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Silly me – I saw Andrei Kostitsyn take a wicked shot off the foot in Game 1 and hobble off the ice. And then after Game 2 I report (below) that he was a healthy scratch. Duh. Obviously he’s hurt. I did think they put the hook on him too quickly. Now I know why. So I guess, there is no longer a certainty that he gets big points when he returns, since this doesn’t count as a benching.

If I’m the Penguins I let Kovalev, Dupuis, Rupp, Godard, Adams, Conner and Johnson go as UFA’s. I keep Comrie (for same rock-bottom price and hope the new hip is “as advertised” and he can play 70+), Talbot and Asham. I then go after Larose, Fleischmann and McCormick – and fill the other spots with Jeffrey and whomever prospect EARNS the spot (not necessarily Tangradi). There you go – affordable, all roles filled, and talented.

With Bobby Ryan out for two games, it looks like the Ducks will be trying Brandon McMillan on the big line. Jarkko Ruutu gets back into the lineup after being scratched.

If Drew Doughty goes nutty like that for a couple more games, the Kings will do what I didn’t think they could without Kopitar – win a series. In a word – Dominant. Two goals, two assists, plus-2. The question is not ‘will he win a Norris?’ The question is ‘so, how many Norris Trophies will he win?’

I was a little surprised when I opened up my dictionary and looked for an exact definition for the word “useless”. It said ‘See Penner, Dustin’. Weird, eh?

In 21 games for the Kings, Penner has a whopping six points.

Mark it – next year you will put Kyle Clifford above the Avery’s, the Prusts and the Carcillos. I say 25-30 points and 200+ PIM.

If the Sharks want to win, they need to even this stat out a little more: Joe Thornton 22:54; Joe Pavelski 14:45. The gap in skill and clutch performance doesn’t warrant the gap in ice time.

Sergei Bobrovsky got yanked after allowing three goals on seven shots. If this series goes to seven, I think you’ll see Leighton.

The Coyotes didn’t show up for the 2nd period in Game 1. They didn’t show up for the 1st in Game 2. The other four periods they won. But if they can’t play a full game, they’re toast in four straight.

That Flyers-Sabres game was my favorite game of the playoffs so far. So much back and forth – that first period was goal after goal, back-and-forth.

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Carey Price, the man whom some of you were so upset with me about for keeping him in my Top 5 keeper goalies last season – even No.1 for a time – has allowed one goal on 65 shots so far in the postseason. Could another hot goalie carry the Habs through two rounds again?

This is why I hope that more of you criticize me and disagree with me – but not get so adamant or bent out of shape over it. Allow for the possibility of my opinion, while inserting your own. You look less a fool that way!

The Habs actually scratched Andrei Kostitsyn. When he gets back in the lineup, look for some production. Happens every time with this guy. Too bad he can’t get motivated on his own.

Boston should take a page out of that book and scratch Nathan Horton. It wouldn’t make a difference to the game, as we haven’t noticed him anyway.

I’m on the road today, so further updates will be this afternoon…

Awesome.