One series down, seven to go. Montreal is the first team into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while another has taken a 3-0 lead and looks to lock up their berth in Game 4.
First up, Tampa Bay vs. Montreal.
It's too bad that the Lightning didn't even get a game. But the situation in net really sabotaged them from the beginning of the series.
Here, I would like to raise a point. Given the performance of Kristers Gudlevskis in relief, why not start the game with him? There was nothing to lose, obviously, except the series. Which they did anyway. But why not give Gudlevskis a fair shake?
He gave up the series-winning goal on the power play, sure, but that power play was gained by a way that will only provoke more discussion, especially given the context of the disallowed goal in the previous game.
Montreal won the series 4-0 and will play the winner of Boston/Detroit...whenever that series finishes.
Next, Boston vs. Detroit. What a coincidence!
In three games, Tuukka Rask has given up one goal. There are a couple goaltenders out there who might give up one of their limbs to have that kind of record at this point.
Rask has been spectacular, and aside from the Game 1 shutout, the rest of the Bruins have been quite good themselves. It now looks like this series could end in five, unless Detroit finds a way to get their supposed advantage in speed to translate into more scoring.
But can they really find a way to get the puck past Rask without relying on the magic of Pavel Datsyuk? Or why not just set him up and see what happens?
To be honest, I haven't watched the games enough to know what their strategy is when they get in the offensive zone. All I know is that Rask is saving pretty much everything thrown at him and the phrase "not been tested" has been bandied about as well. So apparently, Rask didn't even work that hard to get his 23 saves last night.
Either way, it's damn impressive. And now the Bruins look like the team that won the President's Trophy.
Boston leads 2-1. Game 4 is Thursday.
Next, NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia.
I guess my hand-wringing over the last game by Henrik Lundqvist was premature. He allowed one goal on Tuesday and the Rangers won handily, again. So why the hiccup in Game 2?
My guess is simply "that's how they roll".
If not for Rask, Lundqvist is probably the best goalie in the playoffs thus far. Even still, what he's doing is quite good. I don't think Philly was an offensive juggernaut, though they certainly ended the season in a much better fashion than how they started it.
At any rate, I still feel comfortable saying that the Rangers will win the series. Could be five, but probably six.
The Rangers lead 2-1. Game 4 is Friday.
Finally, San Jose vs. Los Angeles.
This was the game of the night as it was close throughout and went into overtime.
But that goal in OT...wow. I saw it live and on replay, and I'm still not sure how Marleau got it past Jonathan Quick. I know that I've bashed Quick for being overrated and such (and the scores have really gone against him in the first two games), but that goal just looked like dumb luck to me.
Marleau's still a good player, so I guess it doesn't surprise me. But damn, them's the breaks, huh?
It'll be hilarious if the Sharks get shellacked in the next series. That seems doubtful given how they look so far in taking a 3-0 lead. But maybe the Kings aren't out of it yet. It'd be nice if they won one, I have to admit.
San Jose leads 3-0. They can sweep and win on Thursday.
Later today, Game 4 in Columbus, Dallas, and Chicago.
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