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Five thoughts on Day 1 of the NHL playoffs; Kudos to Detroit and Washington

New York Rangers v Washington Capitals - Game One

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: The Washington Capitals celebrate the game winning goal by Alexander Semin #28 at 18:24 of overtime against the New York Rangers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Here’s five quick thoughts on what went down last night for the start of the NHL playoffs.

1. Detroit looked unflappable. After allowing an early first period goal to Kyle Turris, Detroit went right along doing what they were going to do regardless. They continued to pressure, they continued to counter-attack, and they continued to resist any and all Coyotes advances including shutting down 1:30 of 5-on-3 Coyotes power play in the first. Jimmy Howard held strong and the Wings took over in the second period as they went on to win 4-2.

That was a game that could’ve gotten out of hand early for the Wings and they didn’t flinch. It’s just one game, but that sort of cool nerve is the sort of thing championship teams have. Even scarier still, they did it all without Henrik Zetterberg.

2. Speaking of showing nerve, how about the Washington Capitals? They came back to tie the Rangers in the third with a stuff home goal by Alexander Ovechkin and won it in overtime thanks to Alex Semin’s wicked snipe past Henrik Lundqvist. With how the Rangers played, that’s the sort of game last year’s Caps team loses in frustrating fashion. Seeing the Caps sack up and not back down is encouraging for them and their fans. The Rangers can’t feel badly about how they played but games like last night’s are the ones where they really miss Ryan Callahan.

3. Anyone worried about how the Penguins would respond to the playoffs only had to look at last night’s game to see why that’d be foolish. Lots of shots (39 on Dwayne Roloson) and excrutiating physical play all leading up to a 3-0 win over Tampa Bay. That’s going to be Pittsbugh’s M.O. throughout the playoffs to make up for the lack of offense they’ll have as long as Crosby is out. We saw it through the regular season from them and this team knows how to bring it in the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury will be the guy that decides how far the Penguins go in the playoffs.

4. Yes Vancouver looked very strong in their 2-0 win over Chicago and while it’s tough to poke holes in a game they won 2-0, Roberto Luongo has to be counting his lucky stars too. After the Canucks dominated the first period of play, Chicago was relentless in pursuit in the final 40 minutes hitting numerous posts and forcing Luongo to make lots of big saves. Vancouver’s in for a fight in this series.

5. For all the bluster I talked about the Ducks offense and Nashville’s lack of offense they sure both made a fool out of me. Mike Fisher scored twice and the Predators took it to the Ducks defense making them uncomfortable all night long in Nashville’s 4-1 win. Anaheim’s blue line crew is going to have to get a lot tougher if they’re going to keep the Predators from bothering Dan Ellis. I knew that the Ducks goaltending would potentially be an issue in this series, but Ellis has to be sharper than he was last night.