Lots going on in the NHL in the past few days, lets start in the East.  Flyers are playing well, winning yesterday on home ice with a 4-0 shutout.  Penguins are banged up, and have been all season but still lead the Eastern Conference.  Penguins lose to the Flyers in heartbreaking fashion, the tying goal going off the goal post with no time left, 4-3.  Personally, I was NOT heartbroken, go Flyers!

Montreal was in Ottawa last night and played a disinterested style after coming out of the gate hard.  The Sens were leading 4-1 and were 3:42 from a decisive home win when the roof fell in on them.

It began with an even strength Lars Eller goal, yet it seemed at the time like it might be a garbage goal.  Eller didn’t even smile or react when he scored, breaking a 22 game scoreless streak for him.  Brian Gionta scored a minute later, the Habs pulled Scarey Price and scored with .4 seconds left on a power play goal by David Desharnais to tie the game at four.

The OT goal was anticlimactic, the Sens were apoplectic and the puck was in the nectic.  The fans went crazy and most went home happy.  Very entertaining Hockey Night in Canada game.

Boston Bruins continue to roll, looking like the class of the East with a decisive win over the Hurricanes.  They are so deep, their D is amazing, they have a world class goalie and they have such balanced scoring that they look like Finalists.

Out West, the Blues continue to roll, beating Smashville 4-1, Patrick Berglund netting two goals. Ryan Miller has played great since coming over from the Sabres at the trade deadline, going 6-0-1.  They are loaded, ripe for an upset, lol.

The Wild lose in a shootout to Columbus in a tough, playoff intensity atmosphere.  The BJs are very difficult to play against and their young star Ryan Johansen netted the winner on a disputed goal that was reviewed by Toronto and called good.

The battle for LA supremacy went to the Ducks in a hard fought close, checking game that was notable for a goal waved off.  With the Kings down 2-1, Anze Kopitar streaked down the right wing, putting a shot on net that would find its way into the net.

However, recent addition Marion Gaborik was deemed to be in the crease interfering with G Frederick Anderson.  As is the case so often on this type of uh, infraction, Gaborik was crosschecked into the Ducks goalie, making it a very controversial call.

Kings fans showed their appreciation by littering the ice with debris, and Dour Darryl Sutter was freakin incensed.  Understandably so.

Which leads me to ask the question, has anyone else noticed that the officiating has been laissez faire, inconsistent, let em play or just plain incompetent lately?  Yes its that time of year when the rule book is thrown out the ventana (window in Cali), leading up to the playoffs.   Any comments from my vast audience?  Love to hear from ya.

Sharks beat the Ranguhs 1-0 on a splendid performance from the Anti Niemi, on whom I had given up about three weeks ago.  Since the Sharks backup goalie Alex Stalock has been playing and winning,  Niemi appears inspired to remember how good he is.  41 saves today and Logan Couture with the only goal of the game.

I’ll wrap up the wrap up by saying what the hell is wrong with the Hawks?  Fallen to third place in the Central,  playing their hated rival the Detroit Dead Things…