The Vancouver Canucks will be playing the Los Angeles Kings. In the previous 4 meetings these 2 teams had this year is was a 2-2 record. Vancouver and Los Angeles did meet up in 2010 in the first round and Vancouver won in 6 games.
The St. Louis Blues are playing the San Jose Sharks. In the 4 meetings these teams had this year the St. Louis Blues won all 4 times. Four game sweep perhaps?
The Chicago Blackhawks are playing the Phoenix Coyotes. In these teams 4 meetings this year surprisingly Phoenix won 3 of the 4 meetings. This is going to be a great series.
Finally the Detroit Red Wings take on the Nashville Predators. The Red Wings are making their 21st consecutive playoff appearance, while last year the Nashville Predators made it to the 2nd round for the 1st time ever in franchise history! In the 6 meetings these 2 teams had this year both being in the Central Division is was 50/50. Each team won 3 times. This is going to be the series to watch in the West!
The New York Rangers will be meeting the Ottawa Senators in the 1st round. New York has been at the top of the Eastern Standings pretty much all year while Ottawa is the surprise breakout team this year. Ottawa is the only Canadian team from the east who made the playoffs! Surprisingly in the 4 meeting these 2 teams had Ottawa won 3 of them.
The former Stanley Cup Champs, the Boston Bruins will be facing the Washington Capitals. Washington had to work their tails off to get into the playoffs with a fight 'til the death with the Buffalo Sabres. In these 2 teams 4 meetings this year the Capitals beat the Bruins 3 of 4 times!
The Florida Panthers are playing the New Jersey Devils. These 2 teams went 2-2 during the season.
And in the series that is going to be a blood bath for sure, the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing the Philadelphia Flyers. In the teams 6 meetings Philly won 4 of 6 games. This will be the series in the east to watch!
Steven Stamkos got his 60th goal! It happened at 3:29 in the 3rd period in Winnipeg. Stamkos is the 20th player to ever hit the mark. Stamkos now joins a group including the Great One Wayne Gretzky, former Penguin Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull. Alex Ovechkin has been the only player to hit 60 since the lockout and also the only player since 1996. Here is the goal!
Chicago beat Detroit 3-2 in a shootout
New Jersey beat Ottawa 4-2
Boston beat Buffalo 4-3 in a shootout
Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 4-2
Calgary beat Anaheim 5-2
Washington beat NY Rangers 4-1
Montreal beat Toronto 4-1 (Toronto is now the only team who hasn't made the playoffs since the lockout)
Tampa Bay beat Winnipeg 4-3 in overtime
Columbus beat the NY Islanders 7-3
Florida beat Carolina 4-1 (Florida is making their 1st playoff appearance since 2000-2001)
Phoenix beat Minnesota 4-1
Dallas beat St. Louis 3-2
Nashville beat Colorado 6-1
Vancouver beat Edmonton 3-0 (the only shutout of the night)
San Jose beat Los Angeles 3-2
Head on down to Red Card Sports Bar tonight and tomorrow for Hockey Talk with Courtney's Women's Only Fantasy Hockey Draft! 7:00 and $10 each. I pick the players to choose from and you select your teams! Easy and fun and the players are oh so cute! See you there!