From this point forward, all games played in the first round of the NHL playoffs will be elimination games.
The initial round of the postseason has been filled with thrilling action, and when the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 5-2 at home Saturday, it gave them a 3-2 lead in the series. They have battled back from a 2-0 deficit, and the Pacific Division champions are in the position that most expected them to be in at the start of the series.
The Los Angeles Kings were favored to beat the San Jose Sharks in their playoff series, largely because they have had so much playoff success over the years while the Sharks have struggled in the postseason despite their explosive talent.
But this time, the Sharks dictated the pace and forced the Kings into a chase mode, and San Jose won the series in five games.
The Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins may be the two most impressive teams in the first round. The Penguins won their series against the New York Rangers in five games, and those two teams are waiting for their second-round opponents to be determined.
The Sharks w ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
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