This is one of the best second rounds of all-time

[FoxyClean]

8 elite teams.

Teams facing elimination are 4-0.

Overtimes, comebacks, and close games all around.

Every series going is going 6/7 games.

Phenomenal. This is what we live for.

Click to read more...

 

[Jason316]

Better than the 1st that's for sure

 

[rea]

This 2nd round has been wild with all the in game comebacks. No lead is safe!

 

[DarrylshutzSydor]

Worst playoffs for sure. minimal nastiness.

 

[Nicko999]

8 elite teams.

Teams facing elimination are 4-0.

Overtimes, comebacks, and close games all around.

Every series going is going 6/7 games.

Phenomenal. This is what we live for.

Boston is certainly not elite. Good team? Yes. Elite? No

I am still missing that 4 or 5OT game to call it one of the best all-time.

 

[Straight Fire]

I've enjoyed it. The Dallas/Avs game tonight had me believing Stars games cam be exciting after all. Thanks Colorado

 

[The Colonel]

Worst playoffs for sure. minimal nastiness.

Check out the Oiler Canucks series

 

[Praetorian Caps]

Check out the Oiler Canucks series

It's been the best series in the second round!

 

[matsqq]

Interesting that all round 2 matchups will at least be as even as 4-2 in matches !

Maybe all goes to 4-3

 

[robertmac43]

I agree with this sentiment 100%. Feels like upsets can cheat us out of great second round series.

So far this year everything feels like a hit.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

odd to see usually the 1st round is the best

 

[Osakahaus]

second round has well made up for the terrible first round

Seriously I am loving these series. Im not a fan of the poor commentary though

 

[Pucklington]

As good as the 1st rounds were in the 90s and early 2000s, the Finals were almost always awful.

Be with this Playoffs how the finals turn out.

 

[Ghost of Murph]

I would hope that in a league with 32 teams and parity based on a salary cap that the final 8 teams would make for some good series.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Bettman's playoff format is weak.

 

[BB79]

As good as the 1st rounds were in the 90s and early 2000s, the Finals were almost always awful.

I never really thought of that but it's true. 1994 was an awesome Final but the rest after were pretty snoozey. The Red Wings railroading everyone and the Devils lulling us to sleep made up half of them

 

[ijuka]

More unpredictable at least.

 

[Dr Pepper]

How often do we see four Game 7s in the second round?

Still a possibility, one that seems likelier by the day.

 

[snipes]

Yeah, this second round has been great. For fans of the teams in it, it has been extremely stressful though. The emotional highs and lows are real.

For those saying there is a lack of nastiness I would question if you’ve been watching the Oilers v Canucks series.

 

[flying squirrel]

Been OK, but we'll see how many game 7's before I call this 2nd rd amazing.

• Three 1-3 series start (Now 3-2)
• One 2-2 series start (Now 2-2).
• But after such a terrible 1st rd mark set: it doesn't take to much to be better.
• Sure, teams down 1-3 might comeback in series.
• But.... smart money says each 1-3 series is over (Hope I am wrong here).
• Good chance after so many such shortened series during 1st rd, NHL/E$PN/TNT want longer 2nd rd series (Lots of money left on-the-table during 1st round, hard financial times matter).
• NHL did try to extend some of 1st rd series, but teams given series-managing-bone, didn't take full advantage.
• What we'll see most likely, is game/series managing that can come in many forms.
• How many penalties are called is only part of that equation. Kicking players out of face-offs, non-calls, technology giving real time data/stats/trends, and you name it will increase/decrease odds concerning wanted results. It's never been easier to manage game/series: Knowledge is power, right?
• Making $$$$$ for TV, owners, and this helps pay the ever increasing salaries is part of today's game no mater how much we don't like it. Bet coaches/players even game plan for this and adjust accordingly as if this is part of all other X's & O's.
• Saying all this, it's nice finally seeing some fight in teams. These playoffs have been dirty, but dirty play -vs- Clean intense hockey are two different animals.

 

[Bunch of Jurcos]

TBH I'm more of a results based fellow.

If the Canes beat the Rangers, I agree. Plan the parade for the 2nd round.

If the Rangers beat the Canes, I disagree. Hockey is terrible, refs are terrible and screw this 2nd round.

The other series range from pretty damn good (VAN/EDM) to excellent (FLA/BOS & DAL/COL).

That is all.

 

[Neil Racki]

For a Rangers fan .... Im sure it has been.

Series that start 3-1 or 3-0 are a good bit anti climatic. thats 3 of the 4 series. If those teams go on to win the series 4-2 .. then theres not much drama imo. If 2 of those lopsided starts to series end up going to game 7 .. f*** yeah.

If Rangers, Stars, Panthers advance? meh

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

You could make an argument that the 8 teams remaining were probably the best 8 teams in the league this year(I'd personally swap Vancouver with Vegas) so it only makes sense that every series left is going 6/7 games.


The final year of the flat cap, not overly surprising it's the most wide open year we've had in a long time.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Eh, it's better than the 1st and I imagine that's why people think this round is that good because the 1st round was f***ing terrible.

Definitely has some good storylines, but it's not the best in a while. The vast majority of the games I've seen are just prime regular season games, or good playoff games.

 

[Prettyisland]

So many hyperbolic and recency bias ridden takes these past few years lol. Idk something about the years the kings and hawks were trading cups was better for me.