A Few Things

If I had to grade the different playoff series on their excitement level so far, the report cards would look something like this:

Boston vs. Carolina
A
The sort-of underdog team is playing extremely well, veterans like Ray Whitney are coming alive and making a serious difference in most games, and the goal-tending match-up is more or less even. GREAT fun to watch, it is.

Washington vs. Pittsburgh
A
This is obvious. Ovie vs. Sidney (and both of them doing exactly what they're meant to do), two teams that really hate each other, maniacal fans, a young goalie that's come out of the great SIberian wilderness and stolen games for his team...this series has it all.

Chicago vs. Vancouver
B
I'm trying to get into this series. Really, I am. For some reason it's just not happening, even though it hasn't been a bad one. The game last night was pretty exciting. I was certain Vancouver was going to be the Western Conference winner, but perhaps not...

Detroit vs. Anaheim
C
This is a snooze-fest, for some reason. BUT watching Hossa score those two goals last night tilted my love-hate relationship with him back towards love. God, I miss him.

Elsewhere in the world, Russia and the U.S. are tied at 2-2 in the World Championship semi-final. Want to watch it LIVE? Here.