There is absolutely nothing like playoff hockey. This spring, like many past ones in the league, has been a wonderful advertisement for the sport as a whole…and we’re only three games in to most of these series. Through these first few games in the opening round, we have seen dramatic comebacks, OT winners and fantastic crowds. Let’s look at what’s made this round great so far.

Kirill’s in Kontrol

For years the Minnesota Wild have been crying out for a dynamic star to lead them in the playoffs. This isn’t Kirill Kaprizov’s first postseason, but it’s definitely his most dynamic so far in his career! The postseason is for primetime players and very players in the league meet that title better than number 97 in green…they do call him “the thrill” after all. The Wild have played three games so far in their opening round bout with the Knights, and through those games Kaprizov has picked up seven points (4 goals and 3 assists), so it’s no wonder they lead the series. This is probably the most dominant a Minnesota forward has been since the early 00’s when Marian Gaborik tore the playoffs up. If it continues, maybe “The State of Hockey” can become home to Lord Stanley this spring.

Heart Stopping Finish

These playoffs have wasted no time in giving us exhilarating games to watch. Right off the bat, game one of the Kings and Oilers series was an absolutely amazing start to the playoffs. This matchup is becoming more played out than the Marvel films, as they have met in the first round each of the last three years, with Edmonton winning each of the matchups. The Kings came into this meeting with big dreams, as it feels like they have the better team for the first time in these tilts. They looked the part in the first two periods of their opening game, but then in the third period they coughed up their 5-2 lead and allowed Edmonton to tie the game. Que Phillip Danault, who trailed the rush up the ice and scored the dramatic goal you see above. LA went on to win the game and game two. They have the chance to go for the jugular Friday night in Edmonton, and while I’m sure putting away McDavid and company won’t be easy, but this feels like LA’s time to get it done.

Benoit Gives Big Brother The Win

The playoffs always love random heroes and game three in Ottawa was no different. The Senators, coming off of an OT Loss in game two, were desperately trying to get back in the series. Brady Tkachuk had forced OT, and with the score tied at 2-2, the Leafs won the draw in OT. That faceoff led to an unlikely hero taking centerstage, as Simon Benoit wound up and drove the loose puck past Linus Ullmark. Improbably number two in white was involved in the second OT winner of the series, giving the Leafs a 3-0 series lead in the series. The Senators are a tough group, and these games have been tight, but in the end they’re still little brother to the Leafs. Toronto needs one more win to get through to round two, a big relief to their fans who seem to live on pins and needles this time of year, every year.

Here Come the Hats

There are clutch performances and then there are playoff hat tricks. The Blues got one such performance Thursday night at home from winger Pavel Buchnevich. Number 89 in the blue and yellow came through to help drag the Blues back into the series with the Jets, picking up his first career playoff hat trick against one of the league’s best goalies. The biggest of the three goals was the hat trick goal itself, as it stopped a Jets rally in its tracks, making the score 4-1. The Blues are underdogs in this series, but they were in both games up north, if they can put together another performance like Thursday’s 7-2 win, they’ll go from being under dogs to pulling the upset.

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!