J-Swift

I hope this opens the flood gates for Pavel.

If for no other reason then to get him off the point. Sammy's weak, unscreened shots into Kipper's pads really do seem to be a momentum killer.

A huge statement period for Pavel Datsyuk. And man does Zetterberg look fast out there.

We were all over them on that PP, we definitely deserved a goal. And Datsyuk picks up another assist, right? Keep it up.

That top line of ours is buzzing. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Z, Dats, and Homer.

PAAAAAAAVEEEEEELLLL!!!!!!!!!!

Datsyuk. Come on.

Filppula looked dominant. Hasek looked solid. Zetterberg has his wheels back, and Datsyuk was really getting involved in his own end. Let's hope we can build on this period. This is how you beat the Calgary Flames.

Mick McGeough back to his senile ways. Nice call.

Sorry Calgary, that kind of garbage ain't gonna work this year.

Did I mention Mick McGeough is a moron?

Hudler and Flip both getting in on the scoring early.

Future playoff performer? I think so.

Can anybody explain to me why Samuelsson is on the point? That rush was essentially his fault.

I may not be as optimistic about Datsyuk going into the playoff this year, but I do have a tough time imagining him getting shutout yet again. I figure if he can get a goal early in the post-season, it'll take the pressure off him so he can start playing the way he does in the regular season. I just hope Pavel realizes that if he doesn't start producing in the playoffs, we aren't likely to make it too far. He's our first-line centre and we need him more than ever.

That Radulov has looked very dangerous tonight. San Jose hasn't gotten much going in OT. It seems like all their shots are slow dribblers towards Vokoun.

The guys on TSN were debating whether it was intentional or not, with most of them agreeing that Hartnell didn't mean to stick his knee out, though it was noted that he had his elbows way too high. Personally I think it's tough to call whether he meant to hurt Cheechoo or not, but a guy like Hartnell doesn't really deserve the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of whether the intention was there, that's definitely a penalty.

That Crosby penalty was awful. He was just fighting for the puck. I realize the refs are trying to set a precedent tonight for the rest of the post-season when they come down hard on obstruction like that, but I think in the third it'd be better if the officials just backed off a little bit.

I fail to see how Nash's inability to live up to his contract justifies what Sergei Fedorov is making for his contributions. But yes, it does go some way in proving that long term deals, like the one given to Datsyuk, aren't always a good idea. And 6 million seems like an awful lot for a defenceman who doesn't bring much offence. Not to mention the fact that Columbus, being 28th in terms of offence this season, probably needed (and certainly expected) a few more goals from him this season.

And just who are you directing this post to? Just because I don't agree with the length or amount of money in this contract, doesn't mean I'm doubting Datsyuk's value to the team this season, or that I don't want him to stick around. His 42 points this season leave something to be desired, no? But lemme guess, Eva, you're going to tell me Sergei's unparalleled defensive play justifies the kind of money he's making in Columbus.

Yeah, the contrast between the moods of the two benches was pretty comical. Lou Lamoriello had his players cracking up, while half the Islander bench had their heads down. It honestly looked like Aaron Asham was ready to cry. Anyways, I'm sure it stings for Toronto fans to miss out on the playoffs this way, but ultimately, 16 out of the 30 teams in the league make the playoffs, and if you miss out on the post-season as a result of the points awarded in a SO, you're probably not a very good team. And as others have already mentioned, ties blow.

I think there's a chance Dom might make it as one of the three nominees, but I think most of us would agree that it's a two horse race between Luongo and Brodeur for the Vezina. My money's on Brodeur.

Wow, Huet really screwed up on that one. Had the Canadiens been able to make it out of the first tied at one after the way they've played so far, it could've been huge.

I've been much more pleased with his play this year than I was last season. He's shown he still has some good goaltending left in him, and I'm glad he'll be back next season.

The media's saying that Huet will get the start, but Carbonneau hasn't confirmed it yet. Seems like a bit of a risk, but it would be hard to start Halak in such a pressure-filled game.