Rangers 4-'Canes 1

My two favorite teams. But sorry, 'Canes, Rangers will always be #1 to me. So last night was a good game for me. My team played outstanding, the best I have seen the Rangers play this year based on 7 to 8 viewings. The 'Canes looked flat, generating few scoring chances, especially when the game was still close. And once the Rangers took a 3-1 lead, I thought the 'Canes basically packed it in; they never made a push in the 3rd period at all.

The Eastern Conference is a jam right now. Rangers are 3 points out of a playoff birth, but there's a mess of teams in contention. With some 30 games left, it's basically playoff time now, and teams have to give it their all every night. The 'Canes, who with 64 points are hanging onto that last spot, tied with Montreal, have to do more if they want the chance to defend the Cup.

Excellent move by Nashville, by the way, acquiring Peter Forsberg. Getting the most talented veteran out there, especially good in the playoffs, is the kind of move a team on the brink makes. Much like the 'Canes acquired Doug Weight last year. And Forsberg is way more talented than Weight. Will be interesting to see if Predators can push deep into the playoffs. Much less hold off the Detroit Red Wings for their division title and points lead.