Eastern Conference Roundup

With three games played in each Eastern Conference matchup, it's a great time to evalulate how each best-of-seven is shaping up...with a musical twist. Here we go...

(1) Boston Bruins lead (8) Montreal Canadiens 3-0.

"I used to rule the world,
Seas would rise when I gave the word.
Now in the morning I sleep alone,
Sweep the streets I used to own.
I used to roll the dice,
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes.
Listened as the crowd would sing,
Now the old king is dead long live the king."
Coldplay, Viva La Vida

One year ago, the Canadiens were Montreal's sweetheart. One year ago, they were the one seed and the Bruins the eight. One year ago, Montreal was able to get out of the first round alive.

This year? Not so much.

The Bruins have dominated this series anyway you look at it. I said the Habs had no chance going in. I said they had no chance despite a solid effort in Game One. Obviously they have no chance now, down three games to none.

(7) New York Rangers lead (2) Washington Capitals 2-1.

"Talk about a dream,
Try to mak it real,
You wake up in the night,
With a fear so real.
Spend your life waiting for a moment,
That just don't come,
Well, don't waste your time waiting.
Badlands, you gotta live it everyday.
Let the broken heart stand,
As the price you've gotta pay.
We'll keep pushin' till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
Bruce Springsteen, Badlands

In Games One and Two, the Rangers paid the price. The King played great between the pipes, and the Rangers did their best to help him out. They blocked shots left and right, backchecked with a vengeance, and had some timely scoring.

In Game Three, the Caps paid the price. They smothered the Rangers defensively, while their big guns put the game away offensively.

This series will boil down to who will pay the price from this point onward.

(3) New Jersey Devils lead (6) Carolina Hurricanes 2-1.

"He says, son, can you play me a melody?
I'm not really sure how it goes,
But it's sad and it's sweet,
And I knew it complete,
When I wore a younger man's clothes."
Billy Joel, Piano Man

Carolina and New Jersey both know how the song of success goes. Cam Ward's Canes danced to its beat in 2006, while Marty's Devils grooved to its rhythm in 1995, 2000, and 2003.

This series has been an old fashioned grudge match. The last two matches have been hard fought on both sides, with each tilt registering as an overtime 'W' for each side - the Canes in Game Two and the Devils in Game Three.

For the Devils to win, they will need to keep getting Herculean efforts from Zach Parise upfront and Paul Martin on the blueline. For the Hurricanes, they will need more from their top line of Staal, Cole, and Ruutu.

Seven games here wouldn't surprise me.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins lead (5) Philadelphia Flyers 2-1.

"Guess who just got back today?
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away.
Haven't changed, haven't got much to say,
But man, I still think them cats are crazy...
The boys are back in town."
Thin Lizzy, The Boys Are Back in Town

Well, it took three games, but the Philadelphia Flyers have entered into the ring.

After Pittsburgh outplayed the Flyers in Games One and Two, the Flyers put forth an excellent effort in Game Three to bring the series within reach.

Crosby and Malkin have played great in each game. The big guns for the Flyers, on the other hand, were absent up until Game Three.

For the Pens to advance they will need to get back to the extra effort they put forth in Games One and Two. They will also need a better defensive effort than in Game Three, along with better goaltending from M-A Fleury, who was superb before the series headed to Philadelphia. If the Flyers are to come back and win the series, they will need big efforts from Carter and Richards, as usual, but also continued efforts from Briere and Giroux on the "third line." They have done nothing to slow down Crosby and Malkin, which can only be accomplished through a total team effort.

Stay tuned...