These NHL playoffs have had their share of comebacks and overtime games, but the chippiness just blows that away.

"It sure reflects how close the series are," said NBC analyst Pierre McGuire, who gets to witness the action up close from his perch between the benches. "Also, a lot of the first-round series involve regular-season rivals, and that breeds instantaneous animosity."

There were 724 penalty minutes called through the first 19 games, according to Elias Sports Bureau. That's the most the NHL has seen since the 2006 playoffs opened with 804 penalty minutes in 19 games.