It only took three playoff series, but Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks were finally able to shake that Indian-sized monkey off of their backs. The Vancouver/Chicago series was one of the, if not the most exciting, first round series in the playoffs. It’s only fitting that it be forced to a suspenseful seventh game, and that seventh game be forced into a suspenseful goal-scorer-takes-all overtime. It did not disappoint. The Canucks, behind Alexandre Burrows’ two goals and some solid goaltending from Roberto Luongo squeaked by the amazing goaltending display that Corey Crawford put on. Crawford stopped an excellent 34 out of 36 shots that came his way.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller wasn’t as lucky – or as solid – as Crawford. Miller allowed four goals on 28 shots before he was pulled two minutes into the third period, but by that time the damage was done. The Flyers rolled over the imploding Sabres 5-2. The series waffled back and forth between low scoring goaltender duels to shooting galleries.
Tonight there’re two game sevens, both on at the same time. The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens are finishing out their series in Boston (7:00 on VS), while the Pittsburgh Penguins are trying to get coach Dan Bylsma his first career series clinch at home. If the Penguins lose, expect disappointment. If the Bolts or Bruins lose, look for dejection. If the Habs either win or lose, look for riots.