Solid performance, good way to wrap it up.
Unless Tampa somehow only manages to pick up a point or less from @ CBJ and @ NYI AND the Bruins win out, it'll be Bruins-Canes once again
Just go ahead and give Tampa two points against Columbus. Unless Tampa is icing their AHL team, the Jackets kids won't have a chance.
Regardless, fuck the NHL's trash format.
Our reward for having one of the two best records should be to play one of the clear two worst-performing regular-season teams. Particularly when those teams reside within our own division, and when they make divisional play a huge component of all this
I'm happy the Caps made the dance, but I have minimal expectations for the team. I hope the Washington players feel similarly free and just play some good playoff hockey. One oddity that may work in the Caps favor: they have the best road record in the NHL at 25-9-6. They'll have to be playoff road warriors if they want to pull any upsets and advance.
Otherwise, I'm rooting for the Canes in the East. I'd like to see the Avs, Flames, Wild, and Oilers make the second round in the West.
Once the matchups are finalized, I'll make a Bracket Challenge for the thread!