Buffalo Sabres 2011 Playoff Intro

NHL Playoff Schedule Moves To Game 2

The NHL playoff schedule 2011 is through each first round Game 1. It may be too early in the schedule for the losing playoff teams to panic, but being down 2-0 is less manageable than being down 1-0. Of course, the last postseason proved that isn't always true, since there was a 3-0 comeback in the second round. But the 2011 Flyers, along with the Bruins and Kings, now hope they aren't two games away from trying to match that feat.

While only one road team won in Wednesday's lineup, two got off to a fast start last night. The Sabres and Canadians proved to be road warriors in the East, as they took home-ice from the Flyers and Bruins in shutout wins.

None of these upsets were really surprising, since the Flyers and Sabres have been going in opposite directions and anything can happen in a Canadians-Bruins showdown. Buffalo took until the third period to finally break a scoreless tie, as Ryan Miller returned to his old form in his 1-0 shutout.

Meanwhile, Montreal picked up where it left off from last year's postseason, when the Candadiens won two straight series on the road as a No. 8 seed. As a No. 6 this time, they rode Carey Price's goaltending and Brian Gionta's two goals for a 2-0 triumph.

However, the last Game 1 in the first round had both teams score goals. The second overtime playoff game of the year had the Kings and Sharks split at 2-2 after 60 minutes. But unlike the Flyers, the Sharks held off a No. 7 seed, as Joe Pavelski lifted San Jose to a 3-2 victory.

With every playoff series now underway, the next extremely crucial stage lies ahead in the next few days. Teams that can get a 2-0 lead can put a stranglehold on things and have a real chance to advance early. But those able to salvage a split can get some new life - with the Flyers, Ducks and Bruins truly needing to avoid a 2-0 deficit before leaving home.

The Capitals, Canucks, Penguins and Predators have their chance to go up by two games tonight, while the Rangers, Blackhawks, Lightning and Ducks hope to draw even. The Rangers were very close to stealing Game 1 from the Capitals, but if they break through tonight, they can make Washington nervous. Meanwhile, the Lightning will need to score at least once in Pittsburgh, while the Ducks hope to defend home-ice better and the Canucks look to finally put the Blackhawks in a deep hole.

Night three starts in Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. EST, then moves to Washington at 7:30, Vancouver at 10, and Anaheim at 10:30.

Sources

NHL.com- "2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Quarterfinals Schedule"

Toronto Star- "Flyers left floundering in quagmire as Sabres win opener"

National Post- "Price re-emerges as Canadians' savior"

Yahoo Sports- "Sharks beat Kings 3-2 in OT in Game 1"