The Most Enticing Potential First-Round Matchups for the 2016 NHL Playoffs

There's still roughly a month-and-a-half remaining in the 2015-16 NHL regular season, but the races in each conference are beginning to offer clues about possible matchups in the first round of the playoffs.

Most great matchups involve teams that are close geographically and are somewhat equal in terms of overall quality. The clincher is often a recent, hard-fought series, as nothing generates bad blood between two franchises more than one team ending another's quest for the Stanley Cup.

If any of the following eight first-round matchups come to fruition, NHL fans aren't likely to be disappointed.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Harry How/Getty Images

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks have two of the NHL's best records. Each team touts incredible star power—there are possible Hall of Famers on both rosters—and each would face considerable pressure to win given its regular-season success.

Have They Met Before? The two teams' last playoff clash came back in 2014, with Los Angeles taking the Western Conference semifinals in Game 7. The Kings scored five goals in that game before the Ducks could find the range.

Which Team Would Be Favored to Win? It might be too close to call. Los Angeles has the better goal differential so far this season, but the Ducks have hammered the NHL since Christmas. It might come down to what the two teams do at the trade deadline to improve their respective depth.

Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are Original Six teams, and the two cities are rivals in all sports and endeavors. The teams themselves have been contenders for years and are veteran crews.

Have They Met Before? The two teams have clashed 10 times over the years, with Boston winning seven of those series. The most recent meeting came in the 2013 Eastern Conference semifinals, which the Bruins won in five games.

Which Team Would Be Favored to Win? Their goal differentials are very similar, and their records are also close. The Rangers might have a slight edge due to last summer's flushing of talent in Boston—including Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton—but it would be a very close series. 

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings are the two most successful teams in the NHL over the last decade. They are both at peak levels and are annual favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Have They Met Before? The Hawks and Kings have met twice recently—in 2013 and 2014—with each team winning a series on their way to the Stanley Cup.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? Chicago has a slight edge in goal differential and are the defending champions. They should be a slight favorite if these two teams meet in the playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues are powerful teams in the Western Conference. Both rosters have enormous quality, and the Blackhawks are the dominant team of this era.

Have They Met Before? The two teams have met 11 times, with Chicago winning eight of the series. There have been two meetings this century, with the Blackhawks winning the most recent one in 2014.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? Based on their performances over the last number of years, Chicago should be favored over all teams in the playoffs—until a team can beat them.

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are rivals in Florida—far from the heart of hockey—but both rosters boast the famous and the highly productive. They are both very good hockey teams.

Have They Met Before? The two teams have never met before in the NHL playoffs.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? The Panthers have the better record and goal differential, while the Lightning have the superior track record in recent seasons—including a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. The Panthers would probably be a slight favorite.

New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The New York Islanders and New York Rangers are both quality NHL teams. The Islanders are just entering the window of opportunity to win, while the Rangers have been in that window since 2012 when they went to the third round.

Have They Met Before? The two teams met several times between 1975 and 1984, and those playoff series were compelling and memorable. The Islanders and the Rangers met last time in the playoffs in 1994 with the Rangers eventually winning the Stanley Cup.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? The two teams are very close in the standings and in goal differential. It is impossible to pick a favorite, although the Rangers do have more experience, and that may be a key to victory.

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The New York Islanders are an emerging power in the Eastern Conference, while the Washington Capitals appear to have the strongest team since Alex Ovechkin arrived in the nation's capital.

Have They Met Before? One of the most famous games in NHL history was Game 7 of their 1987 playoff series, known as the Easter Epic. The teams met a lot during the 1980s and again recently in the 2015 playoffs, where Washington prevailed.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? Washington is a very strong team with a tremendous goal differential—currently +61—and are a formidable foe for any team. They would have to be considered the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals

Matt Kincaid/Getty Images

Why Would This Series Be Compelling? The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have enjoyed a strong rivalry for a long time. It was renewed with the duel emergence of Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh and Alex Ovechkin in Washington a decade ago.

Have They Met Before? The Capitals and Penguins have met a total of eight times, with Pittsburgh winning all but one—in 1994 when they were heavily favored. The most recent memorable series came in the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals—won by the Penguins.

Which Team Would Be Favored To Win? The Capitals would be a strong favorite to win a series this spring, based on goal differential and overall performance. Washington may have the strongest team in its history performing this season.