Take a good look around, hockey fans. Notice anything?
The path to the Stanley Cup has never been more wide open. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been struck down. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been sent packing. Two seemingly major obstacles removed in shockingly quick fashion.
Only 14 teams are left standing barely a week into the post-season marathon after the biggest favourite and another perennial contender both pulled up lame right out of the block. Any of the remaining 14 could go the distance this spring. And yes, that certainly includes the local lads here in River City, who are in the midst of writing a pretty nice redemption tale.