![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/USP-NHL_-Edmonton-Oilers-at-Boston-Bruins.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
HOCKEY PLAYOFFS ARE HERE YAYYYYY NHL POSTSEASON!
You don’t share my enthusiasm? Please. The NHL playoffs make up the most fun postseason in sports, when one hit turns a series into a drama-filled back-and-forth, where storied rivalries get another chapter and where you can see a team get really hot out of nowhere and make a run.
With the puck dropping on Monday night — make sure to read Mary Clarke’s power rankings of all 16 teams — it’s a good time to figure out the Stanley Cup Finals matchups you want to see if you’re not rooting for one of these squads.
We’ll rank them by watchability:
10
Seattle Kraken vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/GTY-1481300094.jpg)
The Kraken making a run in just its second season would be quite a storyline. Then you’d get the upstart franchise against the storied Canadian one that hasn’t won one in 1967. JUICY.
9
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/GTY-1480174594.jpg)
This one’s a gift for the league offices with the two big-market franchises going head to head. For fans? It’s the 2014 Finals all over again, with the Blueshirts looking for revenge.
8
Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/02/USATSI_18605040.jpg)
Last year’s Finals were entertaining! Let’s run it back.
7
Edmonton Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/USATSI_19757584.jpg)
The first Connor McDavid appearance on this list, and not the last. And the Hurricanes are a fun team to watch.
6
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/AP-Hurricanes-Sabres-Hockey.jpg)
The matchup of two really fun teams, pure and simple.
5
Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Rangers
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/AP-Penguins-Avalanche-Hockey.jpg)
This is my “I think every game would be 6-4” pick. More offense is good!
4
Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/GTY-1247571702.jpg)
We’ve reached the “can the Bruins complete one of the greatest seasons in NHL history?” portion of the rankings.
3
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Boston Bruins
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/04/GTY-1482114893.jpg)
Two teams built for a tough postseason going head to head. Love it.
2
Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2022/12/1245591612.jpg)
THE BATTLE FOR CANADA! WHO WILL BE KING OF THE NORTH?
1
Edmonton Oilers vs. Boston Bruins
![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2023/03/USATSI_20105958.jpg)
This is it right here. The game’s best player who put together one of the best seasons ever with 153 points against the team that compiled the best regular-season ever. I’m tuning in for every minute.