FanNation

Catching Up Is Hard To Do

By Sarah Kwak, SI.com

Before Wednesday night's Game 4, Dallas coach Dave Tippett noted: "We've been chasing [the Red Wings] this series from the get-go." A pretty obvious observation given the Stars hadn't held a lead at any point in the first three games. But with just 22 seconds left in the second period, Dallas took a 1-0 lead into the break when Stephane Robidas' shot pulled a magic bullet, bouncing off of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood and then off of Dallas winger Loui Eriksson and then his stick before landing in the net. An admittedly ugly goal, but it gave Dallas a taste of what it's like to lead.

Three Stars -- May 14

By Sarah Kwak, SI.com

1. Mike Modano, Stars: His first goal in eight games couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Not only did the goal win the Stars' first game of the series against Detroit, it also pushed him to the top of the all-time playoff points list for American players (he took the all-time points lead for U.S. skaters earlier this season). On the power play, Modano found a little space in the slot and one-timed a Sergei Zubov pass right past Detroit goalie Chris Osgood.

Handicapping the Playoff MVP Race

By Allan Muir, SI.com

The Conn Smythe Trophy has been handed out to the postseason's MVP 42 times since Jean Beliveau first captured the honor in 1965. Never once in that span has the award been shared by two equally deserving teammates.

The way things are going this spring, the 43^rd time might be the charm.

Zetterberg or Datsyuk. Crosby or Malkin. Assuming the Red Wings and Penguins clash for the Cup -- and with full deference to the faithful in Dallas and Philadelphia, it is strictly an assumption -- it's hard to imagine picking one teammate from the winning side over the other.

Pens Stifle Flyers With Old-Fashioned 'D'

By Allan Muir, SI.com

The Pennsylvania Cold War has turned into something of a rout.

In a series that's starting to look eerily similar to the one in the West, the Pittsburgh Penguins all but punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup finals with a convincing 4-1 victory over the battle-scarred Flyers in Philadelphia Tuesday night. With their first win of the season at the Wachovia Center, the Pens now hold a crippling 3-0 series advantage.

While the result wasn't all that surprising, the Pens' means to the end was. Deviating from the script, the Penguins aren't running away with this thing, thanks to their jet-fueled offense. It's a strict adherence to a defensive style that evokes the late-90s New Jersey Devils more than the run-and-gun Edmonton Oilers of the early 1980s, that's made the difference.

Three Stars -- May 13

By Allan Muir, SI.com

1. Sidney Crosby, Penguins: The Flyers managed to bottle up Evgeni Malkin's magic for another night, but that left Crosby free to put on a clinic for the less-than-appreciative fans in Philadelphia. The Kid spent the night freewheeling through the Flyers defense, creating numerous chances for his linemates with his speed and vision. He notched a pair of primary assists in the game's first eight minutes, giving him 15 helpers in the postseason and sole possession of first place in the scoring race (19 points).