Week two is almost in the books for the greatest show on earth. The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have almost completed the first round and we’ll take a quick gander through each series to see where they are at.

The intensity on the ice is tangible even through the television. The distaste between teams has forged itself into a bitter hatred. There is trash talk on each side and it seems that every shift could break out into a full-scale line brawl. There will be at least one Game 7 on Sunday in Anaheim as the two clubs played their fourth overtime in six games.

Eastern Conference

1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 8) New York Islanders

These two are a prime example of teams that have learned to truly hate one another. The Islanders have clearly gotten under the skin of the more talented Penguins and have made a potentially one-sided series very competitive. While Penguins captain Sidney Crosby chirped about some “fortunate bounces” that have gone the Isles’ way, the Pens have had a couple of lucky bounces that could have left them in a 2-3 hole facing elimination at Uniondale Arena on Saturday night. The Penguins instead hold the 3-2 edge, but don’t be surprised if the Islanders hold serve at home and force a Game 7 on Monday night.

2) Montreal Canadiens vs. 7) Ottawa Senators

Montreal played the last game and a half of this series without their best player Carey Price, but I think that Ottawa would have won this series with or without Price in net. Craig Anderson was the MVP of this series, which wrapped with a decisive 6-1 Senators win in Montreal Thursday night. The 4-1 series win for the Senators was a little more one-sided than I expected, but Ottawa will be a handful for whomever they face in round number two.

3) Washington Capitals vs. 6) New York Rangers

This is another series that I don’t think anyone would mind seeing a best of 13 or 15. Every one of these games has been ultra-competitive and the goaltending has been spectacular. Only Game 1 has been decided by more than one goal (3-1) and two games have gone to sudden death overtime. Each team has won all of their home games and no none will be surprised if the Rangers force a Game 7 back in Washington Tuesday night. Fingers crossed that they do, I’m not ready for this series to end just yet!

4) Boston Bruins vs. 5) Toronto Maple Leafs

The old-time rivals are starting to develop that snarl that we’ve been waiting for since Game 1 in Boston. Toronto stole their second win of the series in Boston to send the teams back to Toronto for Game 6. James Reimer stood on his head, making the difference for the Leafs. After losing a pair of games in Toronto, expect a huge effort from the Leafs in Game 6. I cannot imagine the fallout in Toronto if after nine years the Maple Leafs lose all three home playoff games and get eliminated on home ice. I fully expect a Game 7 back in Boston.

Western Conference

1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 8) Minnesota Wild

I was disappointed in the effort from Minnesota after they had played so well in Chicago in Game 1. They very well could have taken the first game and stolen momentum from the Hawks. They did manage to win Game 3, but the Wild looked spent after that. The last two games of the series looked like scrimmages for Chicago, and Minnesota looked defeated before Game 5 even started. Chicago won’t be so lucky in the next round. They will face either San Jose or Detroit, both of whom can skate with Chicago.

2) Anaheim Ducks vs. 7) Detroit Red Wings

This will certainly qualify as a series that no one wants to see end. Game 6 got extra chippy between the two clubs, with some bad blood and plenty of trash talking. Game 7 will be Sunday night in Anaheim and will essentially be a coin flip. Both teams have wins on the road, and the game should have all of the intensity that the NHL playoffs embody.

3) Vancouver Canucks vs. 6) San Jose Sharks

I was literally stunned to watch the Vancouver Canucks get spanked by the San Jose Sharks. Sure we all knew that San Jose has the talent, but I never would have expected the Canucks to lack in almost every conceivable category. The Sharks look like the best team in the NHL right now, but hopefully they didn’t peak too early.

4) St. Louis Blues vs. 5) Los Angeles Kings

No series in the playoffs was as physical as the Blues-Kings matchup. Though there wasn’t an organic hatred between the two clubs, each game seemed to be more intense than the last. The Kings finished the Blues off in Game 6 and will wait to see how the lone remaining series in the Western Conference shakes out. Every game of the six was decided by a single goal and a bounce or two could have seen the Blues advance. Jonathan Quick just barely outplayed Brian Elliott as the defending Stanley Cup champs are still alive and look very dangerous.

With three of four series decided in the west, here is how it could set up. A Red Wings win in Game 7 earns them a shot at the top seeded Blackhawks and puts the Kings into a tussle with the San Jose Sharks (Seed 1 would face 7, and Seed 5 would take on 6). If Anaheim hangs on for the win, they will get the defending champs in a nasty Orange County series while Chicago would face San Jose. The Eastern Conference has too many pending scenarios to lay out just yet. Stay tuned!