The 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the excitement is palpable! Fans all over North America are eagerly anticipating the grueling battle for hockey’s most coveted trophy, and you can be sure that the players are chomping at the bit to get started as well. If you’re looking for a way to stay up-to-date on all the action, look no further - we’ve got everything you need right here!
The Bracket
Here’s a look at the playoff bracket, so you can see where each team stands:
As you can see, there are 16 teams competing for the Stanley Cup this year. It’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top, but that’s part of what makes the playoffs so exciting!
The Teams
Let’s take a closer look at each team in the playoffs:
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a historic regular season, finishing with a record of 62-16-4. They were far and away the best team in the NHL this year, but as we all know, that doesn’t necessarily translate to postseason success. Will the Lightning be able to carry that dominant regular-season form into the playoffs?
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 49-24-9. They’re a veteran team with plenty of playoff experience, but they’ll need to be at their best if they hope to make it out of the East.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the most exciting teams in the NHL this season, but they’ll need to tighten up defensively if they hope to make a deep playoff run. They finished third in the Atlantic Division with a record of 46-28-8.
Washington Capitals
The defending Stanley Cup champions finished first in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 48-26-8. They have plenty of scoring firepower, but they’ll need to tighten up defensively if they hope to bring the Cup back to D.C.
New York Islanders
The Islanders surprised many by finishing second in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 48-27-7. They don’t have any superstars on their roster, but they play a disciplined, structured game that could serve them well in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have won the Stanley Cup in each of the past two seasons, and they’ll be looking to make it three in a row this year. They finished third in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 44-26-12. With stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the way, the Penguins will be a tough out for any team they face.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets made a bold move at the trade deadline, acquiring superstar forward Matt Duchene and top-tier defenseman Ryan Dzingel from the Ottawa Senators. They finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 47-31-4, and they’ll be hoping that their new acquisitions can push them over the top.
Calgary Flames
The Flames surprised many by finishing first in the Western Conference with a record of 50-25-7. They have a deep, talented roster that can beat you in a number of ways. If they play up to their potential, they’ll be tough to beat.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks finished second in the Pacific Division with a record of 46-27-9. They have a star-studded lineup led by Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and Erik Karlsson. If their goaltending holds up, they could make a deep run in the playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets finished second in the Central Division with a record of 47-30-5. They have a talented forwards in Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler, and a solid defense led by Dustin Byfuglien. If they can get consistent goaltending, they’ll be a tough out in the playoffs.
Nashville Predators
The Predators finished first in the Central Division with a record of 47-29-6. They have one of the best defenses in the league, led by Roman Josi and P.K. Subban. If they can get consistent scoring, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues were dead-last in the NHL standings on January 2nd, but they staged an incredible second-half comeback to make the playoffs. They finished third in the Central Division with a record of 45-28-9. Led by rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington, the Blues will be looking to continue their unlikely run through the playoffs.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights were the surprise of the NHL last season, making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their first year of existence. They finished third in the Pacific Division with a record of 43-32-7. They have a balanced lineup that can beat you in a number of ways.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche finished eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 38-30-14. They have one of the best lines in the NHL in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog. If they can get consistent goaltending, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
Dallas Stars
The Stars finished third in the Central Division with a record of 43-32-7. They have a solid core of players led by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, and they play a structured, defensive style of hockey that could serve them well in the playoffs.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes finished seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 46-29-7. They have a young, talented roster led by Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, and they play an up-tempo, exciting style of hockey that could give opponents fits in the playoffs.
There you have it - a quick look at each team in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Who will take home the Cup? Only time will tell - but one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an exciting few weeks of hockey!
