Survivor Updates!

The opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has come to an end this evening, and there certainly were some surprises as eight teams move on while eight begin preparations for next season. The hockey played in the opening round was excellent with 14 games needing sudden-death extra time with new heroes such as Carter Verhaeghe, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Michael McLeod emerging for fanbases to cheer. Three teams established in the last 23 years move on, three teams who started their histories in other cities move on, one former WHA team moves on, and one Original Six team moves on. Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs starts tomorrow!

I'll be quick to note that the Bruins and their record-setting regular season story were swallowed up by the Florida Panthers as the Presidents' Trophy curse continues. While the Avalanche buried everyone last season, the Kraken rose from the deep to end their threat of a repeat championship parade this year. And the Maple Leafs finally exorcised their own demons in ousting the perennial-favorite-to-win Tampa Bay Lightning. Vegas, Edmonton, New Jersey, Carolina, and Dallas will join them in the next round, and that means we have new matchups in the Survivor: NHL Playoffs contest!

Here are those new matchups as eight entrants remain.

Unfortunately, we have to say good-bye to Ethan (WPG), Miranda (TBL), Matt (MIN), Jared (NYI), Katrina (LAK), Jenna (COL), Bill (BOS), and Barry (NYR) whose teams could not find four wins in their series. While it's always tough to send people home, that's how contests work. Both Jason and I appreciate your participation, and we'll get you on the phone this week for your team's exit interview!

We did promise prizes for teams that achieved specific challenges, so we'll update those who played as to who did what with respect to thos challenges! Winners are shown below:

• First shutout recorded in the playoffs - Bryan
• First hat trick recorded in the playoffs - Bryan
• First goaltender point recorded in the playoffs - Bill
• First team eliminated from the playoffs - Ethan
• First team to score seven goals in one game - Miranda
• First upset of the playoffs - Wayne
• First to advance from the second round to the third round.

As you can see, one challenge remains, so there's still a chance at winning a prize if you're still in the contest. Of course, you're also one step closer to winning either a Winnipeg Jets Aviator jersey or a Seattle Kraken home jersey as well, so let's not forget about the grand prizes that up for grabs as well. As it stands, the eight remaining entrants have a 25% chance of winning a jersey!

It'll be the Panthers and Maple Leafs kicking off the second round in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre tomorrow night while the Kraken will travel to Dallas to meet the Stars in the later game. New Jersey will be in Raleigh to play Carolina on Wednesday while Edmonton heads to Sin City to battle the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Wednesday game. It should be a fun couple of nights before exit interviews on Thursaday evening on The Hockey Show, so make sure you clear some time for that craziness as well!

I'd give you a Jeff Probst-like "head back to camp" comment here, but eight people will have to wait until next year to see if they can win the Survivor: NHL Playoffs contest. For the eight that remain, though, the dance begins again tomorrow night!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!