Mediocrity breeds contempt as Rick Bowness and Todd McLellan both vented their frustrations through the media when their teams were eliminated from playoff contention this week. Turning to the East playoff matchups, Tampa’s experience may give them a slight edge over Montreal in a feisty, likely tight series, Carolina’s goaltending remains a big question against Ottawa in what should be low-scoring, Pittsburgh/Philly renews a heated rivalry with plenty of unpredictability, and Buffalo’s speed and scoring could outlast Boston’s tighter style. In the West, playoff positioning is still shifting with L.A. seen as Edmonton’s ideal matchup as they await Leon Draisaitl’s return. Anaheim and Colorado also await outcomes in tonight's games. Dallas/Minnesota looks like a true coin flip but could be impacted by Stars' injuries, and Vegas faces a dangerous but inexperienced Utah despite the former riding a surge under new coach John Tortorella. NHL award chatter sees crowded Hart and Norris races, Peter Schaefer leading the Calder, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Sorokin atop Vezina consideration, and multiple strong Jack Adams candidates in a wide-open field.

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