Isles    7

Bruins  4

After gaining a split in NY the hope was that Boston would carry some momentum forward but the Isles had other ideas. GM Greg has done an exceptional job retooling towards the future with late season moves but the bottom line for this season is he simply does not have enough between the pipes to compete with the likes of GM Blueballs firepower. This game would have been over in the first period if Vasilevskiy looked anything like himself as the Isles pumped 17 first period shots on goal and chased "the King" enroute to a 4 goal frame. Vasilevskiy allowed 3 goals of his own however to give the Bruins some hope but the Isles played an even more determined second period pumping another 18 shots on goal and netting another 3 goals to end any realistic hope of another comeback. Although this series just sits at 2-1 it gives the feeling of it already being over and if "the King" doesn't find a fountain of youth, it is! Isles up 2-1

CBJ    4

Pens   2

Poor Toby!! After a very active trade deadline the Pens made numerous moves to bolster their roster to not only secure a playoff spot but to hopefully make a run. The first part of the equation was realised as the Pens had a very strong finish and secured the 6th seed, the problem however is regardless of which opponent you face in round 1 in the Eastern Conference you were going to play a complete team. CBJ has a strong roster from top to bottom and to this point the goaltending has been the difference. Markstrom has looked like a young MAF while MAF has looked.......OLD! Game one of this series was an end to end barnburner which CBJ outlasted....this was a ho hum low chance affair which CBJ won....what to do? However these games unfold CBJ appears to have the answer but the answer is simple....either the Pens solve Markstrom of this is over and likely already is. CBJ up 3-0

Habs    3

Canes   4

With starter T. Greiss unavailable with fatigue issues the Carolina Hurricanes were forced to use L.Brossoit in this pivitol Game 3 match-up and they played like it. Carolina took control of the game putting 14 first period shots and 13 second period shots on goal while limiting the visiting Habs to 15 total shots against thru 2 periods...that was the good news....the bad news is they still trailed 2-1 heading to the third. When A.Killorn scored early in the third to put the Habs up 3-1 it appeared that despite playing great Carolina would fall victim yet again to losing the goalie battle but to their credit they not only battled back but did it in regulation so fatigue wouldn't be a problem yet again. Carolina will look to hold serve in game 4 but it is yet undecided whether or not it will be a less then 100% Greiss in the net or game 3 winner L. Brossoit. Habs still lead 2-1

Sens    1

Bolts    4

This is yet another game that goaltending played the biggest role as both teams had 30+ shots on goal and more then enough chances to tilt the ice one way or another. The Key to this game was a strong first period for the homeside limiting the visiting Sens to just 6 shots and outscoring them 2-0. That was the start both the team and starter A.Khudobin needed to get off to if for no other reason to gain some confidence in the previously lopsided series. Khudobin got stronger as the game went on making big save after big save to keep Tampa in front which wasn't happening in the first 2 games. Lets not sell the Bolts short here, this was a complete game played by them and they deserved to win it but this team will only do as well as their starter does. This Sens team is loaded with firepower and is capable of blowing teams out at any time. As long as Tampa can remain in games early they have enough punch of their own to make things interesting. Tampa gets a much needed win to get back into it and will also look to hold serve in game 4. Sens up 2-1