I had a feeling the Red Wings would be ready for this series..... but I don't think anyone including the Flames could have anticipated the onslaught they brought to the ice last night.

Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff was hammered with 46 shots, 4 of which travelled past him (which really for him isn't too bad, but it says little for the Flames defencemen.... where were you guys?). The Red Wings out played, and physically abused the Flames all night. Defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom scored the second goal of the game and the game winner. Pavel Datsyuk scored ending a 26 game goaless streak in the playoffs (what a monkey to get off your back huh?), and Dominik Hasek was solid, even though he really didn't need to be. He made 19 saves for the 4-1 win. Detroit takes the 1-0 series lead into Sunday's Game 2.

Congratulations also to Chris Chelios for playing in his record setting 22nd time in the playoffs, which surpassed Ray Borque's record of 21 post-seasons. Chelios also became the second oldest player to play in the post season last night, behind only Gordie Howe.

Quick Shave:
The New York Islanders may get Rick DiPietro back for Game 2, and his return probably couldn't come at a better time. The Islanders hung tough with the Buffalo Sabres for two periods, mostly because of the solid goaltending of Wade Dubielewicz, until Buffalo broke the game open in the third winning 4-1. Sabres Chris Drury scored two goals, and Brian Campbell (Sam, you asked for his portrait....and Bosh delivered for ya! Enjoy sir!) bookended those scores, with two goals of his own. Tim Connolly who just returned to action after missing all but the final two games of the season with a concussion set up Campbell's first score. The Buffalo Sabres take the 1-0 series lead. The New York Rangers won their first playoff game in a decade last night as they defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 and take the 1-0 series lead. The Rangers really came out swinging, but I was very impressed with the Thrashers as the continued to comeback, and nearly potted the game tying goal with less than a minute to remain in the game. The Rangers pounded playoff rookied Kari Lehtonen with 38 shots. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 last night to take game 1 and the 1-0 series lead. While Tampa Bay's big guns of Martin St. Louis (1 goal, 1 assist), and Vincent Lecavalier (2 goals) both produced for their club, it was their goaltending that let them down. Lightning goaltender Johan Holmqvist allowed 5 goals on 24 shots. New Jersey Devils sophomore Zach Parise (who has blossomed into a star this season) scored two goals including the game winner.

Playoff Beard Fan of the Month
I got an email yesterday from our good friend Alison in Cincinatti, a big supporter of the Buffalo Sabres, and the playoff beard. I will let her email to me do the talking:

"so um.... this is a strange one for ya.

i come from niagara falls, ny so needless to say my entire family is hopelessly devoted to the sabres. my older brother and i live in cincinnati now, which is horrible for hockey season. long story short, i made a drunken bet with my older brother and now i have playoff pits. yeah...its gross, but i said i was gonna do it, and now that its game one of the series, i'm past the point of no return. anyway, i thought that you'd appreciate this story of the female dedication to the game. even though ya know..chicks with hairy armpits...ugh...

GO SABRES!!!!!!

alison"

Now that is what I call fan support! Well done Alison!

Game of the Night:
San Jose at Nashville 8:00 PM
Dallas at Vancouver 9:00 PM
Minnesota at Anaheim 10:30 PM

Game 2's abound, Western style! A great friday night, and no need to hold up on the beer, or go to bed early and miss a long overtime game if it should happen again! WOO HOO! Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh