The NHL wanted parity, and boy, did they get it. Even before the end of the first round it was evident the play-offs are a 16-team derby for the Stanley Cup, almost.
With the exception of Detroit's surprising sweep of Phoenix every series was fiercely contested. Yes, the Washington Capitals ushered out the New York Rangers in five games, but there was overtime, there was tight contest after tight contest, and there were disputed goals and turning points that could have vaulted the series in another direction entirely.
In the East, the No 6-seeded Montreal Canadiens began with a pair of wins in Boston before the Bruins roared back.
The No 8-seeded Buffalo Sabres had the Philadelphia Flyers on the ropes, one overtime goal from elimination, before the team that had led the conference for most of the season forced a deciding game. The Pittsburgh Penguins jumped on Tampa Bay early before the Lightning made it a series with a couple of lopsided victories.
Out West, the top-ranked Vancouver Canucks dominated the Blackhawks, the defending Stanley Cup champions, through three games, then it was Chicago's turn. San Jose and Los Angeles alternated hard-fought games with wide-open thrillers, and Nashville and Anaheim were perfect for each other.
The lesson of the first round? Forget about Stanley Cup favourites. There aren't any - because everybody is.