These Numbers Show How Wildly Entertaining 2017 NHL Playoffs Have Been

The Stanley Cup playoffs are awesome.

We probably didn’t need to tell you that, as the NHL postseason generally lives up to the hype as players put their bodies through torture in pursuit of the most prized trophy in all of sports. But the first round of this year’s playoffs was especially entertaining, as nearly every game was a nail-biter.

Consider this fun fact about the number of games that required overtime in Round 1:

FIRST ROUND STATS: 18 of 42 games required overtime (42.9%), a record for any round in the history of the #StanleyCup Playoffs. @EliasSports

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 24, 2017

Then, consider these numbers regarding close games and comebacks:

FIRST ROUND STATS: Close Games (via @EliasSports). pic.twitter.com/cODTHUeaRw

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 24, 2017

FIRST ROUND STATS: Comebacks (via @EliasSports). pic.twitter.com/8tgMBQo5HC

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 24, 2017

Now, try to prove the Stanley Cup playoffs aren’t awesome. You can’t.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images