The second day of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs showcased the eight teams not on the schedule Wednesday night. It also featured more close games than night one of the real chase for the Cup.

Montreal 2 @ Boston 4 – It was a tea party in Boston complete with a couple of game-ending brouhahas. Phil Kessel was the hero of the night for the Beantown bunch with two goals and an assist. Not bad for a player that, until this season, was rumoured to be on his way out of town every other day. The play was pretty even for most of the game with both goaltenders having to stay on their toes to keep the game close.
Boston leads the series 1-0

Columbus 1 @ Detroit 4 – It was quiet at the Joe Lou for 30 minutes before the Wings scored three goals in five minutes to take a stranglehold on the game. This was the Jackets’ first appearance in their history but it didn’t end in the outpouring of celebration that qualifying for the playoffs did. Goalie Steve Mason kept Columbus in it but two goals 48 seconds apart was all the Wings needed for the win. The Detroit defence also came alive giving up only 21 shots and going 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Detroit leads the series 1-0

Calgary 2 @ Chicago 3 (OT) – The first overtime game of the playoffs was a letdown. Martin Havlat scored the game winner 12 seconds into the first overtime frame thanks to a friendly deflection off Olli Jokinen. He also scored with just over five minutes to go to tie the game at twos. Despite an otherwise mediocre season statistically, Miikka Kiprusoff had a stellar game for the Flames and kept them in throughout. For most of the night, it seemed as though the Blackhawks were the experienced team that knew exactly what to do and how to win.
Chicago leads the series 1-0

Anaheim 2 @ San Jose 0 – In the first major upset of the playoffs (I don’t consider the Rangers winning an upset), the Anaheim Ducks scored two in the third to shutout the Sharks. Jonas Hiller made his first playoff start for the Ducks and stopped 35 shots for the win. Meanwhile, Sharks’ goalie Evgeni Nabakov let in 2 goals on 17 shots. There wasn’t much more the Sharks could do tonight. Hiller was unbelievable for Anaheim. This form from J-S Giguere led the Ducks to two previous Stanley Cup appearances and Hiller is looking to make it a third.
Anaheim leads the series 1-0