NHL Playoffs: First Round

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 23, 2008

NHL Playoffs: First Round

(3) Capitals vs. (6) Flyers

Joffrey Lupul's only goal in the postseason was the Flyers biggest thus far, an overtime game-winner in Philly's Game 7 victory over Washington. Daniel Briere, right, who leads the playoffs in scoring with 6 goals and 5 assists, got the assist on Lupul's goal.

(3) Capitals vs. (6) Flyers

Despite the Capitals losing in seven games to the Flyers, Alex Ovechkin posted impressive numbers for his first postseason (4 goals and 5 assists). The league's leading scorer in the regular season (65 goals, 112 points) notched two goals in Game 6, including the game-winner, and scored the Capitals second goal in Game 7 to force overtime with the Flyers.

(1) Canadiens vs. (8) Bruins

Carey Price stopped 25 shots, including 11 in the opening period, for his second shutout of the postseason, leading Montreal to a 5-0 win over Boston in Game 7. The 20-year-old rookie has a 2.09 goals-against average and .925 save percentage through the first round.

(1) Canadiens vs. (8) Bruins

A healthy scratch for three games versus Montreal because coach Claude Julien preferred to go with a grittier lineup, Phil Kessel played with a fire in the Bruins' final three playoff games, notching three goals in that span.

(2) Penguins vs. (7) Senators

Marc-Andre Fleury gave up a total of just five goals in Pittsburgh's four-game sweep of Ottawa, the Penguins first sweep in 16 years and their first playoff series win since 2001. Fleury boasts a .955 save percentage through the first round.

(2) Penguins vs. (7) Senators

After being held scoreless in the Penguins opening game with the Senators, Sidney Crosby scored two goals and six assists in the final three contests of the series, including four assists in Game 2.

(4) Devils vs. (5) Rangers

When Sean Avery parked himself face-to-face with Devils goalie Martin Brodeur during a 5-on-3 Rangers power play in Game 3 and began deliberately raising his stick in the face of Brodeur in an attempt to block his view during the two-man advantage, the NHL initiated what will forever be known as "The Avery Rule", in which an unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be called on any player who commits such an act in the future.

(4) Devils vs. (5) Rangers

Scott Gomez burned his former team for seven points (3 goals and 4 assists) and a plus-5 in the Rangers five-game series victory over the Devils.

(2) Sharks vs. (7) Flames

With the Sharks up 3-0 in the first period of Game 3, Flames defenseman Cory Sarich slammed Patrick Marleau hard into the boards, and Calgary then rallied to win the game 4-3 and take a 2-1 series lead. The Sharks and Marleau rebounded from the hit and the loss to take three of the next four games and win the series.

(2) Sharks vs. (7) Flames

Jeremy Roenick, age 38, was a healthy scratch in Game 6 after posting no points for the Sharks in their first five games against the Flames. With a little over 12 minutes of ice-time in Game 7, JR had two goals and two assists, including the tying and go-ahead scores midway through the Sharks' four-goal second period in a 5-3 victory.

(4) Ducks vs. (5) Stars

After being eliminated in the first round of the last three postseasons, Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars went for the jugular of Corey Perry and the defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks. Turco allowed just 12 goals in six games.

(4) Ducks vs. (5) Stars

Like the four Stanley Cup champions before them, Anaheim failed to even make it past the first round of the playoffs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere entered the series with a 31-13 postseason record and .929 career save percentage in the playoffs, but posted an .898 save percentage against Dallas in the 4-2 series loss.

(3) Wild vs. (6) Avalanche

Jose Theodore has been playing like the Hart and Vezina trophy winner he was six years ago, posting a 1.88 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in Colorado's 4-2 series win over Minnesota.

(3) Wild vs. (6) Avalanche

Joe Sakic and the Avalanche kept Wild sniper Marian Gaborik from scoring a single goal in the series. Gaborik mustered just one assist in six games.

(1) Red Wings vs. (8) Predators

The Predators got strong goaltending out of Dan Ellis, who faced an average of 40 shots per game by the Red Wings. Despite a .938 save percentage from Ellis in the series, Nashville fell 4-2 in the best-of-seven series.

(1) Red Wings vs. (8) Predators

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock named Dominik Hasek (39) the team's starting goalie going into the playoffs, but after Hasek allowed three goals on 14 shots in Game 4, Chris Osgood (30) took the reigns, going 2-0 with a 0.39 goals-against average.