by Joe Lami

Chicago 4 Minnesota 0: I’m a little bit shocked that the Chicago Blackhawks were able to sweep the Minnesota Wild in four games like that. The Wild were playing some great hockey, the fact that they kind of had a dud in the second round it’s a bit shocking that the knocked out St.Louis. I definitely thought the series would have gone farther maybe six or seven games. Chicago because of their playoff experience it looked like the offense was able to give the goaltending some breathing room too.

Anaheim 2 vs. Calgary 1: For Calgary to get some elbow room in this one it all depends on game four on Friday night in Calgary. If the Flames can find a way to win game four in the dome its a brand new series. If the Ducks are able to beat the Flames at the dome Anaheim is probably going to take it five. The Flames Johnny Gaudreau at 19:40 in the third period tied up the game at 3-3 for the Flames and it was an awesome play and he shot it down low and hit that corner to tie it. Michael Backlund was able to win it in overtime at 4:24 for the Flames 4-3.

Tampa Bay 3 vs. Montreal 1: With the Canadiens down three games to none it was about time the Habs finally win a game they won in the Lighting’s house in game four 6-2. The fact is the Lighting is really kind of dominating the series and they’ve done so well playing it close. Game two was that double overtime where the Lighting took it 2-1. The Lighting were able to win one at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night 2-1 and the Canadiens were able to take a crucial four goal win 6-2 on Thursday night at the Bell Centre.

The Lighting offense has proven to be way too powerful and I was expecting the Habs goalie Carry Price as a candidate for the Hart Trophy and he’s up for winning two awards for the work he’s done this season. He hasn’t played that great up to this point in this series. Montreal finally stole a game with a huge win on Thursday night in game four 6-2.

Washington 3 vs. NY Rangers 1: Game five with the Caps in front of the series 3-1 is going to New York on Friday night. The Capitals dominated this series from the start with a 2-1 game one win, the Rangers evened things out in game two 3-2, and then the Caps came back with a vengeance and won the next two games 1-0 and 2-1.

The Rangers on Friday face elimination at the Madison Square Garden and the Caps Alexander Ovechkin has been no doubt the MVP of this series so far. The fact is Washington head coach Barry Trotz has been an absolute outstanding coach and he was able to put a successful defensive system in Washington. He has a strong offensive system winning these two last games and putting the Rangers on the brink of elimination.

Joe Lami does weekly Stanley Cup analysis for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each week listen to the podcast below