Kevin Paul and Stacey Kilpatrick continue to talk playoff hockey at The Wife Hates Sports, with the most recent chatter highlighting some playoff statistics, plus some recaps and discussions over the last 48 hours of action in the NHL.

The last 48 hours of playoff hockey has seen its share of headlines and excitement.  The Detroit Red Wings were the first team to move on to the next round, completing a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Coyotes.  Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Lightning – with its 8-2 Game 5 win – gave the Penguins its worst home playoff loss in history, cutting Pittsburgh’s series lead to 3-2.

KP rattles off the latest status each series in the NHL Playoffs, while also handing out GOLD STARS to some of the game’s top performers thus far in the postseason:

GOLD STARS: NHL Playoffs – Conference Quarterfinals Edition

(1) Washington vs. (8) New York

Capitals win series 4-1

Jason Chimera (WAS) – One of two players to have 2 game winning goals in playoffs

Mike Green (WAS) – Only player to have at least one point in each of 5 games in the series

Alexander Ovechkin (WAS) – Steady force, leading team in hits, with 3 goals and 2 assists

Michal Neuvirth (WAS) – Prior to Game 5, he led all goalies in Goals Against Avg (1.45)

Michal Neuvirth and the Washington Capitals are moving on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago

Canucks lead series 3-2

Daniel Sedin (VAN) – 4 goals and 2 assists in the playoffs so far

Duncan Keith (CHI) – A force for the ‘Hawks, 6 points, 4 goals and 22 shots

(2) Philadelphia vs. (7) Buffalo

Sabres lead series 3-2

Ryan Miller (BUF) – Leads all postseason goalies with two shutouts

James van Riemsdyk (PHI) – His 28 shots are most in the NHL Playoffs to date

(2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles

Sharks lead series 3-1

Sharks’ Faceoff Win Percentage – 57.4% – By far the best in the playoffs to date

Ryane Clowe (SJS) – 4 goals, 3 assists and 7 points in the playoffs

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Tampa Bay

Penguins lead series 3-2

Penguins’ Shots Per Game – 38.4 – By far the most shots per game in playoffs to date

Lightning Power Play Percentage -36.4% – Best in the NHL Playoffs thus far

Vincent Lecavalier (TB) – One of two players to have 2 game winning goals in playoffs

Martin St. Louis (TB) – His 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) are tied for most in NHL Playoffs

Dwayne Roloson (TB) – His 180 saves are the most in the playoffs to date

(4) Anaheim vs. (5) Nashville

Predators lead series 3-2

Mr. Carrie Underwood (Mike Fisher) has been clutch in the postseason

Corey Perry (ANA) – His 6 assists are most in the NHL Playoffs; 8 points tied for most

Teemu Selanne (ANA) – Leads the NHL Playoffs with 4 power play goals

Mike Fisher (NSH) – Carrie Underwood’s husband leads his team with 6 points

Patric Hornqvist (NSH) – His 27 shots are 2^nd most in the playoffs

(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix

Red Wings win series 4-0

Pavel Datsyuk (DET) – Was dominant in the series, with 2 goals, 4 assists, +6 and 15 shots

Jimmy Howard (DET) – Undefeated in the postseason with a .915 save percentage

Shane Doan (PHX) – A solid postseason; 5 points and 3 goals in a losing effort

(3) Boston vs. (6) Montreal

Series tied 2-2

Michael Ryder (BOS) – Key overtime winner that tied the series

Michael Cammalleri (MON) – 2 goals, 5 assists and 7 points in first 4 games

Carey Price (MON) – To this point, has statistically outperformed Tim Thomas

All stats per NHL.com and as of early Saturday April 23, 2011

-KP

Kevin Paul is the creator, founder and head writer for The Wife Hates Sports

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Speaking of the Bruins-Canadiens series, Stacey Kilpatrick chimes in on the most heated rivalry in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs…

KIL-ZONE – Stacey Kilpatrick Recaps Bruins-Canadiens Games 4 & 5 (Updated)

GAME 4

Michael Ryder for the win.

Right Wing #73 shoots from wide right on Montreal’s Carey Price and gets the goal, giving the Boston Bruins a 5-4 road victory in sudden death overtime. Game 4 goes to Boston and it’s a 2-2 series, folks.

The Bears, who never led, came back from three ties for the win in Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Ryder put in the first and last goals, as well as an assist for Boston.

Let’s not forget about Chris Kelly, the broken-faced man who tied it 4-4 with 6:18 remaining in the third.  Monday night, Montreal’s Scott Gomez checked Kelly into the crossbar during Game 3.  Sporting a black eye and wearing a full facemask, Kelly had good enough vision at close range to tie it up with his shot in the blue.

Thursday’s game started off in Montreal’s favor, when Brent Sopel scored a slap shot at 8:13 in the first, putting the Canadiens ahead 1-0 with help from Michael Cammalleri and David Desharnais.

But Ryder scored his first, and the Bruins’ first, at 2:13 in the second, tying it 1-1, with assists from Kelly and Tomas Kaberle.

Montreal upped its advantage by two, 3-1, after Cammalleri (assists by Gomez and Brian Gionta) and Andrei Kostitsyn (assists by Tomas Plekanec and Travis Moen) slapped shots past Tim Thomas.

But with less than three minutes remaining until the end of the second, Andrew Ference and Patrice Bergeron tied it 3-all with help from Bergeron and Brad Marchand on Ference’s goal and Marchand and Dennis Seidenberg on Bergeron’s.

Montreal then edged the Bruins again just 1:39 into the third on a power play goal by P.K. Subban (assists by James Wisniewski and Michael Cammalleri). Subban scored from inside the left faceoff circle, nabbing his second career playoff goal.

Momentum for the Habs kept sliding when Price continued his rad-saving series, diving in all directions and blocking four Boston scoring attempts. Between Marchand and Johnny Boychuk, the Bruins threw four shots at him. And he saved each and every last one.

Kelly then made his second score at 13:42 in the third with assists by Ryder and Rich Peverley, tying the game for the third time, 4-4.

With 2:19 left, a “WHAT, come on” moment occurred.

Seidenberg received an interference penalty for holding and blocking Canadien Tomas Plekanec. In that moment — it’s a pause where you’re gripping your pillow, bouncing your feet and your butt is barely resting on your couch, you’re so nervous waiting for the outcome as the clock runs out – you’re asking yourself over and over again, “WHO WILL WIN?”

In the end, Boston was left cheering, and this is now a best of three series.

GAME 5

Sweat was pouring down many Bruins fans’ brows as the ice was melting during double overtime Saturday night in Boston where the (3) Bruins were facing (6) Montreal in Game 5, with the series tied 2-2.

Shot after shot after shot after shot after shot; nothing was breaking the 1-1 tie.

Montreal’s Carey Price (49 saves) and Boston’s Tim Thomas (44 saves) weren’t slipping; they were catching every puck, blocking every stick and body, and lunging, practically splitting for saves.

But at 9:03, in the Bruins’ 18^th longest game, Nathan Horton scored a beauty, giving the Bears a 2-1 win and a 3-2 lead over the Canadiens in the first-round playoff series.

Price stopped Andrew Ference’s shot from 30-some-odd feet, but the puck rebounded out of Price’s reach and into Horton’s, who nudged the puck in from the right of the crease for the Bruins’ third straight victory of the series, successfully rebounding from its early 0-2 hole.

This ending was almost as exciting as winning the Cup itself.

The game was scoreless until the third period, when Brad Marchand put the B’s on the board at 4:33, with assists from Patrice Bergeron and Tomas Kaberle.

Jeff Halpern tied it up at 13:56, with help from Lars Eller and Mathieu Darche.

Bruins lead series 3-2

Game 6 at Montreal – Tuesday April 26, 2011 – 7:00pm ET

-SK

Stacey Kilpatrick is a new contributor to The Wife Hates Sports, and for the time being, will be writing up recaps of the NHL Playoffs.

Athletes with spectacular performances earn all kinds of accolades, from MVP awards to trophies, and so on.

Here, at The Wife Hates Sports, GOLD STARS are earned – kind of like a grade school teacher would stamp on a good student’s homework.

After another hot weekend in the world of sports, there were just too many great stories and performances not to break out a new batch of stars to honor some of the best…

Gold Stars: December 19, 2010

Orlando Magic

It’s not often that you see a strong contender complete a roster overhaul one-third of the way into the season, but that’s just what the Orlando Magic have done by making two major trades – one with the Washington Wizards and another with the Phoenix Suns.

Gone: Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat

Arriving: Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark

These are gold star worthy moves by Orlando.  First off, Turkoglu was a fan favorite and had a great impact on the team before leaving a few seasons ago.  Both Rashard Lewis and Vince Carterfloundered in last year’s playoffs, and it was becoming more apparent that if the Magic wanted a chance to compete with the Celtics and Heat, something would have to be done.

Orlando can only hope these moves appease big man Dwight Howard, who was growing more frustrated with the team’s defensive performance – or lack thereof.

Tim Tebow

If you hadn’t heard, “The Chosen One” made his debut for the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and Tebow’s overall performance likely exceeded the expectations of many.

While the Broncos lost to the Raiders, here was Tebow’s line by game’s end: 8-16, 138 yards, 1 passing TD, 8 carries, 78 yards, 1 rushing TD

Not bad, rook.

Dan Connolly

Listen, DeSean Jackson’s game-winning punt return was impressive, but New England Patriots offensive lineman Dan Connolly’s kickoff return was among the best ever.

It was record setting – and no lineman has ever returned a kick that far – as Connolly rumbled 71 yards to set up a Patriots touchdown against the Packers on Sunday night.

Maryland Football

The situation with Ralph Friedgen and Maryland is not a positive one, but if one Big 12 source is accurate – and it’s true that Mike Leach will be the next coach for the Terps – then Maryland deserves props.  Sure, Leach is controversial (e.g. the Adam James closet story), and he’s also a little weird with his pirate obsessions.  But one thing’s for sure, Leach can sure build a potent offense, and if he can score a ton of points in the Big 12, then imagine what he can do in a weaker ACC conference.

That is, if he does wind up there.

Philadelphia Eagles

In a game that could very well decide the NFC East, the Eagles never gave up.  Trailing 31-10 with 7:30 to go, Philadelphia pulled off a miracle comeback, scoring four touchdowns, including the game-winning punt return for a TD by DeSean Jackson as time expired.

The Big Ten Conference

After an overwhelming negative response towards its new logo and division names (Legends andLeaders), the Big Ten reportedly may consider making a change.

One poll had a vote of 90 percent against the new logo and names.  It’s hard to imagine 10 percent approval – unless it was Delany himself logging in as hundreds of different fictional people.

Either way, the conference shouldn’t consider it… they should just do it – end of story.

UConn Women’s Hoops

Make that 88 straight wins for Connecitcut women’s basketball, which ties the mark previously set by John Wooden and UCLA men’s hoops.

It’s a safe bet that Geno Auriemma and his team will break that record, and then some.

And finally, five stars to…

Penn State Volleyball – for winning its fourth straight championship

Matt Flynn – for filling in admirably for the concussed Aaron Rodgers

Michael Vick – for engineering a huge comeback for the Eagles

Milwaukee Brewers – for making a splash and trading for Zack Greinke

Detroit Lions – for ending their record 26-game road losing streak

This has been Gold Stars, where legends and leaders are made – and honored.

In sports, athletes with spectacular performances earn all kinds of accolades – from MVP awards to trophies, and so on.

Here, at The Wife Hates Sports, gold stars are earned – kind of like a grade school teacher would place on a good student’s homework.

After another hot weekend in the world of sports, there were just too many great performances that yours truly had to break out the stars to honor some of the best…

Gold Stars: May 9, 2010

Dallas Braden

An extra gold star goes out to those who have even heard of the guy, as I’m willing to bet not everyone has.

Either way, Braden is a starting pitcher for the Oakland A’s, who not only shut down one of the best teams in baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays (second in runs to be exact) – but he threw a perfect game against them – the 19^th in MLB history.

On top of that, his grandmother – who raised him, was present to celebrate on Mother’s Day.

Congrats, young man.

Rajon Rondo

Honestly, Rondo is often overshadowed by a number of other point guards in the NBA – but you can’t ignore this ridiculous stat line in Game 4 against the top-seeded Cavs on Sunday:

29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists…

Yes, that’s a triple-double, and YES that’s 18 boards for a point guard.

Can we NOW put his name as one of the best, please?

Betty White

The WIFE has also put in high grades for White’s recent performance on SNL – and to be honest, I’m not a frequent viewer anymore, but the best thing that could have happened to the late-night skit show was the facebook press pushing for Betty to be host… because she was hysterical – and it was an SNL show that I laughed at consistently for the first time in a VERY long time.

Seriously… Betty may have joked that her “muffin hasn’t had a cherry since 1939”, but her performance on Saturday Night Live was the cherry on top of a few years of subpar late-night desserts.

If you haven’t checked out this Golden Girl’s performance, I’d recommend it – as a handful of SNL’ers were back to pitch in.

Orlando Magic

I’ve been saying it for days now – but amidst all the hype and desire for a Lakers vs. Cavs NBA Finals matchup, the Orlando Magic are a beast growing stronger and stronger.

Orlando remains unbeaten in the postseason, now taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Atlanta Hawks, all of which were dominate victories.

The warning sign is this: the Magic could use some adversity.  After all, look at LeBron and Co. last year – who cruised into the Eastern Conference Finals, only to face adversity and bow out.  The same could happen if the Magic aren’t careful.

Tim Clark

Of all the other great stories this weekend, Clark’s story is right there at the top.

The PGA media is guilty of having a crush on Tiger and Phil – and deservably so as each has earned to be the talk of the town – but there needs to be more attention to the winners of the tournaments, too.

Clark, who put on a masterful performance at the TPC – earned his FIRST ever victory on the PGA Tour.

So congrats, Tim… it was a great weekend, and finally that monkey can hop off your back and take a friggin’ hike.

Mom on Mother’s Day

Finally, as this special day winds down, it’s important to acknowledge the mothers of the world.

In my case, Mom isn’t just a caring and fantastic family matriarch, but she’s grown into quite the sports fan – so much that she at times puts me to shame – which says something considering my obsession and aspirations to be more firmly cemented in the sports world.

I celebrate you, Mom – and thanks so much for everything you have done for me – and for talking sports with me, too.

And for that… the wife thanks you, too.

This has been Gold Stars… where there’s no back talk, because then we’ll have to wash our mouths out with soap.

It’s 4^th and goal – 0:15 to go – your team is down six but piecing together a drive that is clearly one for the history books.  You have seen every second of this masterpiece of a sporting event, and the icing on the cake would be your team escaping with a hard fought “W”.

And that’s when it happens…

She walks in front of the TV right after the snap.

“She” being “the wife” – we’ll call her that.  That’s what the boys call her.  She may be your wife, maybe a girlfriend, heck, maybe even an acquaintence.  No matter what, she’s the wife – and more often than not, she hates sports.

As a result, you see nothing.  All you can see is a silhouette of estrogen – yet you have to gauge the crowd noise to try and figure out what happened that very second.

This is one of MANY examples that the men of the sports world encounter throughout their lives.

We give you “The Wife Hates Sports” – a sports site with a twist, and this is how we’ll build on it from here.

The site will touch on many different fronts, featuring regular sports posts, pieces on the entertainment industry (music, movies, television and more) plus touching upon the relationship side of sports – but don’t fret ladies – it won’t just be like the aforementioned example.  We’ll try and tie in those females that are sports fans, too.

It’s all still a work in progress – but we’ll do the best we can to have as much fun as we can, while hopefully entertaining our readers and bringing in as much audience participation as possible.

On top of the random sports stories that develop, we’ll also be introducing various features in the future, including (but not limited to) the following:

Wife Wire – Live chats during key sporting and entertainment events

Throwing Tomatoes – A KP original from years back – showing disgust for stories in sports

Gold Stars – Another KP original, giving out awards in the sports world

Remote Controlling – A unique take on TV – we’ll keep it at that for now

Wife of the Week – At first, won’t be a weekly thing but we’ll highlight wives – famous ones, as well as nominations taken by our readers

Pick Your Knows – Game predictions across sports, both spread and straight up pick ‘em too

Sexy Seven – Another KP feature from the past, featuring a list of 7 across any topic

And that, my friends is “The Wife Hates Sports” in a nutshell…

So again, we’d like to welcome you to the site and look forward to talking sports and entertainment with you – hopefully in a tasteful, friendly and fun-filled manner.

More to come – stay tuned!