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The World Comes Crumbling Down

The 2017 NHL Playoffs are shaping up in a way that no one saw coming. The first-seed Blackhawks and second-seed Wild are both in 3-0 holes. The Penguins-Blue Jackets series that was expected to become a slugfest is seeing a 3-0 Penguins lead. The Ducks are beating the Flames 3-0, although that wasn't as much of a surprise as the Maple Leafs having a 2-1 lead over the Capitals, who narrowly avoided being down 3-0 in Game 1. Here are some things to look at as the first round continues:

Going Up:
Connor McDavid
McDavid has had two points so far in three games against the Sharks. By comparison, Sidney Crosby has five points in three games. Look for McDavid's offensive production to shoot up over the next few games.

Maple Leafs Rookies
The Toronto Maple Leafs' rookies' offensive production was amazing during the regular season. Through the first three games against President's-Trophy-winning Washington, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marnier have have a combined five points. Throughout the first two games, Matthews was shut down by the Washington defense. He broke through in Game 3's overtime win for the Leafs, recording two points. Expect him and the rest of the Leafs to keep coming hard at the Capitals to try to push them to the brink.

Chicago Blackhawks Offense
The Blackhawks are in a 3-0 hole, but expect them to at least force a Game 6 if not 7. They coughed up a 2-0 lead in Game 3 but scored two goals, finally solving Pekka Rinne, who posted two straight shutouts in Games 1 & 2. Look for Patrick Kane to return to form, and for the Blackhawks to post four goals in a 4-2 win in Game 4.

Going Down:

 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are not performing well in the playoffs. They have lost three straight games to the Penguins, and the only bright spot is Cam Atkinson, who is tied for third in the playoffs with two goals. They have not gotten strong goaltending from their Vezina-caliber goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who has the second-highest GAA with 3.49 (not a good thing). The Blue Jackets will be eliminated in five.

Calgary Flames
After their 11-year streak of not winning in Anaheim (the chants of "You can't win here" must have stung) the Flames lost at home in overtime. That was not the way they needed this series to go. Expect a loud Calgaryc crowd to propel the Flames to a victory in Game 4, but the Flames' losing streak will continue in Game 5 as the Ducks will move on to the second round.

Ryan Hartman
This stat says it all: 3 GP, 14 penalty minutes.

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