How great was it to have Stanley Cup playoff hockey back!!
Not hockey in a bubble but real playoff hockey in front on crazy fans.
East
The New York Islanders beat the Penguins in 6 games even though the Penguins controlled most of the play during the series. The Islanders system, size and physicality did not allow the Sidney Crosby line to break thru. Evgeni Malkin was limited due to injury. The Islanders skilled forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson capitalized on their chances. Jeff Carter was the only Penguin forward who had both his hands and legs going although Malkin and Bryan Rust had their moments. Major changes are coming in Pittsburgh even though they probably win this series if Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry wasn’t GOD AWFUL and Islander net minder Ilya Sorokin wasn’t sensational.
The Boston Bruins beat the Washington Capitals in 5 games. The Bruins just out classed the Capitals all over the ice. The Perfection was damn near perfect. Taylor Hall scored clutch goals. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy stirred the echoes of great Bruin defensemen of the past. When Washington chose to goon it up Boston fought fire with fire. The Washington Capitals went from Stanley Cup contenders to a dumpster fire in less than a month. Their most dependable goaltender in the series was 39 year old Craig Andersen. Their best defensemen was mid 40s Zdeno Chara. Evgeny Kuznetsov was in the press box. Alex Ovechkin was yelling at his goaltender in Russian. Tom Wilson’s antics were a side show or another s word depending on your affiliations. Changes are coming in Washington too.
The Islanders are a very good team but the Rat and PastaMan will not be pushed around by them. Tuuka rask is not Tristan Jarry. Bruins in 7.
Central
The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Nashville Predators in 6 games. The Predators show more heart in this series than they have in a few years. Predators goaltender Jusse Saros was outstanding. Canes goaltender was even better. Surprise starter rookie Alex Nedeljkovich looked like a 10 year veteran Vezina winner. Carolina captain Jordan Staal was at his best which means big and clutch. Sebastian Aho did what stars do, win games. Hopefully this is the year everyone in hockey recognizes the greatness of Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
The Battle of Florida was worth the wait. No other series combined the scoring and violence as well as this one. Game 1 was a game for the ages. One has to wonder what would have happened in this series if Florida starts Spencer Knight in net earlier or if Sam Bennett isn’t suspended for Game 2 (very questionable suspension). This was not your typical Panther post season no show. The Tampa Bay Lightning are not a typical team. Nikita Kucherov hadn’t played for a year and absolutely dominated. Steven Stamkos didn’t miss a beat either after being dinged at the end of the year. The Bolts just have more firepower than anybody, thanks to some nifty cap work. Can’t wait to watch these teams play again for the next decade.
The Carolina Hurricanes have all the mojo but the Tampa Lightning want to win a Stanley Cup in front of fans. Lightning in 7 
West
The Colorado Avalanche swept the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche’s number 1 goaltender Philipp Grubauer is healthy this year. The Avs have the best line in hockey, sorry Boston. They also have the best player, sorry Connor. The Blues look more and more like 2019 was a one hit wonder.
The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild in 7 games. The Minnesota Wild gave the heavily favored Knights all they could handle. Cam Talbot revived his career in net. Karill Kaprizov is beginning his career by putting the puck in the back of the net. It was nice to see Zach Parise play and contribute in meaningful games as a member of the Wild. It took the Knights another marvelous playoff effort from Marc-Andre Fleury in net and a hat trick from Mattias Janmark to beat the Wild in 7.
The Avalanche are the best team west of Alabama. It will take an incredible effort by the Flower too keep this series close. Avs in 5
North
The Winnipeg Jets swept the Edmonton Oilers. The Winnipeg Jets played HC Paul Maurice’s system to a tee. Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played up to his Vezina pedigree. Mark Scheifele show everyone that even after a lackluster year he’s one of the best centers in the world. Nick Ehlers and Kyle Connor are excellent wingers. The Jets took their foot off the gas at the end of the regular season. It looks like it paid off. The Oilers showed the after Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse they’re just not good enough.
As of this writing the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-2 lead in their series with the Montreal Canadiens. Game 6 is in Montreal with fans in the building for the first time in Canada this season. The Toronto Maple Leaf’s Captain John Tavares’ gruesome injury appears to have galvanized the Leafs. Auston Matthews is playing inspired hockey. William Nylander is scoring. Alex Kerfoot has filled in nicely for Tavares on the second line. Toronto goaltender Jack Campbell has played almost as good as Montreal legend Carey Price. Price and the prideful Habs will not go away easily. To think Montreal didn’t want to use rookie sensation Cole Caufield in this series.
Winnipeg is waiting for either Toronto or Montreal in the second round. Leafs in 6 vs Jets or Jets in 7 vs Canadiens 
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