When does next season start?? Can't wait to see what the Blackhawks do!!
I for one was very surprised at Nashville making the playoffs after the purge they did last season...Gotta give them props for holding it together....
Love this time of year!

Indeed I am Tom. I'll take the playoff spot, although I would have much preferred they got in by beating the Wild last night, rather than slipping in the back door thanks to the Canucks' loss to the Oilers. And the only way the Flames can grab #6 is by beating Vancouver tomorrow AND if Colorado loses to Minnesota in thier final game. Despite the loss to Minnesota last night, Calgary has a 6-2 record against them this season so facing them in the first round is preferable to the Red Wings or Sharks. In the East, who would have thought a few months ago that Ottawa would still be fighting for a playoff spot after 81 games! I know my relatives there are not impressed. The Senators will likely get in, but if not there will be only two Canadian teams in the playoffs this year...

Ottawa has 43 wins already. Only Washington can match that. As long as Ottawa gets one point tonight they're in. Worst-case scenario for the Flyers would be a Boston win over Ottawa in overtime/shootout. Seeing as how the Devils and Penguins still have something to play for I am having a very hard time envisioning the Flyers winning both games this weekend.

Well call me a Caps rooter, but I want to see them MAKE the playoffs and maybe do some damage along the way. Ovechkin is a big hit with me.... Melrose was saying today the Caps are the biggest draw both at home and on the road this year. Not too hard to see why this is.

The Flyers came out for two periods and played as well as I've seen them play all year, especially defensively. Yet they led just 1-0 after 2 periods. Then the Devils started the third period on the power play, and though no goal was scored, the Flyers looked discombobulated. It was looking more and more like the Devils would break through.

Then Jeff Carter fed Scottie Upshall for the biggest goal of the season, Joffrey Lupul scored 37 seconds later and Martin Brodeur was yanked. Flyers win 3-0.

About two minutes later Florida, despite being outshot by Carolina 46-17, in part because they had no power play chances to the Hurricanes' nine, held on for a 4-3 win. The Flyers are in the playoffs!!!

And so is Boston because they beat Ottawa 2-1. And so is Ottawa, thanks to the Carolina loss. If the Flyers win their final game the Senators, who started the season 15-2, will be the 8th seed.

It's all on Washington now. If they get one point against Florida, they win the Southeast division. If Florida wins in regulation, Carolina will back into the playoffs. How does a first-round matchup of Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby sound? It could happen.

Congrats to the Southeast division champion Washington Capitals. It's all but official: Alexander Ovechkin will get the Hart trophy as MVP.

Some random thoughts...

- Congratulations to the Washington Capitals on capturing the Southeast Division Championship. For a team to accomplish this after starting the season with just eight wins in their first 26-games is unbelievable. They have a talented crop of young players and you just can't help but enjoy watching Alexander Ovechkin. He's a classy individual, a phenominal player, and that cute grin of his just tells you how much he loves this game.

- Congratulations to Jarome Iginla on scoring his 50th goal in the final regular season game.

- If you want to know what hockey is all about just watch the third period of the Calgary Flames / Vancouver Canucks game tonight. Prior to the start of the 3rd, players from both sides banged their sticks against the boards and ice to salute Trevor Linden in what's expected to be his final period that he'll ever play in the NHL. The fans were on their feet - saying thank you to one of the greatest players to ever wear the Canucks jersey. And when the final horn blew, for the Flames to stay on the ice to shake Linden's hand... well that my friends, is what hockey is all about.

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It's time to get CUP CRAZY my Outsports friends... let's get er on!

Go Caps!!!

And you have the Panthers to thank for it!!

I am amazed at the level of parity in the Eastern Conference. Only 10 points separates the 1st from the 8th place team. And unlike the NBA, all 8 teams have over 40 wins and are over .500. It's wide open as to who comes out of the East in the playoffs.

(I moved this back from the other thread where I originally posted it. )

The Flyers' 2-0 shutout of Pittsburgh boosted them into sixth in the East and dropped Pittsburgh into 2nd behind Montreal. The Devils' win over the Rangers gave them home ice in their playoff matchup. The matchups are set:

East:
1) Montreal vs. 8) Boston
2) Pittsburgh vs. 7) Ottawa
3) Washington vs. 6) Philadelphia
4) New Jersey vs. 5) NY Rangers

West:
1) Detroit vs 8) Nashville
2) San Jose vs. 7) Calgary
3) Minnesota vs. 6) Colorado
4) Anaheim vs. 5) Dallas

Well that explains why the Hawks were disinterested...anyways, some really intriguing first round matchups wouldn't you say? Gotta favor the Canadiens over the Bruins. Boston didn't win a single game against them all year. The Flyers will definitely have to find a way to limit Ovechkin, if possible, and I don't know that it is possible. I like the Pens over Ottawa, as far as the Devils/Rangers, flip a coin. I have not been impressed with the Rangers offense this season, but they could take this series if Jagr gets hot, and Lundquist is a brick wall. As for the other series Marcs Flames Kipper will have to be on his game against the Sharks. The Ducks/Stars should be something I would imagine.....can't wait till Wednesday. Detroit oiver Nashville and Minnesota over Colorado.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Draft Lottery and will have the first overall selection in this NHL Entry Draft. It's expected that Steven Stamkos will be drafted first overall.

GO CAPS!!!!

Hey Go Kings Go, are you a newbie? If so, WELCOME! Always good to see more hockeynuts on this board..when I saw your name I thought about Adam, another guy who used to post here regularly in hockey, was from LA and vanished a couple of years ago. He was a cool guy.

Toronto Star: It's Hockey Night in Mandarin. CBC to air one series per round in Mandarin. Montreal-Boston will be called in Mandarin by 24-year old Jason Wang.