Good Times Grimes

I found last night's game quite boring, to be honest. I hope that a team from the West wins the Cup. Game 2 happens tonight in Phoenix as the Kings look to remain unbeaten on the road.

I've heard it referred to as the Battle of the Hudson, but to be honest I haven't watched any games between NYR and NJ before. I'm very surprised NJ has made it this far, I thought that Brodeur was on his last legs and they wouldn't even make the playoffs. Good on them. Los Angeles are the surprise of the season; undefeated on the road in the playoffs...maybe it's more of a home ice disadvantage if you're playing the Kings!

I think we're going to have to start labelling you the Kiss of Death, Macca! Rangers and Washington playing tonight in Washington. We will have both conference final match-ups sorted out if the Rangers win.

The Devils have eliminated the Flyers. So it's going to be: New Jersey vs. New York/ Washington LA vs. Phoenix

I can't see Philadelphia winning without Giroux in the lineup. Similarly I can't see Washington coming back to beat the Rangers. Seeing who comes out of the West will be very interesting. It would be great for the NHL if Phoenix could win the Cup, especially since they are still looking for a new owner. Meanwhile, if the Kings make it through and play the Rangers, they will have had the hardest possible route to a Cup by playing a #1 seed (Vancouver), #2 seed (St Louis), #3 seed (Phoenix) and a #1 seed (New York). Similarly, New York could have the easiest possible route to the Cup, if they end up playing New Jersey in the ECF and LA in the Finals. They would have faced a #8 (Ottawa), #7 (Washington), #6 (New Jersey), and #8 (Los Angeles).

LA up 2-1 at the end of the 2nd period. Looks like it could be a sweep. Game 4 for NJ and Philly starts in a couple of hours.

Ahhh how I miss seeing Halladay pitching in Toronto.

It's definitely looking that way. Must-win game for the Capitals tomorrow since they're heading back to MSG for game 5. They don't want to be facing elimination that early on the road.

I think Macca just gave you your answer, Cards. The Kings look unstoppable so far, and they are getting it done in short series'. 5 games in round 1, round 2 could be over very soon for them. They will be less tired come the finals than the teams coming out of the East who will likely have played many more games than them. LA has many scoring threats in Carter, Richards, Brown, Kopitar, Williams, Penner, Doughty...the list goes on. On top of that, Quick is on fire. I would not be at all surprised if the Kings won the cup. That's my new tip.

They're into the 3rd OT period in Washington still tied at 1-1. Nashville has won 2-0 cutting Phoenix's series lead in half to 2-1.

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.