The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and fans everywhere are eager to see which teams will be crowned champion. But with so many games happening all at once, it can be tough to keep track of who’s still competing.
As of right now, there are just four teams left in the running: the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights, and Montreal Canadiens.
“The playoff season is always a magical time for hockey fans, ” says longtime sports commentator Jim Nantz. “No matter which team you’re rooting for, the level of intensity and passion on display during these games is truly something special. “
Of course, getting this far wasn’t easy. All four teams faced stiff competition throughout the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs, battling their way through grueling matchups and hard-fought victories to earn a chance at hoisting the Stanley Cup.
If you’re a die-hard hockey fan or simply looking to jump onto the bandwagon as things heat up towards the finals, tune in as these elite squads face off against one another in pursuit of glory – anything could happen!
Eastern Conference Teams
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and currently in the second round. There are still several teams battling it out for a spot in the conference finals.
In the Eastern Conference, there are four teams left in the playoffs:
- Boston Bruins
- New York Islanders
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Carolina Hurricanes
All of these teams have had unique paths to get to this point in the season. The Boston Bruins finished third place in their division but were able to sweep the Washington Capitals in the first round. They now face off against the New York Islanders after a tough six-game series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The New York Islanders also finished third place in their division but managed to take down two higher-ranked opponents – most recently, defeating Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“It’s been an honor playing those guys, ” said Isles forward Anthony Beauvillier on eliminating Crosby and co.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are defending champions and looking to repeat once again. They made quick work of the Florida Panthers before defeating last year’s runners-up, Carolina Hurricanes, in five games.
Last but not least is the Carolina Hurricanes who finished first place in their division during the regular season. Despite coming up short against Tampa Bay, they remain one of the top contenders for this year’s championship.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning is one of the four teams left in the hockey playoffs. They are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning was founded in 1992 and has since won two Stanley Cup championships.During this year’s playoffs, they have started out strong with victories over the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. Their next challenge will be against the New York Islanders.
The Lightning boasts some impressive players including Victor Hedman who leads their defense, Nikita Kucherov who is their top scorer, and Andrei Vasilevskiy who is considered to be one of the best goaltenders in the league.
“Our goal hasn’t changed, ” said head coach Jon Cooper. “We want to win it all and we’ll do whatever it takes. “
The team looks to continue its successful playoff run by defeating the Islanders and moving on to compete for another championship title. As of now, only three other NHL teams remain: Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Islanders.
Overall, as the competition intensifies towards an eventual winner of this season’s tournament, fans eagerly await each game with anticipation for which exciting new events may unfold!Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are one of the teams left in hockey playoffs this season. They play in the Eastern Conference and finished third in their division during the regular season.
With a solid roster, including players like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, the Bruins have played well so far in the playoffs. They defeated the Washington Capitals in five games in round one, and then advanced to face their rival team, New York Islanders.
In the series against Isles, each game has been closely contested with both teams putting up a strong fight. However, despite some tough losses earlier on, Boston won Game 5 of the series at home. That means they’ve got a chance to move onto yet another set of rounds that could determine if they make it all way into finals or end their journey now!
“It’s going to take just about everything we’ve got here, ” said Boston Coach Bruce Cassidy after his team’s most recent win against Islanders. “We’ll enjoy tonight because tomorrow is going to be a day off for our group; I think that’s important. “
If you love fast-paced action and competitive sports competition, keep an eye on Teams who’re still alive in hockey playoffs like Boston as there would be exciting moments ahead!
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are one of the teams that have made it to this year’s NHL playoffs. As a top team in the Eastern Division, they’ll be looking to make a deep run into the postseason.
With star players like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom leading the way, the Capitals are known for their high-powered offense and strong play on both ends of the ice.
However, they face tough competition from other remaining playoff contenders, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, who will also look to advance towards the coveted Stanley Cup trophy.
“The playoffs always bring out some intense matchups between talented teams, ” said Caps defenseman John Carlson. “We’re excited for what lies ahead. “
No matter which team ultimately comes out on top, hockey fans around the world can expect plenty of thrilling action as these elite squads compete for championship glory.
Western Conference Teams
The Western Conference has four teams remaining in the NHL playoffs. These teams are:
- Dallas Stars
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Colorado Avalanche
- Calgary Flames
All of these teams have put up impressive performances to make it this far in the postseason, but only one will come out on top as the conference champion.
The Dallas Stars finished third in their division with a record of 37-24-8 and defeated both the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche in seven-game series to reach this point. The Vegas Golden Knights entered these playoffs as the top seed in the West after finishing with a record of 39-24-8. They swept through the first round before defeating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. The Colorado Avalanche also had an impressive regular season, finishing second in their division with a record of 42-20-8. They eliminated both Arizona Coyotes and defending champions St. Louis Blues from playoffs by winning five and seven games respectively. Finally, we have the Calgary Flames who finished eighth during seasons’ final result. After losing several key players over offseason they made it to last three events overcoming Winnipeg Jets then suffered defeat against Dallas Stars which marked end for them at Quarterfinals.
“It’s important for us to stay focused on our game plan and take things one game at a time, ” says Jamie Benn, captain of the Dallas Stars speaking about how his team is preparing for upcoming matches.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are one of the four teams left in the NHL playoffs. They have made it to the Stanley Cup semifinals and are going up against the Montreal Canadiens.The Golden Knights had a remarkable regular season, finishing with a record of 40-14-2. They were dominant in their division and carried that momentum into the playoffs. Their forward line has been scoring at an impressive rate, which has helped them advance through previous rounds.
In addition to their offensive firepower, they also boast a strong defense led by Shea Theodore and Alec Martinez. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has also been exceptional throughout the playoffs, making key saves when necessary.
Their series against the Canadiens is sure to be intense, as both teams will be fighting for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Golden Knights will need to continue playing at a high level if they hope to come out on top.
“We’re still grateful for everything, ” said captain Mark Stone after eliminating Colorado Avalanche in six games.Overall, the Vegas Golden Knights have proven themselves to be a formidable team during these playoffs. As they face off against Montreal, hockey fans around the world will eagerly watch this exciting matchup unfold.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the remaining teams in the hockey playoffs. They finished first in their division during the regular season with a record of 39-13-4. In the first round of playoffs, the Avalanche swept the St. Louis Blues in four games. In the second round, they faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights and were able to advance after winning in six games. Led by star center Nathan MacKinnon and standout goaltender Philipp Grubauer, the Avalanche have looked like a dominant force throughout this postseason. Their next opponent is yet to be determined as other series are still ongoing. However, fans can expect more exciting and intense matchups from this talented team.If you’re cheering for Colorado to go all the way, make sure to tune into their upcoming games. You won’t want to miss any action!
The Avalanche have had great success so far but there’s no telling what will happen in these last few rounds.
“Playoffs are always unpredictable, ” says coach Jared Bednar. “We need to keep our focus and continue playing at our best. “
The road ahead will not be easy for any team still left standing. For now, let’s watch and see how it all unfolds.
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are one of the four teams left in the NHL playoffs. They finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season, and after a difficult first-round series against the Calgary Flames, they eliminated the Colorado Avalanche to advance to the conference finals.
Their playoff success has been largely due to their strong defensive play and goaltending from Anton Khudobin. Offensively, Jamie Benn and Denis Gurianov have led the way for them with timely goals throughout the postseason.
If they can continue to play solid defense and get production from their top offensive players, they could potentially make a deep run towards winning the Stanley Cup championship. However, they will face stiff competition as they go up against either the Vegas Golden Knights or Vancouver Canucks in the next round.
“We’re not done yet, ” said head coach Rick Bowness after eliminating Colorado. “Our goal is still ahead of us. “
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are one of the teams left in the 2021 NHL playoffs. They have made it to Round Two where they will face off against their divisional rivals, the Vegas Golden Knights.The Canucks had a challenging start to their playoff run as they were underdogs going into their first-round matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champions, St. Louis Blues. However, Vancouver was able to shock everyone and eliminate the Blues in six games thanks to outstanding performances from Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, and Jacob Markstrom.
Now that they have moved on to Round Two, the Canucks must continue playing at a high level if they want to progress further in playoffs. Their series against Vegas is expected to be intense as both squads possess elite talent and have been strong contenders throughout this season.
“We’re excited for what’s ahead, ” said Horvat after eliminating St. Louis. “It’s going to be tough but we believe in ourselves. “
If Vancouver continues playing with confidence and determination, they could very well make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
So far in these playoffs there are only eight teams left vying for hockey’s most coveted prize- The Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, and of course our very own Vancouver Canucks!Who Are the Favorites to Win?
The 2021 NHL playoffs are heating up with eight teams remaining in contention for the title. As we approach the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, it’s natural to wonder which teams will emerge as favorites to win.
One team that has consistently been favored throughout the playoffs is the Colorado Avalanche. Led by superstar Nathan MacKinnon, they finished at the top of the league during the regular season and have continued their strong performance into postseason play.
Another favorite has been the Tampa Bay Lightning, last year’s Stanley Cup champions. Despite some injuries to key players, they have managed to advance smoothly through each round so far thanks to a deep and talented roster.
Meanwhile, fans should not count out the New York Islanders or Vegas Golden Knights. The Islanders swept their first-round series against Pittsburgh before defeating Boston in six games. Their focus on defense and goaltending could propel them all the way to the finals. Similarly, Vegas features a dynamic offense led by Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty along with solid goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury.
“At this point in time, any one of these [eight] teams can realistically win, ” said former NHL player Jeremy Roenick. “It’s going to come down to who gets hot at what time. “
The competition continues to be fierce and unpredictable heading into the later rounds of play. Fans are excitedly waiting to see which team will ultimately lift Lord Stanley’s cup when all is said and done.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning is one of the few remaining teams in the ongoing hockey playoffs. Based in Tampa, Florida, this team was established back in 1992 and has since made a name for itself as one of the top-performing franchises in NHL history.
With some notable players on their roster like Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy amongst others, the Tampa Bay Lightning have come close to winning the coveted Stanley Cup multiple times. They even won it back in 2004 when they defeated Calgary Flames four games to three.
If you’re looking to root for a strong team this playoff season or are just curious about which teams remain before reaching the finals, then we suggest keeping an eye out for how well Tampa Bay performs during these upcoming rounds!
“The playoffs can be intense and sometimes unpredictable but with a solid lineup and great coaching staff guiding them along the way, you never know what could happen. “
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are one of the remaining teams in the 2021 NHL playoffs. Founded just a few years ago, in 2017, they have already made quite an impact on the league.
The team’s success can be attributed to their strong offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as talented players such as Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty.
Going into the Stanley Cup semifinals, the Knights will face off against either Colorado Avalanche or Minnesota Wild. Regardless of their opponent, they are sure to put up a good fight and give it their all for a chance at reaching the final round.
“We’re confident going into every game, ” said Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer. “With this group of guys we have, anything is possible. “
This quote from Coach DeBoer highlights the team’s determination and resilience during these playoffs. They were able to eliminate both St Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks in just six games each – proving that they deserve to be among the top contenders for this year’s championship title.
We’ll eagerly await what the next few weeks hold and watch as teams like Vegas Golden Knights battle it out until only one remains victorious!
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the four remaining teams in the 2021 NHL playoffs. The team finished third in the West Division during the regular season and defeated the St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights en route to the semifinals.
The Avalanche’s success can be attributed to their potent offense, which features superstar center Nathan MacKinnon along with wingers Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. Defenseman Cale Makar also plays a key role on both ends of the ice for Colorado.
In net, goalie Philipp Grubauer has been outstanding for Colorado throughout the playoffs, posting a. 936 save percentage and leading all goaltenders with seven wins.
“We’re happy where we’re at right now, ” said MacKinnon after Colorado’s Game 6 victory against Vegas. “It’s tough to get this far… we gotta make sure we play our best hockey here. “
The Avalanche will face off against either the Montreal Canadiens or the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the semifinals. Regardless of who they play, Colorado will look to continue their dominant performance and bring home their first Stanley Cup since 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams are currently in the NHL playoffs?
As of the writing of this article, the 16 teams in the NHL playoffs are the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild.
Who are the top contenders to win the Stanley Cup?
There are several teams that are considered top contenders to win the Stanley Cup this year. The Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and Tampa Bay Lightning are all strong teams that have a good chance of making it to the finals. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are also teams to watch. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, so it’s anyone’s game.
Which teams have the best playoff record so far?
At the time of writing, the teams with the best playoff record so far are the Colorado Avalanche, who have won all three of their games, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won two out of their three games. However, the playoffs are a long and grueling process, and anything can happen, so it’s still early to tell which teams will come out on top.
What are the chances of an underdog team making it to the finals?
The chances of an underdog team making it to the finals are always slim, but it’s not impossible. In fact, some of the most memorable moments in NHL history have come from underdog teams defying the odds and making it to the finals. It will be interesting to see if any underdog teams can pull off an upset this year.
When will we find out which teams will advance to the next round?
The NHL playoffs are divided into four rounds, and the winners of each round advance to the next. The length of each series varies, but typically a series lasts between four and seven games. It’s hard to say exactly when we will find out which teams will advance to the next round, as it depends on how long each series lasts and when the next round is scheduled to start. However, we can expect to have a clearer picture as the playoffs progress.
How has the pandemic affected the NHL playoffs this year?
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the NHL playoffs this year. The playoffs are being held in a bubble environment, with all teams playing in two hub cities. This means that players are not able to see their families or leave the bubble for the duration of the playoffs. Additionally, there are no fans in attendance at the games, which has changed the atmosphere of the playoffs significantly. However, the NHL has done an excellent job of keeping players safe and healthy, and the playoffs are still an exciting and competitive event.