Upstart teams like Columbus, Islanders, Avalanche shaking up NHL power structure
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The Dallas Stars missed the playoffs eight of the previous 10 seasons and now they have their eye on advancing to the second round.
They defeated the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Saturday to take a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the second round for the first time in their 19-year history. The Colorado Avalanche won an opening round series for the first time since 2008. Earlier this week, the New York Islanders downed the Pittsburgh Penguins to record their first playoff sweep in 46 years.
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According to BetOnLine, the Tampa Bay Lightning (2/1), Calgary Flames (8/1), Boston Bruins (9/1), Nashville Predators (12/1) and Washington Capitals (12/1) had the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup.
The Lightning and Flames have already been eliminated, and the Bruins will face elimination when they play in Toronto on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, NBC). And the defending champion Capitals have had their hands full taking on the wild-card Carolina Hurricanes, who are making their first playoff appearance since 2009. The Capitals lead their best-of-seven series 3-2 and will have to play without key forward T.J. Oshie, who is sidelined with an upper body injury.
If the âCanes beat the Capitals and Stars defeat the Predators, then all four wild-card qualifiers will be in the second round.
Lower seeds win, on averages of 37.5% of the time in the first round, but this yearâs results seem to suggest the NHL is experience a changing of the guard.
Hereâs why:
âș Not much difference between the top and bottom: The Blue Jackets are the No. 8 qualifier in the Eastern Conference, but they were a 98-point team. With more luck, they could have won the Metropolitan Division. The wild-card Dallas Stars ranked No. 2 in the NHL in goals-against. In todayâs parity NHL, even wild cards are formidable.
âș Goaltending is still the great equalizer: Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is going into the second round with a .932 save percentage. New York Islanders goalie Robin Lehner is at .956 with a 1.56 goals-against average. Philipp Grubauer was a major factor for the Avalanche in the first round with a 1.89 GAA and .939 save percentage. Dallas goalie Ben Bishop is a Vezina Trophy finalist.
âșFavorites had flaws: Tampa Bayâs stars couldnât find their way against Columbus. Johnny Gaudreau didnât get going for Calgary. Nashville had scoring challenges all season. The Predators seem stale.
âșLower teams have elite players: Coloradoâs Nathan MacKinnon is often as dangerous as Connor McDavid. Mikko Rantanen is also a star. The Starsâ top line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov is one of the leagueâs best. They combined for three goals and seven points Saturday. Columbus defenseman Seth Jones is one of the leagueâs best two-way defensemen. Carolina boasts several quality young players. The leagueâs elite talent has been spread around the league more than it has been in the past.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Allen on Twitter @ByKevinAllen.