Our Canadian NHL teams still desperately clinging to the hope of a second-round Stanley Cup playoff spot seem determined to throw a wrench into the gears of their opponents in the remaining first round games.

Ah Canada, the United State's pain-in-the-neck hat.

This was the case last night as the Ottawa Senators held on into three overtime periods to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Three overtime periods? It was insane.

I saw an interview with one of the Senators afterwards, and the poor guy looked like he was about to keel over from fatigue.

After the winning goal was scored by Ottawa and the sudden-death overtime was finished, Penguins star Sidney Crosby looked anything but happy as he skated off the ice

with a gloom-riddled expression.

At 22, it may have been nap time for the poor little guy. I, of course, make fun of Sidney with a grain of salt, because he is in fact a year older than me, and it seriously is my nap time.

But I was happy to see the Senators steal a win away from the seemingly sure-thing Penguins. Whether they are capable of getting another or not, they have given the

Penguins a kick in the shins that they needed; a confidence-shaker of a game that may help the Pens build some steam if they make it past this round.

My hope is that Ottawa do in fact manage to steal the entire series, and after last night's game we saw a team that may just be capable of that.

Another game Canada spoiled was Wednesday night's Vancouver Canucks vs. L.A. Kings game. Vancouver trailed for most of the game until an explosive third period finally saw the Sedins get into the game.

By the mid part of the second period I had jumped off the Canucks bandwagon and was ready to proclaim my love for the Coyotes or Capitals. In fact I had readied my,

"I never liked those guys anyways” speech.

But thankfully, I was able to catch the bandwagon before it drove away and back I was, cheering for Luongo and the gang.

I think the Kings truly thought they had that one in the bag until my beloved Canucks showed them what they were all about.

Those last exciting moments had me on the edge of my seat. I also played sportscaster for my poor Canuck-loving sister who not only does not have a TV, but wasattempting to study for her final exams.

I side-lined as sportscaster for my mother too, who can't bring herself to watch a team she likes if they are down by too much.

During the Olympics I had to give her updates, and inform her when it was okay for her to turn the TV back on.

But back to the Canadian hockey dream, I am disappointed in the New Jersey Devils performance, after winning only one game, and getting knocked out of the playoffs in just five games.

It was a sad way to see Martin Brodeur sent out. After basically being a Canadian hockey-hero in Canada for almost two decades, it seems the two-time Olympian's day in the sun may be over.

This man entered the NHL when I was only three, I might add, so my history lesson will be brief – Martin Brodeur rocks.

He has 602 victories in 19 NHL seasons with the Devils. He has three Stanley Cup victories and has been the league's top goaltender four times.

So I was sad to see him and his team kicked out in the first place, and the worst part of it all is the thought that this could be the his last season.

But even if Brodeur never plays another NHL game in his life, he has basically shattered every NHL record for goaltending that exists. I wonder if any other goalies playing right now would be able to rival one of his accomplishments, let alone all of them.

I do hope that Brodeur fans remember his incredible record this year, including leading the league in shutouts, wins and minutes, instead of the image of the legendary goaltender sitting on the bench during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, while Roberto Luongo took over.

So my predictions for the weekend, as we prepare for the first-round to finish up:

Between the Canucks and the Kings, I think Vancouver has it. They seem to have their sea-legs underneath them after that much-needed win on Wednesday. Luongo is on his game, the Sedin sisters have remembered they are in the playoffs, and the team as a whole managed to kill one whole penalty on Wednesday night. Big step, boys.

As for Washington and Montreal, I think it unfortunately may be time for the Canadiens to hang up their skates against the over powered Capitals.

Unfortunately the Boston Bruins seem to be outplaying the Sabres, even after a huge effort Thursday night that saw the Sabres push the game into double overtime.

My hope was of course that the Sabres would win due to their super-awesome name, but I think I can give up on that pipe dream.

I think between the Pens and Sens, Pittsburgh still has the edge. Ottawa's win last night may have been a fluke.

The Avalanche's Craig Anderson let a few worrying goals in Thursday night, so I can see the Sharks swimming ahead in this series.

Chicago and Nashville, I could totally care less about who emerges from this series. I haven't watched any of it, so will not joke around and pretend I know any better.

I also haven't watched the Coyotes and Red Wings series, but I do hope the ‘yotes can conjure up two more wins to steal this series.