The most fantastic thing about sports is that they are they ultimate reality show. No amount of time, practice and preparation can determine an outcome. Sure, the probability of success will increase with one’s preparedness, but there are no guarantees in sports. Ever. Except for Sidney Crosby’s playoff beard.

Seriously, when facial hair finally appears on Crosby’s mug, I demand that he be tested for HGH. The annual “crust-ache” that adorns his upper lip has been a traditional point of mockery for all my Penguin supporting friends. Crosby and his Pens dropped Game 2 of their series to the 8th seeded New York Islanders. They managed to claw home-ice advantage back from the Isles on Sunday with an overtime victory. Game 4 is in Long Island on Tuesday, and promises to be fantastic.

The Penguins shouldn’t be surprised at the Islanders’ unwillingness to go away quietly. They haven’t been to the playoffs in a while and are playing like they don’t want to leave. There have been some other surprises so far this postseason, and here are the top five.

5. Washington Capitals

The Capitals are playing as well as any team in the NHL right now. Braden Holtby is serving notice to the king of NHL goaltenders, Henrik Lundqvist, that he can steal a game or two in this series. I expected there to be a bit of a let down against a talented New York Rangers club, but so far they have been on point.

4. Vancouver Canucks

Someone should call the Alain Vigneault and let him know that the playoffs have started. Seriously, I didn’t see the Canucks struggling out of the gate like this. With as much talent as they have on that roster, there is no excuse for laying eggs at home in the first two games of the playoffs. They will go back to Cory Schneider tonight as he is now healthy, but goaltending has not been the issue for Vancouver. Uninspired play from key players will need to change.

3. Josh Harding, G, Minnesota

A last minute change in goal wasn’t expected to work out for Minnesota, but Harding has given the Wild and the entire state of Minnesota hope that the Wild can possibly steal this series. Chicago still leads two games to one, but Minnesota could have just as easily stolen Game 1 in Chicago. Harding is an excellent goaltender, and a great option for the Wild to have as their backup. After a summer in which Harding was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Harding has refused to use his ailment as a crutch or an excuse. He was amazing again in Game 3, and has been inspiring his team. If you are looking for a bandwagon to hop on, Minnesota has a seat for you.

2. New York Islanders

This just in. The Islanders are actually pretty good. No, really. They are giving the all-star roster in Pittsburgh fits with aggressive and physical play. They have gotten timely scoring from each line and have been a lot of fun to watch. They could and probably should be up two games to one after getting crushed 5-0 in Game 1. There is no quit in this club, and they are playing with no pressure or expectations. Words like "spunky, plucky and feisty" come to mind when describing any underdog and the Islanders certainly fit the bill. There are plenty of reasons that I am rooting for their series to go seven games, but the main one is because they are just fun to watch.

1.San Jose Sharks

I’ll be the first to admit that I though the Sharks were old, tired and basically done. They looked like they were on cruise control, just happy to be in the playoffs. They started out hot, but cooled off and kind of circled like the most non-threatening ocean predator you can think of. Manatee? Porpoise? Anyway, Antti Niemi has been the best Shark all season long and has shut down the vaunted Vancouver offense. The usual suspects are leading the way for San Jose on offense with Patrick Marleau (two goals) and Joe Pavelski (three assists). The inspired play from San Jose has them firmly in control of their series. Expect some nastiness between these two before it is all said and done. It will be fun to watch their series play out.