NHL Playoffs 2011: How Are the Underdogs in Each Series Faring?

In the playoffs, you wouldn’t expect to have so called “underdogs” playing.

After all, this is the playoffs: Only the best of the best make it to this stage. But even close games have a favorite that most expect will win, even if it takes seven games to do it. 

At the beginning of this round, the Bruins vs. Flyers game may have been the hardest to find an underdog in. Both teams looked like they would match up well and that it would be an interesting series, but this series has so far been a blow out on the side of the Bruins, with them leading the series 3-0.

It would be safe to say that the Flyers have totally taken over the title of underdog of this series, but these playoffs have been ripe for 3-0 series leads getting blown out of the water after multiple series went that way in the first round.

It will be a surprise if the Flyers pull off a series win, but not a total shock.

The Canucks won the President’s Trophy but had to fight to make it past the first round against the Blackhawks. It was believed that they would have to step it up to make it out of the second round and that the edge may even go to the Predators in this case.

But once again, the Canucks are proving that they will not go down easy (even though they were one of the teams that blew a lead in the first round and just barely squeaked out alive) with a 2-1 series lead.

The team has all sorts of historical numbers going against them right now that may add a bit more to the notation that they are underdogs, but no matter how long it takes them to pull off a series victory, any thoughts of them not being a favorite should disappear in the next round.

San Jose worked their butts off in Round 1 against the LA Kings with 40 goals scored between the two teams in six games and 20 goals scored by San Jose. They were blown out of one game (4-0) and made a major comeback in another, working every second they were on the ice.

Many figured it would be hard for San Jose to do anything against a well-rested Red Wings team who had any easy first round, blowing out the Phoenix Coyotes in four games.

However, the Sharks have impressed, doing a potential blow out of their series, already leading 2-0—although it has been hard going, winning one game in OT and the other by just one goal. This hasn’t been a total underdog victory, but it has been an impressive series for a team that had the odds against them.

And last but not least, is the Capitals vs. Lightning series. The Lightning may not have been underdogs, but they have surprised many people by having an outstanding series against the No. 1 team in the East.

While the Capitals haven’t made it past the first round in a while, it was expected they would at least get a win in this series, something that didn’t happen.

Granted, the Capitals did fight back with two games only won by one goal (one of these being in overtime) and another one won by only two goals, but the Lightning stepped up their pace too much for the Capitals to catch, felling the giant with one swoop.

While each team has their reasons for being in the playoffs and has a good chance to pull an upset, it seems that a few of these underrated teams (no matter how underrated they are compared to their competitor) are the ones stepping up to the ball and taking the opportunity that has been given to them. 

Perhaps hearing the negative criticisms about their chances have made the non-favorites play just a little bit harder than the teams people are yielding as playoff favorites.

Either way, no matter who makes it to the next round, you can bet there will be an underdog in every series.