This year's Stanley Cup playoffs kicked off with one of the most intense opening rounds in decades. Here's five notes on the first round action.


1 - Round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs had the smallest goal differential in recent history of 1.6 goals per game. That number would probably be even lower if it wasn't skewed by the 7-0 game between the Oilers and Sharks. Also, 18 of the 42 games in the first round went to overtime.


2 - The Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks series was the first time in league history where an eighth seeded team swept the first place team in a series. Riding that momentum could lead to a deep run for the Preds. The Blues are coming out of their series vs. Minnesota looking hot as well, so the Central Division final will be a matchup worth watching.


3 - The Leafs showcased their bright future against the Presidents Trophy winning Capitals, managing to extend the series to six very close games, with five of the six going to overtime. Game six was a heartbreaker, with the Leafs taking the lead early in the third, only to have the Capitals come back to tie it and eventually win only minutes into the first overtime period. It's hard to say how the series would have ended if Toronto was able to force game seven.


4 - The Canadiens vs. Rangers series could be used as an example of why the wild card playoff format should be changed. Montreal was 'rewarded' for finishing first place in their divsion with a matchup against a team only one point behind them in the standings instead of facing one of their division rivals, who were all much lower in the standings.


5 - Joe Thornton might just be the toughest NHL player in the league. He played four of six games in the series vs. the Oilers with a torn ACL and MCL, and still managed to average 19 minutes of ice time per game. It definitely affected his performance though, as he finished the series with only two assists and a -1 rating. He underwent surgery succesfully on Tuesday.


Round two begins Wednesday night with Nashville vs. St. Louis at 6pm and Edmonton vs. Anaheim at 8:30 pm, and continues Thursday night with New York vs. Ottawa at 5pm followed by Pittsburgh vs. Washington starting at 5:30pm.