1st Round Surprises

2010 has been an engrossing year for the NHL playoffs, to say the least. Of the 8 first round matchups, there are 4 matchups where the higher seed is down in the series, two where the series is tied. The crazy part? The East's 4-5 matchup (Pittsburgh-Ottawa), the 4th seed has a 3-1 advantage, and the West's 4-5 (Phoenix-Detroit) is one of the two ties. So right now all the potential upsets are really legit upsets.

Let's take a look, shall we?

#1 San Jose vs #8 Colorado - Really, the only surprise here is that the series is tied 2-2 right now. San Jose has this stigma about them that they just cannot get through the playoffs with out choking in the 1st or 2nd round. Still they won last night, and with Dany Heatley back, they should finally be able to score a goal or two on Craig Anderson.

#2 Chicago vs #7 Nashville - No explanation for this one. Nashville just wants it more, I suppose. Chicago is a team built for the playoffs, and Nashville limped in. But thanks to some solid goaltending and David Legwand doing his best Maxime Talbot impression, Nashville is up in the one 2-1. Chicago needs to pick it up if they want to survive the first round.

#2 New Jersey vs #7 Philadelphia - This is the upset most likely to happen. Philadephia already has a 3-1 series lead, and New Jersey just hasn't looked good in this series. Still, it's not unattainable, but 3 straight wins is tough to get in the regular season, let alone when one loss means it's game over.

#3 Vancouver vs #6 Los Angeles - This is why you don't piss off the hockey gods. Vancouver went into these playoffs with the NHL's leading point getter, and Roberto Luongo tending the net. Then the fans got loud and cocky. Then the walls started falling down. Still, with a little luck, Vancouver could tie the series up tonight in LA and take a tied series home. Still very winnable.

#3 Buffalo vs #6 Boston - I'm not even entirely sure what's happening here. Boston's leading 2-1, and from what I've read, Buffalo can't seem to find a way to score, which means that these two teams have switched roles. Still, Buffalo was primed to make a good showing. They shouldn't be falling apart like this until at least the second round. Still, I'd wouldn't mind seeing Buffalo recover and make a good push.

#4 Phoenix vs #5 Detroit - Even though Phoenix is the higher seed, I think most everyone expected Detroit to win this one. But, until last night Phoenix held the series lead 2-1. Now tied, it'll be interesting to see of Detroit has, in fact, flipped the switch to playoff mode.

#4 Pittsburgh vs #5 Ottawa - This one is really more of a surprise that it's not closer. The 4-5 matchup is usually a very close one, but Pittsburgh holds a 3-1 lead going into the Mellon Arena tomorrow.

The only matchup that is actually working out as one would expect is #1 Washington vs #8Montreal (Washington leads 2-1, playing tonight). Washington will have a tough road to the Cup, and this series could actually prove to be make or break for the Caps. If they win it without having to work hard to do it, all signs point to a 2nd round matchup with a tough Flyers team.

It'll be interesting to see where these series end up. I'm looking forward to plenty more playoff hockey, and I hope you are too!