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| Tomas Plekanec scored a goal and an assist in Saturday's 6-4 loss to Philadelphia in Game 5. Montreal played their final game, and lost the series 4-1. Plekanec did his job, as he scored five points over the five games. |
Our View: He scored nine points in the playoffs overall, and fought hard until the very end for Montreal.
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| R.J. Umberger generated two goals and one assist in Saturday's 6-4 win in Game 5 against Montreal. Philadelphia won the series 4-1, and Umberger scored a goal in all five games, notching a total of eight over the span. |
Our View: Umberger has 11 points through the playoffs, and should remain a steady source of production in the next round.
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| Mikko Koivu contributed two goals and an assist to help lead Finland to a 5-1 win over Germany
in the preliminary round of the 2008 World Hockey Championships, according to the Sports Network.
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Our View: Koivu scored three goals over the five playoff games against Colorado in the NHL Playoffs, and is a player to watch for next season.
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| Rangers winger Sean Avery has been released from the intensive care unit and moved into a regular hospital room, according to the New York Daily News. |
Our View: Boarded at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, Avery suffered a lacerated spleen on Tuesday night in Game 3 of the Rangers' Eastern Conference semifinal series against Pittsburgh. The hospital reports Avery is doing well and recovering quickly.
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| In what has been an offensive series with more than a few goals scored, the Flyers have enjoyed a surprising surge from young center R.J. Umberger . |
Our View: Coming into the semifinal series with Montreal, the fans in Philly expected the usual suspects (namely forwards Mike Richards and Daniel Briere) to carry the load. Instead, Umberger, the Vancouver Canuck's top draft pick (16th overall) from 2001, has been the man in charge. Through four games of competition, Umberger has scored six goals, including two in the Game 2 4-2 win at Montreal and two more in the 4-2 win in Game 4. Meanwhile Briere boasts two goals and an assist in the series while Richards has just one goal and one assist.
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| Minnesota winger Marian Gaborik underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on Friday to relieve irritation in his right hip resulting from a torn labrum and resulting pressure, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Gaborik struggled with the pain of this inflammation throughout the season and the Wild report the surgery was a success, believing his recovery time will be minimal and stating Gaborik should be ready for training camp. The injury will keep him from playing for Slovakia in this month's World Championships.
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| Calgary center Mikael Backlund , the top prospect in the Flames' organization, has signed a new three-year entry-level contract, according to SLAM Sports. |
Our View: Backlund was the Flames 1st-round draft choice in 2007 and just recently turned 19-years of age. The new deal is said to be worth a maximum of $875,000 per season, provided he plays at the professional level in North America.
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| Updating an earlier story, Montreal goalie Carey Price will make the start in net for the Candadiens in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: Montreal trails 3-1 in the series, struggles that have led coach Guy Carbonneau to experiment in net. Rookie Jaroslav Halak got the start in Game 4, giving up three goals on 25 shots in the 4-2 loss. Today the Canadiens will turn back to Price, touting a worrisome 3.79 goals-against average in this series.
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