Ottawa & Chicago advance; Penguins take over 3-2

Craig Anderson's rock-solid play and some shaky moments for Montreal's backup goaltender Peter Budaj put the Ottawa Senators into the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NHL playoffs with a 6-1 stomping of the Canadiens. Ottawa won the best-of-seven series, 4-1, and will move on to the 2nd round for the first time since 2007, when they lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Anaheim Ducks.




Marian Hossa scored twice to back a strong effort by goalie Corey Crawford as the Chicago Blackhaws defeated the Minnesota Wild, 5-1, to win the first-round playoff series, 4-1. The Blackhawks could face Detroit in the Western Conference semifinals, should the Red Wings win the next two games against Anaheim this weekend.

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, the Penguins shutout the New York Islanders, 4-0, to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Game 6 will be played in Long Island, New York this Saturday night at 7 pm.