The Rumors and Rants Stanley Cup Playoff Roundup

Has it really been that long since we last met to discuss these fine playoffs? Well I guess so. There was the weekend. And that whole virus thing we had going on here, but other than that things are swell.

So, back to the hockey. Lots of great games to go around including a few last night. Shall we?

Eastern Conference

Game 4: No. 7 Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 1: So, yeah, the Flyers are really doing something here, aren’t they? In fact, with a 3-1 series lead their one game away from sending Martin Brodeur packing.

It’s amazing that Brian Boucher, who was pretty bad all year, is out-playing Brodeur. Boucher put up another strong, 30-save effort Tuesday. One more of those and the Flyers move on.

Game 4: No. 4 Pittsburgh 7, No. 5 Ottawa 4: Remember when Ottawa jumped out to a 1-0 lead in this series? Yep, we do too. And we told you it wouldn’t last. And we were right. HA!

Three games later Sidney Crosby had two goals and two assists to give the Penguins a 3-1 series lead. That Crosby guys is pretttty good.

Western Conference

Game 4: No. 1 San Jose 2, No. 8 Colorado 1 (OT): Well look at this, the perennial playoff chokers (San Jose) are in a little dogfight with Colorado.

The Sharks needed an overtime winner from Joe Pavelski to get past Colorado and square the series at two games a piece. Evgeni Nabokov was strong in goal (even though Avs goaltender Craig Anderson was better), but now it’s a question of whether San Jose can get over itself and close this series out.

Unfortunately, they probably can.

Game 3: No. 7 Nashville 4, No. 2 Chicago 1: This is starting to get pretty depressing for those of us that are Blackhawks fans. The Predators won Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead and are being way, way more physical.

Blackhawks stars like Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa? Nowhere to be found.

We want to say the Hawks rebound but we’re really not so sure. Lots of momentum on Nashville’s side.

Game 4: No. 5 Detroit 3, No. 4 Phoenix 0: This is turning out to be perhaps the best series going right now. Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard pitched a magnificent 29-save shutout Tuesday to square the series at 2-2.

Henrik Zetterberg added two goals. We would love, love, love to see Detroit go down here. It may just have too much experience.

The one game you’ll care about tonight: You might not be able to watch it but we’re gonna say Game 3 of the Washington-Montreal series. It’s not on Versus, but it’s a must-have game for the Canadiens at home. That’s good stuff.

Buffalo plays at Boston (Bruins lead 2-1) and Vancouver plays at L.A. (Kings lead 2-1) in the early and late games, respectively, on Versus.