I feel like they will, not like being in the playoffs is new to them 🙄
I'll admit I was sweating when they were sitting below the line. I thought it was funny during Saturdays Wings/Stars game that the commentators were saying how much less pressure the playoffs would be for DET having finally made it in.
I was fortunate enough to see Anaheim play the Wild earlier this year. I feel Anaheim is very dangerous, highly under the radar because the Blackhawks always seem to take the spotlight this year.
The 'Hawks are a good team and have been for a few years now, but they always seem to get tripped up in the playoffs, so they need to finish Minn. off early. With LA winning the cup last year, I think the higher seeds are going to have to be on their toes from Game 1.
Of course, with the realignment next year, it will be interesting to see how things shake out.
If interested, here are my Rd. 1 Picks and our office pool rules:
Scoring: 1 Point for Picking winner, 2 Points for Number of Games (Picked team must win to get these points), 3 Points Max per series.
West:
Chi (5), Det (6), Van (6), Stl (7)
East:
Pit (6), Mtl (5), Was (7), Tor (7)