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4 first-round Stanley Cup playoff matchups we’d love to see

By Kyle McKenna

CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 1: Buddy Robinson #53 of the Calgary Flames fights Jujhar Khaira #16 of the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on February 1, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 1: Buddy Robinson #53 of the Calgary Flames fights Jujhar Khaira #16 of the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on February 1, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images /

Nashville vs. Vegas

The cities of Nashville and Vegas have been compared to one another over the past handful of years. The Music City has experienced economic and population growth, while transforming into the new “Vegas” and playing host for a variety of vacations and fun getaways.

That also means that the two cities would make for a great first-round matchup in the 2019-20 Stanley Cup playoffs. If the NHL’s regular-season hopefully resumed action, then there’d be a chance that the Nashville Predators would face-off with the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1.

At the time of writing the Predators possess the second wild card spot for the Western Conference, while Vegas sits atop of the Pacific Division. The Preds would need to collect some victories down the stretch but the matchup is still technically possible until further notice.

The two franchises entail some unique similarities and differences which contribute towards an iconic playoff rivalry in the making.

Vegas and Nashville are two of five NHL expansion teams since the 1998-99 campaign and none of those five teams have won a Cup, while the Preds and Golden Knights are the only pair to ever advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Let’s not forget that Vegas reached the Cup Final in its expansions season while the Preds accomplished the feat during their 17th season. Nashville experienced plenty of hardship before its first-ever playoff appearance in 2003-04, while Vegas has only ever accomplished success.

Their respective cities offer a sense of excitement from the fans both inside and outside of the arenas in downtown Nashville and Vegas, and it seems that both young NHL franchises attract new fans for the sport. A playoff matchup in the first round between these two Western Conference squads is only a positive aspect for the sport and both markets.

Similar to the Lightning and Maple Leafs, there’s a strong chance this year’s postseason plays the role of host for “Chapter 1” of a few playoff matchups moving forward between these two gold-branded teams.

While these teams don gold in style, the reality is that their main goal is to hoist silver.

Next. Which NHL wild card teams you should root for?. dark

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