While we’re still in awe of how crazy it has been in the NBA’s Western conference playoff race, somebody’s playing a hockey playoff game.

You read it folks, the 2008 NHL playoffs have started as those boys skating around in a skating rink begin their quest for the Stanley Cup. It’s time to play catch-up people and on that note, here are the games to watch on a Tuesday night.

Game 4 of the first-round playoff series between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens is set at the TD Banknorth Garden Tuesday night. Marc Savard of the Bruins was the hero last Sunday, coming off the bench on a delayed penalty to score with 9:25 gone in overtime Sunday night as Boston beat Montreal for the first time this year, winning 2-1 in Game 3.

‘’We got the monkey off our back after 13 losses,'’ Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien, who wasn’t with the team when Montreal started its 13-game winning streak against Boston more than a year ago, said. ‘’The game was a lot like last night’s,'’ Julien said, referring to their loss in Game 2. ‘’But this time Lady Luck was smiling upon us.'’

Tim Thomas made 27 saves for Boston, stopping several shots at close range in overtime. Carey Price stopped 29 shots for the Canadiens, who beat the Bruins in their last three tries last season, all eight in the regular season and the first two of their best-of-seven series.

The Boston Bruins made the playoffs just three times since 1999, losing in the first round in all three appearances. Two of those losses were to the Montreal Canadiens, their longtime ‘’Original Six'’ rivals.

In another playoff match up, the Philadelphia Flyers should have the momentum in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals after coming up with a 2-0 victory in Game 2 to even their Eastern Conference series at one game apiece. R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter scored first-period goals while Martin Biron of the Flyers got his third shutout in four games.

Philadelphia Flyers Randy Jones (flu) and Sami Kapanen (flu, neck) returned after missing Game 1. LW Patrick Thoresen, hospitalized Friday night after being struck in the groin by a puck in Game 1, did not play but is a possibility for Game 3. Meanwhile, Washington Capitals star Jeff Schultz played after missing Game 1 with an undisclosed injury in a losing effort.

Next, the Dallas Stars take on the Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, hoping to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first round affair. The Stars lost a 2-0 lead in the second period Saturday night at Anaheim but scored three times in the third to beat the Ducks and take a commanding 2-0 series lead. It was a test of character for the Stars, who buckled under those tests last month. This time, however, they were going down swinging, and shooting.

‘’You think about our month of March, but all that’s irrelevant,'’ Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco said. ‘’Is it going to affect you a little? Probably. It’s human nature. But it was just a great period. It was intense, and it was great to see us come out on top.'’

In other 2008 NHL Playoff pairing, the Calgary Flames will meet the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night at Saddledome. The Flames capped four unanswered goals after falling behind 3-0 in Sunday night’s 4-3 victory. The Flames now have a 2-1 lead in the series, home-ice advantage and the opportunity to put themselves one victory away from upsetting the favored San Jose Sharks in the opening round.

The San Jose Sharks have been criticized in years past for not closing the deal when given the opportunity, something they’ll be reminded of again before facing off with Calgary.

In the nightcap, two teams will look to get some momentum in their third encounter of the first round match up as the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild face-off at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

The Avalanche managed just four goals and 45 shots in regulation while splitting the first two games in Minnesota, where each team won 3-2 in overtime. ‘’It’s two good teams. It’s going to be like this every game, I think,'’ Colorado Avalanche left wing Peter Forsberg said.

‘’Both teams have good goalies and are playing good defensively, so there aren’t a whole lot of scoring chances. When there is, the goalies are there. We said before the series, it’s going to be 3-2, 2-1, whatever. It’s been like this so far.'’

Who will win the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Detroit Red Wings 3.50

Pittsburgh Penguins 5.50

San Jose Sharks 7.50

Anaheim Ducks 21.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more NHL hockey betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today’s biggest sporting events.

2008 NHL Playoffs 2008 NHL Stanley Cup