[ryan93]

Yeah i know they seemed to be rolling along following the Brind'Amour injury, and Williams & Whitney had both been hurt long before the stretch drive...Cullen was the only one who's injury seemed to coincide with their poor finish. Add in the trading of Cory Stillman for Patrick Eaves, who was also injured, and that's a lot of offense missing from the line-up. I was rooting for the Caps to squeek in though, so i'm glad.

A player who i don't think was mentioned once on here all season that i'd like to give props to on a fine season is Brad Boyes, who scored his 42nd goal tonight. I couldn't understand why the Bruisn gave up on him so easily last season, he was their leading scorer the year before. He was great following his trade to the Blues last year though, so i had him pegged a lot early in my pool than i'm sure must others did (i got him).

[tth_fan]

Montreal's playing Boston! Let's hope the Habs keep up their dominance of the Bruins in the postseason...

I like this match-up for Montreal

[cferneyh]

James Mirtle had an excellent piece in today's Globe that adjusted for goals per game scored around the league, and it shows just remarkable Ovechkin's season has been. In fact, using that criteria, Ovechkin's season is even more impressive than when Gretzky scored 92 goals in 81/82 because that season there were 8.03 goals per game, versus 5.45 goals per game this season (in other words, goals were a hell of a lot easier to come by in 81/82 - probably because guys like Greg Millen and John Garrett were goalies then).

And thank you to Andrew Raycoft for a season for the ages. It takes a special goalie to win two games in sixteen starts, and that goal he allowed tonight to Streit should ensure the Fletcher or the incoming GM buys out his pathetic ass so that we never, ever see him in a Leaf jersey again.

[ryan93]

Not even close...

1. Montreal/Pittsburgh vs. 8. Philadelphia/Ottawa
2. Pittsburgh/Montreal vs. 7. Ottawa/Boston/Philadelphia
3. Washington vs. Boston/Philadelphia
4. New Jersey/New York vs. 5. New York/New Jersey

Only matchup set in the East is Rangers/Devils...home ice will be decided tomorrow.

[cferneyh]

A player who i don't think was mentioned once on here all season that i'd like to give props to on a fine season is Brad Boyes, who scored his 42nd goal tonight. I couldn't understand why the Bruisn gave up on him so easily last season, he was their leading scorer the year before. He was great following his trade to the Blues last year though, so i had him pegged a lot early in my pool than i'm sure must others did (i got him).

There is something fishy about Brad Boyes.....he's only 25 years old yet he's with his fourth organization.

Well, one more day and barring any major collapses, I'll win all three of the hockey pools I'm in this season. I wonder how quickly my wife will spend the $1500....

[tth_fan]

According to NHL.com:

Regardless of whether they finish first or second overall in the East, Montreal will face Boston in the opening round of the playoffs as a result of the Bruins' 3-0 loss to Buffalo.

The Canadiens will host the series opener Thursday at the Bell Centre.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&...gameType=2

[ryan93]

I came in 3rd place in mine, which still gets me a few bucks at least. Now hopefully i can defend my playoff pool
My brother-in-law was 1st in our pool since opening night, but he run into awful injury troubles the past month, last night 4 of his top 5 picks were injured, and 10 of his 18 players overall. Needless to say he's no longer in 1st - still held on for 2nd though.

[skippy the wonder dog]

Only matchup set in the East is Rangers/Devils...home ice will be decided tomorrow.

Montreal has Boston in the first round, regardless. Not to be overconfident, but given the fact that they've now beaten Boston 11 times straight, that one doesn't look close.

I'm thinking Ottawa is also out in the first round. I don't fancy their chances against the Pens or the Caps, given recent history.

Bryan McCabe will spend the first round on the golf course, where he will make a name for himself by taking his frustration out on other golfers with a five-iron.

[ryan93]

My "not even close" comment was in response to whether all the matchups were set yet.

As for the Habs playing the Bruins, i didn't take into consideration the fact the the Flyers were playing the Penguins tomorrow, so you're right. If the Pens win, the Habs finish 2nd & Bruins 7th...if the Flyers win Habs finish 1st & Bruins 8th.

It's interesting that the 2 series decided so far in the East are the Rangers/Devils & Canadiens/Bruins, perhaps the 2 most lopsided regular season series this season.

[tth_fan]

My "not even close" comment was in response to whether all the matchups were set yet.

Sorry :oops:

I switched it up :thumb:

[laliber]

If Price wants to emulate Roy/Dryden, he has to go through Boston first.

[kleh]

looks like another great played his last game

[opiated]

very emotional tonight. Gotta say very classy of the flames to come out of the locker room and shake Lindens hand...not ashamed to say I teared up at the end of that game. T.L. we'll miss you.

[opiated]

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[ryan93]

TSN was supposed to air the Rangers/Devils game, but they are showing Pittsburgh/Philadelphia instead, and the only game Center Ice has is San Jose/Dallas, which is the game NHL Network is playing as well!
I was really looking forward to the Rangers/Devils playoff preview, but i can't find it!!