*Did you folks enjoy the first weekend of the playoffs? It was pretty fun hockey! First the Caps beat the stupid Bruins in overtime… [Japers’ Rink]
*…then Sunday we had another OT match with the Islanders taking Game 1 from the Penguins… [Lighthouse Hockey]
*…then we headed out west for Wild-Golden Knights which ALSO went to overtime and ended with the Wild winning despite an absolutely outstanding performance by Marc-Andre Fleury… [Hockey Wilderness]
*…and the action wrapped up with Game 1 of The Battle of Florida which was BONKERS and quite possibly the best game of hockey played all season. [Raw Charge]
*During the Caps game, goalie Vitek Vanecek got hurt while trying to make a save. It prompted some rather strange analysis from the broadcast team. [NBC Sports Washington]
*The Lightning seem to be the universal favorite to win the aforementioned Battle of Florida, but one veteran NHL writer thinks they may be primed for an upset. [LA Times]
*If you’d like to follow along with former friends, here are the five ex-Flyers currently competing in the playoffs. [NBC Sports Philly]
*Two experts on both NHL goaltending AND playing in Philadelphia are here to assure us: Carter Hart is going to be just fine. [Inquirer]
*Carter Hart knows Carter Hart is going to be just fine, too. [NBC Sports Philly]
*Anyway, did you check out our first round predictions? We did the East and West first, and then moved on to the North and Central. You have to read them so you can roast us later for being wrong. That’s how this works.
*Our old pal Craig is back at it, taking a look at 32 interesting stats heading into these playoffs. [Sports Are Bad]
*And finally, if you’re not actually excited for these playoffs or looking forward to watching some games, perhaps Doc Emrick can change your mind.
31 teams began this journey.
16 teams continue it starting tonight.
The #StanleyCup Playoffs have arrived. Doc Emrick is the right person to get us started. pic.twitter.com/XpfhBUdqYf
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 15, 2021
