The Tampa Bay Lightning have pushed the Washington Capitals to the brink of elimination.

41 year old Dwayne Roloson of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been playing like a Terminator sent from the future to destroy the Washington Capitals' hopes and dreams.

From The Montreal Gazette

Goaltender Dwayne Roloson has played only nine playoff games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but if the team keeps winning, he could find himself in the Conn Smythe Trophy race.

He’s stopped 304 of the 321 shots he’s faced so far in the playoffs as the Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in the first round and have built a 2-0 lead in the bestof-seven Eastern Conference semifinal against the Washington Capitals.

The Philadelphia Flyers, who eliminated the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, were fired up after Buffalo players mocked several recently divorced Flyers.

Danny Briere of the Philadelphia Flyers says Buffalo Sabres players crossed the line by mocking him about his divorce from Smurfette.

From The Montreal Gazette

Trash talk is common on the ice in the NHL playoffs, but Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Briere, right, said one member of the Buffalo Sabres “crossed the line” during Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final.

“Honestly, one of their young guys said something to me that was personal and crossed the line,” Briere told the Buffalo News.

“It got me fired up a little bit more than it usually does. That was probably a big part of it.”

According to the Buffalo News, citing a Flyers source, it was Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta who made remarks to Briere and Scott Hartnell about their divorces.

After falling behind 3 games to none against the Vancouver Canucks, the Chicago Blackhawks have come back from the dead to force a game 7.

After playing like zombies for the 1st three games of the playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks have come back from the dead to force a game 7 against the Canucks.

From The Toronto Sun

In Vancouver, things are much worse because expectations are so much higher. The Canucks need someone to apply the Heimlich manoeuvre because they are on the verge of choking.

It’s easy for us desk-bound pundits to brandish the c-word with impunity right about now, but how else to describe blowing a 3-0 series lead and now facing a Game 7 Tuesday in Vancouver against a reinvigorated Chicago Blackhawks team?

The Canucks won the Presidents Cup as the top overall team in the standings this season. The Blackhawks, despite winning their first Stanley Cup in 49 years last season, just squeaked into the playoffs this time around. In other words, the Canucks have everything to lose and the Blackhawks have nothing to lose.

Original Photos derekring, sportslogos

Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau has had some tough luck in his career during the playoffs, and his players know it.

Head Coach Bruce Boudreau of the Washington Capitals would be honored if Haagen-Dazs made an ice cream for him.

From The Washington Times

Last year is still a painful, though forgettable, memory for the Caps. Facing the same situation – up 3-1 coming home against the Canadiens – Washington got run in the first 10 minutes of Game 5 and went on to lose the series. Asked what he remembered from that experience, Alex Ovechkin said: “I don’t remember nothing. I forget about it.”

Most players feel the same way – that the Montreal series is in the past and that this is a new team. Much of the belief about a new team comes from new players – namely Arnott and Hannan, who weren’t part of that collapse. As much as they helped in the regular season, they’re here for playoff time and to get this first-round series out of the way.

Original Photo aisleate

Washington Capitals’ Head Coach Bruce Boudreau does not think highly of Madison Square Garden.

Caps' coach Bruce Boudreau does not get treated nicely at Madison Square Garden. Mainly because he couldn't block the view for any more fans if he was Jabba The Hut.

From CBS Sports

If Bruce Boudreau isn’t familiar with a Bronx cheer, he soon will be.

Apparently the Capitals coach doesn’t get the aura of Madison Square Garden. In an interview with a Washington radio station, Boudreau shared a few thoughts on the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” Here’s betting he didn’t make any friends in New York.

“Its reputation is far better than the actual building,” Boudreau said in an interview on the station. “It’s nothing. The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything. But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Our building is a lot louder, too. They can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.”

Original Photos imageshack, shadowlandtoys

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the brink of being eliminated from the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Chicago Blackhawks have looked lifeless against the Vancouver Canucks.

From Sportsnet.ca

We could write at length about the Raffi Torres hit on Brent Seabrook, but we’ve got all day Monday for that. And we could praise the Canucks to the skies, but it’s starting to look like we may have another two months of that as well.

For now, with this series all but over, we should spare a moment to pay our respects to the fallen Stanley Cup champions, the Blackhawks, a team that isn’t only nowhere near as good as the Vancouver Canucks are. They are nowhere near as good as themselves a year ago either, down 3-0 in their first-round series to the Canucks, a pale impression of the team that eliminated Vancouver a year ago.

“Where we sit now, it’s not pretty. It’s really frustrating when you don’t put it all on the line; you don’t find a way to win that one,” Toews said, after a Mikael Samuelsson rebound goal – on the second or third whack – stood up as the winner in a 3-2 game.

Original Photos sportslogos, wikimedia

The New York Rangers nickname this season has been the Black and Blueshirts, due to their gritty play. Unfortunately, that same gritty play will cost Ryan Callahan the rest of the season due to a broken leg.

The New York Rangers nickname of the Black and Blueshirts isn't so charming anymore now that they've lost one of their top players for the season.

From The NY Post

It doesn’t get much more expensive than this and it doesn’t get much more devastating than this. The Rangers will first attempt to clinch a playoff spot and then attempt to do damage in the tournament without Ryan Callahan, who will be sidelined indefinitely with the broken right leg he sustained at the Garden on Monday night blocking a Zdeno Chara shot with 1:45 to go and his team protecting a one-goal lead in what became an emotional 5-3 victory over the Bruins.

This isn’t simply about the loss of the team’s spiritual leader, though there is that. This isn’t simply about the loss of the athlete who personifies the Black-and-Blueshirt mentality that has defined this band of blue-blooded brothers, though there is that, too.

This, rather, is about losing the team’s best and most reliable forward, and one of its three most valuable players — Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal complete the trio — on the cusp of the playoffs.

Original Photo nhlhockeyarenas

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins is not enjoying his league imposed Spring Break.

Matt Cooke had planned to spend his suspension with savage head hunters on an undisclosed Pacific island, but they asked him to leave because he couldn't resist elbowing and needlessly tripping other tribe members during hunts.

From The Winnipeg Free Press

Don Cherry says the NHL got it right this time.

The colourful “Hockey Night In Canada” personality applauded the league for its stiff suspension of Pittsburgh agitator Matt Cooke on Saturday’s “Coach’s Corner” broadcast on CBC.

Cooke was suspended for the rest of the regular season, which worked out to 10 games, plus the first round of the playoffs for elbowing Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers in the head in a game last Sunday afternoon.

“It’s almost like a drunk, (he) has to have something done to him to straighten him out,” Cherry said of Cooke. “I believe this kid will straighten out.”

Cherry was far more measured in tone Saturday than he was in a “Coach’s Corner” segment that aired just over a year ago, when he called Cooke “gutless” and “backstabbing” after his hit to the head of Marc Savard left the Bruins centre with a severe concussion. Cooke was not suspended for that hit, a decision that infuriated Cherry.

Original Photos Life, steadfastfinances

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins is in hot water for elbowing an opponent again, this time on national television.

The NHL is considering forcing Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins to play in a straight jacket for the rest of the season.

From The NY Times

Penguins agitator Matt Cooke will almost certainly be ordered to pay another visit to the office of N.H.L. judge Colin Campbell in the next few days. With his Penguins tied with the Rangers in the third period, 1-1, Cooke nailed Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonough with an elbow to the head. This is exactly the kind of hit that the league has implemented rules over the last year to eliminate — motivated, in part, by some hits by Cooke to heads of his opponents.

On the NBC telecast, Ed Olczyk predicted Cooke — considered a repeat offender by the N.H.L. — would be suspended for eight games. The Penguins have already paid the price short-term. The Rangers scored goals 11 seconds apart on the power play after Cooke received a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. The Rangers won the game, 5-2.

Original Photos Flickr, Flickr

The Washington Capitals are in the middle of a 12 day road trip.

Bruce Boudreau and the Washington Capitals are enjoying life on the road, especially the pizza.

From The Washington Post

“The mortgage of the building is in the number one position of priority,” Leonsis said in a recent interview. “So concerts and horse shows and the NCAA tournament are really important to us because they help us pay the mortgage on the down days. It’s a balancing act, but I probably would have agreed to the NCAAs and this upcoming schedule.”

Only four of the Capitals’ 12 remaining regular season games will be played at home, and while this six-game stretch is not a traditional road trip — the team will return to Washington at least once to practice — the string of consecutive road games beats their longest homestand of four contests in December.

Original Photos johnmariani, memegenerator

The Toronto Maple Leafs are for sale.

The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan is selling it's chunk of the Maple Leafs.

From CBC.com

The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan announced over the weekend that it will explore the possibility of selling its 66 per cent majority stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

The company controls the Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors, the Toronto FC soccer franchise and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. It also owns the Air Canada Centre.

“The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan has a fiduciary obligation to the people it represents,” said Bettman. “So if they believe there’s a transaction that is fiduciary that they need to engage in, then they’ll do it.”

The prospect of the teacher’s pension fund selling its stake seemed to be a reversal from its public position in December when it said it wasn’t “anxious” to sell its investment. Reports surfaced in December that Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.B) was trying to buy out the teachers’ piece of the MLSE pie.

Kilmer Sports, which is controlled by Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum, holds about 20.5 per cent of MLSE. TD Capital holds the remaining 13.5 per cent.

Original Photo tmlfever.com

Boston Bruins’ star Zdeno Chara is being investigated by Quebec police after a questionable hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.

The only way more people in Canada could possibly hate Zdeno Chara more, is if they find out he likes to hunt baby seals on his days off.

From The Vancouver Sun

The NHL found itself under scrutiny Thursday from police, league sponsors and even Prime Minister Stephen Harper over its handling of this week’s devastating hit that put Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty in hospital and gave the league another black eye.

After Montreal police announced that they are investigating whether Boston Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara could be criminally charged for his actions, league commissioner Gary Bettman found himself dropping the gloves to duke it out with Air Canada, one of the league’s corporate sponsors.

It’s all fallout from Tuesday’s game in Montreal, where Chara checked Pacioretty into the stanchion which divides the players’ benches. The brutal high-speed collision caused Pacioretty’s body to twist in mid-air before collapsing to the ice.

Original Photos sambazon, tsao.enelparaiso.org

Henrik Lundqvist has 9 shutouts for the NY Rangers this season.

God knows where the NY Rangers would be without Henrik Lundqvist.

From The NY Times

“I have no idea,” Callahan said, smiling. “They just handed us our sweaters before the game, and they were the white ones. We should wear white all the time.”

Maybe they should, because everything went right in white against the conference-leading Flyers. The Rangers beat them for the first time in five meetings this season; Callahan, the Rangers’ 25-year-old captain of the future, got his first career hat trick and added an assist; the rookie Mats Zuccarello scored twice for his first multigoal game; and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 24 shots for his league-leading ninth shutout of the season.

Original Photo nhlhockeyarenas

Trevor Gillies of the NY  Islanders got himself suspended.  Again.

Trevor Gillies was suspended 10 games by the NHL for being a big ape.

From Bloomberg

The second suspension stems from Gillies’s hit on Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck in the second period of the Islanders’ 4-1 victory two days ago. Gillies was ejected from the game after checking Clutterbuck into the boards from behind.

Gillies will forfeit $60,975.60 in salary, NHL.com said, and that money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. Gillies is considered a repeat offender and forfeits his salary based on the suspension as a percentage of the 82-game regular season.

“By targeting his opponent’s head, three shifts into his first game back from a suspension for a very similar action, Mr. Gillies has forfeited his privilege of playing in the league for 10 games,” NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said in a statement posted on the league’s website.

Original Photos Life, cloettafazer

The New Jersey Devils are back from the dead under head coach Jacques Lemaire.

NJ Devils coach Jacques Lemaire gets his players motivated through threats of eternal damnation.

From Bleacher Report

With each win they accumulate, the New Jersey Devils begin to believe all that much more.  It’s been a season of lows and highs, but the team has been flying high in the second half, posting an 18-2-2 record in their last 22 games, and the talk of a miracle comeback to a playoff spot continues to gain steam.

After defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Wednesday night, the Devils moved to within nine points of the eighth seeded Carolina Hurricanes (with a game in hand) and 10 points of the seventh seeded New York Rangers (with two games in hand).  They also moved up in the standings past Florida Panthers, lifting the Devils into 12th place in the conference.

Original Photos Yahoo,  realistic-masks

The Washington Capitals were shut out by the New York Rangers 6-0 on Friday night.

Jason Chimera of the Washington Capitals quickly learned that Michael Sauer of the New York Rangers can be pretty scary when he fights.

From The Washington Post

Last night’s blowout loss to the Rangers was especially disconcerting considering the Capitals should have been well rested by faceoff. Players had two days off after completing their recent road trip, then practiced on Thursday, but the energy clearly was lacking for 60 minutes against New York.

Steve Eminger scored first at 5 minutes 56 seconds of the first period, and Erik Christensen followed with a goal at 14:47. By the time Christensen tallied his second goal at 4:19 in the second period on the power play, the Rangers were well on their way to a victory that moved them within four points of Washington for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Original Photos Yahoo, monstermask.net

The Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic.

The Calgary Flames dressed like Ronald McDonald for the Heritage Classic.

From The Calgary Herald

It had all the hoopla of a championship game.

And the 2011 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic left fans with memories of something much more meaningful than a regular-season NHL match.

The thermometer read -8.6 C at the opening faceoff between the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens -and dropped as low as -21 C with the wind chill during the game -but the 41,022 faithful who filled the sold-out stands at McMahon Stadium didn’t seem to care.

“It was worth every penny,” enthused Kim White, bedecked in Flames yellow and red Heritage Classic clothing.

“Yesterday and today, it was fantastic, absolutely wonderful,” added her mother, Jackie White, outfitted head to toe in Habs gear. “We loved every minute of it.”

Original Photos Yahoo, munster, progressillinois

Mario Lemieux made some comments over the weekend that make him look a little silly.

Mario Lemieux made some comments that make both he and the Pittsburgh Penguins look a little hypocritical. And goofy.

From The National Post

And Mr. Lemieux’s remarks would be worth taking seriously, if not for the fact Mr. Lemieux employs one of the most offensive goons in the game, and has much to answer for in enabling the sort of travesty he’s now complaining of. Mr. Lemieux signs the pay cheques for Matt Cooke, a left-winger who has been suspended repeatedly by the league for dirty play. His best-known exploit to date was ruining the career of Boston Bruins’ Marc Savard, who has been unable to play at his previous high level since being concussed by Cooke last March. Last week, just days before Mr. Lemieux’s outburst, Cooke was again suspended for a vicious check from behind, in which he clearly left his feet in leaping at a player and driving his face into the glass.

Original Photos southdakotapolitics, sportandcinema

The NHL suspended both Trevor Gillies and Matt Martin of the NY Islanders, as well as Eric Godard of the Pittsburgh Penguins for their roles in Friday night’s fight filled game.

Trevor Gillies of the NY Islanders, shown here stabbing Eric Godard with a shank during Friday's prison riot, was suspended 9 games by the NHL.

From The NY Daily News

The NHL came down hard late Saturday night on two Islanders deemed to be instigators in Friday’s fight-filled 9-3 pummeling of the Penguins.

Trevor Gillies earned a nine-game suspension for an elbow to Eric Tangradi’s head during a third-period melee, and Matt Martin was slapped with a four-game ban for ambushing Pittsburgh’s Max Talbot from behind in the neutral zone to ignite the first scrum in the second period.

Gillies continued punching Tangradi after drilling him with his elbow, and then he appeared to taunt the Pens rookie as Tangradi, whom the Pens claim suffered a concussion, lay prone on the ice.

Original Photo Yahoo

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Matt Cooke for a while after the NHL suspended him for a questionable hit.

After getting away with acting like a clown for years, the NHL finally suspended Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

From The Washington Post

Penguins forward Matt Cooke has been suspended four games for hitting Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin from behind last night in Pittsburgh.

Tyutin was uninjured by the hit, but he told the Columbus Dispatch it was “the worst hit I’ve ever had from behind. … I wasn’t surprised, not when you see [Cooke] in the highlights all the time for dirty hits.”

Cooke received a five-minute major penalty for charging and five minutes for his fight with Blue Jackets forward Derrick Brassard.

The incident came just two days after Cooke escaped punishment for a knee-on-knee collision with Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. After Sunday’s game, Washington Coach Bruce Boudreau didn’t hesitate to share his opinion of Cooke.

Cooke “knows damn well what he did,” Boudreau said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s good at it and he knows how to do it. He knows how to pick this stuff. We as a league, we still buy into this [idea] that, ‘Oh it was an accidental thing.’”

Original Photos Zimbio, halloweencostumes.com