Back and forth she goes

As soon as it looks like the Sharks are one game from elimination, they go nuts late in the third period and score twice to win it all. Most importantly for their sake, their best player (who's taken some criticism in the past for not performing in the playoffs) steps up and scores the winner. This series just took a very interesting turn and possibly a huge shift in momentum. This series keeps shifting back and forth and is easily the most intriguing of all the first round matchups. It was the right decision by Mike Keenan to go back to Miikka Kiprusoff and Kipper responded. The Flames' 10 shots on Nabokov were pretty pathetic and despite the fact that they gave up a third period lead, they never really deserved to win last night's game.

I think it's safe to say that the Ottawa Senators are done. If they couldn't pull out the victory in game three after Daniel Alfredsson returned, there's no chance they can do it in game four and even win one game. They did come out very strong in the first (due in large part to that awesome gladiator dude who cheered them on at the beginning I'm sure....seriously, what on earth was that?) but could only muster one goal on Marc-Andre Fleury and then imploded in the third after the Penguins busted out of the gates to start the final frame.

The Penguins should scare the rest of the East right now. Their best players are putting up tons of points and Crosby & Hossa seem to be finding some chemistry. When you have two number one lines that can produce like that, look out. If you can contain Crosby's line, then Malkin's line will step up and vice versa. Although they are beating a depleted and rather pathetic team right now, the Penguins are a scary team right now for any opponent. A lot of that has to do with Fleury who has been excellent in goal in this series and down the stretch for the Pens. Goaltending was the one question mark for a lot of doubters, but Fleury is playing like the goalie most expected him to be when he was taken first overall in 2003. The pieces are falling into place right now for Pittsburgh.

Anaheim finally realized that the 2008 NHL playoffs are underway, though there were some scary moments in the period after Brendan Morrow scored twice to bring the Stars to within two and the Ducks gave up a 4 minute powerplay. The Ducks PK held strong, but after it looked like they were going to run away with game 3, they let Dallas back in the game which is not a convincing sign if the Ducks have any shot at winning this series. They gave themselves a chance at least and if they can play a strong 60 minute game, they certainly have the ability to beat the Stars.

Last night's game between the Habs and Bruins was quite an indication of how different these two teams are. Montreal can win in a variety of ways: by outscoring their opponents 7-5 in an offensive juggernaut of a game or sitting back and playing a conservative game and letting their goalie do most of the work after they get a lead. Boston must have thought they had the Habs right where they want them, but Carey Price shut the door right in their faces. A lot of that has to do with Boston's lack of skill and scoring ability up front. They work hard and have lots of grit and desire, but simply not enough talented players. Without maybe their best all around offensive threat in Patrice Bergeron out most of the season, they have struggled to score and will continue to do so until the necessary changes are made to bring in more skilled players. It's been a nice turnaround season for the Bruins, but they once again don't appear as though they will make it past the first round.

As the Capitals and Flyers headed back to Philly, we knew were in for a treat for game's 3 and 4. Washington will be in this series until the end, but I have to wonder whether their fortune has run out on them. Cristobal Huet needs to steal a game for them at some point in this series and he hasn't shown any indication of having that ability so far. Philly out shot the Caps by a wide margin and need their best players (i.e. Ovechkin) to really break out. After Ovechkin broke out late in game 1, he hasn't been his usual explosive self. He was pointless in game 2 and had one assist last night, but wasn't in the game the way he normally is. This series is not over yet, but game 4 can be the turning point in a series and the Caps have to be better on Thursday.