Sunday May 10 and Monday May 11

Finally caught up, Former Islander Watch is now covering Sunday and Mondays contests. FIs were involved in both Sunday games and both Monday games as the 2nd round series start wrapping up. Here is a look at the FI action:

Sunday

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood did not have much to face as the Red Wings defense stepped up allowing only 17 shots on goal with only 1 slipping passed the goalie as the Wings thumped the visiting Anaheim Ducks to snatch a 3-2 series lead. Ozzie has played a pretty excellent 9 games going 7-2 on the playoffs with a slim 1.97 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. It has been a tale of 2 seasons for Osgood who struggled through the regular season but has found top form in the postseason.

Somebody finally found Zdeno Chara. The Boston captain and defenseman made an appearance notching 2 assists as the Bruins blanked the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The win kept the much favored Bruins alive as the 'Canes hold onto a 3-2 series lead. Chara assisted on the powerplay game winner at the 14:48 mark of the 1st Period and the Bs' 3rd goal early in the 2nd. The helpers snapped a 5 game point-less streak for the giant on skates. Chara now has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) on 9 playoff games.

Monday

Washington center Viktor Kozlov led his team with 2 big goals as the Capitals staved off elimination with a 5-4 OT win over the host Pittsburgh Penguins. The series, predicted by Caps' owner Ted Leonsis to be a "classic" in the making, has lived up to the billing. Despite being outshot 42 to 24 the Capitals persevered on timely goals including the 2 tallies but 1st star Kozlov. He snapped a 3 game point-less stretch and now has 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) on 13 games. Winger Bill Guerin opened the scoring only 5:55 into the 1st Period. Billy G now has 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) on 12 games.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo was embarrassed surrendering 7 goals on 30 shots as the host Chicago Blackhawks shocked the Canucks with a 7-5 win. The victory sealed the series for the 'Hawks 4-2 and makes them the first team to advance to the Conference Finals round. The Blackhawks were down 5-4 with only 7:45 remaining in play before they busted out 3 goals in a span of 3:17 to seal the victory. Lu was helpless dropping his 4th loss in his last 5 starts. After a 5 game win streak to start the playoffs the wheels for else for Luongo who finished the postseason with a 6-4 record, a 2.52 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. The 7 goals against was a single game postseason worst for the usually solid backstopper.

Check in soon as we continue to track the 2nd round series as they wind down.