NHL Stanley Cup playoffs begin with 3 Canadian teams in contention - BERITAJA

Hockey fans crossed Canada thin into excitement arsenic the NHL playoffs statesman Saturday, pinch 3 Canadian teams group to compete for hockey’s apical prize, the Stanley Cup.

The Ottawa Senators opened the playoffs connected the roadworthy against the Carolina Hurricanes, marking the first Canadian quality successful this year’s post-season.

The Montreal Canadiens are scheduled to statesman their tally Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, while the Edmonton Oilers are group to unfastened their bid Monday.

The Oilers, led by 1 of the league’s about potent offences, are wide seen arsenic Canada’s strongest contender heading into the post-season.

The team, led by a high-powered offence featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, enters the playoffs aft struggling done the regular play and heavy caller runs, including a travel to the Stanley Cup last the past 2 years.

Sixteen teams suffice for the playoffs, pinch the format based mostly connected divisional standings and wild-card spots.

The apical 3 teams successful each section gain automatic berths, while the remaining 4 spots spell to the adjacent highest-ranked teams successful each conference.

Each information is played arsenic a best-of-seven series, pinch teams needing 4 wins to advance.

In a canvass by NHL.com, only 1 master predicted a Canadian squad would scope the final, pinch the Canadiens losing to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Unfortunately for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, Canada will beryllium without practice from its largest lucky marketplace this year, aft the squad was eliminated from playoff contention.

The opening play besides features respective U.S.-based matchups, including Dallas hosting Minnesota and Pittsburgh facing Philadelphia connected Saturday.

The playoffs will proceed Sunday and Monday arsenic the afloat first-round schedule gets underway.