NHL Playoff Roundup

Note to Noe: Looks like ESPN.com agrees with your opinion that Evgeni Malkin is completely overshadowed by flashier teammate Sidney Crosby. Check out this little puff piece: Despite His Talent, Pens' Malkin Lurks in Shadows

Now, a little playoff roundup:

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins: Canadiens lead the series 2-1. It was almost 3-0, but Marc Savard's OT slapshot brought the Bruins back. Oh well - we might as well let them have one win, right?

(Note to Bruins: I don't want to hate you. You are an Original Six team. In fact, I would appreciate it if you would get good so that I would have a hockey team within a reasonable distance and games to attend. That being said, I can not root for you in this series. Maybe next year.)

New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils: Rangers lead 2-1. The Devils John Madden has Ranger's defenseman Marc Staal to thank for his overtime goal. The Devils caught a lucky break on this one, but Brodeur has step up his game if they want to stay in the series. I'd also like to say "nice goal" to the Rangers Sean Avery - nice to see you working on your scoring instead of on your locker room commentary!

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators: Penguins lead series 2-0. Way to go Pens (although I am sure Aaron is crying in his beer over his beloved Senators. Note to the Mini-Wiseman - go easy on him!)

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals: Series tied 1-1. Philly gets to take it back home for game three. We'll see how Alex Ovechkin does with a riotous Philly crowd booing his every move (my guess? He'll be fine.)

Western Conference

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche: Series tied 1-1. A few years ago, this would have been a laughable match-up. At least, we thought it would be...turned out the whole Western Conference was a lot less humorous that year than most of us intended it to be (that was the year that the Wings were taken out in the first round by the Ducks...the year ALL the favorites were taken out in the first round, actually). The old guard of the Avalanche may be back in tact (Forsberg, Sakic, etc) but the old magic doesn't quite seem to be there...but that Jose Theodore sure is cuter than Patrick Roy!

Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks: Flames lead series 2-1. The Flames rallied from three unanswered goals in the first period of the last game to pull off a 4-3 win. And hey Ken Holland, check out who's in goal: none other than former Wing Curtis Joseph, who was completely abused by the Detroit administration. Go CuJo, go!

Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks: Stars lead series 2-0. Props to the hometown boys (Westland native Mike Modano and former UM goalie Marty Turco). Keep it up - I don't really want to play the Ducks anymore this season.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators: Wings lead series 2-0. The Wings are off to a great start, but there's a pretty good amount of luck that has gone into these wins. We have to buck up on our actual performance if we want to keep the streak alive. Congrats to Chelios for playing in a record 248th playoff game (take that, Patrick Roy!) and don't let those Preds fans and their stupid "fangers" get to you too much (check out the Freep article Baby-ing Chris Chelios in Nashville).