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Now that Round 2 is slugging along and we mean slowly for some teams but too fast for others……we have our third week of playoff power rankings and there are some changes from last week.* These are their stories.* If you dispute any of these, by all means comment away.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (PR:1* Tied at 2 Vs. MTL)

Well simply they were on the fence here.* Sidney Crosby is being held in check to a point and Jaroslav Halak stole another one last night for MTL.* With the series tied at 2, no one really knows how this one is quite going to go.* Marc-Andre Fleury had a shaky game 4 after a solid game 3.* Michael Cammalleri did not have to be the key in game 4 but little Brian Gionta was.* If Montreal can get any kind of balanced scoring at all, Pittsburgh is in real trouble here.* Defense and goaltending along with timely scoring win in the playoffs.* Right now Montreal has 2 of those 3 at least while Pittsburgh mostly only has 1 of those 3.* A slight advantage on the surface to Montreal but Pittsburgh is the defending champs and that is why they hold on to the 4 slot for now.

3. Chicago Blackhawks (PR: 3* Up 2-1 VS. VAN)

Finally the Blackhawks are playing like the Blackhawks can.* Dustin Byfuglien is a monster in the front of the net and completely has thrown off Roberto Luongo’s timing.* That is the key in this series.* Even if its illegal, Chicago must throw Luongo off and they did that in game 3 to the tune of a 5-2 victory.* If the Hawks can continue to do this and get great play from Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith then the Hawks will advance to the Western Conference Finals again.* Oh and toss in a little timely scoring from Hossa, Kane, Toews, and company as well.* Antti Niemi played much better in Game 3 and has to continue that intensity.* Stand confident in your crease and do not cower back.* The Hawks to me at least are the better team despite Vancouver’s offense.* The Vancouver defense can be attacked and often and to be honest Roberto Luongo can not withstand this kind of sustained traffic and really few goalies can to be honest.

2. San Jose Sharks (PR: 2* Up 3-1 with Det.)

Sharks have Joe Pavelski scoring at near will and then Joe Thornton nets two GWG’s in a row.* Is the apocalypse upon us?* Well maybe not just yet.* They key also is if Evgeni Nabokov does not get muled over literally by Johan Franzen.* When Franzen comes to play, the Wings have a different dynamic and that can put a scare in just about any team, even San Jose.* However, if the Ryan Clowe’s of the world can score in some key situations and the Sharks get some steady play from their defensemen, then they should be able to close out this series in 5.* If not, there may really be some trouble brewing in the Shark Tank.* The Sharks have to get the jump early in game 5.* Hopefully no more dead sharks are thrown.

1. Boston Bruins (PR: 4* Up 3-0.Vs. Philly)

Tuukka Rask is still the man!* Despite losing David Krejci and Adam McQuaid to injury, Boston keeps on rolling.* Miroslav Satan now has 3 GWG’s in the playoffs for Boston and the Bruins are on the verge of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals despite being a 6 seed.* Maybe The Hockey News should eat their words now perhaps?* Basically closing this one is nothing more than a formality for Boston and if not this game, then next.* Boston just has too much grit for Philly’s depleted lineup to handle.* Add in that Rask has been much better than Brian Boucher and that pretty much settles why, right now, Boston is the hottest team in these playoffs.

Teams To Watch: Montreal and Vancouver

We will see you next week with our rankings.* Do not forget the podcast this Sunday at 8pm ET.* Bring punch and pie!

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