The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a mission to become the first team in 35 years to win three consecutive Stanley Cup championships. The Vegas Golden Knights have captivated the hockey world -- and clinched a playoff berth -- in their first season. The New Jersey Devils snapped a five-year playoff drought, and Taylor Hall, their Hart Trophy candidate, punched a ticket to the postseason for the first time in his eight-year career.
Fans -- especially those in Nashville, Winnipeg and Boston -- have plenty of reasons to be pumped about the Stanley Cup playoffs.