Three Stanley Cup first-round playoff series entered last night at 2-1. Two overtimes ensued. Three Stanley Cup first-round playoff series exited last night at 2-2.

Professional sports doesn’t get better than this.

Start with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who just won their first-ever playoff game the other night. They fell behind 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, then fought back to a 3-3 tie with 22.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

On to overtime, where burned-out Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury got burned on a very stoppable shot.

Series tied 2-2.

Motor south to Dallas, where the Stars trailed the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in their series. After overcoming a 2-0 deficit, the Stars went ahead 3-2, then clinched the game with this stunner.

Series tied 2-2.

Last, but not least, the Chicago Blackhawks – trailing the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in their series – erased  a 3-2 deficit late in the third period.

Then, at 11:16 of the first overtime, Patrick Kane added this exclamation point.

Series tied 2-2.

God, the hardwatching staff loves this time of year.

(And we love YouTube, which provided all the clips above.)