Canes     2

Isles       3

This series headed back to Long Island with the hometown Isles in a position to close it out and they did just that. In a series most predicted( including myself) would go the way of the Isles this was anything but to script and to say that it should not still be ongoing is just simply not the case. After 2 lopsided games in the Hurricanes favor the series shifted back to Carolina tied at 1 where a very tired and beaten Isles team waved the white flag for Game 3 looking ahead to the big picture and a long series battle. Much to the dismay of all involved the Isles were able to steal Game 3 on the road in overtime to take a series lead. At the time GM Rich of the Hurricanes lamented the fact that his team may have missed their opportuniy and miss it they did. Not taking advantage of A. Vasilevskiy being forced to the bench meant they had to face him once again healthy and in case nobody had noticed he is an elite goalie on an elite team. As has been mentioned a few times in earlier match-ups where there are elite teams/goalies, if you are even you are losing and this series was again no exception. Playing the Isles even with Vasilevskiy in net means you lose so here we are. After 5 games we have 2 clear wins for the Canes....2 relatively even games....and 1 clear loss....so that equals Isles advance 4-1!

Flyers     4

CBJ        1

This back and forth series is as simple as it gets. Markstrom plays well or Flyers win....period! With Markstrom between the pipes CBJ is 2-2 with both of those wins clearly the result of superior play/thefts and the 2 loses again were the result of his team being outplayed. Que the back-up J.Allen to provide Markstrom a much needed rest and boom goes the dynamite exposing Columbus weakness in goal resulting in a convincing 4-1 defeat. On a positive note for Columbus they will once again have a rested Markstrom for the next game and presumably Game 7 if it goes that far. GM Anthony and his Flyers continually appear to be outplaying Columbus and will look to once again do it in Game 6 where they will hope to end it at home in Philly. Flyers up 3-2

Bruins     1

Wings     6

Uggghhhh! GM Greg and his Bruins flew into Detroit up 3-1 in the series looking to close it out but were they really? Everyone wants to win.....everyone wants to advance....but the best way to a destination is not always a straight path and the Bruins are hoping to make that statement truth. With an already exhausted goalie and a comfortable 3-1 cushion in the series GM Greg did what most (including me) thought he would do last game and rest his starting goalie for Game 5. The result was a very predictable one-sided defeat but one lost battle doesn't lose a war and now the series shifts back to Boston where the Bruins will hope to refocus on home ice with a once again rested starter in goal. We all picked the bruins to be a sacrificial lamb in this series but Greg and the Bruins have been the Wings kryptonite thus far. Regardless of how this goes the rest of the way GM Greg has done a super job putting his guys in spots to succeed and is now poised to be a giant killer up 3-2. 

Leafs      4

Habs     2

I have to admit there is something very magical about viewing anything Leafs over Habs anywhere but there is absolutely no reason for this series to still be ongoing at this point. 5 Games played....5 clear loses for the Leafs....somehow this series is enroute to Toronto with an opportunity to tie trailing 3 games to 2. After 5 games the Leafs have been outshot by 62 shots or slightly better then 12 shots a game....have been outshot every game....the closest game shot wise has been -10 with all games ending in regulation yet somehow this is still a series. I am completely at a loss as to how Toronto has staved off elimination in back to back games but off to Toronto where Garrett hopes the magic potion doesn't wear off to force a Game 7. Habs still up 3-2