Underwood supported her hockey-playing hubby throughout the playoffs. (Creative Commons)

7. Hockey Has Gone Hollywood

Throughout the season celebrities have been at games supporting their teams, and the playoffs are no different. 

Scores of celebs, including Glee star Cory Monteith, the Beckhams, and Oscar winner Michael Douglas have been seen cheering at games.  Carrie Underwood took to the stands to watch her husband, Mike Fisher, play in Nashville.

6. Drew Doughty vs. Logan Couture

The conference quarterfinals brought out the Northern California vs. Southern California rivalry in full force, with the Sharks beating the Kings 4-2 in the series. 

Childhood friends Drew Doughty and Logan Couture had the opportunity to play against each other during the playoffs.  Both from London, Ontario, Canada, the two friends played hockey together as kids with the London Jr. Knights and lived near each other.

“To have two players like that growing up together and making it to the NHL, and to face each other in the first round of the playoffs, it’s a small world,” Couture told nhl.com.

Couture scored two goals with two assists in the quarterfinal series and Doughty also scored two with two assists.

5. Setoguchi Hat Trick

Sharks right-winger Devin Setoguchi scored four goals in the conference semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings, three of them during the same May 4 game.  Even better, the third goal was the game winner in overtime.  Setoguchi is the first player during the playoffs to get a hat trick.

not having a happy offseason. (Dan4th via Creative Commons)

Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capital’s didn’t see it coming. 

 Underdogs Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Caps in a four-game sweep.  Yes, the Caps had a less than impressive record for the regular season but they did make it to the playoffs as the number one team in the eastern conference.  

With players like Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay is getting closer to the Cup, as they are currently in the conference finals against the Boston Bruins. 

 Even if they don’t make it to the finals, their performance in the playoffs has been exceptional.

3. Predators Run In Playoffs

Matt Halischuk, just 22, made history during the playoffs. 

On May 1, the Nashville forward scored the game-wining goal in game two in the second overtime of the semifinals against the Canucks.  It was also the longest game in Predators history. 

The Predators made it to the semifinals for the first time in the team’s history.  However, they were eliminated after six games.  

 Players like forwards Mike Fisher and David Legwand, along with goalie Pekka Rinne, gave the Predators a shot in the playoffs.

“I think, obviously, it ended on a sour note, but it’s something to be not proud of, but positive about, for the future and moving forward as an organization, as a team as a group of players, “ Legwand told nhl.com.

2. Blackhawks vs. Canucks

Oh, Chicago. 

Last year the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  This year they got eliminated in the first round. 

 But they didn’t go down without a good fight. 

After losing the first three games against the number one team in the Western Conference (the Canucks), the Blackhawks won the next three games, pushing to a game seven, which they lost.

The Sedin twins are ruling the playoffs. (Creative Commons)

The Sedins are everywhere. 

The Canucks forwards have many memorable moments from this year’s playoffs. 

Henrik leads the pack with 19 points in 17 games, including two goals.  He also has the highest number of assists, with 17. 

 His brother Daniel has scored eight goals, seven assists and 17 points. 

Their pivotal roles in the playoffs have helped take the Canucks to the conference semifinals, where they are currently 3-1 in the series against the San Jose Sharks. 

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Reach Sarah by email.