With the NHL regular season wrapping up, the NHL has announced that the Arizona Coyotes will be relocating to Utah next season.
The news is saddening but not shocking, as talks about moving the franchise have been in works for awhile now. The main concern for this is that the Coyotes don’t even their own stadium in Arizona, playing at Arizona State’s Mullet Arena. This college arena only seats 5,000 people, which leads to in influx in pricing for Arizona season tickets.
The last home game of the season was an emotional one for players and fans alike, as the Coyotes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-2. The new franchise will be owned and controlled by Ryan and Ashley Smith, Smith Entertainment Group. Utah will play its games at Delta Center in Salt Lake City next year. All the divisions will stay the same, but there will be new uniforms and colors released soon. If they aren’t named the Buzz to go along with the Jazz there will be riots in the streets. Arizona went 36-41-5 with 77 points this season.
The first round of the playoffs start Saturday and there are some great match ups.
In the East, the New York Rangers won the President’s Cup, so unfortunately that immediately eliminates them from winning Lord Stanley because of the President’s Cup curse. The Islanders play the Hurricanes and the Leafs play the Bruins Saturday for the start of their respective series. I think the Hurricanes are gonna destroy the Islanders, winning the series 4-1. As much as I hate to say it, I have the Leafs in an upset over the Bruins, winning the series 4-3. I love the Leafs going on a run as much as I hate the team solely because of Austin Matthews. I have the Rangers over the Capitals in a potential sweep. I hate the Capitals as a team, a franchise and in the playoffs. The Rangers are one of the best teams, and I hope they dismantle them. In a Florida showdown, the Tampa Bay Lighting take on the Florida Panthers. I love the Lightning in this match up, and I have them winning 4-2 powered by Nikita Kucherov.
On the West side of the bracket, the defending champs in the Golden Knights take on the Stars in what seems to be the match up of the first round. I think it’ll be an exciting couple of games with the Knights winning the series 4-3. The Avs are going to roll the Jets. Anytime, anywhere, however they want. I don’t care about nothing but the Avs. Nathan MacKinnon is going to go bananas. With the Canucks facing off against the Predators, give me the Canucks in a dominating fashion. They are a young team, but one of the most electric on the ice. I think the Canucks will win 4-2 in this series. For the last first round, the Kings visit the overrated Oilers. I hate the Oilers. They are terrible. I hope the Kings sweep. Give me the Kings anyway they want.
