By Andy Tabor

The NHL playoffs got off to a rousing start with two favorites, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals falling in their first games.  The Caps and Penguins both lost at home Wednesday and Thursday night, as both teams are now looking at a one game deficit.

Other first games included the Buffalo Sabres defeating the Boston Bruins 2-1, the Vancouver Canucks beat the Las Angelas Kings 3-2, the Philidelphia Flyers beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1, the Colorado Avalanche beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2, and the upstart Phoenix Cyotes beat the traditional NHL blue blood Detroit Red Wings by the tally of 3-2.

These upsets in the early going are unique and not traditional of the NHL in the past.  National hockey is one of the most unpredictable sports in all of major sports.  However, this year many teams seeded in the top two in each division have been predicted to go far in the playoffs.

These early losses by far superior teams may be an aberation, but if not, this could be the year of the upset in national hockey which may hurt ratings but will increase parity for years to come.

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