The NHL has made a strong recovery from the four-month lockout. In the first four weeks of the season, attendance is strong and television ratings are up.
However, for the NHL to take hold of its niche in the sporting world, it must have an outstanding postseason filled with exciting matchups.
Normally, teams will build up rivalries over the course of any seven-game series. However, there are certain big-name teams that would bring greater excitement to the playoffs.
Conversely, there are some "overachievers" that may not have the followings to give the NHL the maximum exposure and excitement.
One of the series that the NHL would like to avoid is another matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round.
Last year, the Coyotes and Blackhawks met in the opening round of the playoffs and the two teams started the series with five straight overtime games. The Coyotes won three of those games before closing out the Blackhawks 4-0 in the sixth game.
The series was exciting enough, but it was marred when Raffi Torres of the Coyotes injured Blackhawks star Marian Hossa with a blindside head s ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
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