There were more than a few surprises during the first week of the playoffs -- and a thus a lot of movement in the playoff power rankings:
Rookie Jake Guentzel rocks. The injury-riddled Penguins have pushed a very good Columbus Blue Jackets team to the brink with three consecutive wins -- thanks largely to the previously unheralded 22-year-old's four-goal, one-assist outburst.
The Blues might not be the better team in this first-round matchup with the Minnesota Wild, but they have the hottest goaltender on the planet in Jake Allen, who has stopped 114 of 117 Minnesota shots to give the Blues a commanding 3-0 series lead.
How many of you had the Predators shutting out the powerful Chicago Blackhawks twice in a row at the United Center to start this series? David Poile, you don't count. This series has been the surprise of the playoffs so far. Kudos to Pekka Rinne for his strong play in net to pace the Preds.
Did you wonder whether Connor McDavid and the Oilers would wobble after they lost their first playoff game since 2006 in overtime? Well you shouldn't have. Edmonton has rebounded for two consecutive wins -- including a gritty 1-0 shutout on Sunday in San Jose -- to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Calgary Flames haven't won in Anaheim since Lord Stanley was in diapers (OK, they've actually just lost 29 consecutive games there, but still). So it's no surprise that the Ducks are up 2-0 in this series -- even if they are hurting on defense and have been outplayed for long stretches.
The Canadiens are another team that rebounded impressively after dropping the playoff opener. Alexander Radulov, playoff hero. Who would have guessed?
This series has been lightning-fast, with the Toronto Maple Leafs evening things with a double-overtime goal in Game 2. But the Caps are still loaded -- and a force to be reckoned with -- as the series shifts to Toronto knotted at one win apiece.
Too young to compete? Don't tell the Leafs, who have earned this spot after a split in Washington. Defensive issues and lack of production from Auston Matthews are concerns for Toronto.
The Sens continue to push back when adversity strikes, and their comeback win thanks to Dion Phaneuf's overtime winner on Saturday was yet another example. A tip of the stick to Senators winger Clarke MacArthur for his perseverance.
The Bruins are banged-up, and they'll need Tuukka Rask to improve in net if they are to get the better of the never-say-die Senators.
The Rangers' surprisingly tepid effort in their Game 3 loss at home is a concern. And some offense would help take the pressure off Henrik Lundqvist to be perfect between the pipes.
The compromised offense -- and health -- of key contributors Joe Thornton and Logan Couture are major reasons the Sharks have fallen behind an Edmonton team that seems to grow more confident by the day.
Will the Flames take solace in the fact that they played well in Anaheim, or does fact that they couldn't take advantage of their strong play suggest this series will be over in a hurry? Over to you, Calgary.
Editor's Picks Lundqvist-Price battle too close to call Carey Price vs. Henrik Lundqvist was one of the most anticipated matchups of the first round. The Canadiens are leading the series 2-1, but it's not all on Lundqvist.
Why the West should fear the Predators Heading into Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Nashville Predators have looked dominant. Here's why that's not a surprise -- and why they could make a very deep run this spring.
Andersen just what Leafs need The kids get all the hype, but there's little doubt the Toronto Maple Leafs would not be putting a scare into the Washington Capitals if it wasn't for the calming influence of Frederik Andersen. 2 Related
Hello? Anyone home? The Hawks scored zero goals to start this series at home and now head to Nashville, where the crowd will be rocking. I still don't think anyone believes this is over, though.
The Blue Jackets' discipline has been an issue, as they have yet to find an answer to the Penguins and face being swept out of the tournament. Columbus needs more in net from regular-season star Sergei Bobrovsky.
Three goals in three games? No wonder Minnesota's frustration is in the red zone. The Wild are staring at an improbable first-round sweep at the hands of Allen and the resilient Blues if they don't get it together.