Canada 5 - USA 0

With only 2 Canadian teams vying for the cup this season, both Montreal & Boston are making strong cases for advancing to round 2.

Last night the Canucks put Chicago in the dreaded 0-3 hole with their 3-2 victory. Last year Philly managed to overcome the odds to fight back from 3 zip but there's no way that's gonna happen 2 years in a row. Chicago's post season fate is on borrowed time & the Madhouse on Madison is soon to be verwee verwee qwiet (Bulls Schmulls - I could care less for basketball).

The Habs will face the same possibility of trying to get. 3-0 stranglehold on the series tonight. Boston was dealt z cruel hand on the weekend with Chara out but don't bet on any sympathy from Les Habitants. Not sure of Chara's status for game 3 but it's certainly something to keep an eye on.

The playoffs are a different animal and you need special performances from your key players. Exhibit A & exhibit B would be Brandon Dubinsky& Mike Fisher. Both had the game winners for their respective teams last night. Dubinsky last night, terrible stache & all, scored on a fantastic individual effort and saved the Rangers playoff fate from going on life support. Now New York has a chance to even the series at 2 next game.

Mike Fisher, aka Mr.Underwood, is (if not already) poised to become Nashville's favorite adopted son. Last night he gave Pred fans even more reason to root for him. Not only did he net the GWG last night (his 3rd goal of the series BTW) but also dropped the gloves with Getzlaf, the undisputed leader of The Ducks (wow that sentence does nothing to instill fear in anyone). Fisher is leading by example and if it keeps up, Music City just may be on the way to their first ever playoff series victory.

All 4 games tonight have switched cities to Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa & Phoenix for game 3's. Of note, Phoenix fans could be watching their team for one of the final times if the desert dogs don't compete for the full 60 minutes as was the case in games 1 & 2.

I found this out yesterday & thought it interesting. This post season, the NHL's war room (i.e. video review central) has set up a blog where they post the results to video reviews. The NHL clearly understands the connected world - and I applaud them for that.

Enjoy tonight's games everyone.

-PD