Crunch time

The fact that the Montreal Canadiens won all eight games against the Boston Bruins during the regular season means very little in the playoffs, this is especially true now that their first round series has come down to a deciding Game 7. The Habs, heavy favourites at the start of the series, have seen a 2-0 slip away and at the chance of wrapping things up at 3-1 they lost two straight. Young Carey Price gave up five goals in each of those games, which were his first consecutive losses since being called up from the minors in February. Momentum is clearly with the B's even if stats still favour the Canadiens. The Bruins have never won a series in which they trailed 3-1. On the other hand, this is the first time they have forced a Game 7 in that situation. Be that as it may, I'm going to stick with my original pick. This will be the ultimate test to see if Price can perform at crunch time, I think he can.

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The Philadelphia Flyers don't have their backs against the wall, at leaste not yet. Though the Washington Capitals took home Game 5 and avoided elimination, the Flyers still have two shots at clinching their first playoff series since 2004. Ovechkin didn't have any goals or assists in Game 5 but he did play perhaps his best game in the post season. Question is if the Caps can win the next one as well without his contribution the scoresheet. The Flyers will have to do without forward Mike Knuble, but they are more than familiar to playing without their stars, they have gotten through most of the season without several of them. I'm not changing my pick here either, Philadelphia look way too tough and if they lose tonight they will win in Game 7. There is something special about these Flyers and, much like those Canadiens of 1993, they will surprise a lot of people on their way through these playoffs.

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Nice to see that Henrik Lundqvist got nominated for the Vezina Trophy. Early on in the season he carried the non-scoring Rangers on his back and, even though he lost his touch around the halfway pointone point, a late push by the Rangers saw him return to his old form. The nomination is his third in a row. Will the third time be the charm for The King?

The other two nominees are Martin Brodeur, who will try to win his fifth Vezina, and Evgeni Nabokov who posted a league leading 46 wins this season and was third in the league with a 2.14 goals-against-average and tied for third with six shutouts. Lundqvist, who despite his mid-season struggle, posted a 2.23 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage, also led the league with 10 shutouts.

I would have to say that Nabokov looks like the favourite to win his first trophy as the best goalie in the NHL.

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The Flyers - Capitals game just started so I'll have to wrap this up now.

What a birthday!

Two goals and the game-winning goal in OT, what a way to celebrate your 20th birthday! Nicklas Backstrom who, much the rest of the Washington Capitals, has had a somewhat slow and disappointing first quarter of the season, showed us a glimpse of his talents and what is to come. Trust me, who have seen him play both in Sweden and at the World Champs, this kid will be cause for celebration in Washington for years to come. And could he have a better teacher than Michael Nylander?

Sure, it still looks pretty gloomy in Washington, but they're not dead in the water yet. Yes, they are currently last in the NHL, but the last playoff spot is just a measly five points away. Out west, Edmonton and Los Angeles are seven points behind. So, there is still hope for the Caps and their new coach, Backstrom-fan Bruce Boudreau.

New Flyers rebound in D.C.

Last season the Washington Capitals were 4-0 playing the Philadelphia Flyers. That's not going to happen this season. It can't happen. This team is so far from last years sad bunch, and I say this because if there is anything one expects from the guys from Broadstreet, it is that they play with heart. Last year they weren't even close.

Trading for Jason Smith and also making him the captain is the smartest move the Flyers have done in years. Smith personifies the Philadelphia Flyers with his ability to play through pain and block shots. Last night he wore the marks of a puck to his face from the previous game. That sort of thing earns you respect.

Capital's goalie Olaf Kolzig, who faced 23 shots in the last two periods, said these Flyers were a very different team from last season, something his coach, Glen Hanlon, also had pointed out before the game.

But, Philadelphia isn't the only team to improve from last season, the Capitals, too, are vastly better, and they raced out of the gates against taking a first period 1-0 lead, outscoring the guests 14-6. Then, late in the first period, Mike Richards took a 5 minute penalty for fighting which seemed to ignite his team. He later returned, with 12 stiches on his nose, to score the tie-breaking 2-1 goal.

Daniel Briere, booed every time he had the puck for the second straight game, later put the Flyers up 3-1 before Alexander Ovechkin got the Caps within one goal with a blast from the point. A late surge from the hosts didn't result in any more goals and Philadelphia stood as victors with a 3-2 score.

The Flyers continue to impress and Washington continue to play well but lose.