Weekend Wrap-Up: Eastern Conference

Savard gives Chara a wet one on the cheek

Some very big games have been played since my last post. I'll start with the sweep. The Montreal Canadiens can polish off their golf clubs after a disappointing end to their centennial season. The Bruins balanced attack and tight defensive play as well as stellar goaltending from Tim Thomas was just too much for the streaky Canadiens club. Like I said earlier, its kind of a shame to see them go out this way on such a momentous occasion for the team as well as the city of Montreal but the team certainly did not offer the hockey gods much in terms of humility and good behavior. In hockey, as in life, that will come back to bite you. The Bs now sit and wait to find out who they will play next. I would love to see another Original 6 matchup but that would mean the Rangers would have to beat out the Caps, something I do not want to see happen.

Check out the guy in the blue shirt behind Ovie. Go watch the WNBA dude.

Speaking of the Caps/Rangers series, each team has taken one game since my last post putting the series at 3-2 Blueshirts. NBC must be

thrilled to be televising this afternoon's game. The Rangers took game 4 at home with another 1 goal victory. Just when things looked bleak, Ochovechkin scored this absolute beauty to cap off a 4-0 Caps win at home. This video is awesome by the way. I love the roar of the crowd when Ovie goes between Derek Morris' legs. The Caps should have a slightly easier time in MSG today as Jn Tortorella has been suspended by the league for throwing a water bottle at a fan. I hope that doesn't mar a potentially amazing comeback by the Capitals.

Not this year, Brian.

The Devils and Hurricanes series continues to hold the least interest for me despite it being the closest of all the Eastern Conference series. The Devils have a 3-2 edge over the Canes with game 6 set to be played in Carolina tonight. I have honestly barely seen any of this series partially because of a dislike for both teams, partially because there are usually more interesting games to be watched. That being said, there could be a silver lining in the Devils winning the Cup in the form of the possible retirement of Marty Brodeur. It might almost be worth it.

Too much, too soon.

The picture pretty much sums up this series. These two teams really do not like each other. In the end the Flyers just could not hold off the Penguins marquee players. Some timely saves by M-A Fleury and a few lucky bounces helped the Penguins advance once again. Game 6 was a bit like a microcosm of the Penguins season, they started off weak then a spark spurred a turnaround (the Talbot/Carcillo fight and the reaplacement of Michele Therienne respectively) and now the Pens look tough to beat. While I am on the topic of Carcillo, I would like to apologize for bashing him so badly in my last post. His fight with Max Talbot proved to be the turning point for the Penguins, despite Carcillo winning the fight handily. Carcillo had no reason to fight whatsoever with his team up 3-0 and controlling the tempo of the game. It was an undisciplined move by one of the few classless players in the NHL and it arguably cost his team the game. So thanks, Dan.

Next Round's Dream Matchups:

With series wins by the Hurricanes and Capitals (both down 3-2 at present) things could shake down like this:

(1) Boston vs (6) Carolina

(2) Washington vs (4) Pittsburgh

Someone in the NHL's marketing department just wet themselves with excitement. The Bruins/Canes matchup would be a fast-paced, hard-hitting affair and I don't even have to mention why the other series would be ideal.

*Editor's note: My formatting got all screwy for some reason, sorry about that.