With the NHL regular season coming to a close on April 10^t, it's time for some teams to look towards the draft, and others focus their gaze on the ultimate prize: the Stanley Cup. Fourteen of the thirty didn’t quite make the cut this year, and sixteen will throw their hats into the ring for the coveted trophy. The Stanley Cup is, in my opinion, the most challenging trophy to win in the major sports. The NHL Playoffs are something completely different from the other major sports, and it is an incredibly entertaining stretch of competition for the viewers. That being said, lets take a look at some interesting storylines heading into the playoffs.

LOL At Canada

This just makes my heart happy, but for the first time since 1970 no Canadian NHL team will be in the playoffs. I’m still bitter over the Canadian’s two lucky wins in the Olympics, so screw the Canadian teams. #USA

The Washington Capitals

This team has blazed their way through the regular season, clinching the Presidents' Trophy when they still had five games to play. Will this be the year Ovechkin can finally get a ring? Or will they crash and burn in the playoffs? Either way it will be an interesting story to follow in these playoffs. Shout out to the very fair-weather fan base of the Caps, y’all enjoy this while you can. I still remember Ovechkin getting booed on his home ice, so your “die-hard, passionate fan” masquerade won’t work on me. I will say I’d be incredibly happy for Oshie if they did win. Love that guy.

Slumping Blackhawks

The defending champs are quite the conundrum currently. Kane is still doing his thing, rookie Artemi Panarin is a new phenomenon, and Crawford stays consistent between the pipes. Despite these positives, they are having some issues. Slumping in standings over the longer month, Duncan Keith’s stick smacking incident, and the slowing of the potent offense is starting to raise some eyebrows. Despite all of these, I have a hard time picking against this team, because they just become a completely different monster come playoff time. Honestly it might take another Superman-like effort from Kane (best playoff player in the NHL, along with Lundqvist) to propel them through the first round, but if they get that momentum going, watch out.

Final Thoughts

Lets talk about a couple teams to watch going into the playoffs. The Kings are ever dangerous, because if Quick gets on his game the rest of the team becomes immediate contenders. Young goalie Gibson for the Ducks has been hot, and he could crumple or shine come playoff time. St. Louis is still looking to have those playoffs where they can string together some wins, and they have the team to do it, but will they suffer an underwhelming early exit again?

Dallas is a team that’s leading the West, and their offense is unbelievably dangerous. Back East, the Florida Panthers are interesting as a team. I really cannot read if they are actually dangerous moving forward, or just a fad behind the ageless wonder of Jaromir Jagr. The Penguins are white-hot, but will goaltending be their Achilles again?

No matter what happens going forward, I hope y’all enjoy the playoffs!