The NHL's Western Conference playoff games are often late for fans in Sunrise, Florida. Despite the late hours, there are still notable players competing for the Stanley Cup.
Key points
Western Conference NHL playoff games are late for Florida fans
Fans in South Florida are less familiar with Western Conference players
Edmonton Oilers are mentioned as a familiar team for Panthers fans
Notable players like McDavid and Draisaitl are no longer in the playoffs
Edmonton OilersFlorida Panthers
West Side of Stanley Cup Playoffs are Worth Staying Up Late For
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
It is unfortunate that the NHL teams from the Western Conference teams only get to Sunrise once a season â and their Stanley Cup playoff games last into the wee hours.
Other than the Edmonton Oilers, with whom Panthersâ fans are quite familiar, the folks in South Florida really do not get to know some of the star players out west.
With McDavid, Draisaitl & Co. gone and the West down to four teams, there are still a lot of outstanding players still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup.
Colorado is certainly one of the favorites to succeed Florida as custodian of the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche are the Presidentsâ Trophy winners and the regular-season leader in both goals for and fewest goals against.
The unquestionable superstar of that team is Nathan MacKinnon, who topped the NHL with 53 goals this season. He won the Hart trophy as Most Valuable Player in 2024 and is a probable candidate this season.
MacKinnon was the Number 1 draft pick in 2013, the year the Panthers selected Sasha Barkov right behind him.
An explosive scorer, MacKinnon may just be one of the most exciting players to watch in the NHL.
**Gabriel Landeskog**has been slowed by injuries but is still a force. He was the second overall draft pick in 2011, right behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Q&A
Which NHL teams are still in the Western Conference playoffs?
The article mentions that there are four teams remaining in the Western Conference playoffs, but does not specify which teams.
Why do Western Conference playoff games start late for Florida fans?
Western Conference playoff games start late due to the time zone difference, making it challenging for fans in Sunrise, Florida to watch live.
Who are the star players from the Western Conference mentioned in the article?
The article specifically mentions Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as notable players, although they are no longer in the playoffs.
How does the late timing of playoff games affect NHL viewership in Florida?
The late timing may deter some fans in Florida from watching the games live, impacting overall viewership from that region.
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Cale Makar is one of the leagueâs premier defensemen and always an offensive threat. He was the fourth overall pick in 2014 and came to the Avs after two successful seasons at UMass.
He is a two-time James Norris Memorial Trophy winner as the leagueâs top defenseman and is a finalist this season. He scored 20 or more goals in four of his seven NHL seasons.
Makar and Devon Toews are one of the top defensive duos in the league.
Goalie **Scott Wedgewood**has never been a household name but had two outstanding seasons in Colorado and has reeled off six straight playoff wins.
Letâs not overlook 41-year-old defender Brent Burns who is seeking his first Stanley Cup in his 21st NHL season. He is the current active ironman at 1,007 regular season games.
Minnesotaâs superstar is Kirill Kaprizov, a relative unknown in the East but he is a guy who scored 40 or more goals in four of his six NHL seasons. He is deadly on the power play, with 19 PP goals in the regular season.
When defenseman Quinn Hughes came to Minnesota in a trade with Vancouver during the season, it made the Wild a true contender. Hughes, a former Norris Trophy winner, is a two-way threat and Olympic hero.
Kaprizov and Hughes lead all playoff scorers with 11 points.
Matt Boldy is a budding star. He has scored six goals so far in the playoffs to tie for the lead.
Another player to watch is former Panther, Cup winner Vladimir Tarasenko. He is past his superstar prime but still can score the big goals, as he proved with Florida â and is doing with the Wild this postseason.
The Vegas-Anaheim series has its fair share of bright lights.
Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner are the top guns for Vegas. Both were acquired via unique trades from Buffalo and Toronto respectively. The two are Vegas playoff scoring leaders.
Jackson LaCombe is a young puck-moving defender who leads the Ducks in playoff scoring and is second only to Quinn Hughes in playoff scoring by defensemen.
Cutter Gauthier, at age 22, led the Ducks in regular season scoring, with 41 goals and 69 points. He was the fifth overall draft pick in 2022 by Philadelphia and was subsequently traded to Anaheim.
While in Philadelphia, Vegas coach John Tortorella basically said he could pick out Gauthier out of a lineup. Bet he can now.
Center Leo Carlsson was the second overall draft pick in 2023 and has not disappointed. He was immediately ready for the NHL and improved in each of his three seasons.
Winger Beckett Sennecke is a finalist for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.
Under new coach Joel Quenneville, Anaheim ended its seven-year playoff drought. With their youngsters, the Ducks look like they could be a force for years to come.
These are the stars but as everyone knows from past playoff history, anyone can become an instant hero.