Pucks On The 'Net: Rapture Edition

For all those who may be greatly disappointed today, just remember this: If the rapture doesn't happen today; it's not the end of the world.

Just keeping it all in perspective. Here's some hockey thoughts for today.

Boston/Tampa Bay

• Game 4 in this series goes today. It marks the final game of the season for TSN. Great job by these guys.
• Although he often seems to let in a goal early, Tim Thomas remains hot. Thomas is 5-1 on the road in the playoffs with a .941 save percentage. He is also 8-1 in these playoffs when the Bruins are outshot.
  
• Hot for Tampa Bay is Martin St Louis, who has 3 goals, 5 assists for 8 points over the past 6 games
  
• Afternoon games are always a wild card. Hockey players work at night, not in the afternoons. It will be interesting to see which players struggle out of the gate.
• Tampa is 4-0 this season (including playoffs) in afternoon games. Boston is 6-6.

Vancouver/San Jose

• Game 3 between San Jose and Vancouver was predictable. Vancouver took way too many penalties early and San Jose capitalized. Had Vancouver been able to score on their extended 5 on 3 power play late in the second, there would have been overtime.
• What is with coach Vigneault's refusal to put the Sedins on the penalty kill? When the team is constantly on the PK, the Sedins just sit on the bench, not getting their legs or head into the game. Vigneault needs to do a better job there.
• Look at Joe Thornton killing penalties. That may be the best thing that ever happened to him. On the PK he's forced to keep his feet moving. A constant criticism of the big man over the years is he stops skating and wants to slow the play down to his level. Now he's forced into a skating game early on. That's when he's most dangerous.
• If Vancouver can keep this a 5 on 5 game, they will win. If it becomes a power play fest, flip a coin. Whoever gets the PPs early in the game will likely win that particular game.
• Unfortunately, what may ultimately end up deciding this series may be the injury factor. The Canucks have already said both Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome will not be available for game 4. Between Ehrhoff and previously injured Mikael Samuelsson, the Canucks are without their two point men on their first unit power play.
• I expect Andrew Alberts and Keith Ballard to step in for game 4.

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