The 2010 NHL Playoff Bracket Has Not Disappointed

So far this playoff season, there have really only been two relative disappointments and one of them occurred last night.

At first glance, the 2010 NHL playoff bracket appeared to be a no brainier for people. Washington over the Habs in a relatively easy four, maybe five games.

New Jersey over the Flyers in a hard fought, low scoring six game series.

Buffalo over the offensively challenged Boston Bruins, who wouldn't be in the post season were it not for the play off goalie Tuuka Rask.

The Penguins, who many thought would have a much easier time dispatching the Ottawa Senators.

Over in the wild wild Western conference, the 2010 NHL playoff bracket on the other hand, was an almost complete guessing game.

All of the top seeded teams in the West should have been locks to advance to the second round. Except perhaps Phoenix who, seeded number four against Detroit, number five, were pretty well expected to just go away quietly into the night.

That was the disappointment that occurred last night. After playing a hard fought six game series against arguably one of the best hockey franchise's of the modern era of the sport, Phoenix stayed home last night.

One could argue that the Coyote's were simply out of their league, inexperienced and untested. One would be correct on all three counts.

With round one almost complete, several playoff beards have been removed.

That sound you hear is wives in various cities around North America rejoicing.

Game seven between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals goes tonight and NHL hockey poolies everywhere will be hanging on every second of what promises to be one for the ages. Montreal goalie Jaroslav Halak will need a similar performance to the one he turned in two nights ago where he made an astounding 53 saves against the league's most potent offense.

The 2010 NHL Playoff bracket for the second round looks a little like this.

San Jose will face Detroit while Vancouver will face off against Chicago in the West. In the East, it is still a little complicated and hinges obviously on tonight's game seven between the Caps and the Habs.

If the Caps win, they would face Philly and the Pens would face Boston. If the Canadiens win they would play the Penguins and the Bruins would play the Flyers.

Still with me?

Watch the game tonight! It's bound to be one for the ages!