LA Kings: Your rooting guide to the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
By Jack Weber
North Division
Edmonton Oilers
If the Oilers go on a deep playoff run, do you really doubt Connor McDavid’s ability to challenge Wayne Gretzky’s record of 47 points in a single postseason? As far as I’m concerned, the longer we get to watch McDavid, the better.
Montreal Canadiens
Just so you know, if you’re still bitter about 1993, it’s a giveaway that you’re old.
The Kings have won two Cups since then anyway. Come on. It’s time to let go of that grudge and root for Tyler Toffoli, enjoying a career year in his first season in Montreal, to lead hockey’s most storied franchise back to glory for the first time since beating the Kings nearly three decades ago.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Jack Campbell’s emergence is a great story, and he seems likely to begin the playoffs in between the pipes for Toronto, where old friend Jake Muzzin is patrolling the blue line as well. And speaking of grudges that date back to 1993, if the Leafs end their infamous Cup drought this year, maybe their fans will finally stop telling everyone how they would have won it all if only Gretzky’s high stick on Doug Gilmour had been called.
Ok, probably not.
Winnipeg Jets
From Trevor Lewis to Derek Forbort to Nate Thompson, there’s no shortage of former Kings to root for here. You may have your reasons for disliking a high-profile franchise like the Leafs or Habs, and the Oilers were a division rival of the Kings for the past seven years and will likely go back to being one next year. If you’re a Kings fan, there’s definitely a case for the Jets to be your team, at least in the North Division.