Coach Therrien

PK Subban

Brian Gionta

Carey Price

 Carey Price

Tomas Plekanec

Randy Cunneyworth

Michael Cammalleri – Coach talk a distraction to team?  Type of coach Cunneyworth is?  Asked about first goal scored in MTS Centre.  Keys to tonight.  Importance of first goal.  What is wrong with the Habs?

P.K.Subban – Trying to do too much.  Accountability.  Making mistakes.  Mood in the room.  Coach have authority?  Sticking to game plan.  Pressure on team.  Playing in front of the MTS Centre crowd. 

Travis Moen – Keys to beating the Jets.  Team frustration.  Importance of win.  Impact of loss to Hawks.  Team leaders stepping up.  Accountability.  Team focus.  System changes.

Coach Cunneyworth – Welcome to Winnipeg.  Importance of tonight’s game.  Touches on loss to Hawks.  Taking anything from the Home Opener?   Close to having everyone on board?  Players being accountable.  Asked about coaching controversy.  Who he leans on.  Fun of being a head coach.

The Montreal Canadiens’ 4-3 overtime victory against hated rival Toronto on opening night has come at a very steep cost.

Star defenceman Andrei Markov, broadly considered the team’s best player, reportedly spent the night in a Toronto-area hospital where he was operated for a sliced tendon in his left leg.

According to RDS and several press reports in Montreal, he will sit out two to four months – the team has yet to publicly confirm the prognosis.

Read the entire report here.

Wow.  This is horrible news for Habs fans, as Markov is unquestionably the team’s number one defenseman.  His puck moving ability is his biggest strength, along with his skating and he will be missed sorely on the power play.  With this loss, Jaroslav Spacek and Josh Gorges will be relied on more heavily and will need to pick up the slack.  But any way you slice it (no pun intended) the Habs lost their best defenseman for half the season.

Change is the common thread running through all facets of the second century of Les Glorieux. This offseason saw many changes to the defence and the scoring lines as well as change behind the bench and in ownership. After wildly exceeding expectations in the 2007-08 NHL season, hopes were high in Montreal that the storied franchise would properly commemorate its centennial celebration with on-ice success in the 2008-09 NHL season. Those hopes were dashed when Les Habitants narrowly clinched the 8th playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, after enduring a campaign filled with on-ice inconsistency and off-ice disrepute. The remedy for the ailing franchise, as prescribed by GM Bob Gainey, was a complete and substantive makeover.

Organization

On June 20, 2009, an agreement in principle was announced between George Gillette Jr., the American businessman who has owned the club since January 2001, and three members of the Molson family for the sale of the club and its arena to the latter. If approved by the NHL, the sale marks a return of the franchise to the Molson family, whose prior involvement with the club stretches back, intermittently, to 1957 and who enjoyed 11 Stanley Cups during their tenure.

In addition, the organization announced hire of a new head coach in Jacques Martin, former coach of the Ottawa Senators and former GM and coach of the Florida Panthers. Martin succeeds Guy Carbonneau and GM Gainey, who respectively coached the Habs in the prior campaign. The experienced Martin comes with a general reputation as a defensive coach and enjoyed considerable regular-season success during his tenure with the Ottawa Senators. Playoff success during his multi-year tenure will be expected in fervent Montreal, particularly given the growing distance between the club’s last Stanley Cup in 1993.

Forwards

GM Gainey declined to sign any of his several unrestricted free agents, which included such offensive talent as long-time captain Saku Koivu, enigmatic Alex Kovalev, Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang. Instead, GM Gainey unlocked the war chest and effectively rewrote the team’s depth chart.

Scott Gomez brings playoff experience to Montreal

Centre Scott Gomez will most certainly bear the greatest scrutiny from the Montreal faithful. He will certainly receive the largest paycheque. Gomez was obtained from the New York Rangers prior to the NHL Draft in a seven-player deal involving Christopher Higgins and a number of defensive prospects. Gomez has a 2009-10 cap hit of $7.35 million.

The Gomez trade was followed by a bevy of signings, two of the most notable and expensive being his potential linemates, Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta. The pair each signed five-year contracts with the Canadiens and are owed $6 million and $5 million for the 2009-10 season, respectively. The career of Cammalleri has shown promise, having tallied 80 and 82 points in previous campaigns. Gionta has witnessed a dip in production in recent years and, like Gomez, career-high point totals came in the 2005-06 season, when the pair were linemates. During that season, Gionta tallied 48 goals and 89 points.

Effectively, Gomez, Cammalleri and Gionta, will be called upon to replace Koivu, Kovalev and Tanguay. GM Gainey was explicit in the off-season about the need to get bigger at the forward position and the biggest knock on the acquisitions is their lack of size.

The second line, though largely intact from last season, remains a mystery. Centre Tomas Plekanec is coming off arguably his worst offensive outputs of his career, scoring only 39 points in 81 games as the team’s second line centre. Andrei Kostitsyn is expected to be his left-winger and is also coming off a poor offensive season amidst off-ice issues, having scored only 41 points in 74 games. Competition for the remaining winger spot is open, with Max Pacioretty, Sergei Kostitsyn and Matt D’Agosotini in the running.

The third line may be the team’s most reliable. Centre Maxim Lapierre has developed into an effective checker who works hard and plays a physical game. The acquisition of LW Travis Moen brings a nightly yeoman effort and a Stanley Cup ring. Sprinkle in trimmed-down heavy weight Georges Laraque or hard-hitting Guillaume Latendresse and a bruising third line may offset the Canadiens’ concerns about size.

Defence

Andrei Markov has "Bean" the Habs' most consistent defenseman

Andrei Markov will again lead the defence corps. Markov has a booming shot from the point, which aided his 12 goals and 52 assists last year. With Kovalev gone, Markov is the Canadiens remaining point leader from last season and is one of the few remaining talents from Canadiens teams gone by. The challenge with Markov will be limiting his exposure in the regular season so that he stays fresh for the playoffs, as he has suffered shoulder and knee ailments in the past.

As was the case with the forwards, GM Gainey spent on defence, bringing in Jaroslav Spacek from Buffalo and towering Hal Gill from Pittsburgh. Though getting on in years at 35, Spacek provides a good outlet pass from the defensive zone and is expected to compliment Markov on the power play. While never standing out during stints in Toronto and Boston, the 6’7’ Gill found a niche in Pittsburgh working as a shut-down tandem with Rob Scuderi.

Defenceman Josh Georges showed progress last season and was rewarded with greater ice time, particularly in the playoffs. The remaining six defencemen will be filled by a combination of Ryan O’Byrne, Paul Mara, Roman Hamrlik, and intriguing offensively-minded rookie Yannick Weber.

Goaltending

Will this be the year Carey Price matures?

Carey Price will be expected to improve upon a disappointing season in perhaps the harshest environment for a young goaltender to mature. Following a sparkling rookie season, which drew unfair comparisons to St. Patrick Roy, Price’s 2008-09 campaign culminated in soft goals, allegations of perpetual partying and a Roy-ian wave to the Montreal faithful. Make no mistake; Price is the team’s goaltender of the future. His periodic flashes of brilliance say as much and, with time, consistency will follow. However, a year of progression will likely be needed to buy that time from the Montreal fan base.

Backing up Price is another talented young netminder, Jaroslav Halak. At times when Price has faltered, Halak has stepped in and has more than held the fort. That said, his promise will not keep Halak in that backup role for long and, if Halak is moved by the club in an effort to obtain scoring depth, Curtis Sanford will backup Price.

Prediction

Ceiling – Unless there is a significant drop-off on the part of the Bruins, the Habs have no shot to win the division. Intra-division, they will also be pushed by the maturing Sabres and the presumably physical Maple Leafs. In the most favorable scenario, Montreal will win a lower playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

Floor – It is entirely possible that the reshaped Canadiens will not gel in time to make a serious playoff push, injuries to aging defensemen will expose both a lack of depth and a young goaltender, or their lack of size up front will disable them from playing within the Conference. If those scenarios happen, look for a very disappointing start to the second Canadiens century as a finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference could happen.

Stanley Cup Final

• Curtis Zupke of the OC Register with five thoughts on the Final so far.  I think Fleury gets more flack than is warranted.
• Ever heard of the Dave Dye jinx?  The Wings better hope Dye starts writing about something else for the rest of this series…
• Some great pictures from in and around Game 3, courtesy of Seth Rorabaugh.  Lots of good stuff there.

Everyone else

• Here are some details on the Panthers sale.  Is Tony Tavares everywhere these days? How many teams is he rumored to be running?
• Has Serge Savard pulled away from his original interest of purchasing the Habs?  More importantly, are the Habs even for sale?!?!?!?!

What Martin gives you is a system, a sense of order, a chance to win most nights, even against more talented opposition.

What he doesn’t give you is anything to set hearts aflutter.

His hiring, then, offers a pretty clear sense of Gainey’s thinking right now, in a time of ownership uncertainty, entering a summer of widespread free agency on his roster, still dealing with intimations of off-ice scandal, coming off a season that began with great promise and ended with a coach firing and a first round playoff sweep.

Read Brunt’s entire article here.

More analysis comes from Robert at Eyes on the Prize:

While he most definitely fills the requirement for an experienced bench boss , there are both upsides and downsides to this hiring as I see it.

First and foremost, Martin does not seem to suit the Canadiens prefered style of exciting offensive hockey. Perhaps this is asign that the Canadiens will not have the same look next season due to their myriad free agency issues.

Then again, maybe they will be targeting Jay Bowmeester?

Additionally, Martin, who has a reputation as a solid teacher, is reputed to be somewhat of a dry communicator, fitting right in with the mold of Gainey and Pierre Gauthier who hired him in Ottawa. Martin will be rejoining both Gauthier, and former Ottawa scouts Trevor Timmins and Frank Jay in the Habs organization.

Read Robert’s entire post here.

Well, there are certainly mixed feelings about this hire from Habs fans, and I understand that.  Martin has not won a Stanley Cup as a head coach, his name doesn’t exactly carry a ton of cachet and he is a defense-first coach.  Those issues aside, he is still very accomplished. 

Martin coaches defense-first and has always said that once his players have taken care of their defensive responsiblites and have the puck in-hand (or on stick) that they can do what they please with it.  My thinking behind this, is that the Habs were playing a style that saw too many players bail out on defensive responsibilities–for whatever reason.  Martin, a good coach for young players, communicates his message well and has had success communicating that defense-first message.  Clearly Gainey wasn’t going to stay behind the bench and he must believe that Martin has a better chance of getting in the heads of the team’s young players than some of the other candidates he considered.  Sure Martin’s style may not be exciting, but wins count over excitement don’t they?

In terms of his personal excitement level, well, he is lacking in that regard.  But who really cares?  Maybe the media does, but that obviously wouldn’t affect Bob Gainey’s thinking.  In reality, Gainey wanted a coach that was fairly mundane.  Considering the intense off-ice and on-ice issues from last season, quiet is probably exactly that Gainey was looking for.  So, in that respect, Gainey has his man.

Whether Martin can take the Habs to the next level is another story.  But, as I say all the time, that’s why they play the games.

• Deadline deals from the past two seasons have helped the two Cup finalists, writes Dan Wood.  Good points by Wood.  These deals weren’t “major” but added the necessary ingredients to already established teams.
• The Wings may be up 2-0, but the stats have not been tilted in Detroit’s favor as much as last season’s Cup finals.  The Penguins deserved to be down 2-0 last season, this year they really don’t deserve to be down 2-0.

Everyone else

• Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch takes a look at the Thrashers organization.  Let’s just say the only way to go is up…
• Mike Heika says Dave Tippett’s job should be secure in Dallas…for now.  I think Dave Tippett has done a good job in Dallas, so I like Nieuwendyk’s willingness to give him a chance. 
• Georege Richards recaps Jacques Martin’s time in Florida.  Martin probably feels more comfortable about his Ottawa resume.
• Here is the Montreal Gazette’s article on the hiring.  Expect far more to come once the press conference is complete.

The Montreal Canadiens will hold a news conference this afternoon at 2pm et when the club will introduce Jacques Martin as their new head coach.

Montreal will be Martin’s third NHL stop as head coach after working for the Ottawa Senators and holding the head coach and general manager positions for the Florida Panthers.

Read story here.

See post below for analysis.

Sportsnet has learned Jacques Martin has been negotiating a potential buy-out with the Florida Panthers and that the Montreal Canadiens are very interested in hiring him as their next head coach.

Sources say Martin has multiple years left on his contract, but is willing to leave some money on the table to take the Canadiens job.

Martin coached the Panthers for three seasons beginning in 2005, but enjoyed more success as the bench boss of the Ottawa Senators.

Read entire story here.

Well, if this is true, then you can put to bed the lack of French speaking coach behind the Habs’ bench.  That aside, it seems to have some legs to it.  Nick Kypreos seemed fairly conviced on Sportsnet last night that this was almost a done deal.  If so, then I can’t say I am that surprised that Martin is out in Florida.  He appeared to always be a coach sitting in a manager’s seat.  The job he did in Florida was alright, as he made a great deal getting a good return on Olli Jokinen and has solidified the team’s defensive corps but his long-term signings at forward (Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton) left much to be desired.  His team just could never get the offensive firepower necessary to compete with the top half of the Eastern Conference. 

Sure the Panthers were very solid this season, but they still didn’t make the playoffs and now Jay Bouwmeester is almost assuredly on his way out.  That is just under 30 minutes a night that needs to be filled on the blue line now.  Just ask Kevin Lowe has easy that is to replace (see: Chris Pronger).

In terms of Montreal, the selection doesn’t totally make sense.  How much different is he than coach Guy Carbonneau?  I realize he has more experience, but they both preach defense.  I guess the biggest reason Gainey may tap Martin is his ability to develop young players.  There is a long list of forwards and defensemen that Martin has successfully developed (Wade Redden, Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat to name a few) over the years and Montreal has a number of players that need to be guided in the right direction–especially Carey Price. 

So, if this coaching rumor is true, that puts one piece in place for the Habs prior to the draft in La Belle Province.  However, there are many more pieces to fall in place before we start projecting the Habs’ 2009/2010 season.

Playoff teams:

• Pittsburgh could be two-sport champions if the Penguins win the Cup.  The Steel city is enjoying some great success as of late.

Teams not in the playoffs:

• The Bruins ownership wants to get Peter Chiarellin signed to a contract extension this summer.  He has done a terrific job in Boston and with a big summer of decisions ahead of him, it’d be smart to sign him to an extension in the next few weeks.
• There was a lot to remember from the Hurricanes’ 2008/09 season.  Nice post by Alexander.
• Adrian Dater says that Pierre Lacroix gambled and lost on the Patrick Roy situation.  How does Tony Granato feel at this point?
• If Ken Hitchcock is one of the coaches Darryl Sutter is interested, it shouldn’t matter because Hitchcock is happy in Columbus.  He’d actually be a great fit for Calgary but there is no reason for Columbus to let him go.
• David Staples does a good job of clipping together newspaper articles from Pat Quinn’s final days with the Leafs.  I think Tambellini made two great hires yesterday.
• Donald Brashear comments on reports of possible steroids deals involving the Washington Capitals.  This story was broken in the Tampa papers this morning and was included in the Morning Papers.
• Reports out of Russia have the Habs letting go Saku Koivu and re-signing Alexei Kovalev.  Although they may be true, I really don’t believe these reports.  That would mean giving Kovalev a boatload of money and basically make the Habs “his team.”  I’m not sure that’s the best role for Kovalev in any city, never mind the pressure-filled Montreal.

Playoff teams:

• All three of Erik Cole, Scott Walker and Tuomo Ruutu missed practice today.  Don’t worry Caniacs, all three are expected to play tomorrow.
• Tim Sassone has some concerns about Cristobal Huet being the Hawks’ starting netminder next season.  Huet certainly didn’t inspire confidence with yesterday’s performance.

Non-playoff teams:

• The Habs have signed Swedish winger Mikael Johansson.  His stats aren’t jumping off the page, but aside from money, it doesn’t cost the Habs to take a look and see what he can bring to the table.
• If Game 7 were a regular season contest, rest assured that Marc Savard would have been nowhere near the Bruins lineup.  He had to have been hurt because he was better than his performance demonstrated.
• Scott Gordon loves Kyle Okposo.  He’d better, he is supposed to be one of the cornerstones of that franchise moving forward.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• Bruins attempt to finish the rally tonight.  Net worth in game 7 as goalie‘s are key factors to winning the series.  Claude Julien reiterated yesterday that Marc Savard will be able to play in Game 7 tonight.  As last night’s Illegal Curve Radio show guest and Boston Herald Bruins beat writer Stephen Harris said, when Savard, during Game 6,  came onto the ice to test whatever was ailing him, he didn’t last long.  Stephen then writes about the unique perspective that Andrew Ferrance has to view the B’s erratic performance.
• Are the Canes loaded for bear because they’ve got a big bad Bruin in their sights and if they don’t step it up they are in for a mauling.  Canes coach Paul Maurice said there could be an adjustment on defense and with the lines for Game 7 against the Bruins.  Carolina Hurricanes’ captain Rod Brind’Amour, then (2006) and now, didn’t have to say much to make his impact felt, but when he thought something had to be said, he said it.

Washington Capitals (2) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (4)

• Tarik El-Bashir discusses how the Capitals’ Nemesis took control quickly and closed an otherwise thrilling series with an easy win.  In the end, Crosby was the better player opines Mike Wise.  After last night’s loss, the Caps have nothing but praise for Simeon Varlamov.  What some of the Caps players did to keep their minds off game 7.
• Game 7s, like the one the Penguins and Washington played last night to determine the winner of their second-round playoff series, are always special.  Game 7, the drama, became a comedy or a tragedy depending on your rooting interest with Sidney Crosby as the hero.  The Pens never stopped believing, not after they fell behind two games to none and not after they were beaten at home in Game 6, a 5-4 Capitals victory that necessitated Wednesday night’s Game 7.  With a swipe of his glove, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury sent a message to everyone who doubted his abilities.

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (2) versus Anaheim Ducks (8)

• A little nastiness to end Game 6, now Game 7 to decide which team keeps its Stanley Cup dreams alive and which one’s season ends abruptly.  What more can you ask for?  The Wings’ response should be to do what they do, which is show poise and experience and skate the feathers off the Duckies.  As I’ve been saying for quite some time, after an MVP-quality regular season, Pavel Datsyuk has slumped at a bad, bad time for the Red Wings.  Detroit’s most dependable distraction, Tomas Holmstrom, is suddenly nowhere to be found.  There isn’t much to hate about Hiller, except this: he is quite capable of standing on his head (figuratively), winning this series (literally) and ripping the Wings’ hearts out.
• To defeat the Red Wings, Ducks will need to outsmart them, and not rely on passion alone.  Could this be the Ducks’ most impressive playoff series victory. Ever.  The Ducks prepare for game 7 and all that entails.

Chicago Blackhawks (4)

• All the Blackhawks and their fans can do is sit back and watch as the other Western Conference semifinal series plays out to determine who the team will face in the conference finals and then try and figure who they’d rather face.  What do the Blackhawks do with all those hats thrown on the United Center ice?  Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane now understands Denis Savard firing.  GM Dale Tallon talks hockey, golf, pressure.

Teams that are not in the playoffs:

• Predators General Manager David Poile came away from a recent meeting with Alexander Radulov believing the talented Russian forward does want to return to the NHL.
• Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke appeared on Toronto radio station AM 640 on Wednesday afternoon to dismiss rumours he was looking to move up in the NHL Entry Draft by making a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  A serious error has been committed by Sports Illustrated in judging the Maple Leafs ownership to be the worst in the NHL.
• The Monreal Canadiens have signed defencemen P.K. Subban and Andre Benoit, GM Bob Gainey announced on Wednesday.
• They packed their bags, shook hands, and for some Vancouver Canucks, walked out of the dressing room for the last time yesterday.
• Of all of the coaches in Calgary Flames organization — at the National Hockey League level, at the American Hockey League level — only Mike Keenan has another year remaining on his contract.  Yet it’s his future, above all others’, that seems most uncertain.
• While the Avalanche remains without a general manager and intrigue surrounds its head coaching position, the team did manage to sign a couple of top prospects Wednesday to pro contracts.
• Comcast Corp. has no plans to sell its majority ownership stakes in the Sixers and Flyers because of the weak economy.
• The Atlanta Spirit were named one of the five worst owners in the NHL in a recent ranking by Sports Illustrated’s Web site.
• The Sharks are paying the price for their first-round playoff exit. The team, in a packet to season-ticket holders that included a letter from CEO Greg Jamison calling the loss “disappointing and embarrassing,” announced that season-ticket prices will remain the same for 2009-10.
• As soon as Willie Desjardins told his wife, Rhonda, he’d been chosen head coach of Canada’s next junior team, her reply was: “‘Well, we’ll have to win six.”
• India’s women’s field hockey team have cancelled their tour of Canada this month because of fears over the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

The Phoenix situation:

• Hamilton council approves Balsillie lease option for Copps Coliseum.
• Coyotes can’t be sold to Balsillie, Arizona city says.
• The provincial government is doing the old spinarama when it comes to financial help for BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie’s bid to bring the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• Did you know Mark Stuart and Shane Hnidy were only on the ice for one Montreal goal against in the entire first round?  For now, the Bruins are just watching the playoffs to see which team they will meet in Round 2.
• Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette says the Habs are an awful bunch from top to bottom.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• The Capitals defeated the Rangers at MSG yesterday and now hold all the momentum going into Tuesday’s deciding Game 7.  If Henrik Lundqvist was in the Capitals’ heads earlier this series, he sure isn’t anymore, writes Dan Steinberg.  For a guy who was booed out of New York, Sunday’s four point performance must have been sweet revenge for Tom Poti.  Speaking of defensemen, Mike Green is back on track offensively for the Caps.
• “You look at the score of the last two games, it’s hard to say we worked hard enough,” said Chris Drury.  The Rangers just don’t look very good right now, explains Jay Greenberg.  Subject to an elbow from Donald Brashear, Rangers center Blair Betts will miss Game 7.  Meanwhile, Brandon Dubinsky claims he was bitten during Game 6.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• “One team played like there was no tomorrow; the other team played like there was,” said Devils coach Brent Sutter after his team’s 4-0 loss last night.  You play all season for home-ice advantage and the Devils are hoping that will give them the edge in Game 7.  Home-ice won’t even matter if the Devils’ best players don’t come to play on Tuesday.
• With a terrific performance from Eric Staal, it all comes down to Tuesday night for Carolina.  Has Paul Maurice finally found the right combinations for the Hurricanes’ lines?

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• Evgeni Malkin has had some important fans in the stands to cheer him on.  It was sure important for the Penguins to avoid a Game 7 with the Flyers.  Penguins GM Ray Shero is happy his team has faced some adversity during this season’s playoffs.
• The Flyers seemed at a loss for words when it came to identifying what went wrong this season.  Here is the team’s free agent situation heading into the summer.  Don’t expect the Flyers organization to panic after the series loss, says Comcast President Peter Lukko.

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) versus Anaheim Ducks (8)

• As long as the Sharks keep sarcifing their bodies, they have a chance to win this series, opines Mark Purdy.  If the Sharks are to win the next two games, they need Joe Thornton to play like he did in Game 5.  Are the Sharks similar to the 2007 Dallas Mavericks?
• Teemu Selanne is keeping a positive attitude, even though he’s only tallied one assist all series versus San Jose.  Having short-term memories really does help the Ducks from game-to-game, writes Dan Wood.

Detroit Red Wings (2) versus Columbus Blue Jackets (7)

• Here are the teams that the Red Wings could face in Round 2.  The legendary Jimmy Devellano reflects back on his time with the Red Wings.

Vancouver Canucks (3) versus St Louis Blues (6)

• Kyle Wellwood has played really well so far this playoffs but he may be even more proud of the way his brother has played in the OHL playoffs.  When it comes to who they may match up against in the second round, the Canucks don’t care.  Ryan Kesler has become a beast for the Canucks, writes Grant Kerr.

Chicago Blackhawks (4) versus Calgary Flames (5)

• “We believe we can win in their building,” says Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith.  They may have confidence they can win in Calgary, but the Hawks know it won’t be easy.
• If the Flames want force Game 7, they will have to eliminate their mid-game lapses, writes Eric Duhatschek.  “We don’t want it to be over, and we don’t believe it will be over. We believe we’re going to win that game and force Game 7,” said Flames captain Jarome Iginla.  In injury news, Dion Phaneuf is still listed as day-to-day.

Non-Playoff Teams/Stories:

• Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says fighting isn’t always responsible for changing the momentum of the game.  (Writer’s note: Maybe he’s been reading this site, as I’ve been arguing the same thing for the past two days)
• Not surprisingly, Canada dominated Hungary at the World Hockey Championships.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe tells us that David Krejci is for real. Some people believe Marc Savard was basically Joe Thornton’s replacement in Boston, and he is sure demonstrating who the better player is this post-season.  In injury news, Patrice Bergeron’s foot is still bothering him, but not enough to hold him out of any games.
• Stu Cowan is critical of some of Carey Price’s decisions in this morning’s Montreal Gazette

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• The Capitals’ win in Game 5 has put some doubt into the minds of the Rangers.  With all the attention given to their forwards, the Capitals defense has quietly become very solid.  The first goal will be huge this afternoon.
• The irony surrounding the Rangers really is amazing, writes Mark Herrmann of Newsday.  Rangers coach John Tortorella has been suspended for Game 6.  Larry Brooks is critical of John Tortorella in this morning’s NY Post.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• Jamie Langenbrunner returns for the Devils tonight, however, Bryce Salvador is not expected to play.
• With the recession in full force, the Hurricanes are having trouble selling playoff tickets.  For some reason Versus waited until tonight to start broadcasting the Hurricanes/Devils.  Tonight’s do or die for the Hurricanes.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• The Penguins came back yesterday from a 3-0 deficit and sent the Flyers golfing, writes Dave Molinari.  Evegeni Malkin is looking forward to getting some rest.  Many are saying that Maxime Talbot’s fight turned the game around for Pittsburgh (Writer’s note: Garbage.  Talbot challenged Carcillo and got served hard.  In fact, he was pretty much embarassed and the crowd got jacked up as a result.  Just because the Penguins happened to score a couple fluky goals to tie the game, does not mean Talbot was the reason for that.)
• When you blow a 3-0 lead at home, you do not deserve to win.  With the season complete, expect another goalie controversy in Philadelphia.  Forget goaltending, Jeff Carter is blaming himself for the Flyers’ fortunes.

Other Articles of Interest:

• Kevin Paul Dupont wonders if we will see Bob Gainey step down in Montreal?
• Francois Giguere speaks about his firing with Adrian Dater of the Denver Post.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• The Bruins have no problems with waiting until late next week to start Round 2.  “You have to take the positive out of it. It gives us an opportunity to rest and we’re actually a pretty healthy team right now,” said coach Claude Julien.  In Round 1, Boston did a very good job of staying out of the box.  Simply, Zdeno Chara is the man.
• Could both Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis be part of the Habs’ off-season plan?  Dave Stubbs wonders if Saku Koivu has played his last game as a member of the Canadiens?  Here is Red Fisher’s Saturday Notebook.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• Matt Bradley did not just score once last night, he scored twice, as the Capitals forced a Game 6 back at MSG.  Some guy named Ovechkin was pretty good last night too.  Stephen Whyno thinks the Rangers missed Sean Avery.  It also didn’t hurt that Henrik Lundqvist decided to take off his cape and take a night off from being Superman.
• Make no mistake, the Rangers are John Tortorella’s team.  One of the ways Tortorella has made his mark as Rangers coach was by benching Sean Avery for last night’s contest.  Avery wasn’t against his benching saying, “I totally stand behind what Torts did.”  During the third period of yesterday’s frustrating loss, Tortorella got into a fight with a fan.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• It looks like Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner will be back in the lineup for Game 6.  John Madden has made it clear that the Devils want to end things tomorrow night.  If this series goes seven games, it really could be an all-time classic.
• Tomorrow is put up or shut up time for the Hurricanes.  Luke Decock of the News & Observer says it is time for Eric Staal to step up.

Pittburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• If the Penguins win today, it will allow them to forget that the Flyers have really been in control the past three games.  Not unexpectedly, Bill Guerin has taken on an important leadership role fo the Penguins.  Speaking of veteran leaders, if the Penguins do win this series, their veterans need to pick up the pace.  A seventh game wouldn’t surprise anyone.
• Forget hockey, one of the Flyers’ scouts actually saved the lives of a mom and child last week.  Meanwhile, Phil Sheridan gives John Stevens some credit for being patient with his team.  The Flyers are doing their best to forget the long odds of coming back from down 3-to-1.  Surprisingly, rugged forward Daniel Carcillo has been one of the keys to the Flyers’ turnaround.

Illegal Curve is now on Twitter and Facebook.

• As much as San Jose didn’t bring their “A” game last night, the Ducks most certainly did.  Just a great performance by the veteran group.
• Sergei Samsonov’s status for Game 6 has not yet been decided.  They could use him in Game 6, but I don’t see it being the determining factor.
• More reaction to the penalty call late in the Jackets/Wings game.  Straight up, that was a penalty.  It really wasn’t close Jackets fans.
• Both Jamie Langenbrunner and Bryce Salvador are questionable for Game 6.  With a Game 7 back home, I don’t see the Devils pushing it here if it is too close to call.
• Have trade deadline acquisitions paid off in the playoffs?  Great piece.
• An interesting interview with John Davidson.  We miss JD in the booth, but he has done a tremendous job turning that organization around.
• Taylor Pyatt has returned to the Canucks and issued a statement.  Hockey has to be the last thing on Pyatt’s mind.
• It is going to be a wild one tonight at the Verizon Center.  Desperation will definitely kick in tonight for the Caps.

Plus, some other NHL stories from around the league:

• Eric Duhatschek thinks Bob Gainey has probably closed the window on Vincent Lecavalier if he publicly called out Brian Lawton yesteday.  Great point by Duhatschek.  He mentions Briere as a possible trade candidate for Montreal.
• Elliotte Friedman isn’t convinced the Lecavalier to Montreal window has closed.  Tampa is desperate to get rid of salary, so that point is well-taken.
• Could Pierre McGuire end up being the next Wild GM?  Would be an interesting choice, as there are few who know as much about the game as McGuire.
• Rogers and TSN2 may finally be close to an agreement for GTA customers.  Stupid situation from the outset.
• Sharks fans just wanted to see some passion from their favorite team last night, but they didn’t get it.  Just an awful performance from San Jose.  They brought nothing to the table.
• Chris Higgins has been added to the U.S. squad for the World Championships.  I’m sure he’s trying to end his season on anything but the sour note that was the Habs’ “playoff run”.
• Damien Cox on video talking about the possibility of two NHL teams in Toronto.  Again, this makes too much sense for the league.  Whether there is ever any progress on this matter is another story.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• After being so injured last playoffs, the Bruins realize just how important rest is during the playoffs.  This Boston team just has a quiet confidence about them.  Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara has been nominated for the Norris Trophy.
• It appears the sale of the Montreal Canadiens this summer is inevitable.  It may be an understatement to say that Bob Gainey is not a fan of the Tampa Bay management.  Carey Price sat and faced the bright lights of the Montreal media on Thursday.  What’s next for long-time Canadien forward and leader Saku Koivu?  If there is talk that Bob Gainey won’t be back next season for Montreal, it doesn’t appear to have come from Gainey himself, as he says he has work to do when it comes to the Habs’ off-season.  Alexei Kovalev has voiced his interest in returning to the Habs.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• The Capitals have the same difficult task they were faced with last season against Philadelphia, writes Barry Syrluga.  You’d be surprised to know that Alexander Ovechkin reads Capitals message boards.  Capitals defenseman Mike Green has been nominated for the Norris Trophy.  Illegal Curve’s Ari Baum-Cohen calculated the Capitals’ odds of coming back in this series.
• John Tortorella wouldn’t say whether he’d healthy scratch Sean Avery for Game 5 tonight.  Chris Drury has his team pumped up for tonight’s possible clinching game at the Verizon Center.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• After blowing the game late in Game 4, the Devils hung on to defeat the Hurricanes 1-0 yesterday at The Rock.  The Devils are now focused on Sunday’s Game 6.  It is truly amazing how clutch Martin Brodeur is.
• The Hurricanes were shutout by Martin Brodeur last night, but they are holding their heads high.  With last night’s game behind them, the Hurricanes’ focus has shifted directly to Game 6.  Anton Babchuk was a healthy scratch on Thursday night.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• “We didn’t play as well as we could,” said Penguins veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar about his team’s performance in Game 5.  Petr Sykora was not in the lineup for Pittsburgh on Thursday and was surprised to find out the news.  Give Dan Bylsma credit for making a difficult lineup decision concerning Sykora.  A storm in Atlanta caused many Penguins fans to miss the majority of yesterday’s game on television.
• Claude Giroux is becoming a Flyers fan favorite with his play in the first round.  Giroux is becoming a favorite, but the Flyers couldn’t have won last night without a terrific performance from Martin Biron.  Depth helps; as Flyers fourth liner Arron Asham turned the tide of Thursday’s tilt.  Right now, Philadelphia simply has to focus on one game at a time.

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) versus Anaheim Ducks (8)

• It will all come down to Saturday for the Sharks, after a terrible performance last night in Anaheim.  The Sharks just are not playing with any purpose right now, opines Mark Purdy.  When are the Sharks going to trade Joe Thornton?
• Anaheim’s performance in Game 4 was their best of the series so far, writes Dan Wood.  Bobby Ryan is playing a ten-year veteran for the Ducks, writes Helene Elliot.  Ryan’s linemates were pretty darn good too.  In surprising news, the Ducks finished with less penalties than the Sharks.

Detroit Red Wings (2) versus Columbus Blue Jackets (7)

• Not only did the Red Wings sweep the Blue Jackets, but they didn’t even trail in the series once.  The Wings really looked like a well-oiled machine the entire series.  Columbus fans were not happy after a late third period penalty call and actually hit Wings coach Mike Babcock with debris.  In non-playoff news, Nicklas Lidstrom was once again nominated for the Norris Trophy.
• Sure the Jackets were down 3-0 in the series heading into last night’s game, but the way they lost the series may sting for a while, writes Aaron Portzline.  For all the anger from the Blue Jackets team and fans, GM Scott Howson says the officials got the late penalty call right.  Last night’s loss may have been painful, but there is nothing for the Columbus player to be ashamed of.

Vancouver Canucks (3) versus St Louis Blues (6)

• Just how important is Roberto Luongo to the Canucks’ success?  Luongo doesn’t have the best record of playing well after long layoffs, but he is not worried about the past.  The Blues were a perfect appetizer for the Canucks, writes Cam Cole.
• Blues defensemen Jay McKee and Eric Brewer will both be undergoing post-season surgery.

Chicago Blackhawks (4) versus Calgary Flames (5)

• Eric Duhatschek talks about the similarities of Eric Nystrom to his father.  Andre Roy has been suspended by the NHL for Game 5.
• After a tough Game 4, the Hawks aren’t suddenly going to lose confidence in Nikolai Khabibulin.  For a young team, do not expect the Blackhawks players to panic, writes Tim Sassone.  Interestingly, the Hawks were given Thursday off.  More Chicago players have to play like Kris Versteeg.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• “We got beat by a better team,” said Canadiens coach and GM Bob Gainey.  The Bruins conquered some of their demons yesterday night, writes Kevin Paul Dupont.  “It was definitely a good feeling to beat your old team here in Montreal and get the last one,” said former Canadiens winger Michael Ryder.  Of course Milan Lucic and Mike Komisarek had a chance to go at it last night.  Any talk about David Krejci being tired should be put to rest, as the young center was tremendous in the series.  Looking to Round 2, Andrew Ference is moving closer to a return to the lineup.
• Pat Hickey says Carey Price has clearly regressed over the past two seasons.  “People were rude, people were unfair, so he stood up for himself. What’s wrong with that?” said Bob Gainey about the Canadiens fans’ treatment of Carey Price.  Red Fisher wonders if Bob Gainey will be back next season?

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• NHL teams that are down 3-1 in a series like the Capitals comeback to win only 8.7% of the time.  Mike Wise says that the pressure is on Alexander Ovechkin to take his team past the first round like his superstar counterpart Sidney Crosby.  The Capitals just were not desperate at the start of Game 4 and it showed.  At least Brian Pothier has played well since being put into the lineup after Game 1.
• Chris Drury is just plain clutch.  For everything the Capitals throw at the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist is inevitably there to catch it.  “That’s why they pay me the big bucks,” said the netminder also known as the King.  The Rangers now sit only one win away from a huge upset, writes Larry Brooks.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• The Devils have to have a short memory when it comes to the no-call at the very end of Game 4.  Is an angry Martin Brodeur exactly what New Jersey needs?  The Devils most likely will not have Jamie Langenbrunner and Bryce Salvador for Game 5.
• It is impossible to predict what will happen next in the ultra tight Hurricanes/Devils series.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• “A team doesn’t get any more desperate than in a situation like that,” says Sidney Crosby about the Flyers tonight.  Tyler Kennedy knows what it is like to blow a series lead, so he doesn’t want to be on a team that does it again.  Craig Adams has really helped the Penguins in the face-off department.  Do the Penguins need to sit Petr Sykora?
• While the Flyers have probably outplayed the Penguins in three of the four games, the Flyers fans just want results.  Philadelphia has more confidence down 3-1 versus Pittsburgh this playoffs than they did last playoffs.  Let’s be honest though, Marc-Andre Fleury hasn’t been the team’s only problem.

The Western Conference Morning Papers will be a little late this morning. I apologize for the delay.

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• The Bruins won’t be getting ahead of themselves like they did five years ago, writes Stephen Harris.  The Bruins definitely do not lack depth this playoffs.  They have so much depth that someone who does not deserve to sit will be in the press box tonight.  Steve Montador has fit in perfectly with his new Bruins teammates, proving to them he is the ultimate team player.  The story of Matt Hunwick’s spleen.
• “Everything is possible,” is the message being sent from Habs captain Saku Koivu.  That said, there is little reason to believe the Habs will be the third team to ever comeback from down 3-0, writes Sean Gordon.  Pat Hickey instructs Habs fans to stop booing the U.S. anthem.  If the Habs lose tonight, the cops will be ready.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7) 

• Since allowing a goal to Ryan Callahan, Simeon Varlamov has made 55 consecutive saves for the Capitals.  Varlamov has developed probably faster than the Capitals organization had anticipated.  Even with a wonky groin, Tom Poti will suit up tonight for the Rangers.
• New York needs to recapture the momentum they earned from winning games one and two.  “No one in this room thought it was going to be easy, and that we were going to win four straight games,” said Rangers defenseman Derek Morris.  A fed up John Tortorella has challenged his team’s top players to improve their play.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• It sure was an eventful game, but Martin Brodeur was furious after last night’s loss at Carolina.  “It’s a tough way to lose with that little amount of time left,” said Brian Gionta after the Hurricanes scored the game winning goal with 0.2 seconds left in the third period.  Not only did the Devils lose the game, but they also lost Bryce Salvador to injury.
• “Huge game, huge win for us,” said Game 4 star Jussi Jokinen.  After being a healthy scratch for the second and third games of the series, Dennis Seidenberg came back into the lineup and made his mark for Carolina.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• So much for any talk about Marc-Andre Fleury not having what it takes, as he stood on his head to almost single-handedly lead the Penguins to a Game 4 victory on Tuesday night.  The Penguins’ face-off taking skills have improved to such a point where they now sit second in the post-season in face-off percentage.  If the Penguins/Flyers is going to turn into a genuine rivalry, the Flyers are going to have to win one of these times, writes Joe Starkey.  Whose fans are louder?
• Generally when you put 46 shots on net, you are likely to win, but the Flyers were out of luck against Marc-Andre Fleury last night.  If the Flyers want to pull a comeback in this series, they need Jeff Carter to get going.  Worry not Flyers fans, the team has pulled off comebacks before.

Western Conference papers are up next…

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• Michael Ryder stuck it to his old team yesterday at the Bell Centre.  Boston did miss Milan Lucic, but Byron Bitz did a terrific job filling in.  For all intents and purposes, this series is now over.
• The Habs had their chances last night but they just couldn’t capitalize, writes Pat Hickey.  Red Fisher says the Canadiens miss Andrei Markov more than anyone thought they would.  Last night’s game was played without Alex Tanguay and Mathieu Schneider.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• Talk about a bounce back performance, the Captials went into MSG and let it be known the series is far from over.  Simeon Varlamov is as cool off the ice as he is on it.  Nicklas Backstrom was a force for Washington.
• After such a strong start to the series have the Rangers already lost the momentum?  Chris Drury’s apparent hand injury is cutting into his productivity and his ice-time.  “We stunk; it’s simple,” said Rangers coach John Tortorella after yesterday’s game.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• Zach Parise has been carrying the Devils through the team’s first three games against Carolina.  We already know Parise is a star, but Travis Zajac is becoming one as well, writes Rich Chere.
• Both David Clarkson and Chad LaRose have worked hard to get to where they are today.  If the Hurricanes want to win this series, they are going to have get their offense going.  If you watched the Devils/Canes Game 3 on DirecTV you missed the overtime goal.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• Did the Penguins struggle in their own zone last game because they haven’t been in their own zone lately?  Sergei Gonchar knows what it is like when teams focus on being physical with a player for an entire series.  One person who doesn’t mind the physical play of the series is Chris Kunitz.  Give credit to Penguins GM Ray Shero for saving the season, writes Joe Starkey.
• Daniel Briere’s line has been a perfect compliment to the top two lines in Philadelphia.  The Flyers want to make sure they play a desperate game tonight.  Hockey is put into perspective when you read about Matt Carle’s brother and the heart condition that forced him to retire from hockey at 18 years old.

And you thought Ovechkin was only good as a forward.  Check out that ability to get back.

FINAL		T				FINAL		T
	Boston	4					Washington	4
	Montreal	2					NY Rangers	0
Game Preview						Game Preview
Game Scoresheet						Game Scoresheet
Team Game Threads: Stanley Cup of Chowder Four Habs Fans						Team Game Threads: Japers’ Rink Blueshirt Banter
Game Recap						Game Recap

FINAL		T
	Chicago	2
	Calgary	4
Game Preview
Game Scoresheet
Team Game Threads: Second City Hockey Matchsticks and Gasoline
Game Recap

He is the future in net, so Gainey is going to ride him and give him the experience he will need to improve and move forward. 

For now, here’s what beat writers are saying this afternoon:

• Here is the lineup the Bruins expect to roll out for tonight’s game in Montreal.  Bitz, while not the player Lucic is, brings many of the same qualities.
• Predictions on tonight’s Flames/Hawks games from the Calgary Herald writers.   I’ve got the Flames winning 4-1.
• Here are Calgary’s lines for tonight’s game.  At least until the first three shifts.
• Antoine Vermette has replaced Manny Malhotra on the number one line in Columbus.  Malhortra just doesn’t have the offensive game to be a top-two line centerman.
• Some numbers on the Ducks/Sharks series after Anaheim took a 2-0 lead last night.  San Jose still has a shot but only if their best players show up at John Wayne Airport…
• No word yet on who is starting between the pipes for the Habs.  I suspect Halak, but we’ll see in due time.
• Some quotes from Rangers coach John Tortorella heading into Game 3.  That first period tonight should be a real doozy.
• With the Blues down 3-0, Andy Murray is changing things up.  This playoffs has been a great learning experience for the young Blues, but they are done
• Bruce Bourdeau on tonight’s game.  The critics will be after Boudreau if his team loses tonight.

Non-Playoff teams

• John Tavares the third best prospect in the NHL draft?  Not buying this.
• There has been lots of reflecting after a lost season in Buffalo.  That team was far too talented to miss the playoff.

• Lundqvist with his 3rd career shutout.  Osgood picks up his 14th career shutout.
• Good news for the Wings, Hawks, Canucks, Bruins and Rangers as teams that take a 2-0 series lead end up winning 87% of the time.

FINAL		T				FINAL		T
	NY Rangers	1					Columbus	0
	Washington	0					Detroit	4
Game Preview						Game Preview
Game Scoresheet						Game Scoresheet
Team Game Threads: Blueshirt Banter Japers’ Rink						Team Game Threads: The Cannon Winging it in Mowtown
Game Recap						Game Recap

FINAL		T				FINAL		T
	Montreal	1					Calgary	2
	Boston	5					Chicago	3
Game Preview						Game Preview
Game Scoresheet						Game Scoresheet
Team Game Threads: Four Habs Fans Stanley Cup of Chowder						Team Game Threads: Matchsticks and Gasoline Second City Hockey
Game Recap						Game Recap

Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets 3 Stars:

• 1st Star:  Chris Osgood:  He wasn’t as stellar as he was last night but he once again showed why he has won so many playoff games.  And he also managed to shutout the Jackets.
• 2nd Star: Detroit’s Power Play:  3 of the 4 goals tonight came on the power play and they showed why you can’t get penalties against the regular season’s #1 power play.
• 3rd Star:  Pavel Datsyuk:  He doesn’t just score, he also hits and he played as physical a game as I’ve seen him play all year long. 

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• Matt Hunwick got quite the welcoming to the NHL playoffs on Thursday.  Milan Lucic continues to prove he is made for prime time, writes Fluto Shinzawa.  Bruins enforcer Shawn Thornton appears to have grown tired of comments from Georges Laraque.  One player who won’t back down from the Bruins’ physical play is defenseman Mike Komisarek.
• The Habs got a little feisty after the whistle last game, writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.  In injury news, Andrei Markov is back on the ice for Montreal but won’t play in Game 2.  The Habs just want to get over “the hump”.  Meanwhile, Red Fisher talks about the high number of firings in the NHL this season.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• Jeff Schultz has an undisclosed injury and has been pulled from the Capitals lineup in favor of Brian Pothier.  Washington has noticed the increased aggressiveness of the Rangers since John Tortorella was hired.  Mike Wise of the Washington Post has an interesting article on the career of Sergei Fedorov.
• The Rangers had a huge scare at practice yesterday, as Henrik Lundqvist was shaken up.  With two days between games, the Blueshirts want to make sure they maintain the momentum they created in Game 1.  New York better be good today because Jose Theodore won’t be worse than he was in Game 1, opines Larry Brooks.  In other Broadway news, the team signed highly-coveted young defenseman Matt Gilroy to a two-year deal.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• New Jersey not only lost the game yesterday in overtime but they may have lost captain Jamie Langenbrunner for a prolonged period of time, writes Mark Everson.  Brian Rolston will have to pick it up for New Jersey.  Paul Maurice was happy with his team’s improved intensity after a 4-1 loss in Game 1.
• Eric Staal seemed to create more for himself and the whole Hurricanes team brought an increased intensity in Game 2, writes Chip Alexander.  Everywhere you look there is a Sutter.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• The Penguins knew they had to score on their 5-on-3 in overtime, and they did just that.  Those two penalties on Philadelphia ended up being the difference, writes Shelly Anderson.  (Writer’s note: Penalties should be in quotations because the cross-check they called was absolutely not a penalty in my opinion.) Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Penguins deserved last night’s victory.  Marc-Andre Fleury was clutch.
• At least the Flyers improved over Game 1, writes Sam Carchidi.  Sam Donnellon thinks experience is the difference in this series.  Luca Sbisa is making quite the transition on the fly.

Western Conference papers up next.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) versus Montreal Canadiens (8)

• The Bruins blew a two-goal lead, but got a huge third period goal from Zdeno Chara and are off to a 1-0 series lead.  Now is the perfect time for the Bruins to capature the Boston marketplace.  The Habs do not exactly look intimidating, writes Kevin Paul Dupont.  P.J. Axelsson does all the important things many fans don’t notice.  Former Bruin Glen Metropolit is playing an offensive role for the rival-Canadiens.
• The Habs didn’t play poorly, but they still need to play a lot better, explains Pat Hickey.  Former Habs coach Claude Julien doesn’t want to take credit for the resurgence of former Hab winger Michael Ryder in Boston.  Roy MacGregor felt like Carey Price looked shaky last night.

Washington Capitals (2) versus New York Rangers (7)

• The question in Washington is who will man the net for Game 2?  It looks like Jeff Schultz will miss tomorrow aftrernoon’s game for the Capitals.  Viktor Kozlov can finally relax after scoring his first ever NHL playoff goal.  Sergei Fedorov’s leadership and experience is helping keep the young Capitals confident and relaxed.
• Coach John Tortorella was very happy with the play of Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival in Game 1.  Wade Redden’s experience is helping the Rangers on the back-end.  Easy on proclaiming a Wade Redden turn-around, opines Larry Brooks.

New Jersey Devils (3) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• “We got some of our confidence back, our swagger,” said Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner.  The playoff beards are in full force on the Devils’ blue line.  Fear not Jersey fans, Johnny Oduya will be in the lineup for Game 2.
• Eric Staal and Zach Parise have been going head-to-head since they were young kids.  After a poor performance in Game 1, Cam Ward is not down on himself.  Paul Maurice says his team is not tired.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• Speaking of a Staal brother, Jordan has become a dominant third line center for the Penguins.  Pittsburgh is expecting a vastly improved Flyers team tonight at Mellon Arena.  If this series is going deep, the Flyers need to be far more discplined.  The acquisition of Chris Kunitz has worked wonders for the Pens.  (Writer’s note: That trade has been a great one for both teams.)
• The Flyers have to get off to a quick start in Game 2.  Daniel Carcillo will not be in the lineup tonight due to his one-game suspension.  The stupid penalties need to stop, writes Phil Sheridan.

• Red Wings open the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Joe for a record 17th straight season.
• Chris Osgood is the last goalie in the NHL to wear the old school mask.
• The Canadiens were a No. 8 seed in the 2004 playoffs (under Claude Julien) when they knocked out the top-seeded Bruins from the playoffs in 7 games.
• It’s been 40 years since the NHL playoffs featured an all-California series.  Not since 1969, when the Oakland Seals and Los Angeles Kings played.
• Joe Thornton had his 1st shot of the game with 48.4 remaining in the 3rd period.

FINAL		T				FINAL		T
	Montreal	2					Columbus	1
	Boston	4					Detroit	4
Game Scoresheet						Game Scoresheet
Game Threads:						Game Threads:
Four Habs Fans  Stanley Cup of Chowder						The Cannon Winging it in Mowtown
Game Recap						Game Recap

FINAL OT		T				FINAL		T
	Calgary	2					Anaheim	2
	Chicago	3					San Jose	0
Game Scoresheet						Game Scoresheet
Game Threads:						Game Threads:
Matchsticks and Gasoline  Second City Hockey						Battle of California  Fear the Fin
Game Recap						Game Recap

Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets 3 Stars:

• 1st Star:  Osgood was fantastic when the Wings needed him to be.  (13 shots in the 1st period).
• 2nd Star: Detroit’s 3rd line played like the 1st line.  Combined for 5 points tonight.
• 3rd Star:  Steve Mason was fantastic and had some bad luck on deflections off his defenceman.

A few interesting things to note about the predictions:

1) The New York Rangers might as well not bother to show up. Eight predictors, eight Washington victories predicted.

2) The goaltending disparity between Chris Osgood/Ty Conklin and Steve Mason is weighing heavily on the minds of the predictors.

3) Anaheim is a team to be feared and avoided? Not according to the IC team who feel, by a seven to one margin, that the Sharks will get by their in-state cousins.

4) Four series are to close to call (Car-NJ, Pitt-Phil, CBJ-Det, and Cgy-Chi). Despite this, the only team to receive two votes for Cup champion are the New Jersey Devils, who four predictors believe won’t even get out of the first round.

5) Along the same lines of the Devils winning the cup, Zach Parise receives two votes for Conn Smythe.

6) We invite all of our Illegal Curve readers to submit their own predictions. I would be pleased to add it to the chart below upon receiving them. If we get enough entries, perhaps we will even offer a touque as a prize once I figure out some sort of convoluted scoring method. Please send your predictions to drew@illegalcurve.com . If you don’t want to be subjected to ridicule over bad predictions, but still wish to comment on our predictions (cowards!), please comment below.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)

• According to an EA Sports simulation, the Bruins will beat Chicago in six games to capture the Stanley Cup.
• The Canadiens have been more than just a playoff nemesis to the Bruins, they have flat-out owned the Black ’n’ Gold over the years.
• Considering that the Bruins just delivered their finest regular season in 37 years, how about just giving every player, coach and manager an A-plus.
• Georges Laraque said he’s not surprised that he has been pencilled into the lineup for Game 1.
• Looks like the feisty Habs revel in their new underdog role instead of favorite as they were last season.

 Washington Capitals (2) vs. New York Rangers (7)

• The biggest question facing the Washington Capitals as they prepare to open the Eastern Conference first round against the New York Rangers is whether José Theodore can catch fire.
• Tarik El-Bashir was on Washington Post Live to preview the Caps’ first-round series with the Rangers.
• Maybe there is hope for the Rangers going into their opening-round series against the high-powered Capitals, but if you’re going to think that way, it’d help to have evidence.

New Jersey Devils (3) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• It could be the bounce in Martin Brodeur’s step, the beneficial result of an injury-shortened season that leaves the Devils goalie well-rested and anxious for the playoffs to begin
• Brent Sutter coached Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward for three seasons of junior hockey at Red Deer (WHL).
• Midseason coaching changes are as much a part of the NHL’s culture as playoff beards.  But how teams respond to the first phenomenon has a lot to do with whether they even get to grow the second.
• There was a time in January when the Carolina Hurricanes looked nothing like a team capable of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs, much less one that would sizzle during the stretch run of the NHL season.
• Cam Ward has waited three years to return to this stage, this chance to prove what he did last time he was here was no accident.

 Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5)

• It is the contemplative aspect of angling that appeals to Pittsburgh interim coach Dan Bylsma, so it doesn’t bother him that no one can corroborate his definitive fish story
• Penguins interim coach Dan Bylsma didn’t rule out using enforcer Eric Godard against rough-and-tumble Philadelphia.

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (8) 

• It’s not as if the Sharks don’t know the Anaheim Ducks. After all, the two teams knocked heads three times in the last month of the season, twice in its final week.
• Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have united to help revive the Ducks and form a dominant line.
• The one and only Don Cherry voiced the original opinion that the NHL officials should let the Ducks play.

Detroit Red Wings (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7)

• The Chris Osgood factor.  The Red Wings, trying to become the first to win back-to-back Cups since they did it in 1997 and ’98, are dangerous if …
• The NHL’s salary cap is a farce.  All you have to do is look at the decade-plus contracts of Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen to know that.

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. St. Louis Blues (6)

• The Vancouver Canucks were likely preparing to face a different, higher-profile goaltender named Mason in the first round of the playoffs.
• Written off in a brutal slump in January, the Vancouver Canucks are suddenly the hottest ticket in town.
• St. Louis Blues goalie Chris Mason will be playing his 39th consecutive game and making his 34th start in a row Wednesday against Vancouver.
• Although there were indications from the Blues that Paul Kariya could be available for Game 1 Wednesday, he hasn’t made the trip to Vancouver.

 Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs. Calgary Flames (5)

• What has been a tumultuous season for Nikolai Khabibulin could well be his last one with the Blackhawks.
• As the Flames prepared for Game 1 of their playoff series against the Blackhawks, Rene Bourque skated with Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen on the top line.
• The smile on Jarome Iginla‘s face fades, ever so slightly, at the mere suggestion his Calgary Flames rank as underdogs heading into Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
• As the Calgary Flames get ready for Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, bar owners, police and residents around the Red Mile are preparing for potential celebrations.

Non-Playoff Teams

• The NHL holds its draft lottery tonight with five teams having a chance at landing the No. 1 pick — and most likely Tavares.  TSN has ranked who they feel with be the top 14 picks.
• It’s not the playoffs in any sport until Las Vegas puts down its odds.
• The questions echoed off the empty locker stalls over and over Monday. What went wrong? What needs to be fixed? How can the Buffalo Sabres return to the playoffs?
• Bryan Murray spoke to the media for one last time this season, touching on everything from the failed campaign to the futures of individual players in Ottawa.
• Four different networks are gearing up to broadcast the NHL playoffs to the masses starting Wednesday and their assortment of experts are already busy making their opinions known.
• Thrashers‘ priorities this offseason: Job No. 2 for the Thrashers this summer is signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a new contract.  That might be impossible unless they complete job No. 1, finding Kovalchuk a few new teammates.
• Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu revealed the seriousness of their knee injuries as the Wild packed up for the offseason.
• The voice of the Oilers goes silent for a moment as he packs up his gear and leaves the broadcast booth with a cherished gift, a seat cushion, tucked under one arm.
• The Predators roster that finished the 2008-09 season may look a good bit different than the one that begins the 2009-10 campaign.
• The Dallas Stars will have to plug holes next season on a budget, co-general manager Brett Hull said as the team held exit interviews and physicals with players.
• With numerous free agents, the face of the Coyotes could dramatically change.

Forwards:

Up front, the Bruins have unparalleled depth at the pivot position. Their top three centres include Savard, Krejci, and Bergeon, while the Habs have an aging Koivu, the inconsistent Plekanec, and… that’s about it. The x-factor among Hab forwards will be Alex Kovalev. Which Kovalev will show up exactly? The Kovalev who has been a dominant force during previous post-season runs, or the one who exaggerated being slashed on his hand, coughed up the puck, and allowed Glen Murray to score an uncontested goal during overtime? With other offensive power coming from Kessel, Ryder, Recchi, Wheeler, and Lucic, the Bruins have the edge in the scoring department.  Tanguay and the Kostitsyn boys are good, but not great.

Edge: Bruins

Defense:

On defense, the Bruins boast a solid top group in Chara and Wideman, but nothing too spectacular after these two. For the Habs, Komisarek, Hamrlik, Schneider, Bouillon, and Gorges are probably better defensively overall, but not offensively. The loss of Markov absolutely kills the Habs’ powerplay, somewhere the Bruins have an edge from the back end.

Edge: Habs

Goaltending:

Between the pipes lies an interesting storyline. On one hand you have an older, extremely dedicated Vezina candidate, just starting to make a name for himself. On the other hand, you have a young, over-confident player that may have been rushed into the spotlight too early and calls smoking five cigarettes at one time a hobby. At the moment, the Bruins’ Thomas has the edge, but the tide could turn if Price gets hot.

Edge: Bruins

Prediction:

Overall, the Bruins’ offense (especially on the power play), should be the difference maker.  As we all know, special teams is always of upmost importance come playoff time.  The Habs may have a chance if Price catches fire and steals the series, but the likely outcome will be the B’s heading to the second round and Price heading to Crescent St. for a smoke.

Bruins in 6.

To me, this seems utterly ridiculous in this day and age. The Canadiens of old used to have the market cornered on Francophone players, but they have now abandoned this practice and simply draft or sign the best players available. Sure, it does seem like many top French speaking players are interested in playing in Quebec and you often hear the rumours that so and so wants to go there, but in reality, few of them ever do. The Captain of the team is a Finn, and there best players are from all over the world. The Habs have even been known to draft Americans. Sacre bleu, quelle horreur!. If the language/heritage issue is no longer pertinent when it come skaters, who cares if the coach can converse in the mother tongue?

This begs the question, who in particular is demanding that the coach being a French speaker? The players? Likely not, since only a half dozen or so would likely understand it. The media? Perhaps, but I dare say most fo them speak English just fine. The ownership? Last I checked the Montreal owner was a Wisconsin born American, and I don’t believe Madison is known as Little Little Paris. By process of elimination, that leaves the fans. Now, I understand that language and culture is a touchy issue in the PQ, but as a hockey fan, wouldn’t you trade the language factor for wins? The Montreal faithful are notoriously passionate and knowledgeable, so do they not know that making coaches check two language boxes on the Coach Application automatically narrows the field by oh, say 75 or 80% right off the bat?

There are definitely successful and able Francophone coaches out there, but it seems insisting on this capability means you conduct the search with un arm tied behind your back. Do you try and fit a square peg into a round hole just to appease a province’s xenophobia? If the Canadiens do hire another Franco-coach, I won’t be surprised, but lets just hope that Anglais-only candidates are also considered. The Habs need a shot in the arm, and with the bucket full of free-agents they have, they owe it to themselves to put someone competent behind the bench, French speaking or not.

If Mathieu Schneider gets through the pregame warmup, he’ll be in the Canadiens’ lineup tonight against the Boston Bruins. Schneider made a surprise appearance at the morning skate today and showed enough to convince Bob Gainey he should be in the lineup despite the fact he’s still favouring a shoulder injury.

For the complete story click here.

Looks like our unconfirmed source from a few days ago was correct and Mathieu Schneider’s season isn’t over.  Good news for Montreal, especially if he can go tonight versus Boston.

• Andrew Ebbett has quietly been very productive for the Ducks since being called up from the AHL, writes Billy Witz.
• A number of the Thrashers players are heading to the World Championships.
• Add Chuck Kobasew to the list of Bruins players that are injured, explains Kevin Paul Dupont.  Even though Boston has clinched first place in the conference, they will be geared up to face the Habs tonight.
• With yesterday’s victory at Toronto, the Sabres stayed alive in the playoff race.  Sure they stayed alive, but after reading Bucky Gleason’s article this morning, you will realize they have no chance of getting in.  At least the future looks bright, as Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe has won AHL rookie of the year.
• The Flames are aiming to ‘get that swagger back’.   Eric Francis tells us the Flames are banking on the return of Rene Bourque and maybe even Rhett Warrener, with all the injuries they have sustained.  It is clear from listening to the Flames players that their goal is the Stanley Cup or bust.  Calgary has had its cap issues, but if you are wondering, no team can go over the cap.
• Little known Chad LaRose has been a bargain of an impact player for the Hurricanes. 
• The Blue Jackets denied the Hawks‘ bid to clinch the fourth spot in the Western Conference.  With the Hawks leading more games, Adam Burish has been involved in less fights. 
• Peter Budaj may be having a difficult season numbers wise, but his attitude is certainly respected in the room.
• “I don’t know if it has quite sunk in yet,”, said Rick Nash after his team clinched the first ever playoff spot in team history.  The fans are just as excited as the players are about the team’s first ever playoff birth.  Meanwhile, coach Hitchcock wants  Jiri Novotny to continue to play hard.
• The Stars must take a hard look at themselves.  J.J. Taylor guaranetees Mike Modano‘s return to Dallas next season.  Learn more about Stars rookie Ivan Vishnevskiy here.
• In Detroit, the Wings are expecting Andreas Lilja to miss the start of the playoffs.  If we are talking matchups, it appears the Wings are hoping to duck Anaheim.  In contract news, the Wings have tabled an offer to Johan Franzen.
• Disappointment was the catch phrase around Rexall Place on Wednesday.  With the Oilers out of playoff contention, Dwayne Roloson is finally going to get some rest.  Sam Gagner is taking the Oilers’ struggling finish to heart.  At least they can bring over Linus Omark….maybe not.
• Florida Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said he is going to make his decision on whether he starts Vokoun or Anderson today.
• In Los Angeles, Kings owner Phil Anschutz should take the Kings’ fate personally.
• Concussions have been an issue in the Wild room this season and a serious one continues to keep a frustrated Brett Burns off the ice.  The youngsters’ struggles in Minnesota may be the reason the Wild is probably going to miss the playoffs.
• Bob Gainey is searching for a winning lineup in Montreal.  Tough economy or not, there are many suitors who are aiming to purchase the Habs franchise. 
• Consecutive wins may not be enough for the Predators to make post-season play.  At least Nashville is not intimidated by Detroit, their matchup tonight.  David Legwand’s hopes of returning for the team’s final two regular season games was taken away when doctors told him his injury is still too fresh.
• The up-and-down Devils can clinch the Atlantic Division title tonight.  Martin Brodeur admits that it is tough getting in a groove when you’ve missed most of the season.
• Bill Guerin has been grateful for the opportunity to move from the Island to Pittsburgh where he has a chance to compete for the Cup.
• If the Rangers defeat the Flyers tonight, they make the playoffs.  The Rangers know they control their own destiny.
• The Senators players were happy for coach Cory Clouston on Wednesday, as he was allowed to smile upon signing a two-year contract extension.  Is Alex Auld going to stick around with Clouston?
• Flyers coach John Stevens gives you his take on a possible matchup with Carolina.  Daniel Carcillo is moving in the right direction.  Former Flyers center Keith Primeau is doing his best to help further concussion research.
• Petr Prucha has been excited about getting more ice-time in the desert as compared to NY.
• Next goal for the Penguins: Some rest, tuning up for playoffs.  Should the Pens have locked up Sid and Geno longer?  Ruslan Fedotenko has really found his game as of late.
• Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe are expected to return to the Sharks lineup tonight.  Ray Rotto lays down the gauntlet for the Sharks, saying it is Cup or bust.
• Injury prone defenseman Jay McKee‘s turnaround has really given the Blues a boost.  The Blues are close to throwing a big party, writes Bernie Miklasz.
• The Lightning organization is not any more stable than it was last summer.  Martin St. Louis is a great team guy.
• Cujo, May record milestones, as Leafs fall 3-1 to Sabres.  One Leafs milestone was celebratory, one wasn’t, writes Lance Hornby.  Could the Marlies be getting help from the Leafs for the AHL playoffs?
• In Vancouver, the Canucks are getting back to basics.  The Canucks have to ensure they don’t have a letdown against the Kings, with the division yet to be wrapped up.
• Caps’ Rookie Goaltender Simeon Varlamov wins confidence From Boudreau.  The Capitals have some nice organizational depth between the pipes.
• Lastly, here is an update on injured hockey player, Derek Zike from the NAHL, who appears to be recovering well.

**The IllegalCurve.com Radio Show archives of yesterday’s show with Dan Wood of the OC Register and Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail should be posted on the website early this afternoon**

**Also, special thanks to David who gave a nice helping hand for the morning papers**