Abrupt Update from Monday Night

This may be a little bit of an abbreviated version of the review, so hopefully it works.

Where would the New York Rangers be without Henrik Lundqvist?  The most popular goalie in the Eastern Conference, with 20 selections, is now tied for the lead in points in Box 24 with 6 points after shutting out the Ottawa Senators in Game Three of their series, making 35 saves in the 1-0 victory.  The Rangers and Senators went two periods without scoring and then it was Brian Boyle, scoring his 2nd game-winner of these playoffs, midway through the 3rd period and the Blueshirts held on for the win in the end.

The Rangers now have a 2-1 series lead over the Senators and Game Four will go on Wednesday night.

I was able to catch the madness, which was the 3rd period of the Bruins and Capitals game last night and it was sure an exciting finish.

Instead of some offense-free hockey, the two teams finally decided to score some goals.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a good picture of Zdeno Chara, who ended up with the winning goal and 2 assists for a 4-point night for the Bruins.  Chara won the game with a goal, less than two minutes remaining in the 3rd period and the Bruins hung on with the Capitals pulling the goalie for an extra attacker.  Tim Thomas was the only other Bruins player to pick up multiple points with 2 points for the win.

On the Capitals side, Brooks Laich had a goal and 2 assists, while Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist.  Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom has been pegged for a hearing with the NHL for his cross-check on Rich Peverley, so we're now waiting on the decision there, if he is going to have any more discipline handed down to him.

Game Four of this series does not go until Thursday night, so they get a couple nights off from action.

In San Jose, there was another game where a 3-goal lead had to be carefully defended in the lat stages of a game, this time between the Blues and the Sharks.

This one wasn't as physical as the previous matches between the two sides and the penalty minutes didn't hit ridiculous totals, but the goal totals were quite nice, as the Blues took Game Three by a 4-3 scoreline.

Andy McDonald had a goal and 3 assists for the Blues, while Carlo Colaiacovo had 3 assists.  Jaroslav Halak was not dressed for this one, as the lower-body injury that he suffered in Game Two was enough to keep him from dressing at all, which meant Brian Elliott got the win for St. Louis, taking 2 points away from the pool.  Halak is listed as out day-to-day for the time being.

For the Sharks, Joe Thornton had 3 assists and Logan Couture had a goal and an assist in the game, gaining mentions in the blog today.

The Blues now lead this series 2-1 and Game Four will go in San Jose on Thursday night as well.

Tonight's Games

Game Three between the Panthers and Devils goes in New Jersey tonight, with the series tied at one game a piece.  The Predators look to take the home-ice advantage away from the Red Wings, as they go into Game Four with a 2-1 series lead.  Game Three between the Coyotes and Blackhawks is set to go in Chicago, this series is also tied at one game a piece.