The NHL Playoffs — wait, I mean the Stanley Cup Playoffs — got underway last night in bizarre fashion. There were three blowouts: the Hurricanes erasing their demons of two playoff losses in the past three years at the heads of the Bruins with a 5-1 opening win; the Maple Leafs earning one day of non-panic for their fans with a 5-0 drumming of the defending champion Lightning; and the Blues shutting out the Wild 4-0 in an excellent road game. The fourth game saw the Kings beat the Oilers 4-3 on a late goal that was everything the Mike Smith carousel offers — he made a brutal giveaway from behind is own net, made up for it with a spectacular game-saving diving save, but then the winning goal came seconds later because Edmonton just couldn’t get set defensively after the turnover.
NHL Playoffs Open Thread, Tuesday, May 3rd
