Forty-eight teams representing all 10 provinces and three states are set to start battling it out in the CHL playoffs on Thursday. Mike Koreen takes a look at matchups and storylines across the three leagues:

Jakub Dobes' latest triumph affirmed his status as the Canadiens' starting goalie — even if no one has actually said that. It's probably best it stays that way. Dobes seems to be at his best when he's fighting for something.