Today was to be the day: Puck drop on the best time of the year. Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The round would have seen some classic series ā and maybe some overtime thrillers and huge upsets.
We may still get the first night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but if you look at the standings when the NHL stopped play after March 11 ā yes, four weeks ago ā we would have had Edmonton and Calgary lined up to play in the first round and against each other in the playoffs for the first time since 1991. That was a seven-game thriller that ended on an Esa Tikkanen overtime goal.
Oh, and how about a Battle of Pennsylvania with the Penguins and the Flyers?
Tampa and Toronto would be an interesting one. So would Winnipeg against Vegas, with two of the best atmospheres in hockey.
Yes, it was set up to be an amazing spring on the ice.
Hopefully it sets up to be a great summer because Iād love to be able to stay up late watching a third overtime period rather than catching up to Tiger King.