Two more elimination games highlighted last night’s NHL schedule as both Philadelphia and Columbus faced the end of their seasons.  Meanwhile, San Jose was looking to tie their series and Carolina was looking to take their first lead of their series. 

Philadelphia 3 @ Pittsburgh 0 –The Flyers needed the win to stay alive and the goal that won the game came from an unlikely source. Arron Asham ripped a slap shot over the glove of Marc-Andre Fleury and it was enough for Philly to send the series back home. Martin Biron had 28 saves for the shutout. Evgeni Malkin had a goal waved off in the second after the replay showed he kicked it in. Despite the score, the game seemed fairly even with neither team really dominating, although Philly controlled the physical play.
Pittsburgh leads the series 3-2

Detroit 6 @ Columbus 5 –The curse of the champion is broken. Detroit became the first team after the lockout to advance from the first round of the playoffs. It was a close game the whole way along. Detroit allowed Columbus to climb back from both a 3-1 and 5-3 deficit in the second period. In a turn of events Boston fans would find slightly ironic, Johan Franzen scored the series clincher with 47 seconds to go on a power play for a too many men penalty. With the win Detroit becomes the third team into the second round and the third to sweep their series. After last night’s game, Detroit could use the time to work on its defence which looked shaky for the first time all series.
Detroit wins the series 4-0

Carolina 0 @ New Jersey 1 –An amazing nail-biting game that was the exact opposite of the game above. This was a pure and simple goaltending duel. Cam Ward made 41 saves while Martin Brodeur stopped 44 shots to earn the shutout and the win. David Clarkson scored the only goal of the game on the power play by deflecting an Andy Green point shot. The game could have gone either way but all it took was one goal to win this one. It’s pretty clear that the winner of each game will be the team whose goaltender steals the win.
New Jersey leads the series 3-2

San Jose 0 @ Anaheim 4 –He may have been draft right after Sidney Crosby, but in the playoffs, he’s the better player. Bobby Ryan scored two goals, threw his weight around, and had his weight thrown through some glass en route to another Ducks win. Former London Knight Cory Perry was also able to get off the schnide with his first points of the playoffs (a goal and an assist). Jonas Hiller picked up another shutout with a 31 save performance. The Sharks looked defeated by the end of this game. The Sharks have a lot of work to do before game five. Then again, desperation might just might be what the doctor ordered in San Jose. Or maybe they need an exorcist…
Anaheim leads the series 3-1

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Martin Brodeur (New Jersey)
2. Cam Ward (Carolina)
3. Bobby Ryan (Anaheim)

Friday’s Schedule:
NY Rangers at Washington – New York leads the series 3-1