Image by Getty Images via @daylife
The NHL playoffs tickets back and this year the action seems like its going to be really crazy. There is a lot of great hockey happening this year, and you can be there to take in the NHL playoffs live and in the flesh. The first round of the playoffs sees some historic rivalries revived once again, including the Boston Bruins vs the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers vs the Washington Capitals. There’s a pretty good chance fans of these teams will do what they can to get their hands on NHL playoff tickets to see how their team fares. There is also going to be a lot of attention on the battle between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings, the first time the Californian teams meet in the playoffs. Round one sees some great series matchups as the teams strive to reach the Stanley Cup. Here are the round one matchups:
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
| Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning |
Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators |
Eastern Conference:
The Capitals have been waiting a long time for another shot at the Cup. With the first seed in the East, the Caps will have home field advantage until they get to the Cup. Both the Rangers and the Capitals can score with the best of them so make sure you check it out.
The Buffalo Sabres take on the Philadelphia Flyers and this is one heated rivalry for sure. Reviving old memories is what the playoffs are all about, and in Philadelphia they have some great memories to recall. The Flyers were most recently humbled by the Sabres in 2006 and you know nobody in either city has forgotten. The Flyers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup last year before loosing to the Chicago Blackhawks. So right now this is going to be a good series and fans are looking for playoff tickets for this series for sure.
Another huge rivalry that has been matched up again are the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. As if these teams didn’t have enough history, the intensity shot up a bit this season when Zdeno Chara knocked Max Pacioretty into the glass, giving him a concussion and injuring his neck. Boston is more physical, while Montreal is more speedy and finesse, so its going to be an interesting matchup. Boston will have to be weary of getting into foul trouble, as Montreal has one of the most dangerous power play combinations in the NHL.
“it’s crunch time and the proof is in the pudding” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com “It’s what you’ve done and how you’ve managed it mentally. We feel we’re in a good position that way. We’ve taken that head on in all our mental preparation and team-building stuff. Now it’s time to prove what it’s worth.”
Even though Sidney Crosby will most likely not be available to play in the first round series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning should be a competitive one. Even though Pittsburgh is missing both Crosby and Evgeni Malkin but they have a team full of experienced players. This series should be a very close one, so expect lot of fans wanting NHL playoff tickets to be on the lookout.
Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks
The defending champion Chicago Blackhawks barely got in the playoffs but thanks to the Wild beating the Dallas Stars have made it into the first round. But now they need to take on the Vancouver Canucks, the Western Conferences’s best team all season. This is going to be a huge matchup and both teams have their work cut out for them. We all understand the regular season means nothing, but Vancouver has to like its chances. But the Blackhawks are more or less the same team that won the Stanley Cup last year, so expect them to put up a fight.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings
This is the first time the Sharks and Kings have met in the playoffs, so expect this California matchup to get plenty of attention from fans looking for NHL playoff tickets. Both teams have had solid years, and now the real season starts. This is a huge matchup, and both teams will be fighting hard to win. The season-series is split, so expect plenty of hard hits and big plays in this one. The Kings will be without Anze Kopitar, however the Kings have still been able to score goals with the best of them. Get your Kings Sharks tickets soon and see the biggest series of the year in person.
Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes
The Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes are again facing off in the playoffs and this will once again be a competitive series. After going seven games in 2010, and the season series being split, expect the Red Wings vs Coyotes series to be a good one. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan has been very good so far, but now his talents will be put to the test. You can check out what’s going on at all the games if you buy tickets right now!
Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators
Here is another first-time playoff matchup, and fans are expecting a solid series. When the Predators have Shea Weber and Ryan Suter playing together they are tough to beat. You can be there to see who wins out with the NHL playoff tickets for all the games. The Ducks have looked like a juggernaut recently, but the Predators have some skills too. If you buy tickets and make a playoff game, expect this to be a hard fought battle.
***
So that’s it for the first round NHL playoff matchups. This looks like its going to be a really fun post-season for all the fans out there. If you are a hockey fan then you need to get out there and cheer your team on. And you can get NHL playoff tickets for all the games all over the internet.
