NHL Playoffs: 7 Storylines If Hockey's Postseason Began Today

With a relatively sleepy trade deadline thankfully in the rear-view mirror, the playoff stretch kicks into full gear, and if the postseason started today, several captivating storylines would present themselves.

Obviously, we're getting ahead of ourselves here, but a) previews and prognostications make sports fandom all the more exciting, and b) hypothetical situations are great for sports debate.

Considering that, here are a few sexy (and not-so-sexy for some fanbases) scenarios that would come to fruition if the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began today...

...The Detroit Red Wings Would Make It '21'

Currently seeded fourth in the Western Conference, Detroit would extend its current NHL playoff appearance streak to 21 straight seasons. It's not like the Red Wings are a one-and-done franchise, either—Detroit has claimed four Stanley Cup titles in six finals appearances during this stretch. 

The last time "HockeyTown" didn't host a playoff game was the 1989-90 season.

If the playoffs started today...San Jose Would Be a Close 2nd?

Would you believe the team with the second-most consecutive playoff appearances is the San Jose Sharks? Folks at the "Tank" have gotten extremely accustomed to playoff hockey, for seven straight years now. This playoff season would be the eighth. Question is, are McLellan and the boys ready to make the ultimate championship push?

If the playoffs started today...2 Divisions Would Send 4 Teams Apiece

If you're wondering which NHL divisions are the deepest and most competitive in 2012, look no further.

The Western Conference Central Division would be represented by the aforementioned Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues.

From the Atlantic Division in the East: The New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

The Blues and Devils would be the biggest surprises amongst those eight teams.

If the playoffs started today...Droughts Would Get Drier

Maple Leaf fans, please remove the laces from your shoes. Why? Because your team would miss the playoffs for a record seventh consecutive season.

Actually, Florida holds the dubious distinction of most seasons (10) without seeing the light of the postseason, but with the Panthers seeded third in the East, that streak would be snapped, leaving Toronto with the longest playoff dry spell.

Edmonton (5) and the New York Islanders (4) would each extend their playoff-less streaks by yet another, empty season.

If the playoffs started today...Canada Would Be Shocked

Sorry, Canucks fans, you were expected to be here, but Ottawa and Winnipeg were not. And as of today, maintenance crews from both organizations would be painting "Stanley Cup Playoffs" on their home ice. Quite the accomplishment considering Winnipeg's relocation over the offseason and Ottawa's dismal 2011 campaign.

Safe to say few would expect their playoff inclusion, though, I'm sure both teams are happy to prove pundits wrong.

If the playoffs started today...Teams that Loaded Up Would be on the First Tee

The Buffalo Sabres, under new owner Terry Pegula, were major players last offseason, adding talent up and down the roster, but to no avail. The situation in Buffalo has been bleak, and at this point, the Sabres would finish a disappointing 10th in the Eastern Conference.

A few thousand miles away, the goal-deprived Los Angeles Kings face a similar fate. Los Angeles added Mike Richards last summer and his former Flyer teammate Jeff Carter at the trade deadline. Unfortunately for them, the arms race would leave the boys from Tinseltown one point short of the eighth playoff spot in the West. 

If the playoffs started today...The Keystone State Would Be Divided Once Again

Pittsburgh. Philadelphia. They don't like each other. In fact, they can't stand each other—especially on the ice. So with Pittsburgh seeded fourth, and Philly fifth, the two Pennsylvania cities would be pitted against each other yet again in the postseason.

Regular-season tilts between the two rivals are brutal, with playoff matchups bringing the hatred to a crescendo. Pittsburgh took both the 2008 and 2009 playoff matchups en route to Stanley Cup Finals appearances both seasons, but in three prior meetings, the Flyers were a perfect 3-0 over the Penguins. What would a 2012 battle bring?

These are just a few of the emerging playoff storylines coming into focus. Have some of your own? Feel free to tell me in the comments below.

Ryan O'Leary is a researcher and writer for Bleacher Report's Video Production Department with seven years experience in the sports industry. Ryan covered the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Hockey Tournament with CTV and the 2011 IIHF World Championships with the NBC Sports Channel. He was also a member of NBC's 2008 Olympic Coverage in Beijing. Ryan resides in Connecticut and supports the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers from afar. Ryan received his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri and Master's of Sports Management from West Virginia University.