Carolina Hurricanes (48-18-8) vs. Detroit Red Wings (28-35-10)
Don’t be fooled by the Detroit Red Wings’ place in the standings. Sure, the gap between the number four seed in the Atlantic — Boston, 95 points — and the Red Wings, the number five seed — 66 points — is immense. But considering that, since their first playoff miss in 2016-17, they’ve finished seventh or eighth in the division for all seasons but one, this is a big step up for the historic franchise.
The Red Wings are exactly the type of team that could easily trick an opposing hockey team, lull them into complacency, and steal a game.