Markus Naslund ready to retire?

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Proud and classy to the apparent end, Markus Naslund has told his Rangers teammates he is retiring despite having one season at $3 million remaining on the two-year, $8 million free agent contract he signed last summer, The Post has learned.

It is believed that the 35-year-old Naslund, who wore down dramatically as the season and then the seven-game series against the Caps progressed, notified GM Glen Sather of his decision at his exit interview on Thursday, though The Post has not been able to confirm that.

5 unanswered goals in less than 16 minutes

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Down often so far during the playoffs, the young Chicago Blackhawks never feel as if they're out of any game. An early, two-goal hole didn't faze them one bit Saturday night.
Patrick Sharp scored twice to tie it and Dave Bolland put Chicago ahead with a short-handed breakaway to help the Blackhawks tie their second-round playoff series at a game apiece with a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. Down 2-0 after power-play goals by Sami Salo and Alexander Edler in the first seven minutes, Chicago took over Game 2 of the best-of-7 series with a strong second period.
"We're a confident team and we know despite the score we're still in any hockey game," Sharp said. "It's nice to have the ability to come back again."

My "Today's Hero Award" goes to Blackhawk Patrik Sharp.

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Caps Win First Game

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Caps' third-line center David Steckel (39) had a monster game that will certainly be overshadowed in the storylines that follow by the superstars in the series. Steckel scored the Caps first goal at 13:50 of the first period by going hard to the net and punching home a rebound before barreling into Fleury. He really wound up being Fleury's worst nightmare as he constantly found himself in front of the Pens' goalie, disrupting his vision on numerous occasions. Steckel got 19:11 of ice time and won 65 percent (11-6) of his faceoffs. He was also credited with four takeaways and two hits. He was on the ice in the final minute after the Pens pulled Fleury and won a defensive zone faceoff with 31.8 seconds left.

Today's hero - Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom

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Nicklas Lidstrom usually plays a subtle style of hockey appreciated most by coaches, players and die-hard fans.
The Detroit Red Wings defenseman's latest performance, though, was so spectacular it impressed an opponent.
"Special player," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said.
Lidstrom scored his second goal of the game with 49.1 seconds left and had an assist, lifting the Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Ducks on Friday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series.
"I just get so amazed how he performs out there in a big game like this, in the last minute like that," teammate Jonathan Ericsson said. "He's so calm out there. I guess the experience speaks for itself. I get goose bumps."
During Detroit's opening-round sweep over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Lidstrom was, yet again, a tower of strength. He has possessed one of the best sticks in the game -- capable of sweeping the puck or forcing an opponent wide just by his positioning. He's not overly physical because he doesn't need to be. That speaks volumes about his ability to excel in any situation.

Is there any question Nicklas Lidstrom will conclude his career as the greatest defenseman in the history of the Red Wings?

I have put some of my photos from this game to MY PHOTO ALBUMS

Boston Beats Carolina, Takes 1-0 Lead

Boston blew away the Hurricanes in a dominating 4-1 victory in Game 1 at TD Banknorth Garden. It was the Bruins' fifth-straight victory to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs -- and in those five games, Boston has outscored its opposition 21-7.
The Bruins simply played the hockey that delivered them to the top of the Eastern Conference and left them just one point shy of winning the Presidents' Trophy as the League's best team.
They rolled four lines, played a disciplined game, got solid goaltending from Tim Thomas (26 saves) and defended across all three zones, forcing Carolina to make mistakes with the puck.
"We're playing pretty solid defensively and that is what helps us offensively," forward Michael Ryder said. "We create turnovers in the neutral zone and we take advantage of it. That is one of our strengths in the neutral zone and tonight we tried to clog up the neutral zone and force turnovers.
The Bruins continue to play disciplined hockey this postseason. Boston only gave Carolina one power play in Game 1, and that was after establishing a commanding 4-1 lead. Boston has allowed just nine power plays in five games and has yet to give up a man-advantage goal.

NIKALE PHOTOS. Marc Savard and Zdeno Chara during yesterday game

I have put some of my photos from this game to MY PHOTO ALBUMS

LaFleur Found Guilty

Let this morning's news about former Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers legend Guy Lafleur be a lesson to all of you "cool" dads out there: If you're going to be your son's wing-man when he's out on bail, don't lie about it in court.

From the CBC, news that the Hockey Hall of Famer has been found guilty of giving contradictory testimony and misleading a judge:

When handing down the verdict Friday morning at the Montreal courthouse, Quebec court judge Claude Parent said it was obvious Lafleur knew he was lying when he first testified at his son's bail hearing. Lafleur showed no reaction when Parent announced the verdict.

After his son was arrested in 2007 on assault charges, Lafleur agreed to supervise him as part of his bail conditions, which included a curfew. When asked in court if Mark had ever failed to spend a night at home during the time he was under curfew, Lafleur said no.

But at his son's review for the bail hearing, Lafleur told a judge that he drove Mark to a hotel to meet his 16-year old girlfriend, because he felt it was important for them to spend some intimate time together.


- The dad was trouble-maker, smoking during the game. The son goes further... Too bad. Guy is my childhood hero.
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Ted Leonsis' Series Foreword

We Got the Peanuts and the Circus is in Town
Please read this article by Michael Wilbon in today’s Washington Post.

It refers to our pending series with Pittsburgh as a “circus” but also as a celebration of great talent and of high-spirited competitiveness between two very good young talent laden teams.

We all must remember that the circus is great family entertainment where safety, security and high value is of paramount importance which is our commitment to everyone.

We all get back to work today. We had a day to chill out and I must admit that no one now is thinking of the past but is now just focused on the immediate task at hand. The joy we felt after winning Game 7 against the Rangers is now long gone for the staff and the players. The specter of playing a great team in Round 2 is now on everyone’s mind.

Our opponent is a mirror image of our team. They have been rebuilt in a similar fashion only they are ahead of us in the plan as they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. And this year, they also ended the season as one of the best teams in the entire NHL.

They have great goaltending; a strong D corps; a high scoring D man; edgy wings; veterans in the lineup; and two sublime world class centers. They also have a great ownership group; a terrific new coach; and a rabid and passionate fan base.

And soon they will have a much deserved world class facility to play in. It is a shame that both teams will have to play back to back games later in the series because the Pittsburgh building - against NHL rules - booked a series of concerts and forced the league to alter the playoff schedule. This is bad for the league, both fan bases and for the players.

The playoffs are very intense and physical and players need time to recoup. No one is advantaged by playing back to back games so no one can complain but it is unfortunate that the Yanni concert takes precedence over high quality NHL playoff hockey.

I also have stated publicly that I believe rivalries are forged in the playoffs and that Pittsburgh has certainly had the upper hand in our historic series. Until we get closer to them in terms of winning percentages in the playoffs, I understand why this isn’t yet a classic rivalry.

I am sure the league and the networks will set all sorts of ratings highs this series and that both fan bases will be on high alert with the passion and creativity flowing. This is the kind of series that you play the game to be involved in - great talent, high expectations and high drama. We need to embrace it. Extend it. Enjoy it and play to our capabilities.

This series represents the next step in the evolution for our team. This is a gigantic test for us. We will prepare well. Wish us luck. Start to save up those good vibes and we will see you all on Saturday at Verizon Center. Onward. Go Caps!

The Second Round Opener

It looks like the kind of special Blackhawks entertainment to come back from 3 goals deficit during this playoffs. But not to come back only! It’s too boring for these guys. They have to overcome opposite team domination, have it done within one period and at the top off all – to lose the game finally. More likely finding some stupid way to do it. To take unnecessary penalty or allowed 3-on-1 rush 1 minute to play etc. This funny team did it again yesterday against Vancouver. Canuck Sami Salo scored on a 3-on-1 rush with 1:13 left, and Vancouver beat Chicago 5-3 on Thursday night in the series opener after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period. After Nikolai Khabibulin made a sliding save on Steve Bernier’s one-timer, the trailing Salo was all alone to tap in the rebound. Great way to lose another unbelievable comeback! At least, it’s fun to watch.

I have put some of my photos from this game to MY PHOTO ALBUMS

Pre-Game Ceremony. NIKALE PHOTOS