This one could get ugly.

Even before the Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames take the ice for Game 1, the teams are already at each other's throats after Mark Giordano's questionable knee-on-knee hit on Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler in last week's contest.

Related - Flames' Treliving: Ducks' comments on Giordano are 'asinine'

The hit has the Ducks upset, and rightfully so, as they're now without their top blue-liner for anywhere from one to five weeks.

"I think there’s a lot of hate there," Ducks defenseman Josh Manson - who fought Giordano after the hit - said last week, according to the Associated Press. “Our guys had to do something. Hockey is a fast game, and things happen. It’s unfortunate. Hopefully Cam is all right, but it’s tough."

Heading into the series, the Ducks appear to have the advantage after owning the season series. They went 4-1-0 in five games, outscoring the Flames 17-14.

We can expect a bloodbath, but here's what else the series should see:

Players to watch

Matthew Tkachuk

Matthew Tkachuk's play is built for the playoffs.

The 19-year-old can contribute offensively - he tallied 48 points in his first campaign - and he'll back up that play by bringing physicality and tenacity to the ice regardless of his age.

He proved against the Los Angeles Kings two weeks ago that he isn't afraid and won't back down from anyone, and that's exactly the mentality a young team needs going into the postseason.

The Ducks are a heavy squad, but one thing appears certain: Tkachuk will not be pushed around.

Rickard Rakell

Rickard Rakell had one of the NHL's premier breakout seasons in 2016-17.

After tallying 29 goals over his first 165 games in the league, the 23-year-old went off for 33 in 71 contests - good enough to lead all Ducks players.

He's been the club's most dynamic forward, but still has much to prove. Despite his recent offensive outburst, Rakell's career playoff numbers are nothing to brag about. He has just three goals and five points in 27 career postseason matches.

Those numbers will need to improve if the Ducks intend on reaching the second round.

Weakest links

Flames can't win in Anaheim

It's been well-documented that Calgary can't win in Anaheim.

The Flames' 3-1 loss to the Ducks at Honda Center on April 5 pushed the club's regular-season losing streak in Anaheim to 25 games, dating back to Jan. 19, 2004.

The Flames have had slightly better luck in the postseason, but not much. After winning their first-ever playoff game against the Ducks at home in 2006, Anaheim has won the last five meetings.

The Ducks have home ice in the first round so it's quite simple - if the Flames can't win at least one game in Anaheim, they're toast.

Missing Fowler

Nine different Ducks defenders contributed to the 35 goals scored by the team's back end this season, while Fowler notched 11 of them.

It's quite clear that he's the team's most lethal option on the blue line, and unfortunately - due to the injury mentioned above - he'll be M.I.A. for the Ducks, at least to begin the series.

The 25-year-old leaves a huge hole, but with it comes the chance for someone to rise to the occasion. One worthy option is Sami Vatanen.

After setting a career high with 38 points last season, Vatanen managed only 24 this time around, including just three goals. He's been solid in the postseason, however, with 16 points in 28 career games. That production would be greatly welcomed by the Ducks.

Prediction

The Ducks have all the makings of a Stanley Cup contender.

They have a strong offense, a goaltender who can steal games, and both the size and ruggedness to go toe-to-toe with anyone. For that reason, it's hard to picture a less experienced Flames team taking four games from them.

As mentioned above, the Flames cannot - for whatever reason - win in Anaheim, and that's something they'll need to do. Unfortunately for them, the Ducks have been nearly as dominant in Calgary.

The Ducks have gone 6-3-1 over their last 10 games in Calgary, dating back to 2014. The Flames have certainly enjoyed a strong season, but they may have been matched up against their kryptonite in Round 1.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Doug Weight will retain his role as head coach of the New York Islanders, the club announced Wednesday.

Weight had been serving as the team's interim head coach after Jack Capuano was fired back on Jan. 17.

"Doug has earned this opportunity from the tremendous work he has put in over the past five seasons in our front office and especially from the time he took over as interim head coach earlier this season," president and general manager Garth Snow said in a release. "His leadership and experiences from both playing and behind the bench are valuable intangibles that not every coach can translate into a winning formula. He's gained the trust and respect from our entire team, making him the best choice to become head coach."

Weight's transition into coaching was nothing short of extraordinary. Under his guidance, the Islanders went an incredible 24-12-4 down the stretch, ultimately missing out on the postseason by a single point.

Prior to being named interim head coach, he served as the club's assistant GM - a position he'll continue to hold as head coach.

"I'm honored to be named head coach of such an historic franchise with one of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL," Weight said. "There is a deep history of winning with the Islanders and I look forward to doing everything in my power to return to the playoffs and have success."

In his stint as a player with the Islanders, Weight recorded 13 goals and 64 points in 107 games.

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They did it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn't make it easy on themselves or their fans during the final week of the season, but with a heroic comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night they finally punched their ticket to the playoffs.

The achievement in itself - regardless of how the team actually performs in the postseason - is nothing short of remarkable given the expectations of the season and considering the club finished with the league's worst record just one year ago.

As has been well documented over the past couple weeks thanks to the plethora of rookie records broken, the majority of the team's success can be attributed to the outstanding contributions of the trio of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

However, these three fine gentlemen are far from the only reason why the Maple Leafs sit where they are. The season has been a success to date, though the Auston Matthews' of the world will say they still have unfinished business to take care of.

That being said, here are three unheralded reasons why the Maple Leafs are heading back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign:

The other rookies

It's been a great year for the trio of rookies mentioned above, but they aren't the only ones who deserve some praise. Let's start with the guy who scored Saturday's game-winner.

In almost any other season, Connor Brown would be getting a ton of credit for his play, but he's been overshadowed due to his rookie counterparts.

He's contributed 20 goals and 36 points while becoming one of the Maple Leafs' most reliable defensive forwards, playing the third-most shorthanded minutes among the team's forwards.

The other rookie who has been a pleasant surprise is defenseman Nikita Zaitsev.

Coming over from Russia, the 25-year-old has quickly become one of the club's go-to blue-liners, quarterbacking the power play while also playing top minutes again the opposition's best players.

His play has not gone unnoticed by the Maple Leafs brass, as his team-leading 36 points among defenders is just one of the many reasons the club is reportedly close to signing him to a seven-year extension.

'Steady' Freddy Andersen

That five-year contract doesn't look so bad anymore, does it?

Many were skeptical this offseason after the Maple Leafs acquired Frederik Andersen and immediately signed him to a five-year contract extension before he played a single game for the club - and who could blame them.

We've seen this move before from the Maple Leafs, throw a presumed strong backup goalie into a starting role only to watch him struggle behind a porous defense.

However, Andersen has been different - and thankfully so. He's been solid, turning in 33 wins, the most by a Maple Leafs goalie in a season since Andrew Raycroft (yes, Andrew Raycroft) tied a franchise record with 37 wins during the 2006-07 campaign.

He's been arguably the team's most valuable player and, with the playoffs about to kick off, he's sure to be relied on heavily.

Stellar special teams

It's pretty safe to say that had the Maple Leafs' special teams not been as dependable as they were this season, the team would not be celebrating a playoff berth.

With one day remaining on the schedule, the Maple Leafs boast the second-best power play in the league and the ninth-ranked penalty kill.

Their 58 power play goals this season are the third-most in the league and make up nearly 23 percent of the team's total offense.

These rankings also point to a huge improvement, as the club was 29th with the extra man last season and 13th in terms of penalty killing.

Of course, Babcock has credited having a more talented squad at his disposal for the improvement on the power play, but, nevertheless, the Maple Leafs' special teams have been crucial this year and will need to continue to be heading into next week.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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The Montreal Canadiens will get a chance to exact some revenge when they take on the New York Rangers in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

The two will face off in the postseason for the first time since the Rangers ousted the Canadiens in six games in the 2014 Eastern Conference Final.

There's a lot on the line and - like any playoff series - there are sure to be a number of players who will help tip the scales in either direction.

Here are three players who could make a difference in this first-round matchup:

Shea Weber

You may have thought it was all behind us, but no, the P.K. Subban-Weber trade deserves to be brought up once again.

The deal that had many Montreal faithful up in arms looks to have paid off - at least for the time being. The Canadiens clinched a postseason berth after missing out last season, while Weber has also bested Subban with seven more goals and four more points this season, in 14 fewer games.

The reason the trade is worth bringing up again is because, during his time in Montreal, Subban played some really inspired playoff hockey.

Subban has 11 goals and 38 points in 55 career playoff games, and who could forget his incredible display against the Boston Bruins during the team's 2014 run.

Weber won't be forced to match Subban's production, but like the man he was traded for, he will be looked at to be a difference-maker for the Canadiens.

Henrik Lundqvist

Much like Subban, Lundqvist has historically been a gamer who brings his best to the postseason.

The Rangers netminder has a career .921 save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against average over 116 playoff games. Meanwhile, he's been among the most consistent goaltenders since his NHL debut in 2006.

However, recently there have been more question marks surrounding the 35-year-old. Lundqvist had his worst season statistically, with a .910 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average, both career lows.

Not to mention Lundqvist was also lit up in the postseason last year by the Pittsburgh Penguins who delivered the King a ghastly 4.39 goals-against average over five games.

The Rangers playoff lives could rest heavily on Lundqvist, which would depend on what version of the King shows up.

Carey Price

Price could be the difference-maker if he does Carey Price-like things.

While Price has had had a couple questionable stints this season, for the most part he's been his usual consistent self and at the moment he's playing some of his best hockey of the year.

The 29-year-old has gone 5-2-0 in his last seven games with a .944 save percentage and a 1.58 goals-against average, allowing more than two goals in a game just once.

For the Canadiens, Price's presence will be huge, especially in the revenge storyline as Canadiens fans probably recall that, in 2014, Price played just 40 minutes in the series against the Rangers before bowing out due to injury, leaving Dustin Tokarski and Peter Budaj to fill the void.

It's hard to say if he could have propelled the team to a series win, but one thing is certain: the Canadiens likely don't stand a chance without Price between the pipes this time.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Three Canadian teams have already punched their tickets to the postseason, and with some puck luck, two more could follow suit.

Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators can clinch playoff berths on Thursday, joining the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames.

Here is what needs to happen for each club to earn a postseason place:

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs currently hold the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 93 points, five up on both the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Toronto can clinch a spot if it defeats Tampa Bay in regulation or overtime. Alternately, if Toronto loses to the Lightning in a shootout and the Islanders also lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion, the Maple Leafs will earn a playoff berth.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators sit one point above the Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division, but find themselves in second place behind Montreal. They're tied with the Bruins in points, but have a game in hand over Boston.

In order to earn a spot, the Senators need just a point against the Bruins on Thursday. However, they can also clinch with a regulation loss, as long as both the Lightning and Islanders lose.

It's safe to say there will be a lot of scoreboard watching on Thursday night from Ontario hockey fans.

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With his second-period marker against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, Auston Matthews tied the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie record for goals in a season.

Matthews picked up his 34th of the season, tying Wendel Clark's mark from the 1985-86 season.

The goal temporarily gives Matthews a share of the NHL rookie goals lead with Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine. The two are also level on 61 points, which is tops among first-year players.

Matthews is now just five points away from tying Peter Ihnacak for the franchise's rookie points record.

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While Buffalo and Toronto are geographically separated by just a 100-mile stretch of highway, the gap is a lot bigger in the hockey world.

Sure, both teams have struggled in seasons past, looking to use their down years to restock their prospect pools so each can re-establish themselves as beasts in the east, but the fact is one team has done a much better job of this than the other.

As it stands, the Maple Leafs are better positioned both now and for the future, and that's because when it has come to retooling the last couple years, Toronto has done it better.

Sabres got ahead of themselves

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

The biggest flaw in the Sabres' rebuild has been the fact that the team got ahead of itself when it "earned" the right to draft Jack Eichel.

Though the team did all it could to tank for Connor McDavid in the 2015 draft, the hockey gods can be cruel. The lottery instead fell in Edmonton's favor, and the team had to settle for Eichel, who's certainly one hell of a consolation prize.

The team's problems started here.

After plucking Eichel, the team felt like it was set, subsequently acquiring Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn for two former first-round picks in Nikia Zadorov and Mikhail Grigorenko, NCAA standout J.T. Compher, and the No. 31 pick in the 2015 draft.

It was a large chunk of their prospect pool gone for two players - one who was then traded last season in McGinn. O'Reilly has been great with the Sabres - there's no denying that - but the team gave up a lot to get him, including a ton of youth that could have been better off developing in the team's system.

Maple Leafs have rid themselves of worst contracts

(Photo courtesy: USA Today Sports)

While the Maple Leafs have been praised for the youngsters they've drafted the last three seasons, those selections wouldn't have been possible had the team not made the decision to rid itself of its biggest and most damaging contracts.

Starting two years ago, the team was able to deal Phil Kessel and the remaining seven years of his eight-year, $64-million contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Next - toward the conclusion of last season - they dumped Dion Phaneuf and the six years and $42 million remaining on his contract.

Then, this past offseason, the team was able to upgrade in goal by dealing Jonathan Bernier and his remaining $4.15 million and bringing in Frederik Andersen.

As for the Sabres, they've since inked O'Reilly to a seven-year, $52.5-million deal - though his value can be argued. However, that can't be said for everyone.

The four gentlemen are responsible for a total of $40 million in cap space over the next three years. Evander Kane is having a decent campaign with the Sabres and Kyle Okposo - who carries a $6-million cap hit for the next six years - can receive passes, but the same can't be said for the remaining three players.

In all, the Sabres have a handful of contracts with players whose values have dropped significantly. If they could deal or buy out a couple of these contracts they could either acquire young talent or use the money to better restock their roster.

Sabres' prospect pool doesn't touch Maple Leafs'

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Of course, where the biggest line can be draw between these two clubs is in regards to the talent of their respective top prospects.

Dating back to the 2014-15 season - when it can be argued both teams started their transition into rebuilding - the Maple Leafs have gotten the best out of their rookies, and for that appear better equipped for long-term success.

*The following three would be Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, and Zach Hyman of the Maple Leafs

Of course, it goes without saying that the Sabres' first-round pick in last year's draft - Alexander Nylander - continues to ferment in the American Hockey League, currently with nine goals and 26 points in 58 games for the Rochester Americans, while Rasmus Ristolainen is quietly proving he could be in the running for a Norris Trophy in a few years' time.

All this is to say the Sabres' rebuild has been far from a failure, but in comparison to their inter-division rivals up north, they're a step behind.

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It's safe to say Mike Babcock has been doing his fair share of scoreboard watching these days.

Who could blame him? The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing some inspired hockey down the stretch and with Thursday's win over the New Jersey Devils, now have a five-point cushion on a playoff spot.

It's certainly a far cry from last season.

Related: Maple Leafs' Komarov: This time last year we were packing our bags

With two straight wins and a fortunate four-game losing streak by the Boston Bruins, the Maple Leafs have now created a three-point gap on their Atlantic rivals and now sit third in the division.

It's an exciting time in Leaf Land.

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What a difference a year makes.

After racing to the bottom of the league standings in an attempt to get the best draft lottery odds last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now in a fight for their first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 season.

It's certainly a nice change of pace as far as forward Leo Komarov is concerned.

"Last year, it was kind of packing your bag already, now you actually have something to play for and it's really nice because this is hockey," Komarov said, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

With a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night the Maple Leafs jumped over the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division. With just 10 games remaining, the team currently holds an 84.9 percent chance of making the postseason, according to Sports Club Stats.

Suffice to say the Maple Leafs' bags can remain unpacked for the time being.

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Tyler Bozak played the hero Monday night.

The 31-year-old scored a late power-play marker that propelled the Toronto Maple Leafs to a crucial 4-2 victory, and, more importantly, helped the club complete a series sweep of the Boston Bruins.

Related: Leafs earn 2 huge regulation points vs. Bruins, sweep season series

The win helped the Maple Leafs inch within a point of the Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division, and was just another example of Bozak's importance to the team.

He has long been considered Toronto's best faceoff man. So the fact that his 56.27 percent success rate is by far the best mark on the team, and makes him one of just two Maple Leafs centers to possess a success rate of 50 percent or better, should come as no surprise.

Then there are his offensive contributions.

This year, the media frenzy caused by the Maple Leafs' rookie class has allowed Bozak to fly under the radar. While it hasn't been a topic of discussion, the longtime Maple Leaf is in the midst of a career season.

He's just three goals away from hitting the 20-goal mark for the second time in his eight-year career, a point away from tying his previous career high, and two power-play points back of his career best, and his 31 assists are his highest single-season total.

What also shouldn't be forgotten is how vital Bozak has been to rookie Mitch Marner's development. He has seemingly taken Marner under his wing, and has assisted on 11 of the 19-year-old's 17 goals.

Factor all this in with his friendly $4.2-million cap hit this season and next, and you can appreciate the Maple Leafs' return on investment.

Bozak is the longest-tenured member of the team, having dressed in 502 games since joining the league during the 2009-10 season. His 124 goals and 315 points during that span rank second only to Phil Kessel.

He has been through some tough days in Toronto, and, at times, has received criticism for failing to live up to the standard set by many of the league's top centermen, but he continues to trek on.

The Maple Leafs are on the cusp of just their second postseason appearance in the salary-cap era, and it goes without saying that much of the credit is due to Bozak.

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