A Graphically-Challenged Update

Ambitious. Yes, that's what I am this morning, since I'm writing on back-to-back days here on the blog for the first time in quite some time. But since the result last night was so exciting, I thought, 'why the heck not?' I really wanted to have some graphics in this post, but other than the logos, my graphic host is having some slight technical problems it would seem.

John P. had himself a pretty good night in the pool, opening up a 4-point lead over Angela at 75 points. It was a good night for the majority who took Carey Price (Box 24), including John & Angela, as he earned his first career playoff shutout against Boston.

One of the usual suspects earned the third place finish for the evening. Don, who lost a tie-break for money in the regular season, finds himself in a money spot after Tuesday night's action.

In the five games last night on the schedule, four of them had counting Game Winning Goals. The only one that didn't was the only goal in Boston, where Patrice Brisebois (non-pool) tallied the only marker for the Habs win. Daniel Briere (Box 15) potted the winner for the Flyers in their 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals to take a 2-1 series lead. Dallas had the chance to go 3-0 up on Anaheim, but it was Chris Pronger (Box 8) who had other ideas. He had a pair of goals, including the winner to bring the Ducks back into the series. The Sharks kept themselves afloat against the Flames after a clutch goal from Joe Thornton (Box 1) with 9 seconds to go to win it. Finally, the Avalanche laid waste to the Wild, beating them 5-1. The eventual game-winner was credited to Wojtek Wolski (Box 5).

The ever unpopular forward, Michael Ryder (Box 19), was scratched from the Canadiens line-up last night to make way for rookie defenseman, Ryan O'Byrne (non-pool). Ryder, taken 7 times in the pool, hasn't been a favourite of the coaching staff this season and the team will likely look the other way when his contract expires at the end of the season, but for the time being, his playoff status remains unclear.


Wednesday night may see our first elimination from the playoffs. On CBC, at 5pm MT, the Senators will try and stave off elimination against the Penguins at home tonight. The Penguins will be looking for the series sweep and take their place in the second round of the playoffs. The Penguins have made a huge showing in the pool thus far in the first round. Marc-Andre Fleury (Box 24) leads the way with 8 points, while Sidney Crosby (Box 13), Evgeni Malkin (Box 14), Marian Hossa (Box 15) and Ryan Malone (Box 17) each have 6 points in the series.

CBC will also carry the Red Wings/Predators game after the conclusion of the early game tonight. The Predators will look to take advantage of being at home again tonight and tie up the series at two.

On TSN, the Rangers are looking to go two games up on the Devils and be on the brink of moving onto the second round at home. The road team has won every game in the series, so the Rangers will have to dig down deep if they are going to have any sort of advantage over their tunnel rivals.