April brings the first signs of spring. Flowers blooming, warm weather, the sounds of birds chirping, and of course the sirens of goal horns. The NHL playoffs are back and are ready to thrill fans. Unknown heroes are born. Every play is the most important play of the season. And fans create decibel levels in arenas louder than jet planes.
The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs certainly lived up to the hype. Seven games were decided in overtime, with three of them going into double overtime. Two series went the full seven games, and 21 games were decided by just one goal. The excitement of playoff hockey has given fans across the league a roller coaster of emotions, from joy to heartbreak. Here’s how the first round finished up.
Eastern Conference:
The New York Islanders knocked off the Florida Panthers in a six game series with three games going into overtime and two of the three of them were decided in double overtime. In game 6, Islanders captain John Tavares came in clutch scoring the winning goal in double overtime to advance the Islanders to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
The reigning Eastern Conference champions Tampa Bay Lightning faced off against the Detroit Red Wings who also just barely got into the playoffs and dominated throughout the series. The Lightning won the series in five games and they are currently taking on the New York Islanders.
The top seeded President’s Trophy winners Washington Capitals took on the last seeded Philadelphia Flyers. The Capitals won the first three games of that series but the Flyers wouldn’t give up as they won the next two games behind back up goaltender Michal Neuvirth. The comeback would come short as the Capitals pulled away in game 6 to advance to the second round.
The Pittsburgh Penguins took on the New York Rangers as the Penguins came out on top winning the series 4-1. This was the most dominated series in the playoffs as every game was decided by two or more goals as arguably the best goaltender in the NHL, Henrik Lundqvist, got injured in game one and was not Lundqvist-like throughout the series. The Penguins are currently taking on the Washington Capitals.
Western Conference:
The Dallas Stars took on the Minnesota Wild where the Stars won the series 4-2. The most exciting game was game five as the Wild were on the brink of elimination and forced overtime as Mikko Koivu won the game for Minnesota 4:55 into overtime.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks took on the St. Louis Blues in what was one of two game seven series in the first round. The Blues came out on top, winning the series 4-3 and knocking off the reigning champs. The Blues are currently taking on the Dallas Stars in the second round.
The Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators was the other series that went all 7 games as the Predators won the series 4-3. The away team won every game in this series as the Predators won the first two and the last two and the Ducks won the middle three.
The San Jose Sharks took on the Los Angeles Kings where the Sharks won the series 4-1. Games 1-4 were decided by one goal and in game five the Sharks showed their dominance by winning by three goals to win the series. The Sharks are currently playing the Predators in the second round.
Playoff standouts:
Goals- Nikita Kucherov has been hot for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He leads the playoffs with 7 goals including a game winning goal in game three of the second round against the Islanders.
Points- Jamie Benn leads the playoffs with 12 points on five goals and seven assist in eight games for the Dallas Stars. Benn had a goal and two assistant to help give the Stars a game six win against Minnesota.
Save %- The Washington Capitals have been riding the hot goaltending of Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby. The 26-year-old Canadian has led all goaltenders with a .949 save %. Holtby, who won the Calder Cup as a member of the Capitals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, allowed five goals in a six game series victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
