The most exciting time of the hockey season is here; the playoffs.

On Sunday April 9th, the 2016-2017 NHL season was over. A season that saw the rise of young stars as well as the end of a 25 year streak, ended. The playoffs are here.

The NHL regular season was one of the most exciting ones yet. The season saw young players evolve into elite stars, while it also maintained its main stars, such as Sidney Crosby, who lead the league in goals with 44, according to the NHL. The two top picks in the Draft, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, lit up the NHL. Matthews and Laine, who are 19 and 18 respectively, both lead their teams in goals, with 40 and 36. The best young star, by far though, was 20 year-old Connor McDavid. This was his first full season in the NHL, after he was held back by injuries in his rookie season. He tallied 100 points as well as 70 assists on the season, playing in all 82 games. McDavid lead the league in both points and assists, helping the Oilers to second place in the Pacific Division.

Another phenomenal feature of the 2016-2017 season was the ending of a streak. For the first time in 25 years, the Detroit Red Wings failed to make the playoffs. During the 25 year run that began in 1991, the Red Wings went to the finals six times and won four Stanley Cup Championships. The current longest streak is now 11, held by the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a new core and many draft picks in the draft, the Red Wings will look to start another streak!

Now that the regular season is wrapped up, the most thrilling time of hockey begins; the playoffs. The eastern conference matchups include Capitals vs the Maple Leafs, Penguins vs Blue Jackets, Canadiens vs Rangers, and lastly the Senators vs the Bruins. I can most likely see the Washington Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins coming out of the Eastern Conference. They did have the two best records in the Eastern Conference and are loaded with elite players. The Capitals have stars on the offensive end in Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and T.J Oshie. They have it locked down on defense too, with players such as John Carlson and Kevin Shattenkirk. Their goaltender Braden Holtby is among the best as well. It’s hard to bet against the Penguins though, as Sidney Crosby is one of the best to ever play and they are also packed with stars and good role players.

In addition to the Eastern Conference, the Western Conference is also packed with powerful teams. The matchups are the Blackhawks vs the Predators, Wild vs Blues, Ducks vs Flames, and Oilers vs Sharks. The team to beat in the West is the Chicago Blackhawks. They finished with the most points in the Western Conference and it’s hard to see anyone beating them over seven games. Their team is stacked and they have some of the best fans in the league; every game feels like a home game.  But, a surprise out of the West could be the Anaheim Ducks. Although they have an aging core, they are well-equipped for another playoff run.

I predict a Capitals vs Blackhawks final, as I feel that they are the two most well-rounded teams in the NHL. Even though they are notorious for choking in the playoffs, I feel that this year might be the Capitals’ year. I see the Washington Capitals beating the Chicago Blackhawks in six games and winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their history.