It is finally over. After 12 months, The 2019-2020 NHL season came to an end as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Dallas Stars in six games to win the Stanley Cup Final. The playoffs, especially the final, was filled with highlight reel goals, great saves, and big hits. Let us recap an exciting and unique playoffs. 

Round 1: Stanley Cup Qualifiers (Best of 5)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Calgary vs. Winnipeg: 
  • The Calgary Flames bested the Winnipeg Jets in 4 games to move onto the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where the Dallas Stars awaited.      
• Nashville vs. Arizona
  • The Arizona Coyotes upset the Nashville Predators in 4 games and advance to play the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
• Edmonton vs. Chicago
  • Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks upset the Oilers in 4 games and move on to play the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
• Vancouver vs. Minnesota 
  • The young Canucks beat the Minnesota Wild in 4 games to advance to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to play the defending champion St. Louis Blues. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Toronto vs. Columbus
  • The Columbus Blue Jackets completed the upset against the Maple Leafs in a 5 game thriller. The Blue Jackets move on to play the Tampa Bay Lightning, in a rematch of last year’s first round matchup. 
• Carolina vs. New York
  • The Carolina Hurricanes completed an unexpected sweep of the New York Rangers as they dominated the matchup 3-0. The Hurricanes advance to play the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins
• Pittsburgh vs. Montreal
  • Another upset occurred when the Canadiens beat the Penguins in 4 games. The Canadiens move on to play the Philadelphia Flyers in the opening round. 
• New York vs. Florida
  • The Islanders took care of business against the Panthers as they won the series in 4 games. They advance to play the Washington Capitals. 

Round 2: First Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs (Best of 7)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Philadelphia vs. Montreal
  • The Flyers and the Canadiens series went down to the wire but the Flyers ultimately emerged victorious in 7 games. The Flyers would go on to play the Islanders in the quarterfinals. 
• Tampa Bay vs. Columbus
  • After a disappointing loss to the Blue Jackets last year, the Lightning rebounded this year with a 4-1 series win. The Lightning would advance to play the Bruins in the quarterfinals. 
• Washington vs. New York
  • The Islanders upset Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in 5 games as they advance to the quarterfinals to play the Flyers. 
• Boston vs. Carolina
  • In a rematch of last years Eastern Conference Final, the Bruins bested the Hurricanes in 5 games. The Bruins, after the stunning Tuuka Rask’s stunning decision to leave the NHL bubble in the middle of the playoffs, advance to play the Lightning in the quarterfinals

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Vegas vs. Chicago
  • The Golden Knights emerged victorious against the Blackhawks, so the Knights move on to play the Canucks in the quarterfinals. 
• Colorado vs. Arizona
  • The Avalanche dominated the Coyotes as they win the series 4-1. They move to play the stars in the quarterfinals.
• Dallas vs. Calgary 
  • The Stars beat the Flames in the series 4-2. The Stars advance to play the Avalanche in the quarterfinals.
• St. Louis vs. Vancouver
  • The Canucks upset the defending champion Blues 4-2 as they move on to play the Vegas Golden Knights in the quarterfinals

Round 3: Stanley Cup Quarterfinals (Best of 7) 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Philadelphia vs. New York
• The Islanders continue their Cinderella story as they eliminate one of the cup favorites (the Flyers) in 7 games. The Islanders advance to the Eastern Conference Final to play the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Tampa Bay vs. Boston
  • The Lightning dominated the Bruins and took a commanding 4-1 series win. Tampa moves on to play the Islanders in the Eastern Conference Final.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• Vegas vs. Vancouver 
  • The Golden Knights’ playoff experience paid off as they knocked off the young, talented, yet inexperienced Canucks with a 4-3 series win. The Knights move on to the Western Conference Final to play the Stars
• Dallas vs. Colorado
  • The Stars managed to pull off a game 7 victory against the Avalanche to win the series in 7 games. The Stars advance to the Western Conference Final where the Knights await. 

ROUND 4: CONFERENCE FINAL/SEMIS (Best of 7)

• EASTERN CONFERENCE

• • • The Islanders’ magical playoff run came to an end as they were defeated in 6 games by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning return to the finals for the first time in 5 years.

• WESTERN CONFERENCE

• • The Stars and the Golden Knights series came down to a game 7, where Denis Gurianov scored in overtime to send the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in over 2 decades.

ROUND 5: STANLEY CUP FINAL (Best of 7)

• The Lightning and Stars battled it out for 6 games but ultimately, the Lightning came out on top to win their first Stanley Cup since 2004.