The NHL playoffs are never what you expect. Every single year a bubble team surprises in the first round and plays better than they were expected to, sometimes pushing a favorite to the brink or defeating them outright. Last season saw the Toronto Maple Leafs push the Boston Bruins to seven games in their opening round series, while the San Jose Sharks actually upset the Anaheim Ducks. This year, things are off to quite the interesting start.
Four different underdogs were able to win game one of their series, including two different wild card teams in the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets especially shocked the world as they came back from a 3-0 second period deficit to defeat the historically-good Tampa Bay Lightning. Other games came down to the wire, as the New York Islanders needed an overtime winner from Josh Bailey to take game one on the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Washington Capitals held off a late charge from Andrei Svechnikov and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Inspired by a question in yesterday’s live chat, we now ask you to decide which favorite is in the most trouble in round one. Can the Lightning get things organized after their collapse and go back to their dominant offensive ways? Will the Nashville Predators be able to crack Dallas’ suffocating defense and goaltending? Can Jordan Binnington be beaten?
Cast your vote and make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
[Mobile users click here to vote]
Boston should be very very worried
I think Winnipeg is the only choice. All three of the other teams can expect more of a bounce back.
Nashville is losing in 6
A lot of people really overlooked Toronto imo. Including the Bruins and it showed last night
the Bruins got away from what made them dominant (size and pounding the snot out of the opponent). they tried to play the speed game with the leafs and I can only shake my head. if they still think that is a good idea, I’ll change my vote to my beloved B’s, but for now, smashville is ripe for the picking I think.
Yeah,when you sweep a team in the Regular season It really means nothing but I say Nashville
If Nashville doesn’t pull out of this nosedive, they may not make it to Game 5! Boston got their wake up call, so how are you guys going to respond? Those in the ‘Peg: still taking St. Louis for granted? Dear Vegas: Wakey-wakey! Attention Pens: That Barry Trotz guy DID make a HUGE difference this year — you need to find your patented next playoff gear, otherwise, we’ll be waving to you on the 9th tee shortly. The Bogus Burgundy & Blue deserve to be eliminated in 3. And, for the Bolts that slept on the Jackets: WAKE UP, ALREADY!!!
Carolina is in trouble, too much experience from the defending Stanley Cup Champions Washington Capitals, maybe before their season is over in Carolina they will give Don Cherry tickets on the glass,
Ferland just got a 5 minute match penalty with hit to head of Nic Dowd, luckily he came back quickly, and Washington didn’t score, maybe another suspension coming ? Au Revoir Carolina
My bad , referee made a bad call on Ferland’s hit , reviewed video of hit. Now Hamilton’s hit on Kuznetsov is in cross hairs.