Day 62: Finally... Playoff Hockey Returns!

It's bears versus birds. In any natural setting, the bears will win. Always. But in this case, it's a different kind of a matchup... one that doesn't generally happen in nature. Bruins versus Penguins. If they did live together, the penguins would be dead. A tasty snack for the mighty bear.

The NHL Eastern Conference Finals series starts tonight: Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins... in case you've been living under a rock for the past week. It's going to be an uphill battle for the B's. The Penguins finished the regular (albeit abbreviated) season atop the Eastern Conference with a 36-12 record. The Bruins finished with the fourth best record. See? Uphill.

These two teams have not met in the playoffs since 1992 when Pittsburgh swept Boston in four games on their way to eventually hoisting their second straight Stanley Cup. And the Bruins haven't beaten the Penguins in the post season since 1980. Wow... I don't even remember 1980.

Like the B's, Pittsburgh dispatched their second round opponent in just five games and have had a few extra days off to rest and recharge. But the Bruins are lucky to even be here after nearly falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round in seven games. With their new found spark after the dramatic come from behind win, they promise to be a worthy opponent for the tough Penguins.

How will the mid-season deals play into the series? Jarome Iginla almost came to Boston, but ended up with Pittsburgh. And then the Bruins end up with aging former Penguins star, Jaromir Jagr, who often looks like he's skating with cinderblocks tied to his legs. Both players have had long, successful careers, but I'm pretty sure we're going to find out quickly that the B's got the crap end of that deal.

Game one from Pittsburgh is tonight at 8pm. This should be interesting!