Quality of fans over quantity might be what the Ottawa Senators are going for in the second round of the playoffs.

That is, because despite a roaring crowd that saw the team prevail 2-1 over the New York Rangers thanks to a wild Erik Karlsson winner, the Canadian Tire Centre was surprisingly under-filled with an announced attendance of just 16,744, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Related - Watch: Karlsson scores game-winner off Lundqvist's head from impossible angle

With the arena boasting a capacity of 18,572 the number means there were nearly 2,000 empty seats for Game 1.

Oddly, 16,744 was the Senators average attendance during the regular season, accounting for 87.4 percent capacity, ranking 21st among all 30 NHL clubs.

The number is further interesting since all three home games in the opening round against the Boston Bruins saw attendance figures over capacity with an average of 18,846.

Obviously the Senators would like those numbers to be higher, but at the end of the day they lead the series 1-0 and they'll take that.

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Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was very blunt when asked for his analysis of Washington's 3-2 Game 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ovechkin is obviously displeased with the result of the game, but he himself turned in a solid performance. The Great Eight scored one goal on three shots and provided a physical presence with six hits.

Ovechkin is looking to accomplish two firsts in this series: advance to the Conference Finals for the first time in his career, and defeat Sidney Crosby in the playoffs for the first time in his career.

There's no doubt this series will have an effect on Ovechkin's legacy when it's all said and done. Whether it will be positive or negative remains to be seen.

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Erik Karlsson continues to provide magic for the Ottawa Senators.

From an impossible angle and off Henrik Lundqvist's helmet, Karlsson gave his club the lead in the waning minutes of regulation. Lundqvist had stood on his head all night, so it's quite ironic that Karlsson was able to bank one off it for his fifth-career playoff goal.

The Sens held on for the 2-1 victory.

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Erik Karlsson continues to provide magic for the Ottawa Senators.

From an impossible angle and off Henrik Lundqvist's helmet, Karlsson gave his club the lead in the waning minutes of regulation. Lundqvist had stood on his head all night, so it's quite ironic that Karlsson was able to bank one off it for his fifth-career playoff goal.

The Sens held on for the 2-1 victory.

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Flashes of 2009.

After Sidney Crosby scored two quick goals to open the second period Thursday, Alex Ovechkin mitigated the damage by firing a rocket of his own later in the period.

Related - Watch: Crosby strikes twice in less than a minute

The goal was Ovechkin's fourth of the postseason.

Could we see another playoff game like in 2009 when both Crosby and Ovechkin tallied hat tricks? Here's to hoping.

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Fresh off pushing the top-seeded Washington Capitals to their limit in the first round of the NHL playoffs, members of the Toronto Maple Leafs including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, James van Riemsdyk, and Frederik Andersen decided to take some batting practice at Rogers Centre.

While a number of the Leafs looked comfortable at the dish, Matthews may have been the most impressive, with the left-handed hitting superstar crushing a ball into the right-field stands.

Not too bad of a swing there, Mr. Matthews.

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Leave it to Sidney Crosby to put his mark on a 0-0 game in a hurry.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star scored two quick goals to give his club a 2-0 lead over the Washington Capitals early in the second period of Game 1 Thursday night.

Crosby broke into the Capitals' zone on a 2-on-1 with Jake Guentzel, who fed him for a pinpoint wrister that opened the scoring 12 seconds into the second period.

Crosby tied his own franchise record for fastest goal to start a second period in a playoff game, a feat he previously accomplished in 2008, according to TSN.

Patric Hornqvist then secured a rebound and found the Penguins captain, who potted his second goal in a 52-second span.

Hornqvist picked up assists on both markers, and the goals were Crosby's third and fourth of this postseason.

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David Letterman has one hell of a playoff beard.

The former King of Late Night took in Game 1 Thursday between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins where he - and his incredible beard - cheered on the hometown Capitals.

While he may be a Capitals fan, it's no question he would clearly fit in more in San Jose.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

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Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno, Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, and Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano were named finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership Award on Thursday, the NHL announced.

The award is given out annually to the player "who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season."

Foligno is coming off his second-most productive season, tallying 26 goals and 51 points, while helping lead the Blue Jackets to the best finish in franchise history.

Away from the rink he and his wife committed $1 million to be shared between the Nationwide Children's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. He also continues to work with Papa John's pizza to raise money for the Janis Foligno Foundation.

Getzlaf led the Ducks in scoring for the fifth-straight season, helping the team capture the Atlantic Division. The 31-year-old continued his work with the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play Program, with help from teammate Corey Perry.

Getzlaf also hosted the fifth annual CureDuchenne golf tournament in which he and his wife have now raised $1.675 million for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Giordano helped the Flames to their second playoff berth in three years. The 35-year-old continued his work with Team Giordano, which helps promote fitness and academics to students in high-need schools.

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Henrik Lundqvist was a brick wall during the Rangers' first-round series against the Canadiens and has carried the strong play over to the second round against the Senators.

Sens right winger Mark Stone was alone in front with a yawning cage, but was unable to lift the puck over a diving Lundqvist.

Even at 35, Lundqvist is still one of the best goaltenders on the planet. He's searching for his first Stanley Cup ring and seems more determined than ever.

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