Because Eric already does a game by game recap and I don't have as much time as I usually do, I'll just do a three stars of the series and the scapegoat....

Three Stars of the Series

1. Olli Jokinen 4 goals, 6 assists, +5, 2 game winners - Jokinen stepped it up during the playoffs, acquired for Brind'Amour GM Shuck took a risk. Although Atlanta went through, Brind'Amour's production in Minnesota could raise questions of what could have been in Atlanta. Jokinen's two game winners led all players allowing Atlanta a relatively easy progress through the first round.

2. Henrik Lundqvist, 4-1, 1 shutout, 2.34 GAA, .904 SV% - After being benched by GM Shuck for Game 2, oh wait, he played didn't he? Lundqvist has shown he can perform in the playoffs, though in the second round Lundqvist may slack off knowing that he's preferred to Emery in net and threats from the GM and coaching staff are proven to come to nothing.

3. Chris Neil - 1 goal, 5 assists, +5 - Role player Chris Neil found his scoring touch with 6 points in 6 games, he was also an enforcer for the Thrashers with 25 PIM in those 6 games. As GM Shuck is known to play around with his lines, could Neil see time on the top line?

Scapegoat of the Series

Nikolai Khabibulin was given a huge two year contract to perform and he failed miserably, putting up disgusting numbers of 4.63 GAA and .819 SV%. A veteran goalie who, if on his game, is one of the best in the league failed for the Canadiens. However, the scapegoat of this series was Atlanta's top line. Depending heavily on Jokinen and Hecht for the majority of the offense, the top line combined for 3 goals the entire series. If Montreal had the same depth that Atlanta had, then Atlanta could have been in trouble.