Playoffs Preview and Live Thread, May 10

The field shrank last night and it has the chance to shrink even further by the end of the night's festivities. We said goodbye to old friend Peter Budaj and the Montreal Canadiens, as old frenemy Craig Anderson continued backstopping the remarkable Ottawa Senators' run. And the Chicago Blackhawks eliminated the Minnesota Wild, who were on their third goalie of the series.

Tonight, the Leafs, wings, and Blues fight for their lives:

#5 Toronto Maple Leafs at #4 Boston Bruins (3-1 BOS)

7:00 Eastern, NHL Network, CBC, RDS

Boy was Game 4 heartrending for Toronto. They led 2-0 at one point, but the Bruins said lolnah and scored three goals. In overtime Tuukka Rask basically won single-handedly. It was all around a fantastic game and if you missed it you're poorer for doing so.

Boston can put the Centre of the Universe out of contention tonight. If they win, the Bruins are safe from Pittsburgh, but could play anyone from Washington to the Islanders, depending on other series results.

#6 New York Rangers at #3 Washington Capitals (2-2)

7:30 Eastern, NBC Sports, TSN

So far the home team is undefeated in this series. So... Caps in 7.

#2 Anaheim Ducks at #7 detroit red wings (3-2 ANA)

8:00 Eastern, CNBC, TSN

Quack, indeed, ladies and gentlemen. Quack in fucking deed.

With a win tonight, Anaheim would move on to the second round and face the winner of our next series:

#4 St. Louis Blues at #5 Los Angeles Kings (3-2 LAK)

10:00 Eastern, NBC Sports, CBC

And to cap the night, arguably the best series of the postseason so far as St. Louis plays for their lives against the defending champs. This series has had everything from overtime to last-minute goals (twice!) to gnarly hitting to games with 1 goal to games with 7 goals. Will we have seven games?

Or, if the Kings win tonight, they would move on and face either Anaheim (if they win tonight) or San Jose (if the worst should happen and the Ducks blow this. Don't you fucking blow this, Ducks.)