How can you not love playoff hockey? So far this year we’ve seen; big hits, upsets, fights, goaltender duels, goaltender blow-ups, questionable reffing, and lots of controversy. We’ve also seen records set for; points by a player, goals in a series, suspensions, and consecutive overtimes. All this has happened, and we’re still in the first round! But the most shocking thing that has happened so far is that the top two contenders to win the Stanley Cup have been eliminated!
Pittsburgh was a 4-1 favorite to win the cup this year. They are now out after playing only 6 games.
Vancouver was a 6-1 favorite to win the cup this year. They are now out after playing only 5 games.
These teams were the top two picks by far, and they are both out. Not only that, but the third and fourth consensus picks (the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins) can also each be eliminated with one more loss respectively. So who does that leave?
Well, here’s how the teams were ranked to start the playoffs.
#1 Vancouver – out
#2 Pittsburgh – out
#3 New York – down 2-3
#4 Boston – tied 3-3
#5 St. Louis – won
#6 Nashville – won
#7 Detroit – out
#8 Philadelphia – won
#9 Chicago – down 2-3
#10 New Jersey – down 2-3
#11 San Jose – out
#12 Los Angeles – won
#13 Washington – tied 3-3
#14 Phoenix – up 3-2
#15 Ottawa – up 3-2
#16 Florida – up 3-2
Needless to say it’s wide open right now, and anyone has a shot at winning this thing. The playoffs have always been unpredictable, but this year more than most. This is also what makes hockey so great, because anything can happen, and usually does. Rest assured that we are all in for one hell of a ride over the next three rounds!
…and that is the last word.
