Can't add anything more......horrible performance today and mostly embarassing series. Fleury had 3 weak goals......and I don't understand the ref not blowing the play dead during the commotion of Hartnell's goal, but then disallowing Neal's (though the game was pretty much over by then). Philly played their best all around game and were the better team.......but I hope they lose next round. At this point, I hope whoever wins the west will win the Cup.

I did not see that goal except in a very quick replay. As noted, the Pens have no one to blame but themselves, but I'll join the chorus about how poorly this post-season is being officiated. In the third period, the Pens net was knocked off its moorings, with play in that end. Not slightly off the moorings - it was a good three-four feet behind the goal line. With play in that end. And it seemed like it was 10-15 seconds before the whistle blew. I'd love to see where the officials where and what they were looking at, because there's no way they should have missed that.

Canucks up on the Kings 1-0 in the second - so far, the move to Schneider is working brilliantly. And as I finish typing that, he makes a nice save on Mike Richards.

Alan

I'll respectfully disagree, although this is going to sound strange given how nasty the first round has been.

I miss the old, old playoff format, the one that went out in the early 90s, I believe. For those who didn't pay attention then, this is how the first round worked (in general - sometimes arena availability changed things) - the first night, one conference played game one of all four series. The next night, the other conference played all four of theirs, PLUS all four game twos of the first conference. All of the series, pending arenas, played their first four games in five nights - two games here in two days, a day off, two games there in two days. It was intense, and as high as the emotions ran, it was rarely the kind of stuff we've seen this year. Fights, yes, but not the disrespectful stuff.

Of course, the downside was the lack of national TV. But you didn't have TV dictating when the games were played as much. Plusses, minuses...

Alan

Rangers over Sens
Caps over Bruins (too many one and dones in sports)
NJ Over FLA
Pens over Flyers

Divers Over Kings (Kings will outplay them and still lose in 6)
Blues Over SJ (hey, just play the puck from the bench. If one of 4 refs actually calls it, all you get is a 2 minute penalty for changing the game.)
PHX Over Chi
Preds Over Det

Might as well......

Rangers over Senators - Rangers rounding into form....Ottawa isn't playing as well (don't like losing out to the 8th spot)
Bruins over Capitals - Bruins are playing better.....so is Washington, Backstrom could be back. Caps uncertainty at goalie a big difference
Devils over Panthers - not really an upset. Devils are hot and should be the all around better team.
Flyers over Pens - I cringe saying it, but think the regular season carries over to the playoffs. The 3-2 OT and 6-4 wins were statements.

Canucks over Kings - They may choke later, but should be OK enough for this round. Kings not much offense
Sharks over Blues - my upset...(not that I know much)....Blues weren't great down the stretch. Team with great goaltending but inexperience vs. a team with experience that kind of dogs it at times. I think SJ did OK with the back to back wins over LA, and could go forward
Blackhawks over Coyotes - I like the experience factor here too. Toews supposed to be back too. Smith could win it for AZ
Predators over Red Wings - really tough to pick....I think Nashville now was enough scoring (Radulov), a shutdown defense and Rinne. The Wings have more experience (yes, I'm being inconsistant based on the last 2 picks), but older and battling more injuries.

I heard a slightly interesting this morning.

Of the 6 teams in the 2nd round so far, 5 have never won the Cup yet.
If Ottawa and Florida both win tonight, it will be a 7 of 8 chance for a 1st time winner.

I heard a slightly interesting this morning.

Of the 6 teams in the 2nd round so far, 5 have never won the Cup yet.
If Ottawa and Florida both win tonight, it will be a 7 of 8 chance for a 1st time winner.