The NHL is finally back! (What a boon for Detroit, where hockey went away approximately five years ago — not March 10, 2020, like some folks would have you believe. Yep, Detroit Red Wings ready to keep that ol’ 25-year playoff streak alive, uh huh …)
In reality, though, the rest of the new Central Division really did make the Stanley Cup playoffs last season — even if some of the teams needed an extra round to do so — no judgment here, Chicago, Columbus and Nashville. That’s not going to happen this year, with the NHL’s pesky “four playoff teams per division” rule back in place.