SEATTLE — Watching the just-completed opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs underscored yet again how difficult it is to win a championship.
Or, at least, to plan on winning one. There's a difference. And one that Kraken fans should take note of.
We saw five opening-round series go to Game 7, the second-most in NHL history. Among survivors, we've got the treat not only of a Battle of Florida between the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers but also the first postseason Battle of Alberta since 1991 between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.