Sunday Observations...

Sorry for not getting out a playoff diary last night (or this morning)... I had to hit the sack right after that marathon game!
But I will give you my obversations from yesterday's action.

The first game featured a classic between the Rangers and Penguins. Easily one of the best games of this playoff season. Mike Emrick (NBC play-by-play) almost killed himself on many occasions during the 3rd period. The Ruutu-Jagr feud was fun to watch. I loved it when Ruutu pushed Jagr to the ice after a friendly conversation at the faceoff.
Hossa's overtime goal was, I think, the moment of the playoffs so far. He's been accused of slacking off in postseason play, but he answered his critics yesterday. I've never heard a louder eruption through a TV than the Igloo yesterday. When Hossa scored, the roof exploded. It was so great to see that, especially for the city of Pittsburgh.
It was still a productive season for the Rangers, despite one less game than they did last year. They've seen Dubinsky and Dawes grow into formidable NHL players. Gomez and Drury provided a lot on the offensive end of the ice. The biggest question for New York is whether Jagr and Shanahan will return next season.

The Stars/Sharks game was the most exciting 2-1 game I've ever watched (and the longest). It took 5 hours and 14 minutes to decide a winner.
The 1st overtime was insane. Nabokov had that incredible glove save on Richards right on the goal line early in the extra period, and stopped Ribeiro point blank late in the 1st OT. Ribeiro also rang one off the post seconds later. Turco had a couple great saves point blank, including a sliding kick save on Marleau. Overtimes 2 and 3 provided some excitement, but not as much as the 1st OT.
Morrow's slick tip-in in front of Nabokov sealed San Jose's fate. This is now the 4th straight playoff season where the Sharks couldn't live up to their expectations put on by the media and the fans.
Let's go back to regulation. Brendan Morrow pulvarised Milan Michalek at the end of the 3rd. It was definitely a clean shot, and left Michalek dazed and confused. Michalek's presence in the overtimes could have been a difference... but we'll never know!!

Yesterday was definitely one of the most exciting days of hockey that I can remember, and there were only 2 games! 2 of the best games I've seen in a long while.