Two nights ago, I turned off the New York Islanders vs. Detroit Red Wings game too early. The Islanders had a healthy 3 goal lead on the Wings entering the third and for the most part looked like this was the Islanders game to blow. And blow it they did.

Last night, the Penguins had a 3-1 lead on the Habs, and I did the same thing.....however the force called me back, and I turned the game on late in the third to find the score 4-4. What I witnessed from that point forward was some of the best hockey I've seen this season. First off, you have to watch the highlights of this game (you can find them here) which from the start was deemed 'playoff' style hockey by Pierre McGuire (who sounded less angry than usual last night...perhaps they expanded his mini-sin bin?). The opening face off began with a Maxim Lapierre butt end to Sidney Crosby's ribs which dropped him to the ice (I think he over exaggerated the fall a bit, but he did take the hit)....the tone of the game was more or less set from that point forward. The Penguins as I said took a 2 goal lead, and that is when the Bosher decided to move on to more zambonied pastures.....much to my misfortune.

Colby Armstrong took a run at Canadiens captain Saku Koivu and smeared him across the end boards......which Habs defenceman took exception to, and smeared Armstrong's face all over the ice by essentially beating the stuffing out of him. Souray was given the door, and ejected from the game. By the time I returned the Habs had tied the game up, and Pierre McGuire was preaching about how this game should be bottled and marketed by the NHL to the world. Corny expressions aside, the man was right. Intense, exciting, and passionate play was certainly on display.

I think NHL Center Ice needs to have a 'Red Zone' style channel similiar to NFL Ticket, that automatically switches your screen to the game that is most exciting (jumping between a night where 11 games are playing can be difficult.....thus my missing portions of this one).

Overtime was outstanding. How great is 4 on 4 hockey? Almost as good as 3 on 3, which part of the overtime consisted of, and that had to be the coolest thing I've seen. The big difference in this game, was Marc Andre Fleury, especially in overtime. He stopped several golden opportunities, and was solid in the shootout. Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Evgeni Malking scored the eventual game winner during the shootout. Sidney Crosby still hasn't potted one yet, missing again last night, going 0-7 on the season.....but let's be honest.....you don't throw away a Ferrari because it has a scratch on it. This kid is incredible, and finished the evening with 3 assists.

How's this for a pre-Superbowl appetizer? The Penguins visit the Habs Sunday at 2:00 PM. Talk about game of the night (day)!

Quick Shave:
I'm not going to curse this guy with my praise, but you have to give it up for Yanic Perreault. The Phoenix Coyotes forward who has become Captain Clutch this season, scored another game winner (he now has 5 on the season) late in the third, to help his team beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 last night. Huge win for the Coyotes. Their confidence has to be riding an all time high right now, and deservedly so. If Perreault is available in your leagues, grab him (I own him in two now). Vancouver Canucks forward Markus Naslund put the finishing touch on a 5-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers last night. Naslund's game winning goal was his 4th tally in 9 games and is showing signs of breaking out of his goal scoring slump (which is awesome since he is also on my roster). The Dallas Stars swept the home and home series with the San Jose Sharks by taking the second meeting 4-2 last night. What's going on with the Carolina Hurricanes? They can't seem to buy a win lately. Last night they were shutout by the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0. Lightning goaltender Johan Holmqvist made 31 saves for his first ever NHL shutout. The Buffalo Sabres beat up on the Boston Bruins again last night (doesn't seem like these two teams have played each other 20 times this season) 3-1. Chris Drury of the Sabres had two goals on the evening, and backup keeper Martin Biron made 33 save to complete the win. Recently traded Jamie Lundmark scored his first goal of the season last night for the Los Angeles Kings. Unfortunately the goal came in a losing effort to the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime.

Game of the Night:
St. Louis at Detroit 7:30 PM
Columbus at Calgary 9:00 PM

Only two games on the card for tonight, but both look good to me. Two upstarts versus two powerhouses. Columbus and St. Louis have both been climbing and stringing victories together, but both are clearly under-dogs in these matches. Manny Legace will try to outduel his old team in Detroit, and Craig Conroy will try and make his reunion in Calgary continue in style. Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh