As the puck drops on the Stanley Cup Playoffs Wednesday night, we know that whatever team hoists the Cup in June, we will see the 200th former college player have his name etched on that storied trophy as a player. The 16 teams in the hunt for the NHL's top prize feature between four and 13 former college players on each roster, setting up a number of intriguing storylines for NCAA fans.
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More than half of the first-round playoff series feature former college teammates facing off against each other. Fourteen of the 16 playoff teams have a former NCAA champion on their current roster.
Check out some of the NCAA-related storylines below, with the number of former college players on each roster in parentheses, and find even more detail by visiting our NHL Matchup Tool.
COLORADO (5) vs. MINNESOTA (12)
Former NCAA champions
Colorado: Paul Stastny (Denver), Paul Carey (Boston College, twice)
Minnesota: Keith Ballard (Minnesota, twice), Justin Fontaine (Minnesota Duluth)
Notes
ST. LOUIS (10) vs. CHICAGO (6)
College Teammates
Ryan Miller vs. Duncan Keith (Michigan State)
T.J. Oshie, Chris Porter vs. Jonathan Toews (North Dakota)
Former NCAA champions
St. Louis: Brian Elliott (Wisconsin), Jordan Leopold (Minnesota), Kevin Shattenkirk (Boston University)
Chicago: Ben Smith (Boston College, twice)
Notes
ANAHEIM (6) vs. DALLAS (8)
College Teammates
Nick Bonino vs. Alex Chiasson (Boston University)
Former NCAA champions
Anaheim: Nick Bonino (Boston University)
Dallas: Chris Mueller (Michigan State)
Notes
SAN JOSE (11) vs. LOS ANGELES (4)
College Teammates
Tommy Wingels vs. Alec Martinez (Miami)
Justin Braun vs. Jonathan Quick (Massachusetts)
Former NCAA champions
San Jose: Adam Burish (Wisconsin), John McCarthy (Boston University), Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin)
BOSTON (7) vs. DETROIT (8)
College Teammates
Corey Potter vs. Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller (Michigan State)
Former NCAA champion
Detroit: Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State)
Notes
TAMPA BAY (8) vs. MONTREAL (7)
Former NCAA champions
Tampa Bay: J.T. Brown (Minnesota Duluth), Matt Carle (Denver, twice)
Montreal: Brian Gionta (Boston College), Thomas Vanek (Minnesota)
Notes
PITTSBURGH (13) vs. COLUMBUS (7)
College Teammates
Brian Gibbons vs. Cam Atkinson (Boston College)
Former NCAA champions
Pittsburgh: Brian Gibbons (Boston College, twice), Paul Martin (Minnesota, twice), Brooks Orpik (Boston College), Rob Scuderi (Boston College)
Columbus: Cam Atkinson (Boston College)
Notes
NY RANGERS (8) vs. PHILADELPHIA (6)
Former NCAA champions
NY Rangers: Chris Kreider (Boston College, twice)
Notes