In Red Wings Land

Durability not enough for Red Wings’ Niklas Kronwall
So, that’s 66 consecutive games played, with only the occasional off-day in practice, playing nearly 20 minutes per night, and continuing to put forth a gutty, workmanlike effort, a regular season of health and durability that not many would have bet happening.

For many, Kronwall’s ability to keep going and overlooking the pain has been rather impressive and surprising.

Kronwall, though, isn’t all that impressed with his durability.

“To be honest with you I haven’t really thought too much about it,” Kronwall said. “To me, it’s all about trying to play better. I haven’t been good enough.

“There’s been ups and down, no doubt about that.”

It’s almost the two are connected. Nah.

Around the NHL

Down Goes Brown: Imagining the ideal 2017–18 NHL playoffs – Sportsnet.ca

Sean McIndoe looks at an early playoff preview. Obviously matchups aren’t set, but he picks what he feel to be the ideal playoffs for a neutral NHL fan.

So if your knee-jerk reaction to the premise of this post is “It’s too early, dummy,” then yes, you’re right. But we’re doing it anyway, if only so we can squeeze some enjoyment out of what might happen before we’re hit with the inevitable letdown of what actually does.

Because here’s the thing: The 2018 playoffs are shaping up to be fantastic. With a break here or there, we could get some truly amazing matchups. And not just in the first round, but all the way through. So today, let’s go through the realistic scenarios and try to settle on the best possible way that the entire tournament could play out.

A second round series between Nashville and Winnipeg would likely be amazing.