In a special re-recorded podcast via my YouTube channel, here is what I had to say about the NHL’s planned 24 team Playoff Tournament.

Included are some thoughts on the 10 potential host cities and where the games could land. That includes a round robin between the top four seeds in each conference to determine rankings. A bit perplexing to me due to how many points the Bruins racked up. Here are the top eight teams:

EAST

(1) Bruins

(2) Lightning

(3) Capitals

(4) Flyers

WEST

(1) Blues

(2) Avalanche

(3) Golden Knights

(4) Stars

I also look at the strange two to three part NHL Draft Lottery with six of seven eliminated teams taking part in Part I on Friday, June 26. They are the Red Wings, Senators (own rights to Sharks pick too), Kings, Ducks, Devils and Sabres. The second phase will include the eight eliminated teams who take part in the preliminary stage that’s a best three of five round featuring 16 teams (8 per conference).

The Rangers are going to face the Hurricanes in one match-up. They took the season series 4-0. Find out my analysis on the series and why the regular season meetings mean nothing come late July. I preview each series and do my best to make preliminary picks.

The series are as follows:

EAST PRELIMS

(5) Penguins vs (12) Canadiens

(6) Hurricanes vs (11) Rangers

(7) Islanders vs (10) Panthers

(8) Maple Leafs vs (9) Blue Jackets

WEST PRELIMS

(5) Oilers vs (12) Blackhawks

(6) Predators vs (11) Coyotes

(7) Canucks vs (10) Wild

(8) Flames vs (9) Jets