during the 2017–18 NHL expansion, the Golden Knights are the league’s newest franchise.
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. In 1993, the franchise relocated to Dallas.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blues play their home games at the 19,150-seat Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis. Enterprise Center is the second home arena of the Blues, with the team first playing at St. Louis Arena from 1967 to 1994.
