The Second Season: The NHL Playoffs

(Video accessed from The Best of the NHL) 

Yet another regular season has come to an end in the NHL and boy was it a good one. Now as a Leafs fan it wasn't the best of times, but there was still plenty of highlight reel plays and suspenseful games that kept me on the edge of my seat. It is safe to say that this season did not disappoint.

This year had one of the tightest races for the scoring title in recent history. It came down to the last day of the season before we knew who would take home the Art Ross Trophy. Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars eventually won it after beating out John Tavares by one point. This was the first time since the 2003-04 season that no one scored more than 100 points in a full 82-game season. While that fact may be a little disappointing, there was still many players who had outstanding seasons. Vladimir Tarasenko, Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Hammond are just a few examples of guys who had a breakout year. The rise of this new talent can only make us excited for upcoming years. 

Now that the regular season is done teams must either pack up their equipment for the summer or prepare for the playoffs. I unfortunately lost a best to my friend and now have to "cheer" for the New York Rangers. They made it all the way to the finals last year and were the best team in the league this year so they just might have a good chance. The same can't be said about the team they lost to in the finals though (the Los Angeles Kings). They didn't qualify for the playoffs. This is the first time in eight years that the defending champions didn't make it. Canadian fans will be happy to note that five of the seven teams located in the Great White North did make it. This will undoubtedly bring excitement to fans across the county. 

The Stanley Cup

Based on how the regular season ended, one can only assume the playoffs are going to be intense. The last two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference were determined on the last day of the season. This is thanks in large part due to the Ottawa Senators "Cinderella Story". They went on an unbelievable run and fought their way into the playoffs after having a less than impressive start to the season. 

With that being said, any team that made the playoffs deserves to be there. I am just looking forward to seeing the best hockey there is. This is what these men dedicate their lives for. Playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is something every hockey player dreams of and only a few get the chance to do it.