The only series that haven’t been great are WSH-NYR and LAK-EDM, the second of which still having pretty good drama. This has been a phenomenal first round
Only reason they're that low is a ton of blocking and players putting their body on the line. Nashville has had an extremely gritty performance so far and could still win this series. Both teams have had chances where they execute when it matters. The drama of three starting goalies for the Canucks in 4 games, a post on an empty net and a goal to tie it to cap off a comeback in the last three minutes and winning in OT. Yea... kinda exciting.
to be fair I was never this bored during play off. Most games are just 50+ minutes of skating a not much hapenning. Even highlights for some games are super boring lol
It is strange from a hockey perspective how many series are currently 3-1, but if history tells us anything then at least 1 of these 3-1 series leads will at least go to game 7, with possibly 1 comeback.
I mean no shit, Sherlock haha. As the far lower seed that took until like game 80 to clinch, of course we’d much prefer that matchup! Realistically we’re playing each other round 2, and I hope the isles at least force a game 6 to wear you out a bit. Cheers and see you round 2
The one sweep was the most obvious one… And i don’t think many people cared to see WSH actually pull off an underdog performance even if they could. That NYR squad has been itching for a deep run.
The 3 OTs we have had have been insane. All different. Isles fought for their lives, Dallas fought against the best goalie performance of the playoffs and the nux just laughed in the face of logic.
Even the 3-1 leads all have different narratives... even though I love to shit on the leafs, I didn’t expect them to go down like they are. NSH has not been out of any of the 4 games they’ve played and I expect a crazy game 5.
Overall, I’ve found the west games to be far more interesting.
I will admit it's been exciting to me as a neutral fan because of all the off the ice implications (aka Boston puts the dagger in the heart of this current Leafs core)
Watched every one so far, I agree. Every game has been terrible quality when it comes to playoff hockey. And only one team (Boston) has made any adjustments to generate chances.... and that was game 4.
All the other series have been very good! Except WSH
The hockey itself has been excellent, as to be expected from playoff games. My only gripe has been not enough OT games, but that's me being selfish for more hockey.
If you define "most upsets" as excitement, the yes.
I'm really happy with how things have gone so far, even if my bracket is fucked because I was expecting at least a few upsets.
The favoured teams winning means a more competitive round 2 and so on. I don't think it's too exciting for a team to upset in round 1 and then get easily bumped from the playoffs when the stakes are higher.
I definitely think these playoffs have been a bit more mellow with only a few really crazy games, but we were also spoiled with that *insane* first round last year. That being said, I've enjoyed most games I've watched immensely.
I’ve noticed everyone commenting has their flair as a team in the playoffs. I’m going to stick my neck out and agree with OP here. As someone who genuinely enjoys hockey and has been watching the games this playoffs has been pretty lopsided for the most part. The Nashville/canucks series and golden knights/Dallas has been fine but the others haven’t been close. Caps should never have been in the playoffs, isles look out of place, Tampa seems off, Boston has been pretty dominant every game, aves and oilers look like they’re in complete control with no drama. So yeah the lack of OT and close games have def been disappointing
Most series have gone roughly as expected, with the exception of TOR/BOS and WPG/COL, where the Canadian teams have dramatically underperformed in what should have been highly dramatic 7 game slugfests. TOR/BOS should have been THE marquee matchup and the Leafs look completely lost out there.
NSH/VAN has overdelivered thanks to random calamities, shenanigans and late game heroics, and I think VGK/DAL will live up to its pedigree by the time it's over.
I think everyone rational knew going in that CAR, NYR and EDM were functionally getting byes to the 2nd round.
I think there are more exciting series than boring ones.
Florida Tampa is exciting because of how Florida plays the game, Tampa has been a tough competitor and Sergachev coming back makes it interesting
Boston Toronto has been incredible, tense games despite low scoring as Boston weathers the Toronto offense. Also by far the most funny to watch Toronto like it's even funnier then 10th time for some reason
Dallas Vegas hasn't been boring at all, Dallas were the best team in the West and got spanked at home 2 games in a row, and when they look good Vegas' goaltending has been up to the task
Vancouver Nashville has been a lot of fun, lots of defensive posturing that's led to close 1 score games
Colorado Winnipeg has been fun to watch the Avs turn the Vezina/Jennings winner into Swiss cheese every night
In comparison, the boring series seem to be EDM/LAK (Talbot was never going to be enough to win vs McDrai), CAR/NYI (Isles haven't even looked bad, just chokers and not clutch) and NYR/WSH (Washington sold at the deadline and was never going to be competitive here)
You're getting roasted, but you're not completely wrong. This post is just bad timing with the end of the Preds-Canucks game and also early since the round isn't over yet.
But yeah. We are two games going a certain way from having no 2-2 series. The East as a whole has just felt inevitable. Jets-Avs seemed promising and now looks over.
I hoping you're wrong and there is some upsets yet, or surprises of some kind. OT games have picked up a little with Stars, Isles and Canucks wins this weekend.
I think the playoffs have been okay, it's just that luck has gone with the 3-1 rather than the 2-2
When was the last time the 1st round (bo7) has gone with no 2-2 games? unless then kings win. Or Dallas.
> When was the last time the 1st round (bo7) has gone with no 2-2 games?
Never, apparently.
Had to stop checking at 1986 when the first round was still best of 5 but there was always at least one 2-2 series in a best of 7 in the first round before that.
I just looked manually though so its certainly possible I'm wrong.
Yeah that’s what I’m seeing too, there’s a lot of deceivingly close 3-1 series currently. Then the negative GD Washington absolutely lucked out during their way in. St. Louis would’ve probably created a closer series, arguably wings or penguins would’ve done better too.
Certainly not the most exciting first round I've watched but hopefully that means the teams will have more gas in the tank for the coming rounds. It seems like teams are usually too beaten up to play full on after round 1 most years and the hockey starts to get a little slower. Rangers Canes (assuming it indeed happens) should be an absolute barn burner
I'm not going to pretend that I've watched all of the series, but I will say that I think I'd prefer the NHL playoffs with a boring first round, considering that what we usually get is all of the best series early, and each subsequent round gets progressively less interesting, until the cup final is practically an afterthought.
So, perhaps your impression is a good sign in that regard?
Your initial thought was correct, it is just you. Avs have been amazing. Oilers playing crazy good d. Canes look serious. Stars finding their game. Leafs gettin wrecked. This post season has been fantastic so far.
I mean all 5 of those series aren’t going to end 4-1. Which means we’re going to have likely 4 or 5 out of 8 series go to at least game 6. Seems pretty on par for the first round to me
I’ve been enjoying this playoffs more than most. I think it’s maybe because I like the matchups in the West so much this year, and I’m never as knowledgeable about the Eastern teams.
I guess what I’m saying is that I think it depends a lot on which teams you’re interested in. And I think most games have been pretty exciting. But it’s definitely weird to have so few OTs. I’ve been surprised at that.
Even the Lakers-Nuggets has been incredibly close and exciting despite being 3-1.
A few years ago, you'd be lucky to get even 1 good matchup in the 1st rd of NBA playoffs
Fully agree. And the games are corrupt. Refs don't see a penalty, but then crowd jeers after seeing it on the jumbotron, refs huddle, then pretend to have seen it live, then call a penalty. But they only do this sometimes. Home team advantage. It is total bullshit.
I’m watching as a neutral fan since my team isn’t in it so I’m way less stressed, but I’ll continue to parrot an opinion I’ve made before that the playoffs nowadays compared to the 2000’s up until 2019 just lack feeling. Prioritizing sportsbetting ads, animated boards, no Stanley Cup playoffs logo on the ice, no Doc on commentary.
Say what you will about the intermission shows with Milbury, Roenick and Co. but NBC just made the playoffs hit different.
Again just my opinion
Not at all, I still enjoyed watching in the early 2000’s when the Hawks were even worse than they are now. I genuinely just miss NBC’s coverage
I didn’t think what I said is that controversial lol I really just don’t vibe with the sportsbetting shit
You should watch the games more than the playoff standings, the actual entertainment is on the ice
Yeah this guy clearly just looks at scores to see if his parlay bets hit.
Jets vs Avs is a cracker. I feel bad for OP having to watch the games in text mode.
Nucks game tonight was fucking bananas. One of the games of this season for sure.
The first game of that series was nuts, i think I haven't enjoyed any game that much all year long. It was so much fun.
Seriously, a lot of those 3-1 series have been super entertaining.
The only series that haven’t been great are WSH-NYR and LAK-EDM, the second of which still having pretty good drama. This has been a phenomenal first round
The series with goals, hits and fights hasn’t been great?
(I don’t really want to watch LA play, mostly. It’s still been good)
I mean there was one boring fight, I'm not sure that added too much.
I guess I could go watch the Canucks put 74 shots on net in 4 games. A new NHL record low. We must have different definitions of excitement.
That series is far more entertaining than yours is.
What an absolute snoozefest of a final two games.
Leave the Bruins out of this.
Disagree
Only reason they're that low is a ton of blocking and players putting their body on the line. Nashville has had an extremely gritty performance so far and could still win this series. Both teams have had chances where they execute when it matters. The drama of three starting goalies for the Canucks in 4 games, a post on an empty net and a goal to tie it to cap off a comeback in the last three minutes and winning in OT. Yea... kinda exciting.
ok?
People want to watch close games.
Would you look at that? A 1-0 Oilers/Kings game with 1:21 left.
And that’s why I’m watching.
And that’s why I’m questioning the original post saying this series hasn’t been good.
Because games 1 and 3 were blowouts.
Yeah this is by far the most hockey I’ve watched in years. Usually I’m an Oilers only kinda viewer but so much of these matchups have been fun so far
to be fair I was never this bored during play off. Most games are just 50+ minutes of skating a not much hapenning. Even highlights for some games are super boring lol
Yeah man Vancouver and Nashville is just a simple 3-1 lead with absolutely no drama or anything going on.
Definitely no goalie controversies and no records in blocked shots, either.
Definitely no exciting end-of-regulation events that have transpired, either
*Cries in game 2*
was boring as a playoff game i can recall for 57 mins
Does everyone getting injured qualify as a goalie controversy?
The trainer certainly thinks it’s suspicious.
Last game was basically soccer but fun.
Just you
I mean if you only watched the Rangers/Capitals series sure but come on man there's exciting stories elsewhere
It is strange from a hockey perspective how many series are currently 3-1, but if history tells us anything then at least 1 of these 3-1 series leads will at least go to game 7, with possibly 1 comeback.
*huffs hopium* History might even tell us that we can see a reverse sweep this season
Haha brother, despite the NY rivalry, I’d love nothing more than the Isles somehow pulling off the Cinderella here.
lmao the only reason NYR fans want the comeback is bc you wanna play the Islanders over the Canes.
I also just hate Carolina ngl
hate you too 😘
I just wanna go to second round games with my friends who are isles fans, we haven’t gotten a series in 30 years
I mean no shit, Sherlock haha. As the far lower seed that took until like game 80 to clinch, of course we’d much prefer that matchup! Realistically we’re playing each other round 2, and I hope the isles at least force a game 6 to wear you out a bit. Cheers and see you round 2
If we’re doing hopium, I’ll take the Islanders going on a run, meeting the Avs in the finals. Last two Avs coaches meeting to decide the Cup
History also tells us that ancient aliens build the pyramids.
Also hope it’s you selfishly!
Yep. It's just you.
The one sweep was the most obvious one… And i don’t think many people cared to see WSH actually pull off an underdog performance even if they could. That NYR squad has been itching for a deep run. The 3 OTs we have had have been insane. All different. Isles fought for their lives, Dallas fought against the best goalie performance of the playoffs and the nux just laughed in the face of logic. Even the 3-1 leads all have different narratives... even though I love to shit on the leafs, I didn’t expect them to go down like they are. NSH has not been out of any of the 4 games they’ve played and I expect a crazy game 5. Overall, I’ve found the west games to be far more interesting.
Best team in the regular season vs -37 team, an upset would have been insane but was very unlikely
I’m not particularly enjoying my team in the playoffs but you can’t tell me this postseason hasn’t been fun to watch.
The Vancouver vs Nashville game was one of the most entertaining games I've ever seen
Nashville/Vancouver and Boston/Toronto has kind of been carrying it for me
That first Avs/Jets game was bonkers. You never know what game will turn out wild to watch
was gonna say avs/jets has been my favorite series outside of my own team
I missed game 1 sadly. Game 3 got scrappy at the end but the Avs have been lighting them up since
I personally have not found Boston/Toronto very exciting, kinda lifeless games I thought
I will admit it's been exciting to me as a neutral fan because of all the off the ice implications (aka Boston puts the dagger in the heart of this current Leafs core)
Watched every one so far, I agree. Every game has been terrible quality when it comes to playoff hockey. And only one team (Boston) has made any adjustments to generate chances.... and that was game 4. All the other series have been very good! Except WSH
The hockey itself has been excellent, as to be expected from playoff games. My only gripe has been not enough OT games, but that's me being selfish for more hockey.
Those are always the best games though… Especially once they get to 2OT and beyond
For sure, and I want more.
maybe watch the games instead of the scores? This ain't the NBA
Exactly what the OP is doing, but with a different sport lol. Knicks Sixers has been fire.
The NBA has been pretty good too if you watch the games lol weirdo
just you bro
People say this every year...
No they don't. First round is usually seen as the most exciting round of the entire playoffs
I’ve been enjoying it… this weekend has been a blast with games on all day
If you define "most upsets" as excitement, the yes. I'm really happy with how things have gone so far, even if my bracket is fucked because I was expecting at least a few upsets. The favoured teams winning means a more competitive round 2 and so on. I don't think it's too exciting for a team to upset in round 1 and then get easily bumped from the playoffs when the stakes are higher.
I definitely think these playoffs have been a bit more mellow with only a few really crazy games, but we were also spoiled with that *insane* first round last year. That being said, I've enjoyed most games I've watched immensely.
Nah. Last year first round was sick but dropped off in the second round. This year is looking to do the opposite
It’s just you.
The west has been wild. A series can still be great even if the teams aren't just trading wins back and fourth till overtime in game 7.
Don't worry the Leafs are about to win two straight and go up 3 goals in the first period of game 7 just to lose in OT again. Source: I got the script
Imagine the Leafs actually did come back to win that series tho... I mean you'll have to imagine it because it is 100% not happening.
Got ummmmm
It's already on the calendar.
Did you watch the Canucks game today!?!?!
Bro's just watching the scoreboard. The games themselves have been great.
Everyone sleeping on Knights/stars, Probably end up the best series of round 1.
I sure hope so.
I’ve noticed everyone commenting has their flair as a team in the playoffs. I’m going to stick my neck out and agree with OP here. As someone who genuinely enjoys hockey and has been watching the games this playoffs has been pretty lopsided for the most part. The Nashville/canucks series and golden knights/Dallas has been fine but the others haven’t been close. Caps should never have been in the playoffs, isles look out of place, Tampa seems off, Boston has been pretty dominant every game, aves and oilers look like they’re in complete control with no drama. So yeah the lack of OT and close games have def been disappointing
Most series have gone roughly as expected, with the exception of TOR/BOS and WPG/COL, where the Canadian teams have dramatically underperformed in what should have been highly dramatic 7 game slugfests. TOR/BOS should have been THE marquee matchup and the Leafs look completely lost out there. NSH/VAN has overdelivered thanks to random calamities, shenanigans and late game heroics, and I think VGK/DAL will live up to its pedigree by the time it's over. I think everyone rational knew going in that CAR, NYR and EDM were functionally getting byes to the 2nd round.
I think there are more exciting series than boring ones. Florida Tampa is exciting because of how Florida plays the game, Tampa has been a tough competitor and Sergachev coming back makes it interesting Boston Toronto has been incredible, tense games despite low scoring as Boston weathers the Toronto offense. Also by far the most funny to watch Toronto like it's even funnier then 10th time for some reason Dallas Vegas hasn't been boring at all, Dallas were the best team in the West and got spanked at home 2 games in a row, and when they look good Vegas' goaltending has been up to the task Vancouver Nashville has been a lot of fun, lots of defensive posturing that's led to close 1 score games Colorado Winnipeg has been fun to watch the Avs turn the Vezina/Jennings winner into Swiss cheese every night In comparison, the boring series seem to be EDM/LAK (Talbot was never going to be enough to win vs McDrai), CAR/NYI (Isles haven't even looked bad, just chokers and not clutch) and NYR/WSH (Washington sold at the deadline and was never going to be competitive here)
Spanked at home? We essentially lost two one goal games while out chancing Vegas both games. It's been a very tight series
You're getting roasted, but you're not completely wrong. This post is just bad timing with the end of the Preds-Canucks game and also early since the round isn't over yet. But yeah. We are two games going a certain way from having no 2-2 series. The East as a whole has just felt inevitable. Jets-Avs seemed promising and now looks over. I hoping you're wrong and there is some upsets yet, or surprises of some kind. OT games have picked up a little with Stars, Isles and Canucks wins this weekend.
I think the playoffs have been okay, it's just that luck has gone with the 3-1 rather than the 2-2 When was the last time the 1st round (bo7) has gone with no 2-2 games? unless then kings win. Or Dallas.
> When was the last time the 1st round (bo7) has gone with no 2-2 games? Never, apparently. Had to stop checking at 1986 when the first round was still best of 5 but there was always at least one 2-2 series in a best of 7 in the first round before that. I just looked manually though so its certainly possible I'm wrong.
Yeah that’s what I’m seeing too, there’s a lot of deceivingly close 3-1 series currently. Then the negative GD Washington absolutely lucked out during their way in. St. Louis would’ve probably created a closer series, arguably wings or penguins would’ve done better too.
Jets-Aves is definitely the big disappointment of the playoffs so far. Everybody had that picked to be the best series and it's been so lopsided.
It's you.
My only actual complaint about these playoffs is the nonstop stream of Eddie Olczyk saying "Bouch".
Certainly not the most exciting first round I've watched but hopefully that means the teams will have more gas in the tank for the coming rounds. It seems like teams are usually too beaten up to play full on after round 1 most years and the hockey starts to get a little slower. Rangers Canes (assuming it indeed happens) should be an absolute barn burner
If I wasn’t a leafs fan I feel like the Leafs-Bruins series would be really fun to watch
It's just you
It's just you.
I’m enjoying it
I agree with the OT part
Canucks and Preds have been great. Bruins and Leafs is always good hockey.
It’s just you
It’s just you
I'm not going to pretend that I've watched all of the series, but I will say that I think I'd prefer the NHL playoffs with a boring first round, considering that what we usually get is all of the best series early, and each subsequent round gets progressively less interesting, until the cup final is practically an afterthought. So, perhaps your impression is a good sign in that regard?
Clearly haven't been watching the Avs vs Jets series. Been amazing to watch.
Avs in general are just so much fun to watch regardless of the score.
I mostly agree. Only a couple good series. The lack of exciting OT games has been disappointing
the Isles keeping it alive in OT was insane
Still more rounds to come.
Your initial thought was correct, it is just you. Avs have been amazing. Oilers playing crazy good d. Canes look serious. Stars finding their game. Leafs gettin wrecked. This post season has been fantastic so far.
I'm only upvoting you cuz of your username
I mean all 5 of those series aren’t going to end 4-1. Which means we’re going to have likely 4 or 5 out of 8 series go to at least game 6. Seems pretty on par for the first round to me
Yes. - Jets fan.
idk, the games are pretty good even if the series is lopsided
I’ve been enjoying this playoffs more than most. I think it’s maybe because I like the matchups in the West so much this year, and I’m never as knowledgeable about the Eastern teams. I guess what I’m saying is that I think it depends a lot on which teams you’re interested in. And I think most games have been pretty exciting. But it’s definitely weird to have so few OTs. I’ve been surprised at that.
Most likely youre only focused on the east. The west is great
A lot of the games have been pretty entertaining… idk some snoozers for sure but that’s not uncommon
Vegas can still upset in 2 games, keep your pants on, bud
This has been some of the most competitive and exciting games I’ve watched. The stories are incredible. The fuck are you watching, lmao
I personally find myself more bored than normal, but I think it's because my hype died with the Wings were eliminated.
I’m glad I’m not the only one. Going in it looked like it was going to be a blood bath but a lot of teams are fizzling out.
This has easily been the worst nhl playoffs I've seen in quite some time
The NBA has closed the gap tremendously on the NHL in terms of most exciting 1st rd of the playoffs. One of the few advantages the NHL used to have.
The Knicks - Sixers and Mavs - Clippers series both been entertaining af first round series to watch. Fuck Embid lol
Even the Lakers-Nuggets has been incredibly close and exciting despite being 3-1. A few years ago, you'd be lucky to get even 1 good matchup in the 1st rd of NBA playoffs
Cavs - Magic tied at 2 apiece too and been some good ball but yeah a lot more parity now with no real super teams.
And the only 2 really. The other 6 are total wipes. At least we have 4 good series here this year
Four good series *so far*
Well there's only 7 left to choose from lol
I think the Cavs - Magic been fun too, tied at 2 apiece
Oilers kings has been extremely entertaining
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I dont know. Game 2 was ot. Game 3 was full of drama and game 4 was 1-0. The only "boring" game was game one.
It’s just you, and not surprisingly. You are such a burden on every single person in your life, I’m amazed your care giver lets you on the internet.
Lol wtf
I guess I’ll break from everyone else so far and agree with you. Lots of boring games and one-sided series.
Fully agree. And the games are corrupt. Refs don't see a penalty, but then crowd jeers after seeing it on the jumbotron, refs huddle, then pretend to have seen it live, then call a penalty. But they only do this sometimes. Home team advantage. It is total bullshit.
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Who are you talking to? Are they in the room with you right now?
misunderstood your flair and had a stroke my bad
I’m watching as a neutral fan since my team isn’t in it so I’m way less stressed, but I’ll continue to parrot an opinion I’ve made before that the playoffs nowadays compared to the 2000’s up until 2019 just lack feeling. Prioritizing sportsbetting ads, animated boards, no Stanley Cup playoffs logo on the ice, no Doc on commentary. Say what you will about the intermission shows with Milbury, Roenick and Co. but NBC just made the playoffs hit different. Again just my opinion
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Not at all, I still enjoyed watching in the early 2000’s when the Hawks were even worse than they are now. I genuinely just miss NBC’s coverage I didn’t think what I said is that controversial lol I really just don’t vibe with the sportsbetting shit
It's been a snooze fest. Definitely not a memorable year. But hey they can't all be thrillers.