Just a few things that caught my eye:

• Word up, Jon Cooper -- stop putting Steven Stamkos in the slot. Or anywhere but the left half wall. He scored 43 goals from there this season. And 60 in another. Opposing teams know he's there and they still can't stop him. So why the freak are you?
• Ever wonder if James Neal's character wasn't the issue in Pittsburgh? There's something a whole lot bigger happening in that dressing room ...

• Who gets Game 5 if the Orcas lose Game 4? Eddie Lack or Ryan Miller? Gulp.
• Riley Sheahan channelled his best Pavel Datsyuk on that second goal. I had no idea he could attack laterally like that. Saaaa-weet.
• What do you do to end a 24-game goal drought? You score one in each of your last three games. Nicklas Backstrom is best known as a set-up man, but he's finding twine at a remarkable pace. Maybe it has something to do with a hefty 12 SOG in the last three games. That's the same number he fired in his previous nine.
• Two young stars in the making -- Colin Wilson and Brandon Saad. Wow. And Sam Bennett? He's freaking 18 years old!
• BTW, welcome to the playoffs, Jiri Hudler -- nice to get you on the scoresheet. Finally.
• Yo, Gabriel Bourque -- didn't you try javelin in high school? Next time, throw your stick with a little more athleticism. That was pathetic.
• How does Bruce Boudreau go from goat to a god and Barry Trotz from god to goat? Hmmmm ... both answers are the same and they involve the players on the ice.
• Montreal and Anaheim can clinch tomorrow night. Damn, the first round is of the NHL playoffs is the best of any sport. But honestly, I need some sleep. I can't keep staying up so late.