If the Montreal Canadiens pick up at least 1 point against Carolina tonight, they’re in.
Either way, the majority of the first round matchups for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set.
And let me tell you right now…this lineup fucking rips.
Is this finally the year for the Leafs?
Are the pesky Sens about to derail destiny?
All I know is that the Battle of Ontario is going to be a total shit storm.
From Ontario we go 1500 miles south to yet another Battle of Florida.
This will be the 4th time in 5 seasons we get a Panthers vs Lightning series in the playoffs.
In 2022, Tampa was yet again the defending Cup Champs and swept the Panthers in the 2nd round.
Obviously we still don’t know who Washington will be playing just yet, but either scenario here rules.
The Gretzky Bowl IV.
Can the Oilers bounce back from losing the Cup Final last year?
And finally we get to the Rantanen Bowl.
Mainly because Rantanen was traded to the Eastern Conference and shipped out to Carolina.
Mikko Rantanen is currently 5th all time in points-per-game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The only guys he’s trailing are Gretzky, Lemieux, McDavid, and Draisaitl.
Pretty damn strong top 5 if you ask me.
He’s put up 101 points in 81 career playoff games.
Obviously all those points came with the Colorado Avalanche.
We’re looking at the best 2 weeks of the sports year coming up here.
Bad time to be anyone who cares about basketball.
