Introduction: The Alternate Reality of Bizarro World NHL

Imagine a world where the NHL playoffs play out entirely differently, and the losers of the Conference Finals actually advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. This alternate reality, known as the Bizarro world, is a fascinating and intriguing concept that challenges the very fabric of the NHL. Let's dive into the 2018 playoffs as an example and explore what could have been.

The 2018 NHL Playoffs: Reality vs. Bizarro World

The Reality: In the 2018 playoffs, the Washington Capitals progressed by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Final, while the Vegas Golden Knights won the Western Conference by beating the Winnipeg Jets 5-1.

The Reality: Eastern Conference Finals

The Washington Capitals made it to the playoffs with a convincing win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Tampa Lightning, finishing the regular season with 113 points—the highest in the Eastern Conference, faced off against the Capitals in the Eastern Conference Final. The Capitals, with 105 points, outlasted Columbus and Pittsburgh in grueling six-game series.

The Reality: Western Conference Finals

Winnipeg Jets beat their Central Division rivals, the Minnesota Wild, also in five games. If not for the divisional seeding, Winnipeg might have faced Nashville in the Conference Final. The Jets, with a strong 114 points, battled Nashville, the President's Trophy winners, in a thrilling seven-game series. The animosity between the two teams reached a boiling point, culminating in a 5-1 win for the Jets in Game 7.

Bizarro World Version: A Different Path to the Stanley Cup

In the Bizarro world, the matchups are altered. Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets face off in the Eastern Conference Final, while the Tampa Lightning and Washington Capitals compete for the Western Conference crown.

Bizarro World: Eastern Conference Finals

Instead of the Capitals, Tampa Lightning face the Winnipeg Jets. The Lightning, with their 113 points, had a smoother path, defeating New Jersey and Boston in the first and second rounds, respectively. However, the Jets, with 114 points, did not fare as well, needing seven games to defeat Nashville, who had 116 points.

Bizarro World: Western Conference Finals

In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights, with 109 points, face off against the California rivals, the San Jose Sharks. Despite their impressive season, Vegas faced a challenge in their series against Winnipeg, which won two of the three regular-season meetings. Winnipeg, with 114 points, just edged out Nashville in the race for the top spot in the West.

Series Highlights and Alternate Outcomes

Assuming Winnipeg wins in either five or seven games, and Tampa also wins in seven against Washington, we’re left with an all-star matchup featuring two of the three top teams in the NHL in terms of points.

Highlight: Bizarro World Series

Winnipeg, with home ice advantage due to their one-point scoring edge over Tampa, would head to the Stanley Cup Finals. This series would see two pivotal games from the regular season, with Winnipeg winning one and losing one in overtime. The Winnipeg Jets, known for their intense fanbase, would likely see this as their moment to shine. Historically, the Jets were the last team from Winnipeg to appear in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1902, adding a much-needed revivification to their storied history.

The Facing Team

Winnipeg’s appearance would also mark the first time a Canadian team had been in the Stanley Cup Finals since the 2011 Vancouver Canucks. Given their strong regular-season performance and the playoff series, the Winnipeg Jets had a good chance of emerging victorious, making them the likely winners of the 2018 Stanley Cup.

Conclusion: The Power of Alternate Realities

The Bizarro world concept in the NHL is a tantalizing thought experiment that highlights the unpredictability and the depth of talent within the league. Whether or not this scenario panned out in the alternate reality, it’s fun to speculate and imagine what might have been. The NHL is an elite competition that excels in the power of storytelling, and these hypothetical scenarios add to the rich narrative of the league.