Good Times Grimes

Nashville's out to a 2-0 lead in a must win game 3 over Phoenix. Washington and the Rangers are in overtime tied at 1-1.

Yeah it's great over here, all the games on at convenient times and on multiple channels. It's a trade off though, I had to wake up at 5:30 the other day to watch the Dees and Saints, and when the games are in the afternoon I'm up until about 3am watching them. The Kings are looking the goods at the moment. Looks like it'll be Kings-Coyotes in the Western Conference Finals...would be an interesting match up. Washington did well to win a game on the road, they're in with a real chance now if Holtby can hold down the goaltending.

LA looks like they could be the surprise packet of the playoffs. They did very well to get both Carter and Richards while hanging on to Brown. It's all up to how well Quick can perform over the next month and a half.

NYR won 3-1 today over Washington to go up 1-0. Phoenix beat Nashville 4-3 in OT to also get a 1-0. Blues and Kings in action in under an hour.

I read somewhere that it's the first time that there haven't been any Canadian teams in the final 8 since 1996. The rivalries seem to be much stronger within Canada than between any American teams or Canadian and American teams. That being said, the Boston/Vancouver rivalry has been brewing since they were in the final last year, and it's a shame that they don't play each other very often. I've only been out to BC once. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been and I'd love to go back. Never been to Banff but some of the pictures I've seen of the place look incredible. I'd love to go on a trip to Lake Louise some time soon.

Unfortunately the rivalry between Toronto and Ottawa isn't very strong anymore because it's been so long since we've been good enough to go further than them in the playoffs. Many Toronto fans will go for the team playing Ottawa, but more often than not you will find people are indifferent. Picks for this round: Blues in 6-- I'd like to see the Kings win but I'm not overly fussed. Rangers in 6-- They need to contain Ovechkin/Semin/Backstrom but I think Lundqvist is worlds better than Holtby. Predators in 5-- Should be too good. Flyers in 5-- If Philadelphia can sort our their goaltending they should have no problems. Giroux and Co will be too much for NJ to handle.

NYR have beaten Ottawa 2-1. Very exciting game, and a great result. I'll now be content with any team that wins. NJ leads Florida 1-0 after the 1st period.

And the reigning champs have been eliminated! Washington win Game 7 2-1 in OT.

3 game 7's over the next two days. Hoping for Washington, NYR and Florida.

It would be great if they could pull off the upset. I don't think their goaltending is good enough to take them much further than the second round though. Absolutely crazy bill! I would love to have that sort of disposable income...

Yeah, today's a bit boring. 2 teams that not many people have much of an interest in. I hope Florida gets up solely because they have been bad for so long, their fans deserve some success. Washington/Boston tomorrow should be a beauty. Go Washington!

Blackhawks are out. Only 3 first-round series still going: Florida-New Jersey, Ottawa-New York Rangers, Washington-Boston.

Haven't got an answer for you there. The helmets are pretty strong, but there will always be concussion issues as it is a contact sport. I think they need to enforce having face shields or at the least visors to prevent facial injuries from stray sticks and pucks. It is a step up on what they had 50 years ago though. Imagine being a goalie and playing without a helmet? Insane! Check out this image of Taylor Hall. He stepped on a puck during warmup and fell over, slid into his team mate (knocking him over) and got cut on the face by another player's skate who was jumping trying to avoid them. http://i.thestar.com/images/62/0c/fa9961884d66829095ec95e2ef1e.jpeg

Just as long as Ottawa don't win it I'll be happy. I think I'll follow Los Angeles simply because they upset the Canucks and have an exciting young team. Bruins came close to losing yesterday. It wouldn't come as a big surprise to see them go back-to-back though. I also don't mind St. Louis because I admire the way that they have rebuilt their team over the last couple of years.

That's true, but it won't stop him being targeted by the opposition. The harsh suspensions don't deter some from hitting others illegally because it is the job that their coach sends them out to do. For some of them this is the only trait that keeps them getting games. It's a shame that such a good end to the regular season was put to waste. The Penguins probably have the best roster in the league, their goaltending just let them down in the playoffs.

I think that everybody's team in this thread is out. That was quick haha!

I feel bad for him because he is targeted by opposition players all the time, and the number of concussions he has received has had a huge impact on his (still young) career. He is by far the greatest talent going around the NHL, and I love him when the Olympics comes around and he's on my team. He just tends to always (IMO) berate the refs and ask them for penalties that aren't there. I agree that it wouldn't bother me if he were on my team, so hopefully his concussion problems are behind him and he gets traded to the Leafs in the offseason (one can dream...)

Penguins are out. By far the best series I've seen...it had everything.

I'm sorry. I fully respect how good he is. By far the most skilled player in the game. He just tends to be a bit of a favourite with the refs. Similar to one C Judd.

Haha schadenfreude is part of being a Leafs fan. Well aware that we're crap, and the joys that we do get are seeing other teams fail as well. I'm a fan of upsets though. If the Leafs aren't in I go for the underdogs. And anyone playing Ottawa.

Sharks lost 3-1 tonight and are out. Washington beat Boston to take a 3-2 lead, and Ottawa is on the verge of knocking out the Rangers after winning 3-2 on the road. Florida beat New Jersey 3-0 and are one win away from the conference semi-finals. Game 5 of Chicago and PHX has just started. It would be interesting if neither Vancouver or Boston made it past the first round of the playoffs. I wonder when the last time was that neither of the previous year's finalists advanced past Round 1.

Amazing! A 30 year old with a record of 11-10 prior to today, and owned in less than 2% of all fantasy leagues. Can't imagine anyone would ever have picked him to do that!

The Blue Jays turned their first triple play in 33 years last night against the KC Royals. The first I've ever seen; pretty exciting stuff.

Ugh don't tell me you're a fan of crybaby Crosby! On another note: Lidstrom may have played his final game after the Predators eliminated the Wings last night. St Louis could finish off San Jose tonight in Game 5 while Phoenix could eliminate Chicago. Does anyone have any thoughts on Raffi Torres' 25 game suspension? Here's a video for those who haven't seen the incident:

Yep, lot's of unlucky/bad mistakes. My personal favourite is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PAQQyNw1lg