We haven’t even launched all of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series – the Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks start tonight (10:30, NBC Sports Network) – and already we have panic in the streets over what has happened.
Here’s the anxiety meter after Game 1:
No reason to overreact
New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist left with an injury: New York coach Alain Vigneault said Thursday that Lundqvist's injury (face swelling around his eye after Marc Staal's stick struck him through the mask) did not appear to be serious. He practiced Friday in the starter's net. Lundqvist’s likely return Saturday in Game 2 will give the Rangers a boost. The 5-2 loss is not entirely reflective of how the Rangers played. They competed hard, and Lundqvist gives them hope to win this series.
Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo gave up five goals: His save percentage was .808 after 26 shots against in that 5-4 loss against the New York Islanders. Luongo has a career playoff save percentage of .915. He will step up in Game 2. If he plays as well as he did in the regular season, the Panthers have a great chance to even the series.
Chicago Blackhawks are down 0-1 against St. Louis Blues: The Blackhawks will be reignited by defenseman Duncan Keith's return in Game 2. It will be his first game back after a six-game suspension. He would have been a factor in Game 1.
Red Wings couldn’t get a third goal against Lightning: The Red Wings have struggled to find goals throughout the season, but in Game 1 the Red Wings posted 36 shots against the Lightning. Pavel Datsyuk had seven. Gustav Nyquist, Brad Richards, Justin Abdelkader, Mike Green and Andreas Athanasiou had four shots each. If they can generate that many shots, they will score enough to be a factor in the series.
Reason to panic
Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier gone with shoulder injury: According to CSNPhilly.com, he suffered an AC sprain. The Flyers announced he would miss two weeks. Couturier is crucial to Philadelphia’s overall game. With his defensive savvy, he can match up against either Nicklas Backstrom or Evgeny Kuznetsov. His loss reduces the Flyers' chances of upsetting the Washington Capitals.
Minnesota Wild injury list too long: Without Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek and Erik Haula, the Wild looked overmatched by the Dallas Stars in a 4-0 loss. They only had two shots in the first period and 22 in the game. The Wild need all hands on deck to have any chance in this series.
San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings at their own game: The Kings should be worried only because these Sharks are not the same Sharks that squandered a 3-0 series lead two seasons ago. These Sharks are deeper, grittier and mentally tougher. This will be a great series.
PHOTOS: First round of Stanley Cup Playoffs
