The early games

Good playoff action so far. The Penguins-Senators match Saturday was a remarkable game. Yesterday's was much rougher and less artistic.

The Stars and Canucks continue to play close, tight-checking games. I haven't caught Rangers-Thrashers yet, but I like the results.

It will be interesting to see how Buffalo handles a little adversity, having dropped Game 2 at home. I would expect the Sabres to bounce back and return the favor on Long Island.

Anaheim and Detroit are looking very good taking care of business. I've been surprised at how different Calgary is from the team that battled the Lightning to Game 7 three years ago. Kiprusoff is just as good, but the team intensity that the Flames brought in 2004 is nowhere near the same. In 2004, it was all speed all out for 60 minutes. These Flames don't have the speed and get stupid penalties. Of course, it's only been since last year that the refs started calling obstruction penalties through the neutral zone, so it's possible the Flames are not getting away with stuff they did three years ago.

And Devils/Lightning are knotted up, as are San Jose and Nashville.