Analysis: The NHL playoffs are off to an odd start, from the net out
The greatest goal-scorer of his generation was held without a point for the first time in a series in his nearly two-decade NHL career.
The best goaltender in the league this season has given up a first round-high 19 goals. Vancouver has lost a Vezina Trophy finalist, used three different guys in net and taken a 3-1 series lead anyway; the Canucks, in fact, won Game 3 at Nashville 2-1 while putting the puck on net just 12 times. Edmonton, with all of its scorers, won a game with just 13 shots -- a 1-0 shutout behind the goalie everyone thought was their biggest liability to make a run at the Stanley Cup.
The start of the playoffs has been anything but predictable, which is exactly what hockey fans have come to expect this time of year.
Bucking the trend of recent Presidents’ Trophy winners bowing out early, the New York Rangers swept Washington in the first round by keeping Alex Ovechkin off the scoresheet for the first time in his 15 trips to the postseason.