from Dan Rosen of NHL.com,

Here are 10 storylines that could dominate the headlines in the days and weeks ahead, as the NHL moves closer to crowning the 2017 Stanley Cup champion:

1. Penguins trying for repeat

The Penguins are the first team to reach to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years since 2009, when they and the Detroit Red Wings did it in a Cup Final rematch.

The Penguins ruined Detroit's repeat chances eight years ago by winning the series in seven games. They are trying to become the first team since the Red Wings in 1998 to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

There have been 15 back-to-back (at least) Stanley Cup winners since 1927, when only NHL teams started competing for the Cup. Three teams, including the 2009 Red Wings, have reached the Final a second straight year but failed to repeat since 1998.

The Dallas Stars got back to the Cup Final in 2000 after winning in 1999 but lost to the New Jersey Devils. And the Devils got back to the Final in 2001 after defeating Dallas but lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

2. First time for everything

The Predators are in their first Stanley Cup Final, where they can become the NHL's second first-time Stanley Cup champion in the past 10 seasons.

The Los Angeles Kings were first-time champions in 2012 before winning again in 2014.

The Predators also can become the third of the nine (soon to be 10) expansion teams since 1991 to win the Stanley Cup.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (2004) also won the Cup in their first Final appearance. The Anaheim Ducks (2007) won it in their second appearance after losing to the Devils in 2003.

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