For the first time in the NHL's history, every road team has seized home-ice advantage from their higher seeded opponents after the first two game of the series. Since 1980, round 1 of the NHL playoffs began with the first two games of the five- or seven-game series beginning in the barn of the higher seeded team. For 29 years, at least one home team has been able to "hold serve" and retain their home-ice advantage after the first two games, but that streak ended last night.
The Kings overtime victory over the Canucks last night made them the 8th of eight teams to win one of their first two road games of the series. Seven of the eight series' have had two games in the books with Nashville & Chicago playing game two tonight. If Chicago can bounce back and tie that series, it will also mean all 8 series' were tied after 2 games. Another first in the NHL.
I think Bettman got that parity he was after.
All statistics and Bettman-hatred aside, it has been a very entertaining playoffs thusfar. There have been big saves, beautiful goals, huge hits, high scores with late-game goals and five of the 15 games have seen overtime action.
Another amazing statistic of these playoffs so far -- when taking away empty-net goals, every game except Detroit's 7-4 win in Game Two, has been a one-goal game.
The NHL has never seen parity like this.
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