2011 NHL Playoffs: Top 5 Opening-Round Surprises of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2011 playoffs have been quite a trip already with crazy comebacks and teams turning around, to breakout performances. I read an article earlier in the first round about how boring the NHL playoffs were so far, and wow could that article have been more wrong? The first round has been crazy exciting and I can't wait to see how Round 2 turns out.

Detroit Red Wings

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings skates with the puck past Radim Vrbata #17 of the Phoenix Coyotes in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on Apr

Coming into the playoffs I don't think I've heard so many analysts, fans and Detroiters doubting the Red Wings. I think for the first time in my existence I heard more people calling the Wings out in the first round than ever before.

With Henrik Zetterberg out and questions in goal, Pavel Datsyuk put the team on his shoulders and led the Wings to the only sweep in the first round. Granted, they did have a little help from Bryzgalov's worst performances of the year but a full-blown sweep with every game in regulation was definitely a big surprise to a lot of people.

Suspensions

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Raffi Torres #13 of the Vancouver Canucks complains to a referee after hitting Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United

Whether you agree or disagree with some of the calls, the emphasis on suspensions and plays that many think should have been suspensions have really taken the front page of many NHL sites. Four suspensions were handed out just in the first half of the first round and three or four more plays (depending on your opinion) received similar media attention for not receiving punishment. There may have been more talk about suspensions than actual scores.

Bobby Ryan (stomping), Jarret Stoll (head hitting), Steve Downie (hit to the head) and Chris Kunitz (elbow). All names of players receiving suspensions (and why) in the first round of the playoffs.

Raffi Torres, Ryan Malone, Shane Doan and Mike Richards. All names of players receiving attention for actions possible to draw suspension but did not. Again, agree or disagree, the amount of attention by players, coaches and analysts put on suspensions has surprised me.

Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 24: Mike Fisher #12 and Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators celebrate an open net goal, sealing a victry over the Anaheim Ducks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Br

For the first time in franchise history the Nashville Predators have finally won a playoff series. Riding the shoulders of Mike Fisher, Shea Weber and goaltender Pekka Rinne, the Preds offed the streaking Anaheim Ducks in six games to take the series. Technically the underdogs as the No. 5 seed, they took advantage of second-string goaltending and battled hard to finish off the Ducks.

I don't expect to see the Predators in the conference finals yet, but I am surprised that they finally were able to overcome their playoff demons and move on for the first time. Good for them.

Goalies

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PHILADELPHIA , PA - APRIL 23: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals celebrates being named the first star of the game against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at t

Once again these playoffs have brought out some compelling goaltender stories. Each team definitely has its own story whether it is a surprise or a disappointment, but the story lines and statistics continue to shock viewers everywhere.

Michael Neuvirth, Carey Price, Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard have come out of the first round looking like heroes that weren't exactly supposed to be. Two of the four have already advanced and the other two have completely kept their teams in it thus far.

On the other end some huge names such as Tim Thomas, Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fluery have been merely pedestrian and currently are still fighting for that elusive clinching victory in the first round. Not to say they have played bad by any means, but they sure haven't been headlining like these names are used to.

Dwayne Roloson has also been a story all his own. The ageless wonder has put up incredible numbers to take the Lightning to a Game 7 and has increased his record in elimination games to 5-0. We'll see if he can make that 6-0 tomorrow night and heave Tampa into Round 2.

Comebacks

Is there any question that comebacks have been the story of the playoffs so far? Whether in single games or in full series, it seems every team this year has made an incredible come-from-behind run. If teams are up by two goals, I change the channel for 15 minutes and come back to find them down by a goal. It has really been insane.

The San Jose Sharks mounted the second-greatest comeback in playoff history overcoming a 5-1 deficit to win in overtime and turn the tide of their series (which they won last night). The Capitals, Coyotes, Red Wings and Flyers have all mounted comebacks—even though they may not have won the games, they sure did make a valiant effort.

The biggest story is the emergence of the Chicago Blackhawks. Tonight they will try and become the fourth team in history to mount a four-game comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Vancouver Canucks. What makes this story even more intriguing is the fact that they face the Presidents' Trophy winners and only made the playoffs because of a Dallas Stars loss on the last game of the season.

The comebacks have been the biggest surprise of the playoffs and we will have to see if the biggest one is yet to come.