Could anyone imagine this? As we head into the Game 4 stage of the second round tonight, three teams are on the verge of sweeping and one is on the verge of taking a 3-1 lead in their series and all but cementing their spot in the NHL’s frozen four!

Even more surprising is that two of these teams are the Dallas Stars (who can sweep the Sharks tonight), and the Philadelphia Flyers (who can take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Canadiens tonight).

What in the name of the Wicked Witch and her broom are we to do with ourselves if these series end by Friday? Do you realize what this does to my daily and nightly routines? To my liquid diet? To my shaving? Well, at least one Mrs. Mary Murphy will be happy to see her husband emerge from his home office and not be off to the rink!

Let’s just take a peak at tonight’s games and series thus far:

Flyers up 2-1 on the Canadiens

Can anyone please tell me where the Habs power play has gone? Have they forgotten the importance of faceoffs or utilizing the dump-in to their advantage instead of slapping it around the corners and back out of the offensive zone? Or how about the excess perimeter passing, constantly killing time off the clock? Heading into Game 4 the Habs’ power play is only at a 14.9 percent clip and they have allowed two shorthanded goals.

Here’s a hint, boys: go to the net and pay the price! Anyone notice when they’ve scored on the power play, it’s usually been in front? I know it’s a lot easier said than done, but the Canadiens have proved they can do it.

Speaking of paying the price, how about paying a little patience and respect to Carey Price for what he’s gone through? The kid was basically anointed the next Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy and besides the last two games and a few speed bumps, he’s come through. But now Montreal head coach Guy Carbonneau can’t even name him his starter right away. He makes the media and fans wait and doesn’t give that public vote of confidence?

Look, I respect Carbonneau and think he did an amazing job this season after a sub-par rookie season behind the bench. He improved his coaching skills and was better with the media and the madness that is coaching in Montreal. Maybe he is trying to deflect attention away from Price and the players by making the media chase him for the answer here, but they traded away Cristobal Huet and anointed Price as the No. 1 guy here. He went on a tear and everyone looked great with that decision. But now when it’s questioned more than ever, you don’t back him? Say he’s your No. 1 now, when the cards are stacked against him and your team, and say it loud!

On the Flyers’ side, there’s one reason they have a chance to go back to Montreal with a chance to clinch: Martin Biron. Biron enters tonight game with a 6-4 record, 2.66 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He made 32 saves in Game 3 and 34 in Game 2, and with the exception of some posts being hit, has the Flyers up 2-1.

Tonight will be about Biron standing tall once again, but if the Habs let him know they believe in him, Price standing taller.

Prediction: Habs: 2 Flyers: 0

Stars up 3-0 on Sharks

Bye, Patrick Marleau and Ron Wilson. Marty Turco can be a clutch goalie. Mike Ribeiro, love him or hate him (I’m in the latter category) is good. So pull out the brooms!

Sorry, but I can’t really figure this one out anymore than that the Sharks are turning into the Buffalo Bills of the NHL! Can’t win the big one!

Prediction: Stars: 4 Sharks: 2

Slainte,
Murph