The NHL playoffs have kicked off with a flurry of goals, upsets, and dramatic comebacks, leaving fans and analysts scrambling to make sense of the early first-round action. As the dust settles on the first week of the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's time to separate the hype from reality and identify the teams that are truly contenders, and those that are already on the brink of elimination. With several series tied or within a goal, the stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting for coaches, players, and fans alike. Will the favorites continue to dominate, or will the underdogs pull off a Cinderella story?
Stanley Cup playoffs: Judging early first-round overreactions ESPN
