Does it Get Any Better Than This?

Of course, you've heard the phrase countless times. But for those who have closely followed the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, can you disagree?

Every series, regardless of games won or lost, has been wildly entertaining.

Let's start with the past weekend.

The Flyers-Penguins series has been just like any battle of the Keystone state rivals--bloody, brutal and relentless. Both teams entered the league in 1967 and have met up on many occassions in the playoffs.


Perhaps the highlight of this series so far has been the hit by Chris Kunitz on Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen. In the words of a wise man, he got "erased."

Take a look:



It's hits like these that set the tone for not only the game at hand, but future games in the series. The Penguins didn't win this one (game 3), but they came back two nights later to win game 4 and take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Pittsburgh, and should they win tonight, they will advance to the second round of the playoffs.


The Washington Capitals missed a golden chance to even their series with the New York Rangers last night, but were shut down by a seemingly impenetrable Henrik Lundqvist in goal for the Rangers. Capitals rookie Simeon Varlamov turned in another strong performance in goal, but a fumble on Chris Drury's shoot-in led to the eventual game-winner. The #2 seed Capitals go back home to D.C. in a sudden-death situation, down 3-1 to New York and on the brink of elimination.


Wednesday's game 4 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames was one of this postseason's most spirited contests. The Flames squeaked out a 6-4 win on home ice in the Saddledome, thanks to Eric Nystrom's game-winner with just over six minutes remaining. Calgary jumped to a 4-1 lead in the second period, but the Blackhawks responded by scoring three of their own in the seven-minute span to tie the game, capped off by Sami Pahlsson's power play goal late in period. The bruising, nasty series now goes back to Chicago for game 5, and there will be 22,000 ruckus 'Hawks fans ready to explode.


On the docket tonight:

--The Penguins look to eliminate the Flyers at home.

--The Blue Jackets look to stave off elimination from the Red Wings in game 4.

--Anaheim looks to extend its 2-1 series lead over the top-seeded Sharks in SoCal.

--New Jersey looks to rebound from a last-second loss and regain the series lead over Carolina at home in Newark.