The conference semis get underway later tonight with a Versus doubleheader as the Rangers and Sabres do battle at 7 while the Canucks and Ducks faceoff at 10.

With that in mind, we’re going to provide some more info from NHL Today and also supply some links to a few articles about some upcoming series.

FROM THE STAT WIZARDS AT ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU
The Rangers’ Jaromir Jagr is the active leader in goals (39), assists (53) and points (92) against the Sabres (in 69 career games vs. Buffalo). Jagr has scored at least one point in each of his eight games versus the Sabres over the last two seasons (four goals, 10 assists).

Buffalo’s Chris Drury scored five goals (in four games) against the Rangers this season, tying him with the Islanders’ Jason Blake and Viktor Kozlov, and Toronto’s Alexei Ponikarovsky for the league high.

Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 7-0-1 with a 1.57 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and one shutout in his last nine games against Vancouver.

Anaheim was the only team Roberto Luongo faced this season that he did not beat. He beat the other 13 Western Conference opponents at least once and posted wins over Washington, Carolina, Florida, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Luongo was 0-3 vs. the Ducks. Dany Sabourin picked up his first career NHL victory in the Canucks lone 3-2 OT win vs. Anaheim on February 20.
Sabres vs Rangers nhl.com preview

Ducks vs Canucks nhl.com preview

Devils vs Senators nhl.com preview

Wings vs Sharks nhl.com preview

These extensive preview should give fans an idea of what to expect in each series. There’s also some cool quotes and info on the side which is relevant.

Want more articles? Let’s see what else we have:

1.The Sens know how stingy and disciplined the Devils checking line is. They know that everyone will have to chip in for them to prevail:

Sens look towards depth

“We have a well-balanced team. We have confidence in the guys we have here. We have some good players on every line,� Senators centre Antoine Vermette says. “We’re really focused on our game. If you look at our first series, I thought every guy had to play in certain situations. That’s good that guys can play in different roles.�

2.Buffalo is known as an explosive offensive team. However, the shutdown pair of Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman will be very busy against Jaromir Jagr this series.

The mission’s no secret

“Jagr’s back in the shape from his Pittsburgh days,� Lydman said of the legendary right winger. “He’s a big, strong guy with unbelievable hands. He’s one of the best players in this league ever. It’s a huge challenge, and the other two guys are pretty good, too.�
3.Five-time Vezina winner and 42 year-old veteran netminder Dominik Hasek knows that the challenge ahead will be a great one against Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Co. when his Wings do battle against the Sharks.

Hasek to have hands full

“I think San Jose is a great offensive team,” he said. “They have one of the best players in the league, Joe Thornton; a few other players who can score goals. I think their strength is a great power play and good offense. These are the biggest strength of the San Jose team, but they are great overall team. That’s why they beat, 4-1, Nashville.”

4.Anaheim GM Brian Burke has been on the other side when his team faces Vancouver. He helped build the Canucks roster making a trade to draft both Sedin twins. Now, he’ll watch and see if the team he built in Southern California consisting of dynamic Norris duo Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger will be enough to get to the WCF against his former team.

Burke’s impact felt on both sides

“I’ll have that discussion with you after the playoffs,” said Burke, who spent part of the day fielding media requests. “To me, our job now is to beat them. I’m not very sentimental about anything but my family.”

5.When things looked down for the Rangers, coach Tom Renney stayed strong and kept his team focused and never panicked. Something that wasn’t lost on his players.

Renney Rangers’ Cool Hand

“It’s just the kind of guy he is,� said Rangers center Blair Betts. “He’s a fairly composed person. He doesn’t let emotion get the better of him. When things weren’t going well, he didn’t panic. He didn’t start getting down on us. He just stayed positive. He’s just a good guy.�

6.Former Selke winner John Madden knows the playoff grind of what it takes to win having helped lead his team to two Cups. Matched against Lecavalier and St. Louis in the first round, he knows it won’t get any easier against the Ottawa trio of Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson in Round Two.

A Maddening Thought

“It’s going to be another tough series,” Madden said. “Obviously they do a lot of the same things (as Tampa’s big three) and score their goals a lot of the same ways so I guess that’s one thing we can build off of.

“But between Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson, I don’t see us getting much rest. They’re going to be out there as often as they can.”

7.Bill Guerin was brought in for this time of year from St. Louis. The former Cup winner has been instrumental in helping the Sharks get to this point. His experience should come in handy against a very tough Detroit team he knows quite well.
A Shark whose time has come

“I don’t think there are any secrets about playing them,” he said. “It’s a really small world now, with all the video and the scouting. Plus, they’ve been in the playoffs for what, 10 years in a row. They play the same way they always have. They only have a few players left from the Cup team (in 2002, and the total is seven of the top 20), but their core is still pretty much there, and they haven’t played any differently. I don’t think I know anything about them they don’t already know.”

With almost an hour until game time in Buffalo, we hope you enjoyed this entry. Enjoy the second round!

If this is the best the Lakers can do, they should just pack up and call it a season. One word comes to mind about this Game 2 performance in which they gave up close to 70 in the first half and are about to go down 2-0 with the series shifting to Staples Center: PATHETIC!

Man. You want to talk about mailing it in. They were listless out in the desert getting blown out 126-98 against the Suns. This after at least coming close in Game One and keeping the high flying Suns attack led by Steve Nash in check. The performance was so bad that Kobe Bryant, who never saw a shot he didn’t like checked out in the fourth quarter with only 15 taking just 13 shots.
Nash dished out 11 of his 16 dimes in the first half. A half where the Suns shot a ridiculous 57 percent from the field and turned it over only once. This was unbelievable. They continually ran circles around the Lakers all game. I’ve seen some piss poor D courtesy of the Knicks. Well, this performance by a Phil Jackson coached team was even worse. Uncontested lay-up after uncontested lay-up. Wide open trey after wide open trey raining down at America West.

Holy smokes! I can’t wait to hear what TNT’s Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith have to say about this one.

P.S. NBA Sixth Man of the Year Leandro Barbosa is special. He’s like a younger version of Nash except faster and a better shooter. The spark plug finished with a game high 26 on 11-of-18 shooting including four-for-eight from downtown. What a fun player to watch!

Nash only went for a cool 16 on an efficient 7-for-11 while handing out 14 assists. The Suns had six guys in double digits including all five starters. They looked really impressive.

In the other Eastern game, the Bulls made it two in a row over the much slower Heat, who refused to cover Luol Deng and Ben Gordon in a 107-89 loss at Chicago. Deng, who destroyed the Heat in Game One with 33 was unconscious in the second half. Particularly, the fourth quarter when the Heat made one run at them, the former Duke star just couldn’t miss on his way to 26 points, six assists and 11-for-19 from the field. Everyone talks about the lost art of the mid range jumper. Watch Deng play because he makes you pay. He’s just really good at it and has been the best player in this series.

Gordon hasn’t been far behind. After a strong Game One in which he had 11 assists, the former Uconn star was an identical 11-for-19 while draining five-of-eight from three en route to a game high 27 along with seven boards and five assists. But unlike Deng, it wasn’t a totally clean performance. He also was sloppy with the ball making some questionable decisions when the Heat were coming on turning it over six times- a third of his team’s output. He’s certainly a fun player to watch when he puts it all together.

So what’s wrong with Miami? Well, Shaq looks like the Big Slow so far in this series. He also was held in check by Ben Wallace scoring just 17 and pulling down only eight rebounds in 31 minutes. He and 2006 Finals MVP Dwyane Wade combined to turn the ball over 14 times. Considering the rest of the team had only six, wow! That just can’t happen.

Unless the Heat can slow down the explosive Bulls offense and get out on the perimeter when it shifts back to Miami, this series could be over quickly.

We’ll see if legendary coach Pat Riley can pull another one out like his team did last year against Dallas.

The defending champs are officially on the ropes.

Don’t forget to check out Wednesday’s action as two of the West’s best Dallas and San Antonio look to bounceback from disappointing Game 1 defeats. We’ll try to keep an eye on it between periods of Rangers-Buffalo Game One up at HSBC Arena tonight.

It’s sure to be a busy night! So keep it right here for game analysis, etc.

For the past two summers, I have had the pleasure to cover two consecutive championship teams here on Staten Island at home over by the beautiful ballpark by the water near the Ferry.

It’s not too often you get to cover two winners in any sport. Just being able to cover one is a lot of fun as I learned two years ago on the field during a wild celebration after a dramatic walkoff which featured a Gatorade bath for then skipper and ex-Yankee Andy Stankiwiecz.

Last summer was even more fun seeing them repeat. Being able to interview players before and after games and run nice features on them was worthwhile. Seeing these guys succeed on the field was even better. They were rewarded for their hard work in delivering yet another championship to Staten Island. It was the fourth.

One player I was able to cover and talk to plenty was staff ace George Kontos. The former Northwestern product was great all summer long. So it was no surprise that he saved his best for last in a winner take all Game Three reaching double digits in strikeouts during a splendid six inning outing which saw the Baby Bombers get a 2-0 shutout and then go crazy in a locker room full of champagne. It was just awesome to be part of.

Kontos was one of the players I felt had a future in the Yankee organization. So far, like 2005 centerfielder Brett Gardner, he’s proven me correct in continuing to pitch well for the highest A affiliate down in Tampa.

In three starts, though he’s 0-2 with a 3.12 ERA, he’s K’d 22 in 17-plus innings of work. He has given up six earned runs and batters are hitting just .215 against him.

Not bad.

Here are a few other players we’re following.

Meanwhile in Lower A Charleston, former No.2 starter Tim Norton has done alright. In four starts, he’s 1-2 with a 3.74 ERA, fanning 29 in 21+ innings. The former Uconn standout certainly has the stuff to move up. But as he’s probably learning, it’s going to take an adjustment at higher levels.

Position players such as former NY-Penn League All Stars 3B Mitch Hilligoss (.253-0-11, 2 SB), 2B Wilmer Pino (.246-1-7, 4 SB) and LF Seth Fortenberry (.246-1-9, 4 SB) are all adjusting to life in Charleston.

They’ve been joined by most of their S.I. teammates from last year including C Brian Baisley (.344-0-4) and DH/C Jose Gil (.256-1-2).

Meanwhile, the bullpen trio of Luke Trubee (1-0, 8.10 ERA), Nick Peterson (2-0, 6.75 ERA, 14 K’s in 6.2 IP) and Jonathan Hovis (0.00 ERA, 4 saves, 11 K’s in 8.1 IP) are having their ups and downs. Last year, it was Trubee and Hovis who setup All Star Peterson to finish most games before highly rated Mark Melanchon took over the role in September as Peterson shifted to setup for the Baby Bomber repeat.

Pitchers Angel Reyes, Paul Patterson, Edgar Soto and Grant Duff are also on the roster along with Norton.

Former 2005 SI Yank Kyle Anson is also in Charleston trying to convert to catcher. Shortstop Chris Kunda and right fielder Brian Aragon are also down there.

Ex-Baby Bombers C Francisco Cervelli (.326-0-5), CF Colin Curtis (.250-1-4), LF James Cooper (.188-1-6), 3B Tim O’Brien (.231-0-2) and ‘05 hero SS Reegie Corona (.257-0-6, 3 SB) are all starring alongside super five-tool outfield prospect Jose Tabata (.313-1-9, 6 SB).

Along with Kontos on the staff, former S.I. Yanks Ian Kennedy (1-1, 1.42 ERA, 19 K’s in 19 IP), Francisco Castillo (0.00 ERA, 3 K’s in 2 IP) and 2005 lights out closer Josh “The Undertaker” Schmidt (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 12 K’s in 8 IP) are all at the Yankees’ highest A affiliate hoping to impress a la Gardner last year and make it to Double A Trenton.

We’ll try to provide updates during the Spring and Summer on how these guys progress during their pro careers. Needless to say, we’re pulling hard for each of them to succeed.

Best of luck!

As for the two-time defending champion Baby Bombers, they don’t get underway until the third week of June. I believe it’s either June 20, 21 or 22.

This season under new upper management, the Staten Island Yankees are offering special five-game plans at a reasonable price of $75 (15 a pop) to any fan. Anyone who takes them up on the offer gets plenty of reasons to be happy. They’ll get as many free hot dogs, burgers, fries and sodas as they want. They’ll also get the chance to go to a Yankee game and receive VIP treatment meeting GM Brian Cashman during an informal discussion in which hopefully he hasn’t lost all his hair given the team’s early performance.

They’ll also get the chance for potential October playoff games if the Yanks’ pitching staff gets it straightened out. That actually does require recording three outs in an inning. It also would mean better fielding than the ML worst 16 errors they have including six from the captain and already a couple in two games from Godzilla. In case anyone didn’t realize, offense isn’t the problem.

Aside from these perks, anyone who purchases a five-game S.I. Yankee plan will get a free Derek Jeter gift figurine which is also handed out to Yankee season subscribers. Not bad. Hey. He might’ve left last night’s latest defeat early due to being hit on the thigh by ex-Mets prospect Scott Kazmir but there were two positives as he once again guaranteed himself of another errorless night and didn’t have to be on the field to watch Crawford destroy Myers’ pitch for a slam. But he did have to hear that annoying hockey-like horn. Oh well.

Aside from all these nice reasons which I provided courtesy of all the ads we’ve seen in the paper and on TV (more than I could remember since covering this team), going to Richmond County Savings Bank Ball Park at St. George is a great experience. The park itself is extremely nice and with it situated right by the water looking out at the Statue of Liberty along with the beautiful view of the New York skyline, I would highly recommend anyone coming out to a game. And this isn’t because I get in for free and cover the team. If I didn’t, I’d get out to a few games. That’s how much I have enjoyed being at the park for games.

So do yourself a favor and come out and see a game. You’ll also probably get to witness much better pitching and fielding along with fundamentals than the 2007 Bronx Bombers.

I might have a cool pic or two on my computer saved. I’ll upload it for anyone to see:

The Yankee pen has once again blown it for another starter. Staff ace Chien-Ming Wang made a nice 2007 debut pitching into the seventh throwing 81 pitches before giving way to Luis “The New Heredia” Vizcaino and Mike Myers. With the bases loaded, the Halloween character err we mean lefty specialist was brought in to face Carl Crawford.

Much like his predecessors, he did his job by serving up a go-ahead grand slam to put the D-Rays up 6-3 setting off that mistimes Tampa Bay home run horn. Yes. You heard right! It sounds off when every someone jacks one or they win.

And so, Wang will most likely wind up the loser as the D-Rays lead 6-4 in the middle of the eighth.

The Yankee bullpen is so bad that we actually are starting to believe Rich Monteleone, Steve Farr and the recently passed away Steve Howe might be an upgrade.

Yesterday, we came up with a Yankee 2007 slogan. Ironically, this year’s is where players become legends.

Tonight’s version:

Yankee Baseball. Where relief is optional and blowing leads are as common as a Britney Spears sighting.

The Bronx Bombers have finally sunk. At this point, I can’t see how it’s possible that this team will see October when they can’t get anyone out. They’ve already pushed the panic button and recalled Phil Hughes for his ML debut Thursday against Toronto. Hughes wasn’t supposed to be an option till the second half. And already after only two Triple A starts, here he is.

Unless the pitching dramatically improves, there won’t be any October this time around. They can’t hit their way out of everything.

Make it 1-3 against the lowly D-Rays and five consecutive losses as retired first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is overpowered by Al Reyes to drop to 8-11.

This team is almost taking on a Major League feel. Maybe there should be another sequel.

This has been a back and forth game with frenetic pace despite the score as RJ ties it at 80 with 2:00 to go!

And Chris Bosh steps up and makes a great move for a lay-in to put his team up!

RJ misses a three.

1:20 left.

Anthony Parker, who has been brilliant in this one with 23 doesn’t get his shot off in time. The Nets call time with 62 ticks left.

Here we go!

Nice play as Bostjan Nachbar sets up RJ for an uncontested three to put the Nets up 83-82.

T.J. Ford draws a foul with 39.5 left and ties it at 83. The second is good.

Who will it be for the Nets? RJ tries a tough 18 footer but it’s off. Ford is fouled with 15.2 remaining.

He makes both free throws. The former Texas standout has scored the last four all from the charity stripe to give his team an 86-83 lead with 15.2 left. The Raptors must have this game after losing Game 1.

The hot hand for the Nets was Nachbar with 17 off the bench including four-of-six from downtown. I’d go to him. He’s been money all game.

On cue, Vince Carter sets up Nachbar from the corner but he misfires. Wow. Did Toronto dodge one!

Parker gets the second free throw to give his team a two possession lead with 8.1 left. The Nets burn their last timeout. They got to go quickly.

Carter gets a wide open three from the key but can’t make it.

Parker puts the final touches on a game high 26 by knocking down two more free throws. As YES Network’s Ian Eagle points out, the Raptors finished the game on a 7-0 run. Amazingly enough, they all came from the line.

Toronto showed me a lot in this one because the Nets stayed right with them. They’re a younger inexperienced team but down the stretch their key players stepped up.

Bosh finished with a double double (25 and 13) while Ford rebounded from a disappointing first game in which he hardly distributed the ball, handing out six assists to go with 13 points. He also made all four of his free throws in the final minute to finish the Nets off. The Raptors as a team were 21-for-25 while the Nets only attempted 14 making 11.

For the Nets, outside of Nachbar (6-of-11 FG, 4 treys) and the always reliable J Kidd (14, 11 and 7), they didn’t get enough from Jefferson or Carter. Both combined to shoot a putrid 12-for-40 including 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. They’ll need to be much better when this series shifts to East Rutherford this Friday.

Carter in particular stunk down the stretch, finishing with 19 on a lackluster 8-of-24. It’s no secret that VinceSanity is a chucker who can make bad shots from difficult angles. But sometimes, the former Air Canada Raptors standout makes exasperating decisions with the ball. A little friendly advice: Use your teammates! Don’t be like Kobe.

Final thought on this game: The Raptor fans were into it. Aside from taunting their former favorite Carter, their loud support definitely spurred on their team. Nice to see from a hockey crazy city.

Meanwhile in Game 2 between the Heat and Bulls, it’s all Chicago yet again. They’re up 16 in the third quarter after only leading by three at the half. The difference is easy. The Bulls are an uncanny eight-for-10 from three with the trio of Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich combining to destroy the Heat. It’s kind of hard to win when you don’t defend the perimeter.
Needless to say, the defending champs are in trouble.

Well, considering how mediocre we did in the first round (4-for-8 with 3 coming out West), who would blame anyone for laughing their asses off?

In any event, the show must go on regardless of how many I get right. Hey. At least my Cup Final is still alive!

Now let’s get to who we like in this round:

Eastern Semis

(1) Buffalo over (6) Rangers in 6

Analysis: It should be hard fought. The Rangers have improved a great deal since the last time these two teams met. But we can’t see them being able to match Buffalo’s fire power. I also believe the Sabres’ experience from last year should help them get through this round.

(4) Ottawa over (2) Devils in 6

Analysis: The rematch of a classic 2003 ECF should be very competitive. Both these teams have solid team speed and are excellent transition teams. They both are good in all three zones. The goaltending is an edge for New Jersey but the blueline goes to Ottawa and their forward depth is a little better than the Devils capable scorers. We like the Sens’ depth in this one.

Western Semis

(1) Detroit over (5) San Jose in 7

Analysis: As I mentioned last night, this should be a great series. Both teams have star talent which will come to the forefront. Each is a great skating team with different attacking styles. Both netminders are playing well. Each defense is good. It’s a toss-up. I just think that maybe the Wings will relax after how they executed against Calgary, meaning that they won’t feel the pressure. I could see home ice meaning a whole lot in this one. Pavel Datsyuk nets the OT winner in front of a packed Joe Louis.

(2) Anaheim over (3) Vancouver in 5
Analysis: We did take the Canucks all the way to the Cup final but they’re coming off a real tough seven-game series against Dallas in which they really were forced to grind it out. Roberto Luongo was great in his first series. The problem is he’ll have to be even better in this series for his team to win because the Ducks have much more scoring balance than Dallas. It’s just the wrong match-up.

With Round One final complete, the NHL Conference Semifinals will begin tomorrow night up in Buffalo when the Sabres play host to the Rangers in another New York battle while Anaheim plays host to Vancouver out West.
Here’s the complete Second Round semi schedule courtesy of NHL Media:

Here is some other info on three remaining playoff teams who are entering their respective series:

NEW YORK RANGERS — In the first round against the Thrashers, G Henrik Lundqvist posted one shutout, a 1.50 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. C Michael Nylander led the team in scoring with eight points (4-4–8) and posted a team-high plus-seven rating. D Fedor Tyutin led the Rangers’ defensemen with five points (all assists).
OTTAWA SENATORS — This will be the third time in franchise history that the Senators will face the Devils in the playoffs. In 1998, Ottawa won their first-ever playoff series, defeating New Jersey four games to two. The last meeting between the two teams came in 2003, when the Devils edged the Senators four games to three . . . In Ottawa’s first-round series against Pittsburgh, RW Daniel Alfredsson tied for the team lead in goals (3) and led the Senators in points (6). Sixteen different Ottawa players scored at least one point against Pittsburgh, while 15 different players scored two or more points.

SAN JOSE SHARKS — C Patrick Marleau’s 20 postseason goals are tied for the most in the NHL since 2003-04 with Calgary’s Jarome Iginla . . . The Sharks defensive corps will look to continue their offensive production. Their 14 points from the blueline are the second-most in the Western Conference behind Detroit (17 points), although the Red Wings played six games opposed the Sharks’ five. Leading the Sharks charge is Craig Rivet, tied for first among all League defensemen in goals (2) and tied for fourth in points (2-3–5) . . . In just his second playoffs with the Sharks, C Joe Thornton already is tied for 10th on the team’s all-time postseason points list. With 15 points (2-13–15) in 16 games, he averages .94 points per game, second-best in Sharks history behind Igor Larionov (1.08 points per game, 27 points in 25 games).

Note: The Eastern statistical previews weren’t available off the site. The Western semi previews are available for download below.

Western Conference Semi Preview

It’s a classic pic from Wimbledon Centre Court:

Today, the prestigious Grand Slam tournament announced that they will hand out the highest prize money in tennis history. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will receive 700,000 pounds or the equivalent of $1.4 million. The total amount for all the winners comes to 11,282,710 pounds- an increase of 8.7 percent from last year.

After many years of severe criticism and procrastination, the All England Club finally came to its collective senses and decided to reward women with equal prize money. Due to this smart decision, the women’s total prize money increased 19.8 percent.

It’s about time!

Our pic of the day comes courtesy of Alex Rodriguez, who made major league history by reaching 14 home runs faster than any other player when he connected for his second homer of the night against Tampa closer Al Reyes in the ninth during the Yanks’ 10-8 loss.

The 14 dingers in the Yank’s first 18 games matched Cards’ superstar Albert Pujols for the most in a first month. Just look at the contact the two-time AL MVP made in this shot:

It kind of looks eerily similar to Robert Redford’s baseball character Roy Hobbs in The Natural where everything he hit went out.

It’s the final period and gritty Vancouver favorite Trevor Linden comes through, redirecting a Mattias Ohlund shot home through Turco to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead with exactly 13:00 left in regulation.

Can Dallas comeback? They need to stop taking penalties. It’s cost them.

One thought about the penalty fest. I don’t like it. This is a Game 7 and they’re making tacky calls all over the ice. That’s not how you decide a series. I am disappointed in how this game has been called. The way it’s been called, Dallas is owed a couple big time.

11:41 remaining.

11:21 PM: Roberto Luongo makes the save of the playoffs flat out robbing Stu Barnes of a sure tying goal. He had a wide open net in the slot and Luongo slid across and gloved it. Unbelievable!

With under 10:00 to play, Dallas will go on the power play due to a Jeff Cowan penalty.

Can Dallas score here and tie it? They really need to. As the Beezer notes, they could really use Zubov to run this PP.

Eric Lindros nearly sets up the tying goal. The Big E has looked good in this series. He was also just in front on another good chance but the net comes off. Luongo goes after Mike Ribeiro.

The faceoff will come outside the zone. Dallas has 31 seconds left on the PP. It actually stayed in but Jere Lehtinen takes down Sami Salo and goes to the box. The replay showed that it was Ladislav Nagy but Lehtinen is in the sin bin.

As Vancouver was about to start a power play, Markus Naslund goes for a hook. Another cheesy call. Man. These refs are really screwing this game up.

Now come four-on-four with 7:30 to go.

Canucks still up one.

And now the Stars get called for another penalty. Wtf? You have to be kidding!

A 4-on-3 for Vancouver with 7:05 left.

Turco makes a big save and then keeps the play moving and Halpern nearly scores shorthanded forcing Luongo to make a tough pad stop from an angle.

Now there was an actual trip and nothing called. Funny stuff. Linden gets to a loose puck and fires a wrister but Turco stops it.

Stephane Robidas fires away but Luongo gets a piece.

Two more penalties called as the new NHL referee bs continues…

5:00 remaining with Vancouver still ahead by one.

There have now been eight penalties called in this period points out Dave Strader. You think he’s disgusted? When Beezer refers to the refs as, “taking over,” that’s not a good sign.
Mike Modano was setup perfectly but fired one off the crossbar and looked up to the lights in disbelief.

3:44 left as Turco makes a glove save. Still 54 left on the latest four-on-four.

The Stars work the puck to Trevor Daley, who tries a slapper but Luongo’s glove eats it up as Nucks fans chant, “MVP, MVP, MVP.”

He sure has played like one.

2:40 to go. Does Dallas have one more goal in them?

They continue to push for it with some good aggressive forechecking but nothing has found the back of the net.

There’s 74 seconds to go and Dave Tippet has used his timeout after Vancouver iced the puck. They’ll have an extra attacker on with Turco at the bench. This is it!

The crowd is all waving towels. Vancouver has lost their last six Strader informs us with a chance to eliminate an opponent.

Lindros wins the draw cleanly but Philippe Boucher’s one-timer is blocked by Taylor Pyatt who gets rewarded by teammate Morrison, who then feeds the ex-Sabre for an empty netter which seals it.

Linden then sets up Bryan Smolinski, who finishes it off with one more open net goal to make it 4-1 as a defeated Stars bench looks on wondering what could’ve been.

This was a great series but someone had to lose.

The Canucks will next face Anaheim while San Jose visits Detroit in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Congrats to Vancouver! Luongo got it done. He proved why he’s one of the best goalies in this league. But so did Turco, who deserved a better fate. Poor guy just can’t win a big one. He was splendid all series. It’s ashame.

Three Stars:

3rd Star-Marty Turco (28 saves)

2nd Star- Roberto Luongo (19 saves)

1st Star- Trevor Linden (GW PPG- 2nd GW of series plus assist)

The traditional handshake was great. The best part was seeing the two netminders meet up and congratulate each other for a great series. You could see the mutual respect they had. They know they played in an unbelievable series. It was terrific stuff!

My final thought is that after all these years, the gritty vet Linden stepped up in this series. His two points tonight increased his Game 7 magic to 12 points for his career- remarkably the most among active players two better than the great Jaromir Jagr. When his team needed him, he came through. How about that. What a great story!

That will do it for tonight’s hockey coverage. We’ll see ya’ll for Round Two which begins Wednesday when the Rangers visit HSBC Arena against the top seeded Sabres.