So after a Round 1 that was full of unexpected endings, what can even expect from Round 2? How many more brackets might get busted over the next two weeks -- if they weren’t already busted after what we just witnessed?
Here are some fun facts about Round 1:
• 14 of the 16 top point producers from the regular season are not in the Second Round
• 5 of 8 winning teams overcame a series deficit
• 7 of the top 10 regular-season teams eliminated
• 3 Game 7s – most in the opening round since 2014 (3 Game 7s in entire playoffs last year)
• Ten games required overtime, matching the total from the entire 2018 postseason.
• For the first time in NHL history, the top team from each conference and all division winners were eliminated in the opening round. Washington’s defeat guarantees that there will be a new Stanley Cup champion for the 19th time in the past 20 seasons.
• Only three other rounds in NHL history have featured two Game 7s that required overtime, with each occurring on either the same day or on consecutive days: the 1997 Conference Quarterfinals (2 on April 29), 2011 Conference Quarterfinals (April 26-27) and 2012 Conference Quarterfinals (April 25-26). No postseason in NHL history has ever featured more than two Game 7s that have required overtime.
• Overall, 10 of 46 games required overtime in the First Round (21.7%), matching the total from the entire 2018 postseason (10 of 84 GP; 11.9%).
Now let’s move on to Round 2. Here’s who we think will advance to the conference finals. Who do you have moving on?
PHT’s Round 2 previews
• Round 2 schedule, TV info
• Questions for the final eight teams
• PHT Roundtable
• Conn Smythe favorites after Round 1
• Blue Jackets vs. Bruins
• Hurricanes vs. Islanders
• Blues vs. Stars
• Avalanche vs. Sharks