Pittsburgh 4 - Ottawa 1 (series 3-0 Pit)
Sadly, what could have been an excellent series is basically over. There are three stories here. For Pittsburgh, it’s a young team playing composed, exciting playoff hockey, and it’s the continuing emergence of Evgeni Malkin as an elite offensive player. For Ottawa, it’s the embarassment of a half-season long collapse. The Sens have been brutal and will likely get swept. I wonder what kind of changes we’ll see in the offseason.
Detroit 3 - Nashville 5 (series 2-1 Det)
Much like Boston last night, Nashville battled and battled and got a win they probably deserved. Two goals in just about 10 seconds in the third period did the damage. More importantly, the Preds are getting contributions up and down the lineup - including several Jason Arnott sightings. Detroit needs to win Game 4. I would worry about Nashville in a best-of-three situation.
Minnesota 3 - Colorado 2 OT (series 2-1 Min)
Great series, love the overtime game, now they’ll have to rest up and do it again in about 20 hours. Minnesota took over during the extra frame, and Colorado didn’t seem able to match their tempo. Jose Theodore has been immense, Joe Sakic continues to contribute, but I’d worry about an Avs team that missed a lot of time this season as the series progresses. Minnesota, meanwhile, is getting contributions up and down the lineup. He hasn’t scored yet, but this was clearly the best game of the series for Marian Gaborik. Besides the win, that might be the best news for Wild fans coming out of this game.
Come on, did you really think the Pit/Ott series would be close? The way the Sens have played since Jan. 1 had to lead you to think the Pens would walk all over them.
The Sens are absolute dogmeat, they’ve been toast since January. Still, I thought they’d do a little better, maybe steal a game or two to keep things exciting. Instead, we’re getting a sweep, barring a minor miracle, and not a particularly compelling one at that. Would it kill them to put one decent game together?
That the Sens would implode is sad, as even with injuries to Fisher and Alfredson, they’ve still got a damn good squad.