Whether you’re a fan of dynasties or not, the NHL is not good at producing new Stanley Cup champions. There have only been four different teams to win a Stanley Cup in the last nine years. Personally, I’m a big fan of that storyline; I think it’s cool to see teams reach legendary status. One thing the NHL IS good at though is having different teams make the playoffs every year.
As /u/GFS on Reddit pointed out, five of the eight Western Conference playoff teams last year currently do not own a spot in the postseason as of right now. Those teams are Edmonton, Chicago, Anaheim, St. Louis, and Calgary. Although I appreciate a dynasty, I can also appreciate different teams having a crack at the cup every year. This obviously excludes the Oilers, who I wish would make the playoffs every year for the rest of my life.
If the playoffs started today, the new teams that would be filling spots from last year are Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Colorado. What I look forward to more than seeing new teams in the playoffs are seeing the playoff atmospheres in the different buildings. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a white-out in Winnipeg, and I love watching those types of games.
Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia have taken the playoff spots of New York, Montreal, and Ottawa. Again, this is if playoffs started right now.
Since the Oilers are out of the run, which teams are you looking forward to watching this post-season?
As much as I would love the Oilers to be the Canadian team that brings cup back up north, it would be very fitting for the the Jets to do it.
“Since the Oilers are out of the run, which teams are you looking forward to watching this post-season?”
I’m cheering for Hall and hoping he makes the show for the first time in his life cause he’d be jacked up and it would be fun to watch him. I’ll be watching the Jets because I think they’ve done a great job being patient and building up to this, and the Stastny trade makes me believe that they believe. And I’ll be watching Toronto because I’m jealous and their rebuild makes me realize just how terrible Katz’s rebuild has been
Missing the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons is most certainly an Oilers thing however and the more we ignore this ignoble fact the larger and stronger the OBC grows.
Those white out years were pretty cool. I hope they have a long run in the Peg this year.
Nashville. Love the fan crazy atmosphere and they fill the rink during regular season. Fun team to watch hope they go.
No, it’s not just an Oiler’s thing, but we are the dynasty of missing the playoffs.
Vegas is gonna be interesting. A successful regular season. Can they continue it in the playoffs or will they be Washington West?
How can they be Washington west? They don’t have an Ovie.
Vegas! May even have to make a trip down there to catch a playoff game
I am 100% behind a Penguins three-peat
Go avs
The Jets. Winnipeg is a city very similar to Edmonton, and I would love to see the Jets go on a deep run. I could tolerate that.