The playoffs are finally coming to an end for the remaining 30 NHL clubs who have had to sit back, wait, and watch as the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers continue to duke it out in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Oilers became the first team in 79 years to erase an 0-3 deficit in the Stanley Cup Finals and should they pull off the improbable feat on Monday night, they will become the first team in 82 years and just the 5th team in NHL history to complete the epic comeback. On the flip side, the Panthers could become the first team in 46 years to lose in back to back Finals.
While we saw a lot of action earlier this week, the off-season can officially begin for all once the Stanley Cup is handed out. However because the playoffs dragged on, we are in store for a jam packed week with the NHL's buyout window set to open on Wednesday, the NHL Awards Show on Thursday, followed by the 1st round of the NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, rounds 2 to 7 set for Saturday, and the free agent window opening on Monday.
NHL general managers will have to work quickly and efficiently with not much time in between some of these important dates, including the opening of the buyout window and the first round of the draft being only 2 days apart.
