Eagles in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Somehow, we’re here. The NHL resumes the 2020 season later this week, jumping right into the Stanley Cup playoffs on August 1 after a few days of exhibition games.

If you haven’t been paying attention to the return of the NHL, here’s a quick summary of what’s happening based on the very very limited reading I’ve done (hockey content has been making me SAD that we didn’t get a real end to the college hockey season, during a time that I was pretty confident BC was going to be able to put a sixth star on the backs of their jerseys, so forgive me if some of this information is slightly inaccurate or not as in-depth as you’d like): there are two bubbles; one in Toronto (for the Eastern Conference) and in Edmonton (for the Western Conference). Each conference will play up to their conference finals in each bubble, then Edmonton will host the Stanley Cup Final. Playoffs will start with qualifying rounds, with teams on the cusp vying for a spot in the top sixteen teams. From there, playoffs will look like they usually do (I’m pretty sure). The teams that already have a guaranteed spot in the playoff structure will be playing round robin games to determine seeding going into the 16-team structure.

On the 24 teams that made their way up to the two bubbles, there are 14 former Eagles on playoff rosters, tied for fourth most college hockey alum. Here’s where you can watch your favorite players!

Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau and Noah Hanifin are both on the Flames playoff roster. During the regular season, Gaudreau scored 58 points, and Hanifin had 22 points in 70 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Cam Atkinson and Nathan Gerbe are on the CBJ roster. Atkinson put up 26 points in 44 games, while Gerbe put up 10 points in 30 games. Atkinson was also nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the Blue Jackets for the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice.

Florida Panthers

Brian Boyle and Mike Matheson will be suiting up for the Panthers. Boyle scored 15 points in 39 games, and Matheson scored 20 points in 59 games.

New York Rangers

Chris Kreider is the lone BC alum on the Rangers, and scored 45 points in 63 games. After rumors ran wild at the NHL trade deadline (which seems like forever ago!), Kreider signed an extension with the Rangers. A foot injury kept him out for the last seven regular season games, but he’s good to go now.

Philadelphia Flyers

Kevin Hayes, also known as Gritty’s roommate, is the only BC alum on the Flyers. So far, he’s scored 41 points in 69 regular season games. He’s also the second BC alum to be nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Brian Dumoulin is the lone BC alum on a team filled with college hockey alum. This year, he scored 8 points in 28 games, and is looking to win his third Stanley Cup in 5 years after going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.

St. Louis Blues

Zach Sanford is suiting up for the Blues and is looking to win his second Stanley Cup. He scored 30 points in 58 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Joseph Woll is one of the goalies that the Toronto Maple Leafs brought with them into the bubble. While he didn’t see any NHL action this year, Woll played 32 games with the Toronto Marlies and had a .880 save percentage before the AHL season was suspended, then canceled.

Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko is suiting up for the Vancouver Canucks. In his first year as a full-time NHL backup goalie, Demko played 27 games, with a 3.06 GAA and .905 save percentage.

Vegas Golden Knights

Alex Tuch and Patrick Brown are on the Golden Knights playoff roster. Tuch has 17 points in 42 games. Brown played in one regular season NHL game and scored a goal with the Golden Knights this year, but had 21 points in 60 games with the Chicago Wolves.