Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT) -- Tim Thomas. The Bruins goalie completely stole Game Two from the hometown Flyers with a 52 (!) save performance and was the key man in a crushing overtime victory over Philadelphia. The Flyers took an early two goal lead with two scores from James van Riemsdyk in the first ten minutes of the game. But the Bruins bounced back to tie the game with two goals of their own under two minutes apart. From there, it was a battle between three goalies. Flyers goalie Brian Boucher started the game, but was pulled in the second period due to injury. Rookie Sergei Bobrovsky took control and stopped every shot he faced before being replaced in the overtime period as a coaches' decision. It took 14 minutes in the extra session to determine a winner, as Bruins forward David Krejci one-timed a perfect Nathan Horton pass into the net behind Boucher. It was initially called no-goal by the referee, but that was quickly overturned at the next stoppage of play. Boston now heads home after taking both games in Philadelphia, with a chance to close out the series in front of their own crowd. This series is playing out exactly like the classic semifinal in 2010, when the Flyers overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the series in seven games. So far, so good.
Boston leads the series, 2-0.
Games To Watch Tonight
Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning, 6:30 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- The Lightning were victorious in overtime in Game Two as well, and take a two game lead in the series over the top seeded Capitals onto their home ice with a chance to close out the series. Dwayne Roloson, 41, has been superb in net and the Lightning have scored just enough to take charge of this series. The Capitals defense has played well enough, but a few mental lapses have been the difference so far in this series. Alex Ovechkin needs to be the best player on the ice and steal his team a victory. He's played well, but has not been the dominant player Washington needs.
Tampa Bay leads the series, 2-0.
Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators, 9:00 p.m. EDT, on Versus -- The only semifinal series currently tied heads to the Music City. Nashville outlasted the Canucks in a double-overtime classic to even the series and swing home ice advantage back to Tennessee. Pekka Rinne has been the best goalie (and perhaps player) of the round, stopping the potent Vancouver attack at every turn. Roberto Luongo has been very good for Vancouver, but the physical play between these teams has helped negate the overwhelming Vancouver advantage on offense.
Series tied at 1-1.