From first-round sweeps to the final four, the NHL playoffs are well underway. As the conference finals begin, The Ringer has you covered with updates, analysis, and highlights of the battle to see who will take home the Stanley Cup.
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June 13, 2019
Out of the Blue: St. Louis Went Worst to First to Win the Stanley Cup
The NHL’s last-place team at the turn of the year, the Blues fought their way to the playoffs, where they stifled every opponent to end a 52-year championship drought
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May 10, 2019
A Shark Is Born: The Irrepressible Aura of San Jose’s Tomas Hertl
The exuberant Czech center is one of the brightest stars of this NHL postseason, but his good vibes began on a four-goal night in 2013 that launched his career—and brought serenity to a soon-to-be mother
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May 9, 2019
Unbreakable Rod: The Hurricanes Are Surging Under Their Rookie Head Coach
A lifelong Philly fan reminisces on Flyers legend Rod Brind’Amour and his second life as a franchise cornerstone for Carolina, who are in the NHL’s final four for the first time in a decade
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April 25, 2019
Embrace the Chaos: The NHL Playoffs First-Round Exit Survey
Shocking sweeps. Game 7 heroics. Bracket-breaking upsets. Controversial calls and fisticuffs. The wild opening round of the hockey postseason had everything, and we’re just trying to make sense of it all.
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April 17, 2019
A Tale of Two Sweeps: The Lightning and Penguins Make Stunning Playoff Exits
Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh were both swept out of the NHL postseason’s first round. But of the two, the reigning Presidents Trophy holders’ exit was the most perplexing—and disheartening to watch.
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April 16, 2019
Sal’s Baddest Beats, NBA and NHL Playoffs, and MLB Betting With Paul Lo Duca
Plus, Cousin Sal and the Degenerate Trifecta discuss NBA betting strategies and Tiger’s historic Masters victory
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April 10, 2019
The Matchups We’re Most Excited to See in the First Round of the NHL Playoffs
From the unstoppable Lightning vs. the brave Blue Jackets, to Brad Marchand vs. the Toronto media, here’s what we’re most ready to see go head-to-head in each of these first-round series
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April 9, 2019
For the Tampa Bay Lightning, Only One Trophy Matters
The Bolts are coming off one of the best regular seasons in NHL history: 62 wins, the Presidents’ Trophy, and a stunning point differential made possible by star players like Steven Stamkos. But for a team that’s lost a Stanley Cup final and two Eastern Conference finals this decade, that’s not nearly enough.
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April 9, 2019
The Calgary Flames and Their Good American Boys Are Canada’s Best Hope for the Stanley Cup
Led by New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau and USA stars Matthew Tkachuk and Noah Hanifin, the West’s top seed has a legit shot at a long playoff run—if their goaltending tandem can deliver