The sprint for the finish starts today.

Prelude - So the trading is done. Teams are all ready for a run through the hockey playoffs. What is the fall out of all these trades? While most trades won't make too much difference in playoff standings, there were two trades that will no doubt be talked about tomorrow.

Sport - Hockey

Event - Of the multiple trades done today, two trades stand out: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Marian Hossa and the Montreal Canadiens trade of goalie Cristobal Huet (pronounced Hew ett) to Washington.

Point to say - "Why did Montreal trade their starting goalie?"

Follow up point - "Will Pittsburgh pass Ottawa for top spot in the East?"

Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"

Backgrounder
What's with all the trades at this point of the year? Well, every year teams who feel they have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup go for that special player that brings something the team is missing. These days, there are many good players whose contracts are about to end at the end of this season. Before this person leaves their team, call it Team A, Team A will trade this player in order to have a player ready to fill this spot next year. Now without a deadline of somekind, these trades might happen even during the playoffs creating an unfair situation. So, the NHL has a rule that says, essentially, if you go to the playoffs, players on your roster must have been on your team since February 27th.

The trade of Montreal's top goalie is surprising. The team is playing very well. They have almost caught Ottawa in the standings. Trading their top goalie, therefore, is a shocker. As seen previously in Sports and The City, goalie Carey Price has been on people's radar for a bit of time but to ask him to carry this team into the playoffs is a lot to ask of a 20 year old.

Pittsburgh is but one point away from the Senators. The addition of a superstar like Hossa and the return of Sidney Crosby from his injury will now make the Penguins the team to watch come this year's playoffs.

Links
TSN's list of trades can be found here.