FLAME-OUT

The Flames have added a new player for tonight's game. He's the Green Bastard, from parts unknown.

PLAYOFFS DAY 12

• 'CANES 2 HABS 1 in OT (Carolina wins 4-2): Does anyone have more of a right to be heartbroken this playoff year than the fans of the team with 23 Stanley Cups? Probably not. From Saku Koivu's injury, to blowing the 2-0 lead, to having the series-winner go in off a deflection, Habs fans have the right to cry like they bankrolled Waterworld. For the first time in my life, I feel bad for Canadiens fans, but then I remember how much of my tax dollars are going to keep Quebec in Confederation.
• SABRES 7 FLYERS who cares (Buffalo wins 4-2): The Great Philly Phlameout helped ensure us of a hockey-free Thursday. Boy, was this ugly. Now the Sabres -- who are these guys -- get Ottawa in the second round. Won't be many dull moments.

DAY 13 LOOK-AHEAD

• 9 p.m., DUCKS AT FLAMES, Game 7: Something I hadn't realized -- not only is there a chance of the first Flames-Oilers playoff matchup in 15 years, but 1991 was the last time both Alberta rivals made the post-season. That tells you how bad the fans of both teams want Calgary to win tonight, and how bad CBC wants it to happen. Why hasn't Calgary put Anaheim away yet? Largely because unlike the Oilers, who at various times got big offensive games from the likes of Brad Winchester, Shawn Horcoff, Ales Hemsky and Fernando Pisani, Calgary hasn't had someone off the second and third line pop in a couple big goals. The Calgary Sun's Eric Francis nails it: the pressure is all on Calgary, who's essentially getting beaten at the game they used to great success two years ago. Anaheim has nothing to lose, though it's anyone's guess how a young team reacts in a seventh game. I'm obligated to say that Calgary will squeak by, since I predicted Calgary in 7. (Of course, I also had Detroit in 4 and Dallas in 5, and we all know how that turned out.)

OTHER BUSINESS

• Ottawa has been awarded the 2009 IIHF world junior hockey championships, the Ottawa Sun is reporting. I have issues with this tournament. TSN's presentation is equal parts Fox News covering Iraq and ESPN covering the Little League World Series, and the way the media buried the Steve Downie hazing story during this year's tournament was nothing shy of shameful. But overall, good for Ottawa.
• First he falls to the 10th pick in the draft, and now this: Matt Leinart is dating Paris Hilton. I think I speak for all of us when I say, Ewwwwwww. (Via Deadspin.) And don't let the brunette wig fool you -- that is Ms. Hilton. Who else carries a handbag that's weighs more than she does?
• The Red Sox are taking the Jays seriously -- Josh Beckett has been moved up to start against Roy Halladay tonight. Matt Clement faces Josh (10.45 ERA) Towers tomorrow. Even though the Jays didn't get the two-game sweep in B'more, I'll be happy with a split of these two games.

That's all for now.