Physical Start To Stanley Cup Playoffs

The NHL playoffs are off to a heavy-hitting start. Teams are laying nearly 80 hits a game early in the first round after the average was just over 40 during the regular season. Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are leading the way in that department and in their series against the Montreal Canadiens after a concerted effort to finish checks in Game 1. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars have not been shy about physicality and are even at a game apiece. The Los Angeles Kings took a series lead on Edmonton thanks to Phillip Danault’s last-minute goal.