San Jose and Pittsburgh Advance; Join Flyers in Semi-Finals

The San Jose Sharks overcame Dan Boyle’s colossal mistake in game three to advance into the Western Conference semifinals. During the final three games of the series the Sharks outscored the Colorado Avalanche 12-3. Joe Pavelski led the Sharks with five goals in the series, including two game-winners. "We realized that nothing comes easy after last year," Pavelski said.

The Sharks were on the verge of another disappointing playoff campaign before goaltender Evgeni Nabokov played lights-out during game four with 33 saves in a 2-1 overtime win. The game was highlighted by Dan Boyle who netted the game winner in overtime. It was sweet redemption for Boyle who in game three scored on his own team to win the game in overtime for the Avalanche.

Finally, what we have learned from this series? San Jose can battle adversity and overcome tough losses meaning they have the ability to go deep into the playoffs.

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins finished off the Ottawa Senators in overtime to advance in six games next round. Pittsburgh’s experience and offense was no match for Ottawa as the series progressed. Pascal Dupuis scored his first goal in the series in overtime helping his club advance. Sidney Crosby leads the NHL in points during the playoffs with 14 (5 g, 9 a).

I did predict the games for each series, check out how I did.
Western Conference Predictions:
Eastern Conference Predictions:

Dan Boyle, Game 3 Goat

Unlikely help, Sharks, Boyle gives Colorado 2-1 series lead.



After both clubs split each of the first two games of the series, the Colorado Avalanche took a 2-1 lead in the series over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night. The Sharks outplayed the Avalanche during the entire game and managed to get on the scoreboard, unfortunately it was the wrong end of the score sheet.

51 seconds into overtime Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle attempted to pass the puck behind his own net. Instead, the puck was directed towards Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov and slipped past him for the game winning goal. "We didn't beat their goalie," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "We found a way to beat ours."

Avalanche center Ryan O’Reilly was credited with the game winning goal. "Overall, they outplayed us today," O'Reilly said. "Andy kept us in it. Andy deserved this one.”

Colorado goaltender Craig Anderson stopped 51 shots in his first career playoff shutout. Over the years, Anderson has gotten use to being peppered with a high volume number of shots playing in cities like Chicago, Florida and now Colorado. It wasn’t the typical ending either team expected in game three but this is playoff hockey and we need to expect the unexpected.

As for Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle, his teammates have their full support. "It's unfortunate. It happens," Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. "It's not his fault and nobody blames him." One thing is for sure, if the Sharks hope to erase the memories of seasons past, they will need to win this series to show the fans of San Jose that they are not pretenders. They must show resilience in game four and provide a reason for why they were the top seed in the Western Conference.