The Tampa Bay Lightning had a huge win yesterday, defeating the Habs on the second game of a back-to-back for them. This puts them up to 92 points, with one game remaining. The Leafs head into this weekend  at 93 points with two games left. It’s coming down to the wire, folks.

We’ll have a preview of tonight’s game vs. the Penguins later this morning.

The women’s World Championship ended with a defeat for Team Canada last night. Hilary “the Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey” Knight (I got BINGO!) scored in overtime to end it with a win for Team USA

We have a recap of the game by nafio and Baseball Annie here.

Every goal scored in the USA/Canada gold medal game - TIG
They’re all gorgeous.

There was still some great news for Leafs fans last night. Both the Marlies and the Solar Bears clinched playoff spots. The Marlies actually lost to the Utica Comets, but a simultaneous loss by the Albany Devils settled the standings.

Katya has recaps of both wins here.

The Marlies regular season still has four regular season games left, including today and tomorrow. Today’s game vs. the Hershey Bears (Capitals) will be on TSN2 at 5:00pm.

Leafs legends talk hockey with Ryerson marketing students - The Eyeopener
Sittler, McDonald, Henderson and Vaive were all members of a panel at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Thursday.

Red Wings final two games are big for Riley Sheahan - MLive
After scoring 14 last season, and 13 the season before, the 2010 first round draft pick has zero goals with two games left.

Nick Ritchie Suspended - AC
Anaheim’s young grit went too far last night and pays the price.

Systems Analyst: Lee Stempniak Scores His 200th Goal - CC
[Species: That name sounds familiar.]

Kyle Okposo released from hospital - DBTB
Okposo’s health has been “improving” and today he was released from Buffalo General.

From The Branches