The NHL Playoffs are playing out like an underdog sports movie

NHL playoff underdogs are winning at an alarming rate. With the last three series going to game 7, the door is open for more.

If you asked the average NHL fan about their bracket at the start of these playoffs, you’d likely come across a few similarities. Most would have Nashville and Winnipeg in round 2, the dominant Flames set to play the winner of the San Jose/Vegas series, Pittsburgh seeing Washington (as always) and the Tampa Bay Lightning coasting to the finals. Well, average hockey fan, you’re dead wrong.

What the hell is happening in these NHL playoffs? Every season, there’s a conversation about a team that has to fight to get in playing out of their mind. Perhaps this team forces a game 7 against a top seed. Perhaps they even win. But this usually happens once, not in every damn series.

So far, the Blue Jackets shocked the Lightning, the Avalanche extinguished the Flames, the Blues flew by the Jets, the Stars chewed up the Predators and the Islanders… I can’t think of a penguin pun here but the Islanders did a cool penguin thing to the Penguins (Sure, the third-seeded Pens were technically the “underdog” in that series but they most definitely were not). The playoffs have not been shy of exciting underdog moments.

Over the next two nights, three more teams can add to this growing list of upsets with the Leafs, Golden Knights and Hurricanes all going into game 7’s with their respective higher seeded teams. Do the underdogs really have a chance to sweep the first round? Let’s take a crack at decoding these three remaining games.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs will face their playoff demons a third time in their game 7 with the Boston Bruins. The last two playoff outings were won by the Bruins, the first of which came in a miraculous third period comeback. The Leafs are a much better team since then, but beating the Bruins on their home ice won’t be an easy task. Literally, because the ice in Boston is trash.

To win this series, the Leafs will need the same output they’ve been getting from Auston Matthews and Morgan Reilly but probably a little more out of John Tavares. J.T. hasn’t been bad, per say, but has had a tough time finding the back of the net. For the Bruins, the key is to make the game physical in the early goings. Tuukka Rask having a huge game would also help (and temporarily quiet the unfathomably high number of Rask doubters).

That is all I will say about this series to avoid the FanSided curse. Actually, Toronto will probably win (Either a reverse curse or I’m right. Win-win).

San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Monday’s late game features the Vegas Golden Knights on their third attempt to take down the world’s most dangerous predator (not you, R. Kelly), the San Jose Sharks. The Knights were up 3-1 in this series but a rejuvenated Martin Jones has kept the Sharks swimming into a final deciding game. They have all the momentum and a goalie who is suddenly standing on his head. In the NHL playoffs, that’s about all you can ask for. Sharks in 7 (You are welcome, Knights fans).

If you stayed up late enough to watch game 6 of this series, you deserve a sincere congratulations. Get ready to do the same tonight. The margin between these two teams is razor thin so it’s a safe bet that we see another overtime to close out this series. The games have been ridiculously exciting, so do what you have to to stay up. Future you can worry about being tired.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are probably the most surprising team not named the Columbus Blue Jackets to still be alive in the playoffs. The Capitals are at least as good as they were last season, minus the loss of T.J. Oshie, who went down in game 4 with a broken collarbone. Losing Oshie was huge, but the Caps still seemed miles ahead of the ‘Canes in terms of experience and playoff readiness.

Capitals fans are riding around on the highest of horses (think already tall horses on stilts) since winning the Stanley Cup last season. With a Cup win, it seems they have forgotten about the previous 42 seasons in which they either choked in the playoffs or did not make them. If the Hurricanes win, not only is the more entertaining team moving forward but the rest of the NHL gets their whipping boy back. The ‘Canes also have a team pig, as if you didn’t have reason enough to cheer for them.

In keeping with the theme, let’s work the FanSided curse to keep our dreams alive. The Caps will win game 7 by a score of 5-1.

The next two nights of NHL hockey are going to be wild. If you are a fan of any of these teams, I’m sorry for the pain you will have to endure, win or lose. Game 7’s are a very stressful watch. I will be suffering through the games along with you. The payoff if you win, though… As a sports fan, there is nothing better.

If your team is one of the ones who have moved on, congratulations! You and your homer friends were actually right. May the year of the underdog continue!

(Except for you know who)