The Playoffs are set now for sure. 16 teams have earned their way into the dance. Some of those teams were better at the beginning of the season, while others who missed are unquestionably better now. The four 5th place teams, in my opinion, are good enough to be playoff teams, but started off too slowly...
The Stars, Flames, and Rangers are all legit. The Coyotes you can make a case for..
Each team, given the chance in a 4 v. 5 playing best of three, would have a legit chance. Two teams I feel would win.
I would take Calgary over Montreal (or Winnipeg even).
I would probably take Dallas over Nashville...although it would be a HELL of a series with both teams playing very well.
I would NOT take the Rangers over the Islanders, but that is more due to the Isles having just dominated the Rangers. I would give the Rangers a puncher's chance against the other three teams in the East in a best of three.
I would NOT take Arizona over St. Louis....The Blues just have too much experience...
In this covid shortened season this play-in series was really a luxury the NHL wasn't willing to gamble on....However, I feel this is coming once we see normalcy and a 32 team join next season...
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