Monday, May 2, 2011

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

#5 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #1 Washington Capitals

Vincent Lacavalier celebrating after OT game winner.
After two games of this eastern conference semi finals match up the Tampa Bay Lightning have taken a commanding 2-0 series lead against the #1 ranked Washington Capitals.  This comes as a shock to hockey fans as Washington is the favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Tampa Bay took a thrilling overtime win at Washington last night to take control of the series off of a beautiful breakaway finish by superstar Vincent Lacavalier.  Washington is going to need their offensive leader and captain Alexander Ovechkin to step up if they have any shot of overcoming the 2-0 series deficit and advance to the eastern conference finals.


#3 Boston Bruins vs. #2 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers goalie Brian Boucher
Just one year ago the Philadelphia Flyers became only the third team ever to overcome a 3-0 series deficit, in the history of the National Hockey League, over these same Boston Bruins fueling there Stanley Cup run only to fall short in overtime of game 7 to the Chicago Blackhawks.  This year Boston has revenge on their mind which has clearly been evident after a dominating 7-3 win over the home Flyers Saturday night and another 3-2 overtime win last night.  This series returns to action Thursday where Philadelphia desperately needs a win or they will be looking to repeat the impossible again by erasing a 3-0 series deficit.  Philadelphia is going to need goaltender Brian Boucher to rebound, after a solid game 2, in order for the Flyers to avoid a 3-0 series deficit in Boston.


Eastern Conference MVP Thus Far

Lightning Sniper Martin St Louis
My vote for the most valuable player in the Eastern Conference so far in the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs goes to Martin St Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The French Canadian sniper has backed up his second best statistical season after recording 99 points in 82 games for the Lightning.  St Louis has started off these playoffs on fire recording 5 goals and 5 assists in nine games thus far leading the Lightning to an upset win over the #4 ranked Pittsburgh Penguins and a 2-0 series lead over the #1 Washington Capitals so far.  Look for St Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning to keep winning games if St Louis can continue his rock solid offensive play.


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