“Second seed in the opening round is downright dangerous”

Higher seed is no guarantee of first-round success – 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals

But if finishing first is no guarantee of winning, being the second seed in the opening round is downright dangerous. Just 17 of the 32 No. 2 seeds under the current format have gotten out of the opening round, the worst showing of any seed. However, second-seeded teams have been improved — last year’s first-round loss by New Jersey to Philadelphia was the first by a second-seeded team since 2006.