Over the next few days, you’ll hear a lot about the Boston Bruins’ sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes in last year’s Eastern Conference Final. I’m here to tell you, dear reader, that none of it - or, at least, very little of it - matters.
Yes, many of the same participants return again this year for another round. But last year’s series was held as part of a completely normal playoff year, where this year is anything but. Who advances in this year’s playoffs is much more determined by who has the momentum and is playing at their peak at any given time.