Tracking The Race: Perry explosion ousts Iginla's Flames

The playoff races continue to be eye popping, especially in the West. While out East, it's still three teams for two spots with the Canes winning last night over the Red Wings, the West picture got a bit clearer thanks to wins from the Kings, Blackhawks and Ducks last night. LA's 3-2 shootout win over Phoenix clinched a playoff berth- vaulting them to fourth over the Predators with 98 points. The Coyotes need one point or any loss from the Stars or those behind them to wrap up a second straight postseason.

In the game of the night, the Hawks posted a wild 4-3 overtime win over old Norris rival St. Louis, increasing their chances of defending the Cup. Chris Stewart forced OT by powering past Duncan Keith and rifling one upstairs on Calder candidate Corey Crawford. In danger a second consecutive night of losing out on a valuable point, Crawford delivered a couple of money stops and captain Jonathan Toews beat Ty Conklin on a breakaway, lifting his team to the huge triumph. Toews' 32nd goal gave Chicago 95 points, who need just two more to qualify.

The Flames knew they needed help from San Jose even if they won. In the Battle Of Alberta, Calgary took care of business on the strength of captain Jarome Iginla's hat trick in a 6-1 rout of Edmonton. He once again scored 40 in a season, doing so for the fourth time in a brilliant career that's also included a 50 goal campaign in '07-08. Down the stretch the classy superstar was brilliant, putting up 14 points (9-5-14) over the last six games, featuring his second hat trick of the season. Since March 1, Iginla's scored a ridiculous 17 goals along with 10 assists, totaling 27 points- erasing doubts that the 33 year-old was on the downside. It's a shame that we won't get to see one of the game's brightest stars in the playoffs. If only they'd brought in Jay Feaster earlier to replace Daryl Sutter. During the run, Iginla's moved up to third in goals behind Rocket Richard leader Corey Perry (50) and Steven Stamkos (44) while tying Alex Ovechkin for sixth in scoring with 85 points (42-43-85). If not for a torrid pace from Perry, who now is front and center in the Hart discussion with The Sedins, Martin St. Louis, Tim Thomas, Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, Iginla would probably be at the top of the list for rescuing his team. Instead, he won't be part of the playoffs.

Meanwhile at The Pond Honda Center, the Sharks were no match for Perry, who continued his scoring assault by notching his third hat trick of '10-11 along with a helper in a 6-2 demolishing of their close California rival. So spectacular were the first two goals that they'll be replayed for quite a while with one an amazing forehand, triple deke to the backhand, roof job on a helpless Antero Niittymaki, who made his first start in 35 games, finally giving Finnish countryman Antti Niemi a night off. The poor ex-Flyer had no chance.

“Fifty is a huge number,” beamed Perry after increasing the NHL's streak of 50 goal scorers to six post-lockout.  “Everybody talks about it, (but) not a whole lot of people get to do it and be in that category. It hasn’t really sunk in.”

“It’s a tip to all of us when he can get 50, but it still takes a special player to get there,” proud linemate Ryan Getzlaf praised of Perry's work that's seen him rip up NHL goalies for 19 goals over the last 14 games. “He’s one of those guys who rise to the occasion. He plays playoff hockey any time you need him. He has proven time and time again he can play in those big games and have results.”

Perry's recent dominance that features a current 10-game point streak (14-8-22) has elevated the Duck to second in scoring with his 97 points (50-47-97) only trailing Daniel Sedin (41-59-100)
Ironically, the tear has him a point (28-27) better than Iginla since March. Going a step further, Perry is 25-20-45 since the All-Star break. No wonder he's at the top of many MVP lists. The Ducks aren't in yet with Dallas holding an extra game that includes a pivotal home-and-home versus the Avalanche tonight and tomorrow. With a home-and-home against the rival Kings tomorrow and Saturday, the Ducks can punch their playoff ticket by winning. They sit seventh in the West due to more regulation/OT wins than the Hawks, who also have two remaining in a home-and-home traditional theme versus chief rival Detroit Friday and Sunday. If Dallas wins its final three including a visit to Minnesota on the final day of the season, that would put them at 97 points. However, they'd come up short if tied due to the new tiebreaker. So, the Stars still need help. Quite fascinating stuff.

The East race is well documented with the Sabres (92 Pts), Rangers (91) and Hurricanes (89) all battling for the final two spots. For Buffalo, one point will ensure them a second straight postseason. They face the Flyers at home tomorrow and travel to Columbus Saturday. The Rangers need three points. A win tonight versus Atlanta would put them in good shape, forcing the Canes to stave off elimination tomorrow against those same Thrashers in Georgia. They could need to beat the Hudson rival Devils Saturday to wrap up the playoffs for a fifth time in six years. Meanwhile, Carolina will watch the action later and then battle Atlanta and finish with Tampa at home Saturday.

Not this time!

It was all too fitting. The Rangers again in a hostile environment taken to a shootout versus the hated Flyers. Considering what was at stake in Game 79 with Carolina playing Buffalo later, it was easy to flashback to Game 82 a year ago when mere mortal Brian Boucher outdid Henrik Lundqvist in the skill competition, getting his team in the playoffs and soon on a run that didn't end until Game Six of the Stanley Cup to Hawk hero Patrick Kane.

Would the same cruel fate happen again? Luckily, Olli Jokinen wasn't available for Sunday's critical 3-2 shootout triumph that allowed Lundqvist and his Ranger teammates to breathe easier. Most importantly, thanks to Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski, who each beat Sergei Bobrovsky in the first two rounds, the Rangers had their revenge- gaining the valuable extra point that puts them at 89 entering another huge match tonight when Boston visits MSG. Coupled with the Sabres' 3-2 overtime win over Carolina, the Rangers are eighth two points clear of the Hurricanes, who also have three games remaining. Both teams have 33 wins in regulation/overtime. However, the Canes own the season series, which becomes the second breaker if they wind up tied at season's conclusion.

Here's the deal. Win tonight and the Blueshirts put immense pressure on Carolina, who will then trail by four. Do it in regulation/OT and they'll also lead the Hurricanes by one under the new format, which would make it even more daunting. Thanks to rookie Marc-Andre Gragnani's first NHL goal that caromed off two Canes past Cam Ward, it prevented Carolina from staying only a point back while keeping the seventh Sabres a point up on us. Well, technically two due to more reg/OT wins.

For John Tortorella's resilient club who erased the lifeless performance in Long Island with a more familiar gritty style that's made them rootable, they can't concern themselves with what the Canadiens, Sabres and Hurricanes do. The focus must be about taking care of business, which includes tough Northeast division winner Boston later on Versus at 7:30 ET. A game that should be no picnic with the Bruins still vying for higher position in the East, trailing the Flyers and Capitals by four with an extra game being played today. The Bruins are difficult anyway with Vezina frontrunner Tim Thomas, former Norris winner Zdeno Chara, power forward Milan Lucic and a bevy of smart forwards who get in on the forecheck and can strike quickly.

Figure it to play out similarly to Lundqvist's league high 11th shutout on March 26 in Beantown. The Rangers could be without goalscorer Ruslan Fedotenko, who only played five minutes in the third after getting banged up. If the undervalued key addition can't go, Whale call up Kris Newbury will replace him, likely on the fourth line with shootout aces Christensen and Wolski. Sean Avery, who only played five minutes, would see more shifts playing with Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle.

The Rangers matched their team record set in '93-94 by recording their 24th road win. They finish the 2010-11 regular season 24-16-1 (24-17), hoping it's not the final time they play away from The Garden. Now, they get the last three at home in a place that hasn't been as easy. Entering tonight, they're 18-16-4 on home ice. In other words, a losing record (18-20). In what's going to be a chaotic week, nothing can be assumed. Even if Carolina gets the Red Wings Wednesday before finishing with Atlanta and Tampa Bay, the goal is simple. Hold serve with the Garden Faithful throwing all their support to get this hard working team in the playoffs. With the basketball tenant, the Knicks clinching their first postseason since '03-04, there's even more scrutiny.

The Rangers have the Bruins, Thrashers Thursday and the Hudson rival Devils Saturday, who you know would love nothing better than to end their season. Here's a noble suggestion. Win the first two to not put themselves in an unenviable position.

Nobody ever said it would be easy. Not with a young roster that's been carried down the stretch by Lundqvist, who will make his record 24th consecutive start. They'll need the same level of sacrifice and commitment to get it done from Staal, Girardi, McDonagh, Sauer, Callahan, Dubinsky, Boyle, Prust, Anisimov and even Prospal who's shown so much coming back from a knee that could end his career. Even Gaborik got the uniform dirty yesterday, coming hard on the backcheck to break up scoring chances. If only No.10 would remember his main duty and score a couple over this do or die stretch.

It's time for the boys to stand up and fight for their right at home. Go all Beastie Boys and defend their turf. Do so and they're back in the postseason for a fifth time in six years since the lockout. Do it not and it will be a long offseason. It's up to them.

Races intensify: Closer Look at New Tiebreak

As the season races down the stretch with desperate teams scrambling for the postseason, it's been hard to keep track of. What, with the chaotic West that at one time included the Wild and Blue Jackets before fading out. In the Wild Wild West, they're down to just 9 fighting for the remaining seven spots. The NHL leading Canucks already clinched a playoff berth. Nine points better than East leader Philly, it looks like Vancouver will win the President's Trophy- putting even more pressure on a franchise that's never won Lord Stanley.

While that's a great story for another day, 11 points separate second Detroit from 10th Dallas with less than two weeks left. It's probably far fetched that the Stars and Flames can leap frog the Red Wings and Sharks, who both have 97 points. However, there's still enough time for each to throw a wrench into the middle of the pack led by Phoenix (93) that features the Kings (92) minus Anze Kopitar (broken ankle-out 6 weeks), Nashville (92), the Ducks (89) led by emerging Hart candidate Corey Perry (leads league with 44 goals) and the defending champion Blackhawks (88), who are hanging on by a thread.

Here's a closer look at the Western race:

                  GP   Pts   GR
+*1.Canucks 76   109   6
+2.Wings      75     97    7
+3.Sharks     76     97    6
4.Yotes       77     93    5
5.Kings       75     92    7
6.Preds       76     92    6
7.Ducks      75     89    7
8.Hawks      74     88    8
9.Flames      77     87    5
10.Stars       74     86    8

+division leader
*clinched playoffs

One of the new underlying factors in case of tiebreakers is how many regulation/overtime wins a team has excluding shootouts. A perfect example of this new format is the Rangers, who despite having one more win (41) than Montreal (40) still are ranked seventh due to four less games won in reg/OT. The Blueshirts have eight shootout wins, which means you subtract eight and come up with 33. The Canadiens have only won three via the skill competition, which explains why they still boast four more victories (37) under the new rules. If the two Original Six clubs finished tied in points, the Habs would get the edge for sixth. Right now, each has 87 with six games remaining. Unless Montreal continues to struggle, the only way the Rangers can finish ahead of them is by having more points. Eighth Buffalo has also benefited from the shootout, winning five to Carolina's four. If the Hurricanes can make up the five point deficit which features a pivotal 4/5 game against the Sabres, that extra shootout win could work against Buffalo.

Here are teams who could be affected by the new tiebreaker:

TRACKING SHOOTOUTS
                      GP   Record   Wins      Reg/OT   Pts
1.Los Angeles  11    9-2        43          34           92
2.Pittsburgh     12    9-3        45          36           98
3.Calgary         16    9-7        38         29            87
4.Rangers        11    8-3        41          33           87
5.Nashville       10    6-4        41          35           92
6.Tampa Bay    12    6-6        40          34           91
7.Buffalo          6      5-1        38         33            85
8.Chicago         10    5-5        40         35            88
9.San Jose        10    5-5        44         39            97
10.Dallas           11   5-6        38         33            86
11.Anaheim       6     4-2        42         38            89
12.Detroit          8    4-4         44         40            97
13.Phoenix        8     4-4         41         37           93
14.Carolina        9     4-5         35         31           80
15.Toronto        9     4-5         34         30           78

Note: Of teams in playoff position, only the Flyers, Bruins and Canadiens have less than four shootout wins.

It's very possible that the Sabres could finish ahead of the Rangers due to the format. The two Battle Of New York clubs meet Wednesday in Western New York. Here's a closer look at the Eastern Race:

                    GP   Pts   GR
+*1.Flyers     75   100   7
+*2.Capitals   76    98    6
+*3.Bruins     75    94    7
*4.Penguins   76    98    6
5.Lightning    75    91    7
6.Canadiens   76    87    6
7.Rangers      76    87    6
8.Sabres        75    85    7
9.Hurricanes   75   80    7      
10.Maple Leafs 76 78    6

+division leader
*clinched playoffs

Playoff Note: The most points the Canes can get are 94. Leafs-90 Thrashers-90 Devils-87

In any year, winning down the stretch is crucial. If the Rangers and Sabres take care of business along with the Canadiens, then there's little hope for the Canes or long bets like the Leafs, Thrashers and Devils sneaking in. The remaining schedules for the bottom part of the race:

6.Montreal 87 Pts 6 GR-3/29 Atl 3/30 @ Car 4/2 @ NJD 4/5 Chi 4/7 @ Ott 4/9 @ Tor

7.Rangers  87 6 GR-3/30 @ Buf 3/31 @ NYI 4/3 @ Phi 4/4 Bos 4/7 Atl 4/9 NJD

8.Sabres    85 7 GR-3/29 @ Tor 3/30 NYR 4/2 @ Wsh 4/3 @ Car 4/5 TB 4/8 Phi 4/9 @ CBJ

9.Canes     80 7 GR-3/29 @ Wsh 3/30 Mtl 4/2 @ NYI 4/3 Buf 4/6 Det 4/8 @ Atl 4/9 TB

10.Leafs    78 6 GR-3/29 Buf 3/31 @ Bos 4/2 @ Ott 4/5 Wsh 4/6 @ NJD 4/9 Mtl

11.Thrashers 76 7 GR-3/29 @ Mtl 3/31 @ Phi 4/2 @ Bos 4/5 @ Nsh 4/7 @ NYR 4/8 Car 4/10 Pit

12.Devils    73 7 GR-3/30 NYI 4/1 Phi 4/2 Mtl 4/5 @ Pit 4/6 Tor 4/9 @ NYR 4/10 Bos 

Eastern Race intensifies

Yesterday, both the Sabres and Devils lost while the Leafs picked up a point in an overtime defeat to the pesky Islanders in which Blake Comeau tipped in Radek Martinek's point blast. For idle teams the Rangers and Hurricanes, they loved what they saw. The Rangers in seventh with 74 points and fewer games left, actually rooted for the Pens, who thanks to another splendid outing from emerging MVP candidate Marc-Andre Fleury, silenced the Sabres 3-1.

With a chance to move over the Rangers for seventh, Buffalo got a poor performance from Ryan Miller and zilch from Drew Stafford with Thomas Vanek out. When Rob Niedermayer is your only offense against a team minus its two biggest stars, you should win. Instead, the Sabres remained eighth with 72- one up on Carolina and four ahead of Toronto. The Canes are back in action against 11th Atlanta, who are seven out. One in front of the Devils, who blew a golden opportunity to gain even more ground in what amounted to a costly 2-1 loss to the lowly Senators.

Like most observers, I'd already given the sizzling Devs the two points only to find out after a Mardi Gras gathering that they actually lost with Erik Condra doing them in with just over two minutes remaining. Craig Anderson was equally as responsible, flat out robbing Ilya Kovalchuk en route to 31 saves. Last night was more proof that you can't let down for one second. The Sens have nothing to play for except pride. Condra escaped Nick Palmeiri due to the Devils paying too much attention to Jason Spezza, who threaded the needle for the crusher. When Spezza feels like playing, he's dangerous. The Devil goal came off a nifty set up from Brian Rolston, who circled the net and dished for Patrik Elias, who buried his 15th. Martin Brodeur was superb in defeat, making a few sparklers including a sliding stack followed by extra goalie Anton Volchenkov's own unique stop. Brodeur finished with 19 saves, suffering the hard luck loss.

The good news for Jacques Lemaire's club who've won 20 of 25 (20-3-2) is Buffalo lost. They still have 16 games left and given the way teams have played in front of them, there's reason for optimism. With every game do or die for a franchise that hasn't missed the playoffs since Lemaire I during the club's first Cup defense ('95-96), they must dial it up again Friday in a visit to Atlanta. All too ironic for Kovalchuk that he and teammates must root for his former team to beat the Canes later, which would put them three behind the Thrashers. Then win in regulation.

That's how crazy this Eastern race is. Hell. If the Islanders had beaten the Devils over the weekend, we'd be talking more about their run. Instead, Jack Capuano's surging club continues to lurk in the shadows with 62 points. With three candidates for 30-goal seasons (Moulson-28, Grabner-27, Tavares-24), the Islanders are playing well. They're a team with nothing to lose. Something Leafs' captain Dion Phaneuf made reference to following a costly lost point.

“They are a very different team than they were before Christmas.”

These Isles are finally getting it. What with former Ranger No.1 pick Al Montoya (6-2-2, 2.02 GAA, .930 Save Pct., SHO) supplying steady netminding along with improved play from Comeau (career best 19 goals and 40 points), P.A. Parenteau (15-27-42), Andrew MacDonald (4-22-26, club best 140 blocked shots), Frans Nielsen (career high 29 assists), reemerging Josh Bailey (1-3-4 in last 4), a healthy Kyle Okposo (4-10-14), there's plenty for Islander fans to be excited about. Already rookie blueliner Travis Hamonic has become a steady influence with 20 points (3-17-20) while doing all the little things right (86 hits, 94 blocked shots). Jack Hillen has also been solid, chipping in with 15 points and 112 blocked shots.

So, while Garth Snow foolishly defends the undefendable like repeat offender Trevor Gillies, Capuano has kept his team focused. No longer are the Islanders easy to play against. They're the one team you don't want to face in this race. Even if they don't make it, they'll play spoiler.

A Glance At Tonight: There are two games of interest involving three teams. First, the Thrashers visit Raleigh at 7 to battle the Canes. A regulation win would put Atlanta right back in it, just five out. If Carolina wins, they jump over idle Buffalo into eighth. The way these two clubs play, figure the dreaded three-point game.

Meanwhile, the Rangers are on a vital two-game Pacific swing with stops at Anaheim tonight and San Jose Saturday. Considering how hectic the West is, this is a must for the Ducks, who have slipped to 11th with 75 points. Amazingly, they're only four away from fifth Dallas, sixth Phoenix and seventh Calgary, typifying how wild the West is. The Kings sit in eighth with 77 while Minnesota and Nashville are sandwiched between the Ducks. Anything's possible. John Tortorella's club enters with one less point than their opponent but must contend with the dangerous Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry line not to mention ageless wonder Teemu Selanne (21-39-60), who looks like he could play another five years. There's also the cool subplot of rookie blueliner Cam Fowler (7-22-29, club worst -23, 4 PPG, 16 PP Pts) who the Blueshirts passed on, instead opting for rugged defenseman Dylan McIlrath. The full impact won't be known for years.

It's definitely a compelling match. Can the Ducks bounce back from a 3-0 shutout loss to Vancouver or do the Rangers build on that impressive 7-0 blitz of the Flyers that featured a Ryan Callahan four-goal, five-point game, two Mats Zucarello markers and Henrik Lundqvist's league-leading ninth shutout? For the East coasters, it don't start till 10:30. Stay tuned.


RACE FOR SEVEN AND EIGHT
             GP Record    Pts     GR
7.NYR  68 35-29-4   74      14
8.Buf     66 32-26-8   72      16
9.Car    66  31-26-9   71      16
10.Tor   67 29-28-10  68      15
11.Atl    66 27-28-11  65      16
12.NJD  66 30-32-4   64      16
13.Fla    67  27-31-9   63      15
14.NYI  68  26-32-10 62      14

Vote on our new Devil Poll

Not long ago, the Devils were a laughingstock having won only 10 of their first 41 games. Now, they've won 18 of 22 (18-2-2) climbing within new NHL .500. They still trail the stumbling Rangers by 10 points for the final playoff spot with 19 games remaining. With Carolina defeating the Sabres in one of those dreaded three-point games, the Hurricanes passed the Rangers for seventh with 71 points while Buffalo climbed to 68. The Devils sit 12th and must still quantum leap the slumping Thrashers and sizzling Maple Leafs, who posted a 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers last night to reach 67.

Three of the competing clubs are in action later tonight with the Devils taking on the Penguins while the Rangers visit Ottawa and Carolina tries to cool off Chicago. New Jersey has extra games left, which could allow them to get even closer as the frantic race reaches its final month. They're the subject of our new poll. One we hope you'll vote on. On such an amazing run with the fitting slogan One Game At A Time, who's most responsible for the turnaround? Is it Jacques Lemaire or Ilya Kovalchuk? Perhaps it's Johan Hedberg or even Team MVP Dainius Zubrus. What about the resurgent Brian Rolston, who once again is performing under his favorite coach? Or perhaps it's overlooked rookie Mark Fayne, whose steady D and offensive contributions have made a difference. What about franchise all-time scoring leader Patrik Elias, who's been a model of consistency? Or just maybe it's former captain Jamie Langenbrunner, whose extinction coincided with this run from nowhere. :P

I wonder what our resident Jersey blogger Hasan thinks. Even if you dislike the Devils, you have to admit that this is unprecedented and deserves our attention. So, go vote or even comment below! We dare ya. ;)

Halak blanks Flyers

Jaroslav Halak blanks the Flyers, stopping all 35 shots to lead the Canadiens to a huge 1-0 win at a furious Wachovia Center which booed lustily as one would expect. Tomas Plekanec's 24th back in the first was the difference thanks to outstanding work from Halak who stoned a frustrated Philly team at every turn, including 14 clutch stops in a dominant third by a desperate home team. In fact, they outshot the Habs 14-3. However, couldn't get one past the Montreal netminder that's carried Les Habitants down the stretch.

Updating the playoff race, here's how it looks:

*1.Caps 112 Pts
*2.Sabres 96 Pts
*3.Devils 95 Pts
*4.Pens 95 Pts
*5.Sens 91 Pts
6.Habs 84 Pts
7.Bruins 82 Pts
8.Flyers 82 Pts
_______________
9.Thrashers 80 Pts
10.Rangers 78 Pts
11.Canes 76 Pts
12.Islanders 74 Pts
13.Panthers 74 Pts
14.Lightning 74 Pts

Only the Leafs, who have 71 are eliminated. Yet they're playing spoiler coming back to steal a point from the Rangers over the weekend and then stunning the Sabres, who are fighting for the No.2 seed last night. The Devils disappointing 2-1 shootout defeat to the Hawks which saw a seeing eye Kris Versteeg shot tie it with under 30 seconds left is included. By virtue of the one point, it allows them to vault past the Pens by virtue of owning the season series 6-0. Each club has five left along with identical 44-26-7 marks good for 95 points apiece. One less than Buffalo.

The Rangers continue to lead the Lightning 4-zip with under nine minutes left in the third. Assuming they win, that puts them at 80 points into ninth just ahead of Atlanta due to one more win and one fewer game played. They'd be only two back of both Boston and Philadelphia with five to go. The Blueshirts' next game is at Florida tomorrow night. The Panthers have given them trouble. So, nothing should be assumed.

When the game concludes, we'll have a recap along with full standings update.

Playoff races heating up as deadline looms

Just how tight is the Eastern playoff race? Well, 19 total points is all which separates first in the conference Ottawa and Montreal (75) from 15th ranked Tampa Bay (56).

With most teams having 21-22 games remaining unless you're the Rangers or Hurricanes, there's still plenty of time left for teams to make their moves. At the top level, you have five teams vying for playoff position and home ice. Well, if the league adopted the NBA rule which rewarded a team with more points than the Southeast Division winner, it's really four teams who can move up or down because whoever wins that division automatically is locked into the third seed.

With shootout wins last night, both the Sens and Habs moved a couple of points ahead of the idle Devils and victorious Penguins, who fought back from two down to win 3-2 over the Panthers.

New Jersey has been playing extremely solid hockey as of late and will try to stay hot when they host San Jose. The Sharks recently blew a two-goal third period lead in a bad loss to the Islanders. They also lost to the Rangers this past weekend. So they don't want to go 0-for-3 in the metro area when they visit The Prudential Center later tonight.

The Devs had an easy 5-1 win over the Canes on President's Day getting contributions from Johnny Oduya, Jay Pandolfo and Travis Zajac. In a stretch which has them playing 15 of 18 at The Rock, Brent Sutter's club has done well taking advantage of it. They'll also host the Islanders this weekend hoping to finally notch a win over one of their local rivals.

Meanwhile, the Fishsticks have been playing inspired hockey having reeled off four in a row to get within three of the final playoff spot. You have to give Ted Nolan's club a ton of credit because they have lost so many key defensemen to injuries. The latest victim was Andy Sutton (torn hamstring) who is gone for four to six weeks after being helped off the ice in their 3-2 win over the Sharks Monday.

With no Sutton, no Chris Campoli (done for season), no Brendan Witt (MCL) and Bruno Gervais (oblique) all sidelined, somehow the Islanders are mustering up enough energy to find ways to win and stay in the race.

Freddy Meyer, Bryan Berard and Marc-Andre Bergeron must continue to step up while All-Star goalie Rick DiPietro needs to continue his stellar play giving his team a chance to win every night.

It should be interesting to see what happens. A lot depends on the next few days for each team as they battle for key points and positioning which will determine whether they're a buyer or a seller at next week's deadline.

Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole

I was trying to come up with a title for the Habs' amazing five-goal comeback to win 6-5 in a shootout over the shell shocked Rangers before an energized home crowd. This was the best I could do.

I mean what can you really say. History was made up north as neither the Blueshirts nor the Habs had ever been part of something so crazy before. When MSG flashed the note that the Original Six club had never lost after leading by five, you just knew it wasn't a good sign. Likewise, Les Habitants had never ever comeback to win from five back in their rich history.

Normally, I'd be upset about the Rangers somehow failing to pickup what seemed to be a sure two points but I'm just not mad about it for some reason. There's more important things to not be happy about than some silly wacky game. That's really all it is in the grand scheme of things.

Let's credit the Canadiens for showing as much heart as I've ever seen in never giving up and actually believing they could still comeback and pull that out after three quick Ranger goals chased rookie Carey Price.

I've been on this team for a while and nothing I saw tonight changed my mind. Truth be told, that's the best club in the entire conference. They skate better than anyone. Have the deepest crop of forwards and a very active D which can make life a nightmare when for defenses pinning the opposition in with an aggressive forecheck.

Does anyone boast a better fourth line than these Habs? I haven't seen it. When you can send out the ever dangerous Michael Ryder (10 healthy scratches and still the best forward on this night with two goals sparking the comeback), two-way threat Mark Streit (goal, two helpers) and the gritty Maxim Lapierre, it's going to be a huge advantage. That trio along with the banging of energizer Steve Begin and underrated defender Mike Komisarek changed the game as did the fans.

Most teams fall behind by five and pack it in. Never have I seen such a vocal crowd influence their home players the way these Habs responded. Those Canadien supporters believed their team could still comeback and win even when Brendan Shanahan and Chris Drury made it 5-0 28 seconds apart early in the second.

What they got was the kind of inspired comeback which could make their team believe it can win the whole thing. Why the heck not? They have two solid goalies. Cristobal Huet was fantastic in relief of Price, who really was victimized by a lackluster start by his teammates.

The Rangers didn't exactly let up when they got to five. They easily could've had a couple of more if not for a couple of very timely stops by Huet, who steadied to make 20 saves giving his more desperate team a chance.

For as great as the Blueshirts played the first 25 minutes was as brutal and lost as they looked the rest of the night. Bruised and battered all over the ice by a more physical and faster team, they paid the price for not putting a pesky opponent away. Did I really just say that?!?!?!?!?!

The key sequence in this contest was two consecutive lightning Montreal strikes only nine seconds apart which sliced the deficit to 5-4 with still 13:08 left in regulation. Their leader Alex Kovalev connected one-timing a hard Andrei Markov pass just through Henrik Lundqvist over the goal line. If there was one King Henrik would've liked back, it was that one.

That the Habs could then basically skate in untouched with Ryder's seeing eye shot getting a piece of Streit's leg to ricochet past a stunned Lundqvist was a crusher. Tom Renney had already taken their timeout when Ryder tallied twice 4:24 apart in the second to make it a three-goal contest.

The Rangers just couldn't hang on and were done in by a mistimed Marek Malik hooking penalty which led to a scintillating Kovalev equalizer with 4:22 remaining. Somehow, off a broken play, he got a powerful one-timer off an Andrei Kostistyn setup in the left slot for his 29th sending the Montreal crowd into a frenzy.

It was a period earlier where these same cuckoo fans tossed debris on the ice. Some sort of ridiculous giveaway which was tossed cause they didn't like a legitimate high sticking call on Komisarek.

The OT was mostly Montreal as they pressed for the winner but Lundqvist denied all five shots to force a shootout. In it, the difference was a brilliant move two deke move and smooth forehand finish by Montreal captain Saku Koivu. When Jaromir Jagr's backhand deke wouldn't go, it was over.

The impressive comeback was complete and the Habs had somehow managed to stay even with the Sens (also shootout winners over Philly) for the conference's most points (75).

So, how do the Rangers explain this one? They can't. They just got beat by a better and deeper team. It's ashame too cause some of their best offense came in the same game with Jagr netting four assists and Brandon Dubinsky recording a Gordie Howe hat trick. He got pounded by Komisarek but took his licks and got a couple in. The kid has guts. He might want to learn how to throw'em and pick his spots though.

Maybe if this team had a real fourth line like the one we saw from Montreal, they might've not wilted.

I don't believe any other Eastern team could've comeback from five to win that. It was about as impressive as can be.

I've said this is the most talented team the Canadiens have had since that 1993 team which was the last Canadian team to hoist Lord Stanley. I think they have a legit shot to do the same. They've got it. Skating. Skill. Finesse. Grit. Physicality. Goaltending. And mental toughness which was on display tonight. They sent a pretty loud message to the rest of the conference.

This was one of those crazy games which was a ton of fun to watch. Even if the Rangers only wound up with a point, I'm not complaining.

They have only themselves to blame. Now they wait until Friday for a rematch at Buffalo. We'll see how they respond.


Just an update on the conference race. With the Pens coming back from two down to win 3-2 over the Panthers and the Devils winning the day before 5-1 over the Canes, here's how close it is:


1.Senators 75 Pts 35 Wins 22 GR
2.Devils 73 34 Wins 22 GR
3.Canes 65 30 Wins 19 GR
4.Habs 75 33 Wins 21 GR
5.Pens 73 34 Wins 22 GR
6.Rangers 68 30 Wins 20 GR
7.Bruins 66 30 Wins 23 GR
8.Flyers 66 30 Wins 22 GR
9.Sabres 64 28 Wins 23 GR
10.Isles 63 28 Wins 22 GR
11.Caps 62 28 Wins 22 GR
12.Thrashers 62 29 Wins 21 GR
13.Panthers 60 27 Wins 20 GR
14.Leafs 59 25 Wins 21 GR
15.Bolts 56 25 Wins 23 GR