Emerging Storylines to Follow in 1st Round of 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

The NHL playoffs are less than a week old, and already there are major stories unfolding. Upsets in California, the offside rule having major impact on game results and shaky goaltending are the early themes for 2016.

Half of the eight series are at 2-0, meaning we could see a few teams through to the second round in short order. One of those teams—the Los Angeles Kings—is a story simply because of the current deficit. Much of the script is still to come, but NHL fans are enjoying the action on all fronts so far this spring.

Scoring in bunches is an early theme, and some very good goalies are not stopping pucks early in the postseason. Here are the emerging stories so far in the early days of the 2016 NHL playoffs.

Will Young John Gibson Handle the Pressure?

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is a quality goalie and could be their starter for the next decade. In this spring's playoffs, he is young and unproven—and that fact is one of the developing stories this postseason. In Game 1 of the series, Gibson allowed three goals while taking the loss.

Frederik Andersen is Anaheim's other quality goaltender, and he played very well in the final game of the regular season against the Washington Capitals. Gibson's performance in the next game or so could impact Andersen's usage in this series and beyond.

Robby Stanley of NHL.com reported veteran defenseman Kevin Bieksa would be inserted into the lineup for the Sunday game. He also reported John Gibson was the first goalie off the ice at practice, traditionally indicating he would start the game.

Can the Minnesota Wild Overcome Bizarre Reviews and the Dallas Stars?

LM Otero/Associated Press

Of all the first-round series the NHL has to offer this spring, the most lopsided in terms of flow of play is the Dallas Stars-Minnesota Wild series. The Wild have been outscored by Dallas 6-1, outshot 60-48 and did not hold a lead in Game 1 or Game 2.

In fairness to the Wild, they are combining poor play with improbable reviews—and it could get them swept from a series they are barely in. Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk was astounded by a goal allowed against him in the game—Scott Lewis of Sportsnet described the story, complete with Dubnyk's reaction—and that goal was the difference in Game 2.

Game 3 takes place Monday, and it will be the biggest game of the Wild's season. If they lose Monday night, this could be over soon.

Is This the Year John Tavares Leads the Islanders Deep into the Playoffs?

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

Every season the New York Islanders have made the playoffs, John Tavares has posted great numbers. In the 2013 playoffs, he scored five points in six games, and last spring he had six points in seven games. This spring, in just two games, Tavares has a pair of goals and four points. Is this the season he hangs around for several series?

The Islanders have their hands full with the Florida Panthers, despite solid performances so far by veteran backup Thomas Greiss. So far this spring, Reilly Smith is leading the Panthers. It's fitting for a team that boasts more depth than most of the 16 clubs trying to win the Stanley Cup.

New York was looking forward to the first-ever NHL playoff game in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday night, as reported by NHL.com.

Philadelphia Flyers Playoffs About More Than Just the Games

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

There are times when real life invades the cocoon of sports and reminds us that—despite our efforts—it remains just a game. The recent passing of Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider is such a case for fans of the team and the entire sport of hockey.

The memories and kind words have been rolling in for most of a week now—NHL.com had an excellent article about Snider and his impact on the individuals who make up the Flyers. The emotional moment for fans will not come until the Flyers and Washington Capitals meet on Monday night.

At that time, the long season, the brilliant playoff run, the first two games in Washington and a lifetime of memories will gather together in a highly emotional evening. The bond between Snider, the city of Philadelphia and Flyers fans is somewhat unique in sports, and the tears and emotion will be real.

The game itself should be a good one. The Flyers are down two games to none, but they have enjoyed the better flow of play for long periods in both games. Washington's stats show Braden Holtby stopping 60 of 61 shots, and Philadelphia's stats show six of 54 shots against have found their mark. As much as the Capitals are the better team, this series isn't over. Monday night's game in Philadelphia could be an epic event.

Who in the World Is Jeff Zatkoff and Can He Beat the New York Rangers?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

If there's one thing that will turn a coach's hair grey in a hurry, it is losing a starting goalie just before the playoffs. In the case of Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, this spring brought him a double whammy. As Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News explains, starter Marc-Andre Fleury was sidelined March 31 and backup Matt Murray was injured April 9. TSN lists both men as day-to-day.

Enter Jeff Zatkoff, who turned pro in 2008 and played in his first NHL game in 2013-14. At 28, an NHL playoff start was probably not on his list of things likely to happen, but he has now started two games and won his first game.

Help is on the way. An article on TribLive.com, courtesy of the Tribune-Review, suggested Fleury might have been well enough to be a backup Game 2—although the club ended up going with Tristan Jarry in that spot. Article authors Bill West and Jonathan Bombulie also offered an update on Matt Murray, saying he is "making progress."

The Challenge Is Challenging Patience and Causing St. Louis Blues

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

During Game 2 of the Chicago Blackhawks series with the St. Louis Blues, two extremely important plays late in the game went in Chicago's favor. Both were challenged, and in the end Roman Tarasenko's goal was disallowed, and Andrew Shaw's marker for Chicago was called good. Allan Muir went into great detail in his well-written Sports Illustrated article.

The two teams are fairly even, and that kind of call can have a tremendous impact on the eventual series winner. Scott Stinson of the National Post recently wrote about luck and the impact it can have on the sport, and the Tarasenko non-goal is an excellent example of it.

Game 3 of the series saw the Blues win in Chicago, courtesy of two third-period goals and another quality performance from Brian Elliott. Brian Hedger of NHL.com had the story.

The San Jose Sharks Are Rolling Early

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Sharks have started quickly in their series against the Los Angeles Kings, winning the first two games—on the road—and setting up an enormous game on Monday in San Jose. Both games were close—the Sharks won by a singly tally each time—but San Jose appears quicker and have been winning battles in important moments. The bigger, tougher Kings have often been a step slow during the first two home games. Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns and Martin Jones have been the early stars, but there is plenty of support behind them.

The Kings have scored only four goals in the first two games, and some of their big stars are off to slow starts. Jonathan Quick has stopped only 40 of 46 shots, Drew Doughty is minus-three after two games—leaving his feet at inconvenient times—and no Los Angeles player has been a difference-maker.

For Kings fans, being down two games to none against the Sharks does not mean all hope is lost. Most will recall the 2014 playoff series between the two teams, which began with three San Jose wins. The Kings turned the series around with four wins in a row on their way to the Stanley Cup later that year.

Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings Playing a Throwback Series

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Entering action Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning had a two games to none lead over the Detroit Red Wings, but they knew they were in a war. Game 1 had 36 minutes in penalties, and Game 2 boasted 119 minutes—a ridiculous total for the modern game.

Even without all the infractions, the series has been impossible to ignore. Giant hits, aggressive checking and end-to-end action have made it the most watchable series of the eight currently being contested. Older fans are reminded of the game as it was played 30 years ago—there is a sense of danger in this series not available in the other contests this spring.

The old adage about a team not being in trouble until it loses a game at home was put to the test on Sunday, as Detroit hosted the Lightning. The home team won, making the series even more compelling—and the penalties continued right through to the end of the game.