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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on which series we're most looking forward to.
Todd Cordell
For me it is Boston vs Toronto and I'm not sure it is close.
I think both are top-5 teams in this league and have legitimate shots at coming out of the Eastern Conference, and contending for the Stanley Cup, if they can get by one another.
What's most fun is how evenly matched they appear to be. They posted matching 26-10-5 records in the 2nd half of the season, they're extremely deep up front, they have excellent goaltenders, and their power plays have been dynamite over the last couple months.
There really isn't much separating the two sides so it should be a great series. The rivalry only adds to it.
Jared Crozier
I am probably in the minority, but I am actually looking forward to the Jets and Wild series.
The Atlanta-Winnipeg franchise has never won a playoff game let alone a series, and now they are one of the favorites to take the West and maybe even the Cup.
They get a bit of a break by facing what I think is the weakest team in the playoffs, the Wild, especially given their injury woes and it is a good opportunity for the Jets to make a statement ahead of a probable second round showdown with the Predators.
Adam French
I have to go with Maple Leafs vs Boston. Though this is tough because I can see a murder fest brewing in the Sharks vs Ducks series. As well as the allure of the Penguins vs Flyers matchup. Their past few series, while different teams, were...batpoop crazy.
Despite this, I still go with Leafs vs Bruins. Both teams have very strong groups of forwards. Both have guys who can start some "antics" in Marchand/Backes/Chara and Kadri/Komarov/Martin. Both have goalies that can be elite on any given night. The Leafs have one of the hottest PP's in the league and Boston has a great PK.
I think it has the potential to be a fun series to watch for people who aren't fans of either squad. Which ultimately is what you want in a playoff series. Every year I long to tune in to the drama of Caps vs Pens, it's glorious even as a Penguins hater and OV apologist who doesn't love the Caps. Leafs and Bruins have that vibe. There's just so much skill on both teams.
Mark Paul
It's tough to choose any series outside of the Pittsburgh/Philadelphia series for the best rivalry match-up in round one. The Penguins beat the Flyers all four times this season and scored five goals in every game. Pittsburgh hasn't exactly shown an affinity for low scoring games themselves, so this series has all the makings of a high-flying, high-scoring affair.
The Bruins/Leafs series has a lot of Toronto fans talking about revenge. While a few players remain for the 2013 game seven collapse, the structure of the Leafs is far different than five seasons ago. These teams match-up so well because while Boston has their top line that no one can touch in Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak, the Leafs have all sorts of depth from top to bottom. If any series has the potential to go seven games, it's this one.
Probably the most underrated series of the first round will be the Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild. Two teams that the American media don't talk about it, despite the Jets being legitimate Cup contenders and the Wild a dark horse to come out of the West. This could be the fastest and most exciting first round match-up too!
Peter Tessier
The most underrated rivalry here in the first round is the Jets and Wild. These teams do not like each other. It's like a battle of prairie wasteland grifters. No one really cares about them until you have to deal with them. The Jets and Wild will get heated, it will be harsh because that's the only way the Wild can win.
This series has all the makings of a possible Goliath dealing with a wounded David and it won't disappoint.
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