No. 1 Vancouver vs. No. 8 Chicago
(Canucks lead series 3-1)

Game 1: Canucks 2, Blackhawks 0

Game 2: Canucks 4, Blackhawks 3

Game 3: Canucks 3, Blackhawks 2

Game 4: Blackhawks 7, Canucks 2
In his first game back from a 17-game absence with a concussion, Dave Bolland scored a goal and contributed three assists to lead the defending Stanley Cup champions to a 7-2 thrashing of Vancouver and stave off elimination, at least for one night. Patrick Sharp had a pair of power-play tallies in a chippy third period that featured pushing, shoving, jawing and a fight that could lead to even more physical play in an already highly physical series in Game 5. The Blackhawks got an offensive lift from their defensemen as Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith scored 17 seconds apart in a four-goal second period. Sami Salo scored on a power play for the Canucks in the first period and Daniel Sedin added a power-play goal on a tip-in in the final period.
Dave Bolland scored a goal and added three assists in his first game back from a concussion to help the Blackhawks avoid elimination. (Nam Y. Huh - AP)

Game 5: Thursday at Vancouver, 10

Quote of the night: ‘‘We didn’t want to end it like this. We’re too good of a team not to challenge Vancouver into a series. Obviously, they’re in great shape and they’re a great hockey club. But we’re just going to have some fun and see what can go on.’’ — Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell

- Read the full game story from Tuesday

- Box score

- Chicago Tribune columnist David Haugh wonders aloud: where have the Blackhawks that showed up Tuesday night been?

- Dave Bolland’s triumphant return keys Blackhawks’ offensive explosion (Chicago Tribune)

- The Blackhawks finally slowed Vancouver’s “hellacious” forecheck in Tuesday’s win, writes Tribune blogger Steve Rosenbloom

- The defending champs proved it ain’t over yet with Tuesday’s dominating victory on home ice (Chicago Sun Times)

- More from the Sun Times: For the first time all series, the Blackhawks went from being the hunter to the hunters, out-hitting the Canucks and forcing them out of their game

- ‘Super’ Dave Bolland’s star turn gives Blackhawks fans a reason to believe, writes Vancouver Sun columnist Iain MacIntyre

- Vancouver Sun columnist Cam Cole explains how the Canucks’ brooms were replaced with boos Tuesday in Chicago

No. 2 San Jose vs. No. 7 Los Angeles
(Sharks lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Sharks 3, Kings 2 (OT)

Game 2: Kings 4, Sharks 0

Game 3: Sharks 6, Kings 5 (OT)
The Kings were cruising along with a four-goal lead. Then came an offensive barrage by the San Jose Sharks so swift and stunning that Los Angeles never could answer. After their hosts took a 4-0 lead early in the second period, the Sharks pulled goalie Antti Niemi for Antero Nittymaki (11 saves) who gave San Jose a sudden boost that resulted in a pair of quick goals to cut the deficit to 4-2 - the Sharks had not scored for more than four periods since their overtime winner in Game 1. Joe Pavelski scored the tying goal late in the second period and Devin Setoguchi scored 3:09 into overtime to give the Sharks an improbable 6-5 victory and a 2-1 series lead.
Devin Setoguchi celebrates his game-winning overtime goal. (LUCY NICHOLSON - REUTERS)

Game 4: Thursday at Los Angeles, 10:30

- Read the full game story from Tuesday

- Box score

- From the San Jose Mercury News: The Sharks became only the third team to rally from a four-goal deficit to win a playoff game

- Whether the Sharks win or lose this series, ‘they are going to take their followers through a carnival funhouse and/or house of horrors before getting to the end of the ride’, writes Mercury News columnist Mark Purdy

- Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times chronicles the Kings’ crushing collapse in Game 3

- Video: The Kings discuss the loss in the post-game locker room (L.A. Times)

No. 3 Detroit vs. No. 6 Phoenix
(Red Wings lead series 3-0)

Game 1: Red Wings 4, Coyotes 2

Game 2: Red Wings 4, Coyotes 3

Game 3: Red Wings 4, Coyotes 2

Game 4: Tonight at Phoenix, 10:30

- This is Johan “The Mule” Franzen’s time of year, writes Detroit Free Press columnist Michael Rosenburg

Quote of the day: “This is Johan Franzen’s time of year. I don’t just mean he plays well. I mean we should name it after him. From now on, the seasons should be known as Winter, Mule, Summer and Fall.” - Detroit Free Press columnist Michael Rosenburg

- More from the Free Press: Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard is finding his comfort zone

- Hours after the puck drop at Jobing.com Arena Wednesday night, there will be a form of resolution for the Coyotes: face the music or prepare for Game 5. The Coyotes cannot look beyond the moment (Arizona Republic)

No. 4 Anaheim vs. No. 5 Nashville
(Predators lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Predators 4, Ducks 1

Game 2: Ducks 5, Predators 3

Game 3: Predators 4, Ducks 3

Game 4: Tonight at Nashville, 8:30

- War of words escalates as Ducks accuse Predators of diving, Nashville’s coach says talk is ‘disrespectful’

- The pressure is building on the Ducks heading into Game 4 (Orange County Register)

- Predators defenseman Shane O’Brien has been punishing the Ducks in the playoffs, and he believes game officials are taking notice (The Tennessean)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Washington vs. No. 8 New York
(Capitals lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Capitals 2, Rangers 1 (OT)

Game 2: Capitals 2, Rangers 0

Game 3: Rangers 3, Capitals 2

Game 4: Tonight at New York, 7 (Versus)
Earlier this week Bruce Boudreau said “it’s not that loud” in Madison Square Garden, and the Caps hope to keep it that way with a strong start Wednesday night. (Toni L. Sandys - WASHINGTON POST)

- Caps beat reporter Katie Carrera writes that as they prepare for Wednesday’s game, the Capitals are looking to re-establish that tenacious physicality without reacting to any of the Rangers’ agitation

- The Caps cannot afford to let this series go seven games if they want to make a run at the Cup, writes Tracee Hamilton

- Despite taking another big hit in Game 3 that Coach Bruce Boudreau called “dirty,” Mike Green is not worried about the Rangers’ physical play

- Video: The PostSports Live crew discusses whether or not it’s time for the Caps to start worrying

- The Caps must make a statement that they have shed their old playoff tendencies in Game 4, writes Box Seats blogger Kareem El-Alaily

- From the Insider: Mike Knuble takes a “maintenance day” but will play Wednesday

- Box Seats blogger Nicole Weissman details five reasons why this series won’t end the same way last year’s Montreal series did

- More from the Insider: Rangers Coach John Tortorella responds to Boudreau’s accusations

- From the New York Daily News: Bruce Boudreau’s complaints about Madison Square Garden will only make it a more hostile environment for the visiting Capitals on Wednesday

- More from the Daily News: Tortorella calls Boudreau a whiner

- New York Times: Sharp words will only increase intensity in an already hard-hitting series

No. 2 Philadelphia vs. No. 7 Buffalo
(Flyers lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Sabres 1, Flyers 0

Game 2: Flyers 6, Sabres 5

Game 3: Flyers 4, Sabres 2

Game 4: Tonight at Buffalo, 7:30

- Nikolay Zherdev showed up just in the nik of time in Game 3 for the Flyers, writes Philadelphia Daily News columnist Rich Hofmann

- The Sabres are out-hitting the always-chippy, always-physical Flyers - and they trail in the series 2-1 as a result - writes Daily News columnist Sam Donnellon

- The Sabres have been playing catch-up all season, so their mentality heading into tonight’s Game 4 trailing 2-1 in the series, is quite familiar (Buffalo News)

No. 3 Boston vs. No. 6 Montreal
(Canadiens lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Canadiens 2, Bruins 0

Game 2: Canadiens 3, Bruins 1

Game 3: Bruins 3, Canadiens 2

Game 4: Thursday at Montreal, 7

- With a big road win in Game 3, the Bruins are relaxed and ready to even the series tonight in Montreal

- After three games, one thing is certain, the first goal of tonight’s Game 3 will be critical (Montreal Gazette)

- From the Boston Globe: Bruins spirits lifted in Lake Placid following Game 3 win

- Boston goalie Tim Thomas soaks in the memories of Lake Placid and the 1980 Olympics (Boston Globe)

No. 4 Pittsburgh vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay
(Penguins lead series 2-1)

Game 1: Penguins 3, Lightning 0

Game 2: Lightning 5, Penguins 1

Game 3: Penguins 3, Lightning 2

Game 4: Tonight at Tampa Bay, 7

- Tampa’s Steve Downie, Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz suspended for Game 4 for hits in Game 3

- From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pens top-ranked penalty kill has looked anything but through the last two games

- It’s been a baffling, illogical series so far, writes Post-Gazette columnist Gene Collier

- From the Tampa Tribune: The Lightning know the emotional challenge they face trailing Pittsburgh 2-1 in the best-of-seven series