NHL PLayoffs, NBA Picks, MLB

     Ryan Miller had 38 saves, Craig Rivet scored the go-ahead goal with 5:50 in the second period as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 in game 1 of the NHL Playoffs.
     Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals
     Last year, the winner of the President's Cup fell in the first round (San Jose Sharks). The Washington Capitals look like they might be up for downfall, the way the Montreal Canadiens keep playing.

     Mike Cammalleri scored a power play goal with 7:24 in the first period to put Montreal up 1-0, but Joe Corvo scored 3:19 later. Jaroslav Halak played amazingly during the game, but the Montreal Canadiens made it easier on him. The third leading goal scorer (50) in the was denied even a shot on goal by Tomas Plekanec.

     Nicholas Backstrom scored early in the third period to give Washington a 2-1 lead, but Scott Gomez answered with a goal in the left corner. Montreal wouldn't score again in the third period, but Plekanec did his job on Ovechikn and the game was sent into OT.

     Both goalies made some saves and kept the game going, but with 6:41 left in overtime Tomas Plekanec, the guy who stopped Ovechikn won the game with a slap shot into the left corner of the goal. The Canadiens won 3-2 and took a 1-0 advantage in the best of 7 series.

     Vancouver vs. LA Kings

     During the early part of the second period and even throughout the first period, the Vancouver Canucks looked like the latest high-seeded victim. But they knew that that would be unacceptable.

    So did the fans.

     Mikeal Samuelsson had 2 goals and the OT game winner as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the LA Kings 3-2 in OT in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

     Roberto Luongo didn't get that much action because the Vancouver defense played very well. But LA stopped the Vancouver shots, and it was clear LA just needed to get to the goal.

     They did that, and 54 seconds into the period Jarret Stoll scored for the Kings. But Mikael Samuelsson scored in the left corner of the net with 16:51 in the second, and later Daniel Sedin stole a pass and made a spinning pass to his brother Henrik, who passed it back to him, and Daniel scored by skating to the left and making a slap shot.

     But, on a power play Fredrik Modin scored, and Kings goalie Jonathan Quick kept the Kings in it, while Alexander Edler played great defense and helped send the game to OT. In OT, LA looked like they would win when Jack Johnson hit a shot that went past Roberto Luongo, but he saved it on the line to prevent a goal.

     Then, with 8:52 left in OT Samuelsson deked out Quick and made a slap shot in the left corner of the goal as Vancouver won 3-2 in OT and took a 1-0 series lead in the best of 7 series.

     NBA Playoff Picks 
     Cleveland vs. Chicago
     Only 3 of 52 8 seeds have pulled off the 1 vs. 8 upset, and I don't see LeBron being the next victim. Shaq down low and Delonte West and Mo Williams outside are too much for Chicago to handle. Pick: Cleveland in 5.
     Orlando vs. Charlotte
     Dwight Howard can score, shoot, and block, and Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis lead the best 3 point shooting team ever (by 3). Throw in Vince Carter and this is too much for the Bobcats to handle. Pick: Magic in 5
     Atlanta vs. Milwaukee
     The Atlanta Hawks have a great all-around lineup, with Al Horford down low, Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby handling the guard position, Jamal Crawford as a reliable sixth man, and Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. Milwaukee can't handle it. Pick: Hawks in 6
     Miami vs. Boston
     The Boston Celtics have an all-star lineup, but they never seem to come through. Dwayne Wade, Mario Chalmers (very clutch) and Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal. Daquean Cook is great too, and I think Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen are struggling to play together. Look for a great battle. Pick: Heat in 7
     West
     LA Lakers vs. Oklahoma City
     Kobe Bryant is the best clutch player in the game, and Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are very reliable down low. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will keep it close, but LA will come through. Pick: Lakers in 6

     Dallas vs. San Antonio

     Dirk Nowitzki is a great player down low and up top, and Jason Kidd is a very reliable point guard. Shawn Marion is very good at defense and lighting up a crowd. Rodrigue Beabouis is becoming more of a role player, and Dallas will be too much to handle. Pick: Mavericks in 6

     Phoenix vs. Portland
     Steve Nash knows where and who to pass to, Amare Stoudemire is great down low and Jason Richardson can light up a crowd with a dunk and shoot the three. Throw in Robin Lopez and a good bench and no Brandon Roy for Portland and I don't see much of a contest. Pick: Suns in 5
     Denver vs. Utah
     Carmelo Anthony is a great forward, Nene Hillaro is great down low, Chauncey Billups is very clutch and J.R Smith is great at shooting the three. Utah has Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kierilinko, but I think home-court will give it to Denver. Pick: Nuggets in 7

      MLB: Every player wore #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson
      Andre Ethier hit a walk-off single, Matt Kemp homered and the Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 6-5 in 10 innings.
     Shin-Soo-Choo hit a 3 run homer in the eighth as the Indians beat the Rangers 3-2.
     Ryan Zimmerman hit a go-ahead, 2 run homer, Adam Dunn homered and the Nationals rallied from a 4-1 deficit to beat the Phillies 7-5 on Jackie Robinson Day.