The NHL playoffs begin this weekend, with Canadian teams once again chasing a long-awaited Stanley Cup victory.
The opening match sees the Ottawa Senators face the Carolina Hurricanes, with Ottawa coming in as underdogs despite strong recent form.
The Hurricanes finished near the top of the league, but the Senators have risen sharply since March, creating a potentially competitive series.
The Montreal Canadiens meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in another closely watched matchup.
Both teams finished the regular season with 106 points, although Tampa Bay maintains the lead thanks to stronger regulation results and more playoff experience.
The Lightning remain a formidable team with star players and a recent history of deep playoff runs.
However, Montreal’s young core has become a major storyline.
Captain Nick Suzuki reached 100 points this season, while Cole Caufield scored 51 goals, highlighting the team’s growing offensive prowess.
In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers are aiming for a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. With star forward Leon Draisaitl expected to return from injury, Edmonton will look to take advantage.
