Night eight in the Stanley Cup playoffs brings us one team closer to a champion, one game from another elimination, and a best-of-three series.

Boston 4 @ Montreal 1 – It started out as if the Habs wanted to win the game. Andrei Kostitsyn scored less than a minute in and it looked like it was going to be Montreal’s night for the first time this post-season. It turns out that Boston had different plans. Michael Ryder once again scorched his former team with two goals and an assist while his linemate David Krejci had a goal and an assist. The Montreal fans were less than impressed with the effort. They started booing the Habs during the second period and continued through to the end of the game. The loss ended a 100th season celebration in Montreal that was predicted to bring a Stanley Cup. With the win, the Bruins are the second team to earn a birth into the second round of the playoffs and the first in the Eastern Conference.
Boston wins the series 4-0

Washington 1 @ NY Rangers 2 – Chris Drury’s wrists are so banged up he can barely shoot but that didn’t stop him from scoring the game winner on his own rebound. Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves for the win. Alex Ovechkin got off the schnide for the playoffs with the Caps only goal of the game. Also, it looks like the end of the line for Sean Avery. He had two late penalties, making it six in the last two games, which drew the ire of coach John Tortorella.
New York leads the series 3-1

Chicago 4 @ Calgary 6 – It took them four games but somebody finally informed Olli Jokinen that he’s playing hockey in April and not golfing. The Flames’ trade-deadline acquisition, who is in his first post-season, scored two goals and added an assist to tie this series. Checking line player Eric Nystrom had a goal and two assists for Calgary. It wasn’t all good for the Flames, they led 4-1 in the second before letting Chicago tie the game on three unanswered in seven minutes. So far, it’s been the home team that has won each game. If Calgary want to move on, they’ll have to break that trend sooner or later.
The series is tied at 2-2

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Michael Ryder (Boston)
2. Henrik Lundqvist (New York)
3. Olli Jokinen (Calgary)

Thursday’s Schedule:
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh leads the series 3-1
Detroit at Columbus – Detroit leads the series 3-0
Carolina at New Jersey – The series is tied 2-2
San Jose at Anaheim – Anaheim leads the series 2-1