Monday April 16

With 3 games scheduled Monday night the playoff action was tense. Each game would see one team take a lead in the series, maybe the first signs of series dominance on the part of each winner. Former Islanders made major impacts in 2 of the 3 games while in the other game the San Jose Sharks, home for games 3 and 4, beat the Nashville Predators 3-1 to take a two games to one lead in the series. Here is a quick look at the FI action in the other two games:

• Tim Connolly, for the second time in the series, found a way to help burn his old team. Connolly recorded the secondary assist on the game winning powerplay goal 12:56 into the second period. The Sabres eventually won the game 3-2 and have a 1 game lead in the series after 3 contests. Connolly has 2 points in those 3 games but none yet has been bigger than that assist.
• Brad Lukowich recorded an assist on the New Jersey Devils' first goal of the night in their 3-2 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa now leads that series 2-1. The point was Lukowich's first in the playoffs since May 10, 2004 when he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The assist snapped an 18 postseason pointless streak.

Five more tilts are up for grabs on Tuesday night. Stranglehold leads can be taken in 4 of the series while the Anaheim Ducks could be the first team to advance to the next round. Keep reading as the chase the Lord Stanley's Cup becomes even more exciting.