from Stephen Whyno of the CP at the Brampton Guardian,

The 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs may become better known as the 2-1 playoffs.

Over a quarter of games have been decided by that score as part of the lowest-scoring NHL post-season since 2012.

But while scoring is down, drama isn't. More than half of the games through two rounds were decided by one goal, and 15 went to overtime.

"When you get to the heightened intensity and how you're hanging on every play of every single game in the playoffs, a 2-1 game becomes pretty darn exciting," Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "That probably masks a little bit of not so many goals being scored because it's the win-at-all-costs type of atmosphere and I don't think people care as much about the score."

Goals are being scored at a rate of 4.88 a game, down half a goal from the regular season and the lowest in the playoffs since 4.84 three years ago. That's thanks in part to bigger and better goaltenders, more advanced coaching systems, a ton of shot-blocking and even just a difference in mentality for players.

Among the four teams left, only the Chicago Blackhawks, who split goaltending time in the first round between Corey Crawford and Scott Darling, have allowed more than two goals a game. Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers, Frederik Andersen and the Anaheim Ducks and Ben Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning are all at a 2.00 goals-against average or below.

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