Two final games for all the first round marbles. Washington had all the momentum going into their game with New York. Meanwhile, New Jersey and Carolina had been trading wins all series long heading into their deciding game.

NY Rangers 1 @ Washington 2 – It was a goaltending and defensive battle. In the end, it took an old guy who played a little on the blueline to win the series. Sergei Federov scored with 5 minutes left to launch Washington into the second round for the first time in 11 years. Simeon Varlamov, the rookie who many pundits thought wouldn’t be a good idea in goal (with the exception of yours truly who thought Jose Theodore was the worse option), had to make only 14 saves for the win. Despite leading on shots after two periods, the Rangers, like in the previous two games, couldn’t find an extra gear to finish off or even challenge the Capitals at game’s end. Now Washington will face Pittsburgh in the second round. Somewhere, Gary Bettman is salivating.
Washington wins the series 4-3

Carolina 4 @ New Jersey 3 – The playoffs are where heroes are born. Down one with less than two minutes to go, Tim Gleason dove to keep the puck in the Devils zone and made a saucer pass that led to Jussi Jokinen goal. Then, less than a minute later, Eric Staal drove into the zone and shot one through Brodeur with 32 seconds to go for the win. It was only fitting that a series with fantastic finishes the whole way along ended with and amazing final two minutes. Cam Ward made 31 saves for the win while Eric Staal (1 goal, 1 assist) and Tim Gleason (2 assists) led the offense. Carolina moves on to the second round for the first time since winning the Cup and will face Boston.
Carolina wins the series 4-3

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Tim Gleason (Carolina)
2. Eric Staal (Carolina)
3. Sergei Federov (Washington)

The second round of the playoffs begins on Thursday.