Best Stanley Cup Final 2017 Matchups

Cue the cliches and bad versions of 'It's the most wonderful time of the year.' I mean, I don't disagree with the sentiment but, lets just move on shall we?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs (mercifully) start tonight and we'll look ahead into the future to rank what I think the most intriguing Stanley Cup Finals match ups would be. This doesn't necessarily mean the best teams playing one another, just those that would be the most compelling to watch for a variety of reasons.

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Defending champs vs. three time Cup champions. Crosby vs. Toews. Kane vs, Malkin. The last two winners. Goliath vs...Goliath. This series would have it all. Unfortunately Kris Letang's absence puts a damper on the odds, and would on the series should it materialise. However, these in my mind are still the two best teams in the league and the quality of hockey, not to mention the star power, would be incredible, and have those at NHL offices salivating. The Blackhawks would cement their dynasty, if they haven't already, and the Penguins would secure their own with a third cup in the Crosby/Malkin era. It's one of the few that has the ability to draw national TV attention across the US as well, given the markets and names involved.  

2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Washington Capitals

The Capitals just can't finish ahead of the Penguins eh? The Caps were the best regular season team in the league again this year winning their second consecutive President's trophy. The Windy City crew had the best record in the west and while this may skew chalk in terms of rooting interest, it would be a great match up nonetheless. For years the 'choking dog' Caps have been, well dogged with the can the Caps finally get over the hump story line? It would no doubt be front and centre. However if ever three was a Caps team built to win, not to mention if they could pull it off against a team with the pedigree of the Blackhawks?  They'd definitely earn the right to shed the choker label. 

3. Edmonton Oilers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Oilers make their return to the post season for the first time since 2006 and their superstar Connor McDavid makes his playoff debut, so the odds of this one happening are definitely way less then our first two. However, Corsby vs. McDavid would have instant star power and intrigue written all over. The best in the game vs. the guy likely to take his place in the not to distant future. McDavid plays out west so this would allow fans in the east to see what they've been missing and lets face it, both of these guys are must see TV. Although they won't contribute much in the way of epic playoff beards. Also, it would be funny to watch them tripping over each other in interviews when the go out of their way to complement the other guy and talk about how great he is, what leadership his shows and...enough already.   

4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens/New York Rangers

A good ol' Original Six rivalry if only for, well, old time sake. The Habs and Rangers haven't won since they did so back to back in the early 90's (93/94 respectively) and a return to glory would be huge for either hockey mad city. The Rangers star goalie Henrik Lundqvist won't have too many more opportunities to capture that elusive Stanley Cup Championship and Montreal's Carey Price is the best in the world and this can only add to that label. The intensity of these rivalries likely wouldn't compare to the others (thus the lower ranking) but would make for a great match up either way. All three cities care about their franchise (at least they have the last decade in Chicago) so it's natural that it would make for a great finals. The Habs and Rangers don't play an exciting brand of hockey but lets face it. teams don't win the Stanley Cup scoring five goals a game anyway. 

5. San Jose Sharks vs. Washington Capitals

Someone would have to win, right? This would be the ultimate talented teams who have failed to capitalise (no pun intended) battle. At least in recent vintage. The Sharks and Capitals have been really good to great regular season teams for years now and the Sharks made it to the finals last year only adding to their desire to get to the top of the mountain. They have ageing stars in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau whose days in San Jose and at cup contention may be numbered so it adds that to the mix. The Capitals as mentioned have a (well earned) reputation of choking in the post season (see basically every Caps series ever) but are possibly the deepest they've ever been and have a Vezina winning goalie in Braydon Holtby who's capable of getting the job done. One of them would finally get to shed that underachiever label and take home hockey's Holy Grail. 

Best/Worst Story Line: The Maple Leafs make the Cup Final...

Pump the brakes Leafs nation. This isn't going to happen. I'm just saying. The Leafs surprised everyone by making the playoffs this year, (aided by a lackluster Atlantic Division: Thanks Florida teams) and draw the President's Trophy winning Capitals in round one. All this means is they're likely going to play the role of 'carcass on the side of the road' as the Caps cruise into round two. However, should the improbable happen and the young buds somehow blossom before our eyes and reach the finals, the insufferable lot that comprise Leafs Nation would become that much more loathsome. That said the Leafs are a talented young team who play an entertaining brand of hockey, as structure and discipline seem not yet in their vocabulary. They'll undoubtedly be a more legitimate threat before long but it would never have the same magical feeling if they did it when it wasn't expected of them. That said, magic makes as much sense as believing they'll actually win a round, let alone make a run. 

Do or Do Not, There is no Try...

There is nothing more exciting come playoff time than a game 7 and the first round of the NHL Playoffs will see three with the last two coming tonight in Boston and Washington.

In Anaheim last night the Ducks lost 3-2 at home to the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks lead 3-2 in the series but failed to close the deal. I can relate...This will undoubtedly continue the talks about coach Bruce Boudreau continuing to come up short in the playoffs after great regular seasons. Now personally speaking I always thought he was over rated as a coach and has always had top end talent that he has failed to get to the next level. He is whinny in interviews and doesn't seem to want to shoulder the responsibility of these defeats. In fairness he's lost to Pittsburgh who won the Cup, Montreal when Halak stole the series and now a team in Detroit with veteran leaders. But His Anaheim team is full of veteran guys, Selanne, Perry, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Koivu who have lots of experience but failed to produce in the clutch. What happens next is anyone's guess but undoubtedly he will continue to be questioned until he make a serious run in the post season.

In Toronto the Maple Leafs, who looked liked they were going to get rolled in this series after game one, have taken the last two, in large part thanks to James Reimer, and forced a game 7 in Boston this evening. The young Leafs have given the Bruins everything they can handle and played a physical style, not afraid to work for their goals. That said goaltending has been the difference. Not that Tuuka Rask has been bad by any means, but he hasn't stolen games like Reimer. Boston needs its top line of Bergeron, Marchand and Seguin to step up if it wants to avoid the upset at home tonight as they haven't produced much of anything all series. Phil Kessel has finally shaken the monkey off his back against his former team and captain Dion Phaneuf leads his young team into unfamiliar waters tonight after atoning for his game 4 gaff with a big goal last night. Whatever happens tonight this series has gone longer than most, myself included, ever imagined.

The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers must be getting sick of seeing each other in the playoffs by now have seen each other five times in less than a decade. They play a decisive game 7 tonight in the US capital in a series where the home team has won every game. Goaltending again, will be a factor as this has been a very tight checking low scoring series for the most part. 'King' Henrik Lundqvist certainly has the experience but Braydon Holtby has looked solid in the Washington thus far. The stars in this series have yet to make a huge impact so whoever steps up tonight will be a difference maker.