The #2 seed in the Eastern Conference met the #2 seed in the Western Conference last night, as the Chicago Blackhawks made their final regular-season visit to the Igloo in Pittsburgh, beating the Penguins 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Kris VERSTEEG!.

The Hawks send out their backup goalie, Antti Niemi, while Pens' Captain Sidney Crosby was out with "lady pains".

Let's get right to it:

THE GOOD:

Niemi. The Meatball Hero had a solid game, stopping 32 of 33 shots. Actually, he only stopped 29, the posts bailed him out 3 times. He's been a more-than-capable backup so far this season, although the pessimist in me wonders what happens once word starts getting around the NHL that he drops into butterfly faster than Cristobal Huet ever did.

Blackhawks' scoring depth. Funny to say this after scoring 3 goals in two games, but there is so much firepower among the forwards that once Marian Hossa is running at full speed - which should be by the end of next week - goalies will have nightmares about this team.

THE BAD:

Really not much tonight. The Hawks didn't fall apart on defense in the last 3 minutes like they did on Friday, and they didn't subject anyone to another damn shootout.

THE UGLY:

The inevitable calls for Niemi to start over Huet. We all know it's coming.

Next up for the Hawks is a home game on Wednesday against the red-hot New York Rangers. See you in the Shoutbox.