We made it, folks. The NHL playoffs are upon us.
With an 82-game schedule now in the books, the fun begins Wednesday night, with a full slate of five first-round games.
As you prepare to spend the next eight weeks glued to your television, take a look at the top storylines in the race for the Stanley Cup.
1. Canada's back
Following a disappointing no-show last season, five Canadian teams qualified for the playoffs this time around, each with something to prove.
Edmonton ended an 11-year drought, while Toronto defied all odds to qualify with a rookie-laden roster. Montreal has a revenge date with the Rangers, while Ottawa and Calgary quietly had terrific seasons.
This should be fun.
2. The kids vs. the favorites
The Maple Leafs put together a stellar month of March to secure their first playoff berth in an 82-game season since 2004. Their reward? Facing the best team in hockey.
The Capitals' season is just beginning; anything short of a Stanley Cup will be considered a failure for the Presidents' Trophy winners, and an early matchup with the up-and-coming Leafs makes for arguably the most compelling opening round series.
3. McDavid & Co.
He put a ribbon on the Art Ross in reaching 100 points, he's the odds-on favorite to win MVP, and now he gets to taste the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time. Sit back, relax, and let's see how far captain Connor can carry the Oilers.
4. New faces, new places
Remarkably, seven of the 16 head coaches in the tournament are in their first year on the job with their respective clubs.
- Claude Julien (Montreal)
- Bruce Cassidy (Boston)
- Guy Boucher (Ottawa)
- Bruce Boudreau (Minnesota)
- Mike Yeo (St. Louis)
- Glen Gulutzan (Calgary)
- Randy Carlyle (Anaheim)
There's plenty of intrigue among these bench bosses, as Julien, Cassidy, and Yeo took over mid-season - the same thing Mike Sullivan did before leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup last June.
What's more, Yeo is facing his former team in Minnesota, as is Todd McLellan, who spent seven years with the Sharks before joining Edmonton in 2015-16.
5. Quest to repeat
The Penguins' mission to defend their Stanley Cup championship comes with a first-round matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets - who won't be intimidated.
By no means will it be an easy path for the Pens, as no team has repeated since the Red Wings in 1997-98. Pittsburgh's depleted blue line will surely be tested, and a potential path back to the final will likely require Crosby vs. Ovechkin Vol. III.
(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)
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