My esteemed colleague Pete Blackburn would have you believe that when the the puck drops Wednesday on the playoffs. I'm here to tell you that's a lie. There are 16 teams in these Stanley Cup playoffs, and every one has something going for it. From the to the and the to the , there's something worth rooting for with each.Sure, sometimes you have to dig harder than others to find that something good, but it's doable. Here's a reason you should root for each in this year's playoffs.Reason to root for them: They've dealt with a lot this yearIf the Bruins aren't the most injured team in hockey, it's got to be the Ducks. mi sed time, and the Ducks will likely be without one of their top defensemen in for this series. status is in question as well. The Ducks have had to go through a lot this season, but these playoffs are all about overcoming adversity. Reason to root for them: See the DucksThe Bruins overcame being one of the most injured teams in hockey to get to this point, and they've proven that they can tinker with the lineup to match their needs. They've survived injuries to , , and . Still Steven Matz Jersey they've plugged on. Also, if makes it into the lineup (he's projected to at least be a Game 1 healthy scratch), he's impo sible to root against. One of Team USA's best players in the Olympics and juggling the NHL and Harvard? That's a pretty awesome story.Reason to root for them: Their ma sive one-season turnaroundThe Avalanche would need a miracle run to do anything this postseason, but consider this: They're a year away from going 22-56-4, their lowest franchise win total in a non-shortened season. has managed to turn this team on its head. In just a year, Nathan McKinnon went from 53 points to 97 points (reminder: he's 22 years old) and they've done with this with the same Keith Hernandez Jersey core. It's a great turnaround and story, and one that I for one would like to see continue.Reason to root for them:One word: BOBROVSKY , 2016-17's Vezina Trophy winner and third-place Hart Trophy candidate, turned in another solid season for the Blue Jackets. After the Blue Jackets were brushed aside 4-1 in the playoffs by the last year, Bobrovsky posted a save percentage of .921. If you want to see great saves in rush opportunities, you want Bobrovsky in these playoffs. Reason to root for them: They aren't the Penguins -- and they may be our only hopeIt's hard to believe that this would be LA's third Stanley Cup since 2012, but here we are. After a scorching hot start to their season, the Kings are trying to fight through injuries to and . They feel like the only team in the Pacific giving us breaks from the and Penguins winning titles. And I think we all need another one right about now.Reason to root for them: They can be chaos incarnateIn the past, I've acknowledged the Wild as what might be the best logo in sports, so using that would feel redundant. So how about the fact that Canada South has only made the Conference Finals once in their 18-year history. is still tearing it up at 33, and the Wild are mi sing . The Wild are coming in as big underdogs despite a good season, but they have the capacity to play spoiler. Reason to root for them: Don't lie, you were last yearOne thing the Predators tried to prove this year: They're actually really good. How did they do that? Well, they only went out and won the President's Trophy in dominant fashion. The Predators were the most exciting team in last year's playoffs, which is easy to forget. They're no le s exciting now, people just realize that they're good. And the President's Trophy Curse has to be broken eventually, right?Reason to root for them: Patrick Warburton. And upsets.Remember how exciting Nashville storming through the West was last year? That's basically what this would be. If the Devils can take out an undoubtedly amazing Lightning team, then they can take out anyone this year. The atmosphere around Nashville hockey was incredible. Imagine Devin Mesoraco Jersey if the Devils make a run in their first playoff appearance since they lost the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.Also, and perhaps more importantly:Reason to root for them: Claude Giroux's silky a sists is one of the best players to watch in hockey, putting up 102 points for the Flyers. He had a real shot at the Art Ro s Trophy if Connor McDavid would stop doing things, but Giroux should get serious looks for the Hart Trophy. He plays some of the cleanest hockey you've ever seen, and hey, the city of Philadelphia needs a win right? Wait, scratch that last part. Reason to root for them: Sid the KidLook, I know that I'll get flak for this, but find me a nicer guy than . After the Humboldt tragedy he sent a, he plays hockey within Quebec and he's just an all-around good dude. The funny thing is, there's a good chance Crosby is also the reason to root against the Penguins. But I just don't know how people can hate someone so likable.Reason to root for them: Sharks are cool, and the Sharks know itThe other half of the Battle of California has some of the most lovable characters in hockey, with and making up the back line. Their Twitter is about as good as it gets, as is their fan-service. They've given away Tim Tebow Jersey Brent Burns Chia Pets in the past and Brent Burns grills with mi sing teeth. Also, this is their pinned tweet right now: San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) Plus they call their arena The Tank. This team knows how to brand.Reason to root for them: They've made Tampa Keon Broxton Jersey care about hockey. Oh, and GOALSJeffrey Vinik and Steve Yzerman have done the unthinkable: They've made a Florida city care about hockey. set the league on fire with a 100-point season, and the Lightning are just fun hockey to watch. They put up goals at a borderline alarming rate, and this is the kind of team that you'll want to watch all the way through the playoffs. Reason to root for them: They need thisIf doesn't convince you to root for Toronto, maybe this will: The Maple Leafs need revenge for their 2013 playoff matchup against the Bruins, in which they suffered a Game 7 collapse so bad it sent them into rebuild mode. After three years out of the playoffs before making it last year, Mike Babcock has this team back on its feet, and despite a first-round lo s to Washington last year the Maple Leafs look faster and... well... Better this year.Reason to root for them: The Island of Misfit Toys winning the Cup would be amazingIs there a more compelling story in sports than a city people weren't sure could hold a team finally getting one and making the playoffs in its first year? If there is, I'm yet to find it. The expansion draft was designed to make Vegas a Frankenstein's Monster of veterans and cast-offs that teams didn't want