Who’s one step closer to hoisting Lord Stanley?  The Wrap-Around is your daily update for last nights’ NHL Playoff action.

Red Wings Start Strong With 3-1 Win.

The Wings had 40 shots to the Predators 20, and when you outshoot someone like that, you’ll rarely lose.  However, this one was close all the way.  Johan Franzen scored the only first period goal for Detroit, and Jordin Tootoo scored in the 2^nd period to tie it at 1-1 after two.  Henrik Zetterberg scored the winning goal halfway through the 3^rd, and then Zetterberg iced the game late with an empty netter.  Great game by Nashville goalie Dan Ellis; saving 37 of 39 usually will get the job done, but not on this night.  Game 2 will be Saturday at 2 PM from Detroit.

Montreal Cruises To 4-1 Win Over Bruins.

The Canadiens controlled this game as a 1 seed is expected to over an 8 seed.  Montreal had 32 shots to Bostons’ 18.  They scored their first two goals in the first 2:02, with the first scored by Sergei Kostitsyn and the 2^nd scored by his brother Andrei.  Boston would score in the 1^st to make it 2-1 after one, but that would be as close as they’d get.  Smolinski scored in the 2^nd, and Kostopoulos scored in the 3^rd.  Game 2 will be Saturday at 7 PM in Montreal.

Sharks Even Series With 2-0 Win.

The Sharks once again controlled shots, with 43 to the Flames 21.  Kiprusoff had another great game, 41 saves on 43 shots is pretty freaking good.  But like Luongo last year, he’s not getting much help from his team.  Both Shark goals were in the 2^nd period, the first by Joe Pavelski and the second was Torrey Mitchell.  Vesa Toskala made 21 saves to get a shutout.  Calgary had 24 penalty minutes, twice as many as the Sharks, which won’t win you many games.  So the series is now tied and they’ll play game 3 Sunday at 10 PM in Calgary.

Stars Flatten Ducks 4-0 To Get Road Win.

Dallas came in to Anaheim and just dominated the defending Cup champions.  All four of the Stars goals came on powerplays.  Dallas had 37 shots to the Ducks’ 23.  Brenden Morrow had one goal and two assists.  Marty Turco stopped 23 shots in his shutout.  Steve Ott and Loui Eriksson scored in the first period, and Jere Lehtinen and Brenden Morrow scored in the second period.  Game 2 is Saturday night at 10 PM in Anaheim.

In college hockey, the Frozen Four is down to two.  For the 3^rd straight year, Boston College heads to the National Championship game. They were facing the #1 goalie in the nation, and went berserk on him; dominating with a 6-1 win over North Dakota.  Forward Nathan Gerbe had a hat trick. Meanwhile 4 seed Notre Dame becomes the first 4 seed ever to be in the final two, as they beat Michigan 5-4 in a thrilling overtime game.  Freshman Calle Ridderwall scored the OT goal.

The FanIQ Three Stars

3. Brenden Morrow, Stars.  1 goal and two assists.

2. Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks,  21 save shutout.

1. Marty Turco, Stars.  23 save shutout

On Tap  (Local telecast in parentheses)

Game 2: Senators at Penguins.  7 PM ET on CBC/RDS. (FSN-Pittsburgh)

Game 1: Flyers at Capitals.  7 PM ET on Versus/RIS/TSN (Comcast SN Philly and DC)

Game 2: Rangers at Devils.  7 PM ET on TSN.  (MSG)

Game 2: Avalanche at Wild.  9 PM ET on Versus/RDS/TSN (ALT and FSN North)

There you have it.  Enjoy your day.