Despite No Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup Playoffs Still Very Enjoyable
By Trevor Weldy
The Chicago Blackhawks’ run of modern dominance came to an end this season after failing to make the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean the postseason isn’t still fun.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Chicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs in the 2017-18 season. Why it happened is still something we’re trying to figure out.
Perhaps their high level of play finally caught up with them. Players lacked explosiveness, even if healthy. After years of watching some of the best hockey of this generation, fans had to watch a team that seemed to have no urgency. Had they made the playoffs, this effort probably would have meant another early-round exit.
Perhaps there was some complacency. Three Stanley Cups in such a short time is not a luxury that is regularly enjoyed in this game. Some of the greatest hockey players to ever play have never even made it to a Stanley Cup Final. Maybe winning three in that fashion led the team to let off of the gas. Again, that trait would have just meant another early exit from the playoffs.
Whatever the problem may have been, the Blackhawks simply didn’t get the job done this season. That being said, there is still great hockey being played this post-season. Even though Chicago isn’t in the running this year, there are still plenty of stories to follow in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Let’s look at the teams still playing into the summer.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Vegas Golden Knights
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Vegas is probably the easiest team to root for and follow of the remaining playoff teams. Their roster was made up of little-known prospects and castaway veterans coming out of the expansion draft. Somewhere along the way, though, those prospects began to hit their stride and mesh perfectly with their veteran leaders.
Veterans like James Neal and David Perron led the charge early on, setting the tone for the franchise. Many of the young guys followed suit: Jonathan Marchessault finished with 75 points in 77 games; William Karlsson transformed into “Wild Bill,” a human highlight machine who led the team in points and provided some of the nastiest goals we’ve seen this year.
Winnipeg Jets
It’s difficult to justify rooting for a divisional rival, but Winnipeg offers many reasons as to why you should. Defensively, they are led by a former Blackhawk. Dustin Byfuglien regularly brought the UC crowd to their feet with massive body checks. Byfuglien remains very much the same player in that aspect, but now he carries a leadership role with the Jets as well.
Along with that, they are just flat out fun to watch. They have several of the games best young players in Patrick Laine and Mark Scheifele as well as an entertaining goalie in Connor Hellebuyck whose antics and game preparation embody every stereotype of a goalie.
I’m convinced this is the best team remaining in the Stanley Cup playoffs, despite being down 0-2. Overall, I don’t think there is a team that is as skilled, as deep or as experienced as this group. On defense, they are led by Victor Hedman. He is surrounded with one of the most skilled and experienced units in the league along with a solid young goaltender in Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Offensively, the team is loaded with speed and scoring ability. The emergence of Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde helps relieve pressure on Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. In addition, they have perhaps the most experienced bottom six in the league.
Washington Capitals
In shaking their second-round curse, the Caps have looked very dominant. They possess a solid core that has played together for nearly a decade. Mix that with the skill of Evgeny Kuznetsov, the consistency of T.J. Oshie and reemergence of Braden Holtby. And, though his actions are questionable at times, it doesn’t hurt to have a guy like Tom Wilson on your side either.
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The biggest reason to root for the Caps, though, is Alex Ovechkin. He is one of the leagues most flamboyant and lovable characters. Winning a Stanley Cup would cement his legacy as one of the best of our generation – maybe even of all time.