In the Western Conference, it was a year of upsets, as the top four seeds in the playoffs all fell in the first round, the first time this has happened since the NHL moved to a conference playoff format in 1994. In the Eastern Conference, however, the top four seeds all advanced. It was a disappointing playoffs for last seasons finalists, as both the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning and their finals opponents the Calgary Flames were defeated in the first round.
On June 6, Chris Pronger scores on Cam Ward, marking the first successful penalty shot in the Stanley Cup Finals history.
The newly renamed Anaheim Ducks began the season by earning a point in 16 consecutive games (12-0-4) to break the Edmonton Oilers record of 15 set in 1984.
Canada defeated Sweden to capture the women's gold medal. The United States won the bronze. Sweden's defeat of the Americans in the semi-finals in a shoot out was perhaps the greatest upset in women's hockey history, as it marked the first time in major tournament history that a team other than Canada or the United States played for the championship.
