Last night marked the second night of the playoffs and thre first night of many teams' matchups. It was pretty much what we expected, or was it?

The hockey was definitely playoff calibre, and if you were like me, you were channel surfing, trying to catch every minute of hockey. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets appeared in their first playoff hockey game ever, and the defending champs, the Detroit Red Wings, did as expected and dominated them, winning 4-1.  Montreal and Boston met for the umpteenth dozen time in the playoffs and their game was definitely closely fought and exciting, to say the least.  Boston triumphed over the Habs in this game, but I would expect this series to be tied right down to the last minute of the last game.

Calgary travelled to Chi-town to take on the Blackhawks and this, too, was a closely fought battle, ending regulation under a tie.  Only seconds into the first playoff period Mary Havlat scored his second goal of the game, taking the win for Chicago.  The goal was controversial, with the Flames calling for goalie interference, but replays show the Flames defenceman "assisted" Ladd's progress into the crease.  Marty Havlat, as I mentioned, got two goals in the game, a perfect retaliation to a vicious head shot he received from Mike Cammaleri earlier in the game.  The NHL Commissioner's office has not announced a suspension, and analysts everywhere are debating whether he should receive one, as did Carcillo for a similar shot. 

The Sharks and the Ducks met later in the evening, and the Sharks, unfortunately, lived up to their reputation of playoff chokers.  The game was a close one through two periods, but a go ahead goal by the Ducks in the third provided the momentum needed and the Ducks never looked back, scoring a second goal and winning the first game out.  I've nicknamed them the "Shark eating Ducks".

Tonight's games are the second of other key matchups.  Pittsburgh hosts the Flyers again tonight, Vancouver welcomes the Blues and the Hurricanes attempt to blow over the Devils in New Jersey.

The Flyers will play without Carcillo tonight, who is suspended one game for his hit on Talbot with seven seconds left in Wednesday's game.  Pittsburgh leads that series 1-0 and should make the best of their home town advantage tonight as well.

The Carolina Hurricanes are in New Jersey again tonight, behind a game after a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Wednesday.  Don't look for the Devils to walk all over the 'Canes, though, as Carolina actually leads in playoff matchups over the Devils.  The two are meeting for the fourth time in this decade and Carolina is ahead 2-1.  

The final game of the night has the Blues meeting up with the Canucks, who seem to have hit a performance peak, just in time for the playoffs.  Then again, so are the Blues.  Vancouver won the first game 2-1, but it wasn't the best hockey around, and improvement on the part of both teams is needed.   Lackluster performances aren't goint to get either team anywhere in the playoffs, regardless of which one is the victor in round one.

Versus is showing both the Philadelphia/Pittsburgh game and the Blues/Canucks games, and of course if you live in Canada, like me, TSN is covering all three.

Here's the schedule:

7:00 pm ET
Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils

10:00 pm ET
St. Louis Blues @ Vancouver Canucks