Second Round Playoff Action

Vancouver Advances to Western Conference Final

Vancouver Canucks Celebrating
Monday Night

The Vancouver Canucks closed out there series with a win over the Nashville Predators last night to take a 4-2 series win.  Nashville managed to stay alive Saturday night after a huge win forcing a game 6 at home but couldn't steal another one from the Canucks as they took the early 2-0 lead and cruised to a 2-1 win.  Ryan Kesler had another huge game for the Canucks recording two assists to now lead all of the playoffs in scoring with 15 points.  Vancouver looks to keep on winning and advance to only there third Stanley cup in franchise history but it won't be an easy task facing the winner of the other Western Conference Semi Finals.


Detroit Continues to Avoid Elimination

Detroit Captain Nicklas Lidstrom

After San Jose took a commanding 3-0 series lead it looked as if Detroit didn't have a chance at advancing to there third straight conference finals but there proving otherwise.  Detroit has won the last two games making it now only 3-2 series lead with all the momentum in there hands.  San Jose looked to have the series closed out Sunday night with a 3-1 lead early in the third period however Detroit finished the period with three unanswered goals and still give themselves a chance for the inevitable come back.  Patrick Marleau is going to need to step up his game tonight, especially in the defensive zone, if San Jose wants to avoid a game 7.


Tampa Bay and Boston Advance to Eastern Conference Finals

Boston Forward Milan Lucic

Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins swept their series 4-0 over the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers.  Tampa Bay took down the heavy Eastern Conference favorites in the Washington Capitals who choked for yet another year.  Washington just didn't get the production from their leaders when they needed it or the clutch goaltending and evidently it lead to yet another early playoff exit.  Boston, who was eliminated by Philadelphia last year in the playoffs, gets their revenge by defeating the defending Eastern Conference playoff champions and giving them a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.  Look for Tampa Bay versus Boston to be a high paced high scoring series with tons of action and how Tim Thomas can do in goal against these potent Lightning snipers.