Sunday May 6

While writing this post FIW is rejoicing in the pain of others. We know that this is wrong, but when it is the New York Rangers the rules can be bent a little bit. Today saw the Rangers eliminated from Stanley Cup contention on the heels of a heartbreaking 5-4 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The "other New York" team is now headed to their second straight Eastern Conference Final after eliminating the Blueshirts in 6 games. Here is a quick recap from the FI perspective:

• One FI stood out above all others in this game and it had to be Martin Straka and his 3 assist performance. Despite being heretofore eliminated from Cup contention, Straka finished his 10 playoff games with 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) including 8 points in his last 6 contests. The effort was his first multi-point postseason game since he had 2 assists May 10, 2001, ironically in a game where the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (that time in 7 games). Also, oddly enough, in that series Straka has 8 points against Buffalo.
• Brad Isbister was scratched from the lineup for some bum with 8 NHL games under his belt. The swap was unnoticed by everyone watching, listening or checking the updates wherever they were.

Check back as tomorrow night could decide the fourth and final conference finalist in the ever solidifying race for the Stanley Cup.