For the first time in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, we had a game go to double overtime. While that may say something about parody in the NHL, the fact that we added two more teams to the list of squads that are one loss from elimination doesn’t. The third of last night’s series was levelled at two with an unexpected offensive explosion.

Washington 6 @ Montreal 3 – The Habs started Carey Price after a rough outing in Game Three by Jaro Halak. Not shockingly, Jacques Martin made the wrong call. Price gave up 4 goals on 36 shots and picked up 4 penalty minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct as Montreal moved to the brink of elimination. Semyon Varlamov made 36 saves, several of the highlight reel variety, to earn first star honours while Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist to lead the offence. As for the Habs, they can breathe slightly easier now that they’ll be out of the pressure cooker that is the Bell Centre. But the Verizon Center is likely to be just as loud for an elimination game.
Washington leads the series 3-1

Buffalo 2 @ Boston 3 (2OT) – Boston was once famously burned by a too many men on the ice call in the playoffs. Last night, they were the beneficiaries of a too many men call early in the second extra frame. Drew Stafford jumped over the boards too soon and Miroslav Satan made him pay with a pretty deke on Ryan Miller. Despite 88 minutes of hockey action, the most of any game this year, the goalies didn’t face many shots. Miller made 36 saves and Rask stopped 35 shots but both will make repeated appearances on the highlight films for their performances. While the Bruins had an anemic offense during the regular season, they’re finding their stride in the playoffs. The question is if it will be enough to match likely second round opponent Pittsburgh.
Boston leads the series 3-1

Vancouver 6 @ Los Angeles 4 – After giving up power play goals on six straight Los Angeles power play attempts, the Canucks finally found their penalty kill. Los Angeles still went two for four with the man advantage but it wasn’t enough to beat an inspired Canucks squad. A three assist night by Daniel Sedin led the Vancouver offence while six different men lit the lamp. After being pulled in Game Three, Roberto Luongo did just enough to survive. He made 22 save on 26 shots last night and it might be time for the Vancouver media to question Bobby Lu’s playoff credentials.
The series is tied 2-2

Three Stars of the Night:
1. Tuukka Rask (Boston) – 35 saves
2. Alex Ovechkin (Washington) – 2 goals, 1 assists
3. Miroslav Satan (Boston) – 1 goal

Thursday’s Schedule:
Philadelphia at New Jersey – PHI leads 3-1 (TV: TSN)
Ottawa at Pittsburgh – PIT leads 3-1 (TV: CBC, Versus)
Chicago at Nashville – NSH leads 2-1 (TV: TSN2, Versus)
Colorado at San Jose – Series tied 2-2 (TV: CBC, Versus)