Phightins

Semyon Varlamov looks horrific. If there is one reason for the Flyers to hold a bit of hope....

Placido Polanco is back in the lineup tonight.

Jeez....Mike Green is a finalist for the Norris, but Chris Pronger and Shea Weber are not. Hmm. I think Drew Doughty should win it regardless, so hopefully he still does, but there is no way Mike Green is a top 3 defenseman in the NHL. His numbers are just ridiculous.

^Lol. I feel bad for Brodeur though, because a lot of Devils fans are blaming him for this series, when he was mostly awesome.

Onto round 2! Hoping Montreal can pull off the miracle, but it's looking like we'll get the Capitals.

I agree safety is the Eagles' biggest need, but a pass rushing DE was a very close 2nd.

I like what I am reading about Brandon Graham. Definitely fills a huge need. I'd be lying if I said I know a lot about him, but Schefter, Mortensen, and Gruden like him a lot.

That was absolutely an intentional shower.

Brewers beat Pirates 20-0. The Pirates have been outscored 85-13 in their losses. I actually thought they'd be a bit better this year...

Well, you sure called that, haha. Missed by a couple months but close enough.

IDK, Laviolette has been pretty consistent throughout this series. Giroux JVR and Asham seem to be really good together, and obviously I don't see many other options for that 4th line. If Laliberte sucks, I guess they could move him down there and put Powe somewhere else, but other than that I don't know.

Lines tonight: Carcillo-Richards-Laliberte Hartnell-Briere-Leino van Riemsdyk-Giroux-Asham Powe-Betts-Laperriere I am glad they did not split up the Giroux line. I thought they might move Giroux up to take Carter's spot, but it makes more sense to just slide Briere over from wing to center and throw Leino onto the wing, so it won't kill the chemistry. Similarly, the Richards line stays in tact too, with Laliberte simply taking Gagne's spot. Laliberte is a right handed shot so I am guessing Carcillo will move to left wing. I expect to see the Giroux line get a lot more ice time tonight. They have been the best line so far this series.

I think they are a very good team that has a chance to be a top 2 or 3 team in the NHL within a couple of years. Drew Doughty might be the best defenseman in the NHL, and if he isn't now he sure as hell will be within a year or 2. I don't see many legitimate weaknesses to be honest. Lots of youth with even more room for improvement. Like a lot of other teams in this salary cap age, it will be interesting to see how the Kings handle it when these guys need big contracts.

The Braves actually got better swings on Doc than anybody had in his first 3 starts. The Phillies defense saved a couple of runs.

Polanco apparently will be alright. Might miss tomorrow's game but should be OK.

The Phillies are coming down with New York Mets syndrome. The injury list grows larger. Brad Lidge, JC Romero Joe Blanton, JA Happ, Jimmy Rollins, and now Placido Polanco.

BOS/BUF with an incredible game. Satan wins it in 2OT.

Neftali Feliz hitting 102 on the gun tonight.

I think it's a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. As soon as somebody gets hurt, or when Carlos Silva starts pitching like Carlos Silva, he will be right back in there.

Not bragging about the Phillies, they have mostly been garbage for the past week. Just pointing out that being 2.5 games behind a team struggling as badly as the Phillies is not really something the Mets should be proud of. And if you want to rip on the Phillies for beating up on poor competition, that's fine, but it isn't like the Mets have been overly successful against the "non playoff teams" you referenced. And you're really one to complain about rude snotty comments..... But back on topic....Doc Halladay...he's pretty good. Placido Polanco hurt his elbow though....

Where do you see bragging? I am just questioning why you are so happy about being 2.5 games out of first place in mid April, when the team you are chasing is coming off 4 losses in 5 games. That is terrible.

Wow, the Cubs are moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen to be their setup man.

If the Mets wouldn't have lost 2 of 3 to the Washington Nationals, you might have an argument.

[expletive], news just keeps getting better... Simon Gagne will be out for at least 3 weeks, and Jeff Carter is probably out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Great...Carter and Gagne both out tomorrow night.