Unbelievable third period effort.

Have to think this series goes seven games now? Wings are still up against it, but at least they're saving some face.

It's really becoming a great parlor game to see what Red Wing is going to get a cheap shot from Ryanne Clowe at the end of a given contest. Tonight's winner was Kronwall for - gasp! - making a fantastic, legal hit.

Hate to see the Preds go down, but they played very well. Kessler was a monster and the difference in the series.

Sharks-Wings is going to be a good one tonight.....

And, mostly importantly, Kesler is American. There have been quite a few exemplary performances (Van Riemsdyk, Jimmy Howard, Ryan Kesler) in the playoffs from American-born hockey players. Hopefully, this is a harbinger of things to come for future Olympics and world championships.

Old Man Modano in for the Wings tonight, and Clowe is apparently still feeling the effects of a Nikolas Kronwall check as well. Considering Franzen has been a non-factor, I'd say that's advantage Wings in the lineup changes, even if Modano is about 75.

Well, all things considered - going down 3-0, and playing game seven basically without three of their top six forwards - the Wings can go into the offseason a proud bunch. I hate Joe Thornton's assface.

Ditto...worse thing is now I have to back the B's or the Canuckies. :(

As much as I hate New England sports, Boston is the obvious choice for an impartial observer. First of all, they're an original six team who haven't won in forever (see 2010 and Blackhawks, Chicago). Second, they're not in f'ing California or Florida.

The Lightning would actually be likeable if they weren't in Florida. There's nothing remotely likeable about either the Sharks or the Canucks.

Once the Hawks were ousted, I too was looking for a team. Buffalo and Philly didn't work out so well, and I grew up despising the Bs, but may have to lean that way. Tampa would be cool, but their fans ( and I use the plural loosely) don't deserve it...just not sure what to do.

It's slim pickings. I almost want to root for the Canucks, but Gary Bettman has been desperate for a Canadien Stanley Cup champ for years now, and I'd hate to see a smile on his face a month from now. The Sharks seem to have pretty good fans, but it's hard to like a team led by such perennial losers as Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, and Joe Thornton.

Like I said, hard not to like Marty St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, etc., but those guys play in friggin' Tampa and already have one NHL-engineered Stanley Cup championship in their pocket.

Meanwhile, the Lightning have five Americans on their roster, the Sharks have five, the Canucks have six, and the Bruins have only three (though one of them is ubergoalie Tim Thomas, so I guess that counts for something).

Joe Thornton came to PLAY last night. His best play last nite imo was rushing back to break up the odd man rush. My favorite non-Flyers game of the playoffs thus far.

Thornton made a great pass that led to the Setoguchi goal on the first period power play. (Speaking of Setoguchi, he's one of the least likeable guys going from an opposition fan standpoint. No idea why, the man just grates on you.) That being said, he has a long and storied career of diving and other assorted gutless plays.

I have a hard time rooting for the Sharks, though the number one reason why has to be Dany Heatley, who makes me wish Claude Lemieux were still around.

Tampa owned the Bruins last night. They are on a big time roll right now.

Wonder if the cheap shot at the end of the game will set the tone for the rest of the series.......

Should be a good one tonight.

Goaltending has not been great, but save Chara, both defenses have been awful with the puck and both goalies have had to face continual odd man rushes because of turnovers. Not entirely their fault, but it should be another high scoring affair.

Goaltending - Boston
Defense - Boston
Offense - Tampa
Special Teams - Tampa
Coaching - Tampa
Home Ice - Boston

Winner - Boston

Is that coaching or choking that you give the edge to Tampa?:)

What's wrong with Bergenheim? I love the "undisclosed upper body injury". Whatever the hell it is, put some ice on it and get back out there.

Undisclosed upper body injury generally means concussion. If he wants to be speaking clearly in 20 years, Bergenheim best sit this one out.

Thank you for your spell check.

Not that it matters, but it is "lower body". Rumor is it is a groin strain, which is not a good one if you have to make a living moving and changing directions quickly on skates. Either upper or lower, he is not playing tonight.

My favorite "lower body" was the Nick Lidstrom injury of the 2009 playoffs. I'm in pain just thinking about it.

Wow, what a first period. Then again the whole series has been this good.

I am not a hockey fan but that was awesome