There have been years where the first round of the NHL playoffs was a disappointing, sweep-filled dud, but 2022 was not one of those years.
A record-tying five Games 7 were played over the weekend and, rooting interests aside, they did not disappoint. After the Leafs hilariously set a new mark for winner-take-all futility and the Panthers advanced in overtime and we got our annual Brad Marchand in tears shot on Saturday, there were two more Games 7 last night, both ending in euphoric OT winners for the home crowd.
Sadly, the Smurfs at the Garden were one of those victors.