It just doesn’t seem possible that the NHL could regress to dull, low-scoring hockey after these playoffs, and the indicators are we should be in store for a different game in 2014-15. No one in their right mind should expect the intensity of what we just witnessed, but the other factors — the speed of the game, the influx of youth, the great players at the top of their game — are still there.

As great as these playoffs have been, they’d be even more memorable if they brought about a sea change in the NHL. We’ll be watching next season. Don’t disappoint us.

-Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province where you can read more of his Stanley Cup Playoffs review.