NHL Playoffs

The NHL playoffs are underway, and that means an obligatory story on said postseason.

Irregardless of who you are rooting for to hoist the coveted Lord Stanley’s Cup come June, the playoffs evoke a level of excitement in hockey fans that nothing else really can replicate.

There’s high drama, triumph, heartbreak and a brand of physicalness in each game that simply doesn’t exist during the regular season.

That said, there’s also high drama, triumph, heartbreak and a brand of physicalness that doesn’t exist at any other time of the year for those of us in love with hockey cards.

For example, just today I’ve gotten three emails from folks looking for Adrian Kempe Young Guns cards. Kempe is currently the top point scorer in the postseason.

His 2017 Upper Deck Young Guns could be had during the season for a couple of dollars, now, sales are closer to $5.

I know it’s not a lot of money, but it’s a lot of increase and a lot of margin….

Minnesota Wild standout Matt Boldy is another one off to a great postseason start. The young winger has already found the back of the net three times in two games against the Vegas Golden Knights, and his 2022-23 Young Guns base raw card has gone from around $5 to over $10 overnight.

These are just a couple of examples of how playoff hockey can impact pricing.

Along with great play from these talented skaters, the brighter spotlight on the sport in general is also a factor.

Playoff games are carried on major networks introducing an entirely new crop of fresh faces into the game.

So what’s the point here?

Simple — have fun in the postseason.

If you have some of these top performers… sell and get top-dollar right now, or maybe see how far you can ride the Stanley Cup train before it veers off the rails.

If you’re a buyer…. Take a shot on a few guys and hope the hot streak continues into the next round or beyond.

Either way, it’s a great introduction to the hockey hobby if you’re new to the game, and it could be a lot of fun in the process.

If you’re a seasoned vet, then you know the routine…. Pick your spots (and cards) carefully, and move them before the shine wears off.