from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

If it felt like the NHL season was split into two different leagues this year — one in the U.S. and one in Canada — having Boston and Washington play Game 1 of the playoffs on the same day that Edmonton and Vancouver will be playing an otherwise meaningless regular-season game probably won’t change that.

It’s an odd move by the NHL schedule-makers.

Call me old fashioned, but is it too much to ask that the regular season ends before the playoffs begin?

Then again, for most hockey fans the Bruins-Capitals is nothing more than the opening act. The playoffs won’t really begin until a week from now, when the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the North Division semifinal.

This is the match-up fans have been waiting for since 1979. It’s the investment that Rogers Sportsnet spent more than $5 billion on. And with apologies to the Oilers and Jets, who begin the playoffs, it’s the most hyped series of the first round.

The question is, will it live up to the hype?

I don’t think it will go seven games. But I’m expecting a tough series — tougher than most Toronto fans probably want to admit.

For the first time in the past five years — and, no, last year’s play-in against Columbus doesn’t count — the Leafs will be the favourites. They will have all the pressure. Everyone expects them to win the North Division and go all the way and win a Stanley Cup. Anything less will be considered a disappointment.

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