Quarterfinal observations - Game 1

Now that the openers in for all eight first-round playoff games are in the books, some things to consider ...

* Was the Sharks' 32-5-4 home record this season a fluke? They looked awfully flat against Anaheim.

* Do the Ducks have a Cup run in them? They do if Jonas Hiller (35 saves in his playoff debut) keeps playing like this.

* What is it about contract years? Chicago's Martin Havlat (tying goal with 5:33 left in regulation, game-winner 12 seconds into overtime) and Nikolai Khabibulin (23 saves) may be setting themselves up for one more payday.

* Olli? Olli Jokinen? Hellllooooooo? The Flames' key trade-deadline acquisition was quiet. Again.

* Taking Wing. Don't make any mistakes against Detroit - they'll make you pay each and every time.

* Feeling Blue in Columbus. The Jackets' playoff debut was good, for a brief while. It remains to see how they bounce back.

* If Boston wins its first Stanley Cup in 37 years, they'll look to this series with Montreal as its toughest.

* Carey Price looks pretty beatable. The Canadiens' goalie looks easily rattled, and I am wondering if that ankle he injured mid-season is affecting his mind also.

* Where was the intensity the New York Rangers showed in Game 1 hiding all season?

* Does anyone really think Washington will win a Cup with Jose "Three-or-more" in goal?

* Martin Brodeur's late-season slump is a thing of the past. He came within 10:38 of his 23rd career playoff shutout.

* Cam Ward's late-season surge is a thing of the past.

* A 2-1 final in the Canucks-Blues series is going to seem like an offensive explosion.

* The Penguins are still the defending Eastern Conference champions. They methodically dismantle you.

* The Flyers are letting emotions dictate their play. No one wins when that happens.