What you missed last night because you forgot to show up

Penguins beat the Crapitals (not a typo) 6-2, (PIT wins series 4-3): Really, kind of a dissapointing game to end a terrific series. Maybe if Varlamov could have answered Fleury's sick save on Ovechkin in the opening minutes. But instead, it was a rout. So is Varlamov the starter in Washington next year? I don't think so. I think he has to win it in a preseason battle with Theodore. There isn't much more to say about this game. Lets get to the conference finals!

The Final 4... series that is

Bruins vs Hurricanes:

• Besides the Rangers, this is the best match-up the Bruins could have asked for. Cam Ward might be able to steal a game, but Eric Staal is going to face Zdeno Chara every freaking game, so who knows how much Carolina will be able to score.
• Bruins in 6

Capitals vs Penguins:

• The only guarantee besides Pierre Maguire creaming himself while being between these benches is that you will see some great hockey.
• The key to this series is Simeon Varlamav - Is he to dumb to realize where he is or will the pressure get to him. Caps fans, if you see Theodore in net, the series is over.
• Penguins in 7

Red Wings vs Ducks

• This series has all the makings for an upset for the Wings
• Hot goalie, physical team, and superhot scoring line on the Ducks might chase Osgood.
• I'm going to follow Scotty's logic though (I know) - In seven games can anyone beat the best?
• Red Wings in 7

Canucks vs Blackhawks

• Probably the best goaltending match up of the 4 series
• I like the youth and scoring of the Hawks over the experience and grit of the Canucks
• Blackhawks in 7

Here is the leaderboard after the 1st round (put your 2nd round picks in the comments)

Bress – 28

Cornelius– 40

Nemmy – 24

Mr. W – 22

Moe -31

Heals – 27 (swept the east)

Brando – 17

Lars – 16

Alex – 51

Mac – 24

Hark -31

What you missed last night while you were icing your knees afer running the Boston Marathon

Bruins beat the Canadiens, 4-2 (lead series 3-0): Carey Price controls rebounds the way I do when playing roller hockey goalie. The puck (in my case, the ball) goes off to side, but its still in front and a professional hockey player can easily still finish - see goal, Ryder. A couple of years ago the Sabres beat the Senators with a game winning short-handed goal. I believe it was JP Dumont walking around captain Daniel Aflredsson. I lost respect for Alfie after that. Thats kind of how I felt when Chuck Kobasew beat Koivu to the loose puck last night to get the game clinching empty netter.

Capitals shut-out the Rangers, 4-0 (NYR leads series 2-1): Is Simeon Varlamov in the Rangers' heads now? He's pitched 5+ periods of shut-out hockey. I like his helmet also. Its like he told the designer, "I'll probably be in Hershey, but just in case make half the helmet a Caps helmet." Avery was typical bush-league at the end. I wonder if he'll get suspended? It was a head shot (see Lucic, Milan) and a message-send (see Carcillo, Daniel). The precendent is there Colin. Ovechkin hasn't scored yet, but he did have a nice primary assist. And when did Nick Backstrom get strong? Thursday's game is going to be a good one.

Flames beat the Blackhawks, 4-2 (CHI leads series 2-1): This is the series. I guess its just my man-crush on Jarome Iginla. Some of the goals this game were pretty. Like the Hawks first one. A win in the face-off - move the puck from d-to-d. down the wall to Toews, cross-crease pass to Sharp. And that equals a power play goal. Eric Nystrom then tied it up with a nice high glove snipe off a cross zone pass from Curtis Glencross. Then the goals got a bit uglier along with the game. There was some scrumming and hitting and everything that makes play-off hockey great. Stay up for these games, east-coasters!