NHL Playoffs 2022: Exciting Storylines and Matchups Await in the Quest for the Stanley Cup
The NHL playoffs are set to kick off this weekend with multiple series starting on different days. The reigning champions, the Florida Panthers, will not be defending their title this year. The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, are making their second consecutive appearance in the final, hoping to secure their first Stanley Cup victory. Several teams in the playoffs are seeking their first championship, including Buffalo, Minnesota, Ottawa, and Utah. The field includes six teams that did not make the playoffs last year, with the Penguins and Flyers making a comeback after a few years of absence. Seven coaches have guided their teams to the playoffs in their first season in charge, adding an element of fresh leadership to the postseason. A notable statistic is the number of players who have played over 1,000 regular-season games without winning the Stanley Cup, with Colorado's Brent Burns leading the pack. The Presidents' Trophy winner has not won the Stanley Cup in 13 years, and the Sabres hold the longest playoff drought in NHL history. Several U.S. players who won gold at the Olympics are now vying for a double championship year in the NHL playoffs. The Sabres have 21 series victories in their franchise history, with Montreal and Boston leading in the number of playoff appearances. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby is close to surpassing Jaromir Jagr in career playoff points, while Philadelphia's Rasmus Ristolainen finally makes his playoff debut after playing 820 regular-season games without a postseason appearance.