Big night in the NHL last night! So many storylines that could have written their final chapters yesterday did the opposite and left us with 'to be continued'. Which for most of us is a good thing (difficult to watch your team fighting for a playoff spot on the final game of the season..... I'll get to that shortly).

The New York Rangers clinched a playoff spot last night for the second year in a row with a 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens last night. Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr scored the game winner and his 30th goal of the season. Jagr has now scored 30 or more goals in 15 consecutive seasons. The Rangers with one game remaining against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday have a chance to clinch the 6th playoff spot, where they will meet either the Atlanta Thrashers or the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. If they fall to 7th, they will face the New Jersey Devils.

The New York Islanders kept their playoff hopes by handing the Toronto Maple Leafs their second straight loss 5-2 (Raycroft has been lit up recently eh?). Isles forward Jason Blake scored his career high 40th goal of the season and the game winner, and goaltender Wade Dubielewicz had another huge night in net. Dubie made 28 saves and backstopped the Islanders to their second straight victory. Ryan Smyth started the bleeding with the opening score for the Islanders in the first, and then went back and forth with the Leafs until the wheels came off in the third. The Leafs surrendered three goals in one period again for the second straight game, and will now need to win in regulation on Saturday against the Habs in the final game of the season. The Habs can clinch a playoff spot with a win or overtime loss. If the Islanders win out and Toronto wins, they can steal the final playoff spot. Like I said this weekend will be fun.

The Pittsburgh Penguins stunned the Ottawa Senators with seconds remaining in the third period last night. Pens forward Maxime Talbot late (very late) in the game to give his club the 3-2 win and move them into a fourth place tie with the Senators. Both clubs have a game remaining and will play for home ice advantage. Regardless, the Penguins and Senators are going to meet in the first round of the playoffs, and what a series that should be. Does anyone still think the Penguins are going to be pushovers?

Martin Broduer became the regular season's winningest goaltender record holder last night as he and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 last night. The record was originally held by Flyers own Bernie Parent with 47. Brodeur made 34 saves for the win and helped the New Jersey Devils clinch their second straight Atlantic Division title.

Milan Hejduk, welcome to the NHL Hat Trick Club! He picked the perfect time to join. The Colorado Avalanche, much like the New York Islanders have kept their playoffs alive as well. The Avs defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 and pulled within 3 points of the Calgary Flames (who were dropped by the San Jose Sharks last night 4-3) and if they win out, can steal the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Calgary needs two points to clinch, and they face the Avs on the final game of the regular season! How sweet is that?! Pretty Sweet Bosh. Pretty Sweet.

Game of the Night:
Atlanta at Carolina 7:00 PM
Florida at Tampa Bay 8:00 PM
Anaheim at Dallas 8:30 PM

All of these are pretty big games, especially the Thrashers and Lightning games. Both teams are battling for the Southeast Division and the 3rd seed overall. The winner gets the third spot, the loser the 6th or 7th in the East, so wins at this point are extremely valuable. Anaheim's Pacific Division cushion has been widdled down to one point by the San Jose Sharks so they need to pad that if they want to remain in second seed. If they lose to Dallas, ans San Jose continues it's climb, they could drop to 5th. Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh