With the baseball season beginning and the idea that there would be no hockey and very little movement in the free agency market, I took a hiatus from writing this blog. With the soccer season beginning and taking up most of my time, I fell behind. It's shameful, I know.
But here's the deal: I'm here, I'm back, and I'm ready to blog about hockey.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, my adopted team, have started the season well despite nearly throwing away a four-goal lead at home to Ottawa, a team destined to be beaten 55 times this year. Toronto is currently 2-0 and, unlike last year they do look a little bit better defensively. Reimer earned a shutout in his first match against Montreal, adding credence to Burke's idea that Reimer is a quality starting goaltender in the National Hockey League.
At the moment, Phil Kessel is the leading scorer and looking to banish a few demons. Mike Komisarek comes into the new season having dropped some pounds and some emotional scars and looks a better player. James Reimer appears to be as advertised.
Not too many surprises around the league, glancing at the overall standings and the divisional stats. Pittsburgh may have played four games, two more than some of their divisional competitors but at the moment they are 3-0-1, adding credence to the idea that they are more than just 'Malkin and Crosby' as two of those wins have come without the injured stars. Malkin has, apparently, some general soreness and Penguins brass are keen to protect him. Ideally with the season being as long as it is, the likelihood that the Penguins will end up making a run at the latter stages of the Stanley Cup playoffs come April and May, it's important for Malkin to rest now and be raring to go in the spring. Crosby, well that's apparently on the cusp of being decided as the rumour is that he'll be cleared for contact very soon and ready to start practicing with the team. Imagine: the Penguins are 3-0-1 without having figured out what their team is even going to look like with two of the leagues top 10 players fit and returning.
Philadelphia, same division as the Penguins, looks good as everyone expected they would. New Jersey looks ready to fight for a playoff spot. The New York Rangers look like they threw money at their issues and still haven't solved much. Could this be Tortorella's last season?
Buffalo and Toronto look much improved. Montreal and Boston haven't gotten going yet, and Montreal has quite a few injuries. Ottawa are abysmal and yet they knew they would be.
Washington and Tampa look good in the Southeast division. Winnipeg looks shaky at best. Florida has something to prove after signing so many free agents and upping their overall cap spend.
The Western Conference's Central division looks to be one of the most interesting stories and races as the season progresses, as all five teams are aiming to not only win the division but to make the playoffs. Vancouver looks to have an easy go of things in the Northwest with nobody able to compete with them. The Pacific division boasts five playoff worthy teams, but there's going to be heartache for at least two of them. Dallas tops the division now, but not so much.
Okay, so without stating what everyone already knows I'd like to just briefly run through a few things.
First of all, Brendan Shanahan as the new disciplinary officer. He's doing a fantastic job as far as I'm concerned. Everyone thinks that he's trying to overdo it, but the fact is that he's got the right outlook on his situation.
The former disciplinarian of the NHL Colin Campbell made decisions unilaterally and didn't include a description as to why he levied the fine or the suspension. In fact, most of the discord between fans and the NHL occured because fans are intelligent and can't accept when the chief disciplinarian won't explain why he's made a decision. There are several instances I can remember of a suspension given to someone when it didn't fit the crime. Now, each hit is pored over and broken down and new terms, ones that are easy to understand for the lay hockey person are applied to the situation. The fan can read, watch and compare.
I appreciate this, because as a fan it's going to take some time to undo the wrong doings of the past and to evaluate instances of petulance and properly adjudicate them.
That's it for now. I'll post again when the season is about 10 games in and we're getting a better look at what's happening.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Missed the cup, sorry.
Actually, I watched it. The rest of the people in my house were completely non-plussed to see me jumping on the furniture and heralding the Boston Bruins as this year's hockey elite.
I was happy, mostly because I didn't think Vancouver deserved it. They didn't play well enough in any of their series to dominate the opposition, and in the Stanley Cup final they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth in every single game. Not becoming of a Champion. Not at all.
Aside from the dirty hits, the dirty players, the bawling baby that is Roberto Luongo, and the incredible work ethic of the Boston Bruins, comes the highlights of such a series. The Bruins proved that you need more than depth to win the Cup. Determination and grit can really get you a long way. Vancouver's 'depth' didn't stand them in good stead during this final. Instead, it was the young, hungry Bruins players that stepped up along side the able veterans and made this an interesting, if one-sided series.
With that all done and dusted and free agency upon us, it seems appropriate to comment on what's happened so far.
Some teams are winners and some teams are losers. We've all had our days as hockey fans where we remember the players we lost to other clubs, to free agency, or to offer sheets. Remember Dustin Penner? Bet Edmonton would like a re-do on that one.
Having said that, as the trades start to slow down a little bit, I'll go club by club over the next few days to remark on each. Not tonight.
I will say this: the additions of Tim Connolly, Cody Franson, and the injured but slowly rehabilitating Mathieu Lombardi is making the Leafs look a little faster, and a little bigger. I'm interested in what's going to happen in the coming days, because I have a feeling that Mike Komisarek isn't going to be a Maple Leaf any longer.
I was happy, mostly because I didn't think Vancouver deserved it. They didn't play well enough in any of their series to dominate the opposition, and in the Stanley Cup final they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth in every single game. Not becoming of a Champion. Not at all.
Aside from the dirty hits, the dirty players, the bawling baby that is Roberto Luongo, and the incredible work ethic of the Boston Bruins, comes the highlights of such a series. The Bruins proved that you need more than depth to win the Cup. Determination and grit can really get you a long way. Vancouver's 'depth' didn't stand them in good stead during this final. Instead, it was the young, hungry Bruins players that stepped up along side the able veterans and made this an interesting, if one-sided series.
With that all done and dusted and free agency upon us, it seems appropriate to comment on what's happened so far.
Some teams are winners and some teams are losers. We've all had our days as hockey fans where we remember the players we lost to other clubs, to free agency, or to offer sheets. Remember Dustin Penner? Bet Edmonton would like a re-do on that one.
Having said that, as the trades start to slow down a little bit, I'll go club by club over the next few days to remark on each. Not tonight.
I will say this: the additions of Tim Connolly, Cody Franson, and the injured but slowly rehabilitating Mathieu Lombardi is making the Leafs look a little faster, and a little bigger. I'm interested in what's going to happen in the coming days, because I have a feeling that Mike Komisarek isn't going to be a Maple Leaf any longer.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Shellack!
I think last night's game was a statement.
The league has changed quite a bit, not just since the turn of the CBA but with the added inclusion of some serious physical play.
Last night, we watched a Boston Bruins team that wanted to turn the series on its head. They did in fact, and with an 8-1 victory, they're going to make some people in Vancouver think that it's going to be a best of three. Then again, nothing more than a victory in the next game is going to do anything for the Bruins. They need to even the series, and everyone in their locker room knows that.
Luongo has had trouble bouncing back from major disappointments so far this post-season, and his series with Chicago was a big part of that. One bad game led to three bad games, and with 8 goals having slipped past him and the Bruins not changing their game plan, the Canucks are going to need to regroup and quickly.
Burrows is a dickhead. I think he's an above average player, and nothing more. He's a pest with some goalscoring prowess that happens to play between the best two players in the league, that's it. Everyone that plays with the brothers scores loads of points and he's nobody special. His finger-biting was pathetic and unfortunately, it'll go down as one of the biggest missed calls of these playoffs. He should have lost a game for that, and he's going to continue to be targeted by the Bruins.
The B's finally found a system that works. Dump the puck in, and play the body in a big way. It's creating turnovers, and it worked in Vancouver a little bit but with the crowd behind them, they were more fired up and the Canucks were tentative.
Today, we'll find out that Aaron Rome is going to lose at least one game for his late hit and leading-elbow on the incredible Nathan Horton. He's likely done for the playoffs, because that looked like an obvious concussion. Rome is their 7th or 8th defenseman, and he's not a big miss.
That's one thing that drives me crazy, when a nobody player takes out a star. Horton could very well have won the Conn Smythe if the Bruins won the Cup. He was their leading scorer and would have certainly taken three points in this game should he have played the whole thing. At least it galvanized the Bruins in their efforts last night, and there's a chance that it'll carry into the next game.
Tyler Seguin is likely to see game 4, which is great for his confidence. He's done well in these playoffs, and were it not for his age and inexperience, he would have been involved last night. Having Shawn Thornton in the lineup was meant to add some bruising physicality and it did, to some degree. Thornton was so fired up that he earned a misconduct near the end, along with 9 other players and his place in the lineup is far from assured.
Seguin is a centre and that's going to throw off the line combinations a little bit. Regardless, the Bruins don't have the depth that Vancouver does, so that's going to hurt a little bit.
Anyway, let's see what happens in the next couple of days and hope to hell that Vancouver continues to shit the bed. I can't stand the likes of Torres and Burrows and I'm pumped to see the Cup in Boston.
The league has changed quite a bit, not just since the turn of the CBA but with the added inclusion of some serious physical play.
Last night, we watched a Boston Bruins team that wanted to turn the series on its head. They did in fact, and with an 8-1 victory, they're going to make some people in Vancouver think that it's going to be a best of three. Then again, nothing more than a victory in the next game is going to do anything for the Bruins. They need to even the series, and everyone in their locker room knows that.
Luongo has had trouble bouncing back from major disappointments so far this post-season, and his series with Chicago was a big part of that. One bad game led to three bad games, and with 8 goals having slipped past him and the Bruins not changing their game plan, the Canucks are going to need to regroup and quickly.
Burrows is a dickhead. I think he's an above average player, and nothing more. He's a pest with some goalscoring prowess that happens to play between the best two players in the league, that's it. Everyone that plays with the brothers scores loads of points and he's nobody special. His finger-biting was pathetic and unfortunately, it'll go down as one of the biggest missed calls of these playoffs. He should have lost a game for that, and he's going to continue to be targeted by the Bruins.
The B's finally found a system that works. Dump the puck in, and play the body in a big way. It's creating turnovers, and it worked in Vancouver a little bit but with the crowd behind them, they were more fired up and the Canucks were tentative.
Today, we'll find out that Aaron Rome is going to lose at least one game for his late hit and leading-elbow on the incredible Nathan Horton. He's likely done for the playoffs, because that looked like an obvious concussion. Rome is their 7th or 8th defenseman, and he's not a big miss.
That's one thing that drives me crazy, when a nobody player takes out a star. Horton could very well have won the Conn Smythe if the Bruins won the Cup. He was their leading scorer and would have certainly taken three points in this game should he have played the whole thing. At least it galvanized the Bruins in their efforts last night, and there's a chance that it'll carry into the next game.
Tyler Seguin is likely to see game 4, which is great for his confidence. He's done well in these playoffs, and were it not for his age and inexperience, he would have been involved last night. Having Shawn Thornton in the lineup was meant to add some bruising physicality and it did, to some degree. Thornton was so fired up that he earned a misconduct near the end, along with 9 other players and his place in the lineup is far from assured.
Seguin is a centre and that's going to throw off the line combinations a little bit. Regardless, the Bruins don't have the depth that Vancouver does, so that's going to hurt a little bit.
Anyway, let's see what happens in the next couple of days and hope to hell that Vancouver continues to shit the bed. I can't stand the likes of Torres and Burrows and I'm pumped to see the Cup in Boston.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers could be bigger than the Stanley Cup Final.
Amazing, eh?
Not to be too Canadian about it, but let's take a look at this whole situation. It would appear that the NHL took too much flak for allowing viable financial franchises to leave their cities and relocated too easily. I, for one, am delighted to see Bettman rushing around the continent to protect these unstable franchises and to be fighting for them. It's necessary. Hartford should still exist, as should Quebec City, and hockey in Canada should be so much stronger and better represented than it is.
Considering the sheer number of Canadian players in the National Hockey League, not to mention the financial windfall created by the strength of the Canadian markets (Toronto and Montreal specifically) in the overall profit sharing and escrow situation the new CBA contains, the league should have a few more teams in Canada.
As a matter of fact there are several other places that have been mooted as possible destinations for relocated teams, and another several that haven't been mentioned and could be interesting.
First of all, there should be another team in Quebec City. I think everyone knows that. It's just about a given. There should be a second team in Southwestern Ontario, whether that's in Hamilton or London/KW area. It would easily be viable and financially stable.
Other places they have discussed included Kansas City, where apparently an ownership group has already created an NHL-ready stadium that could hold a large crowd. All that is missing is an NBA or NHL franchise. The issue would arise when most of the Missourians that I know utter, "what the heck is NHL hockey?" Most of them would likely go to one game and then turn around and say, "wow, crazy."
I know several people from Missouri, and they live in either St. Louis or KC, and they both couldn't give a rats ass about hockey. Not only that, when we talk about it they say, "wow, cool," but without any real interest.
Las Vegas is a potential spot for the NHL. Lots of Canadians vacation there and could be interested in attending games. Lots of people from all over the United States are drawn there on vacations and would likely plan around their home team visiting the desert. The only issue is that it may draw people away from Phoenix even more.
What about Wisconsin? There are a couple of great cities there, like Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay. There is lots of minor hockey being played there, and with their close proximity to Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, surely there would be people drawn to the games? not to mention loads of Ontarians and Manitobans that can't make it to either a Winnipeg or Leafs game.
Just a thought.
I just got back from a short jaunt through Halifax, and I have to say that they're hockey crazy over there. With a population just under 400,000 -- similar to London, ON, and several other open, smaller markets with a penchant for traveling around like Prince Edward Island, Moncton, St. John, and of course the rest of the Maritime provinces, you wonder why they haven't seriously considered relocating a team to the east coast.
I'm sure with overall economics not looking good, and the GDP of some of those provinces relying solely on fisheries and natural resources that aren't always booming.
Anyway, that's that. There is a big series beginning tonight and we are all going to witness some history made.
I'll review most of the games, late at night on my night shift so that you can read it first thing in the morning.
I'll also preview some spots where hockey could probably settle down and live for awhile.
Not to be too Canadian about it, but let's take a look at this whole situation. It would appear that the NHL took too much flak for allowing viable financial franchises to leave their cities and relocated too easily. I, for one, am delighted to see Bettman rushing around the continent to protect these unstable franchises and to be fighting for them. It's necessary. Hartford should still exist, as should Quebec City, and hockey in Canada should be so much stronger and better represented than it is.
Considering the sheer number of Canadian players in the National Hockey League, not to mention the financial windfall created by the strength of the Canadian markets (Toronto and Montreal specifically) in the overall profit sharing and escrow situation the new CBA contains, the league should have a few more teams in Canada.
As a matter of fact there are several other places that have been mooted as possible destinations for relocated teams, and another several that haven't been mentioned and could be interesting.
First of all, there should be another team in Quebec City. I think everyone knows that. It's just about a given. There should be a second team in Southwestern Ontario, whether that's in Hamilton or London/KW area. It would easily be viable and financially stable.
Other places they have discussed included Kansas City, where apparently an ownership group has already created an NHL-ready stadium that could hold a large crowd. All that is missing is an NBA or NHL franchise. The issue would arise when most of the Missourians that I know utter, "what the heck is NHL hockey?" Most of them would likely go to one game and then turn around and say, "wow, crazy."
I know several people from Missouri, and they live in either St. Louis or KC, and they both couldn't give a rats ass about hockey. Not only that, when we talk about it they say, "wow, cool," but without any real interest.
Las Vegas is a potential spot for the NHL. Lots of Canadians vacation there and could be interested in attending games. Lots of people from all over the United States are drawn there on vacations and would likely plan around their home team visiting the desert. The only issue is that it may draw people away from Phoenix even more.
What about Wisconsin? There are a couple of great cities there, like Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay. There is lots of minor hockey being played there, and with their close proximity to Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois, surely there would be people drawn to the games? not to mention loads of Ontarians and Manitobans that can't make it to either a Winnipeg or Leafs game.
Just a thought.
I just got back from a short jaunt through Halifax, and I have to say that they're hockey crazy over there. With a population just under 400,000 -- similar to London, ON, and several other open, smaller markets with a penchant for traveling around like Prince Edward Island, Moncton, St. John, and of course the rest of the Maritime provinces, you wonder why they haven't seriously considered relocating a team to the east coast.
I'm sure with overall economics not looking good, and the GDP of some of those provinces relying solely on fisheries and natural resources that aren't always booming.
Anyway, that's that. There is a big series beginning tonight and we are all going to witness some history made.
I'll review most of the games, late at night on my night shift so that you can read it first thing in the morning.
I'll also preview some spots where hockey could probably settle down and live for awhile.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
I'm a tad late, I recognize...
So with the conference semi-finals already in the books, and the conference finals in the books too, I realize that it's almost a bit late to go through predictions and ratings, and all that jazz.
So what I will do is go with a gut feeling on what I feel had to happen from the beginning, and what happened in the end.
First of all, the Vancouver Canucks are beginning to prove that winning the President's trophy isn't a curse -- it is in fact a statement of intent to the rest of the league that they need to be taken seriously throughout the playoffs. Their barn is loud, too. Kesler has been a dominant force and can be seriously considered for the Conn Smythe up until today at least. Luongo has been decent, and in the last few games really shut down the Sharks.
The Sharks had problems from the get-go, trying to overcome the emotion of their win over Detroit. Just think about where we'd be today had the Sharks overcome the Wings in five, or six? If they hadn't let that energy-sapping series go on for so long, they would have had a few more days to relax and gain perspective ahead of what could have been the most important series in their club's history. Big changes could be ahead. If I'm Doug Wilson, I have to look at the forwards I'm paying and wonder where I'd be if Dany Heatley had shown up for the playoffs in consecutive games, or even for a whole series at a time. I wonder what's the deal with Joe Thornton's health, as it would appear that he's either injured or unsure of what to do when crunch time rolls around.
San Jose has also been through several veteran defensement and is now stuck with only Dan Boyle in the 'high quality' category, as they've seen the backs of Rivet, Blake et al through the last couple of seasons. Niemi has also played a lot of hockey in the last calendar year, especially for a guy who was really in his first big season of hockey last year, culminating in the big deal and move to Northern California.
In the end, the better team won. Not only that, they're getting healthier. Kesler may have taken a knock but Malhotra coming back is a fearsome prospect for the Sharks, especially with his face off prowess. It'll be interesting to see the contest between Bergeron and Malhotra, should it ever come to that.
That, of course, is my segue into the Boston Bruins winning the Eastern Conference. I'll be honest, I did pick them to go all the way once I knew that they'd be playing the Lightning. I didn't expect that series to go to 7 games, but with Roloson playing the way he does in the playoffs, and with St. Louis and Lecavalier as senior, proven playoff performers in the team, you couldn't bet against them in the end.
Boston proved to be very difficult to play against, but there are several interesting story lines going into this final series.
First of all, Tim Thomas. He allowed far more goals in this series than I expected. I didn't think he'd stop everything, get four shutouts and then move on to the second round: the Lightning offense is far too good to allow that to happen. I did expect him to keep them to less than 2 goals per game, or to keep a 2.00-2.15 GAA over the course of a seven game series. Look at the record this series:
Game 1 -- allowed 5 goals.
Game 2 -- allowed 5 goals.
Game 3 -- shutout.
Game 4 -- Allowed 5 goals.
Game 5 -- Allowed 1 goal.
Game 6 -- Allowed 5 goals.
Game 7 -- shutout.
Sorry, but just because you get two shutouts it doesn't mean that you stood on your head. Polar opposites aren't a good thing when you're a goaltender playing at the highest level. Allowing 5 goals in 4 out of 7 games, is usually complete suicide and yet somehow, Thomas is at the top or near the top of every goaltending category there is. He is also top among all active goalies this time of the playoffs (which is only two, I know, but there were four just a few days ago).
Okay, so the winner of the Stanley Cup? Well it's easy to go with the Canucks. They will be the front runner and they will most certainly play well at home. Luongo has been good, and their defensemen have been good, and they have a deep forward corps that have been clicking lately. Their defensive forwards have been excellent, and the likes of Kesler and Burrows have been providing, with Torres hitting everyone in sight.
Then there's the Bruins. So maybe Thomas had a bad series, he's still a terrific goalie that can stop just about anything on his day. Truly, the opposite of Luongo, without a prescribed style and without the size and presence in the crease that the Canucks netminder has.
I'd have to give the goaltending advantage to the Canucks, however.
In terms of defense, Vancouver has the deepest group and that's not up for argument. Even when they've got an injury or two, the depth they have to draw from is immense and could single-handedly win the cup if it comes down to injuries.
The Bruins have the immovable object in Zdeno Chara, who will need to watch his temper and his petulant reactions because he's going to have a few pests to deal with in this series. If he allows the Canucks to get under his skin, he's going to find himself in the box and without a Stanley Cup ring, really quickly. Having said that, there is no question mark over his play at the moment, and that goes for Andrew Ference too, who assisted on the series-winning goal last night.
Kaberle? Well, that's another story. Interesting to see his statistics at the moment, with 8 assists and no goals, and a plus 7 rating. The biggest thing is, he's only averaging 12-14 minutes on the ice per night, and for someone who is supposed to be a stud defenseman, to move the puck and calmly set up your powerplay...well those aren't the type of numbers you'd expect.
So he's been a bust, up until now, and you can expect there will be a massive question mark hanging over his head all the way through until the final buzzer sounds on this series. All he can do is score a few points, take advantage of his shifts and hopefully come on the winning end of it all.
Up front, well this is where things might be a bit of a wash. Both teams boast depth at the forward positions and where the Bruins might edge it is their scoring lines. Even without the likes of Marc Savard, the Bruins are clicking on all cylinders.
Patrice Bergeron has 15 points in 16 games. David Krejci has 17 points in 18 games, Nathan Horton has identical numbers. Brad Marchand has 12 points in 18 games, and both Chris Kelly and Michael Ryder have 11 apiece. Vancouver can counter with the Sedins, Kesler and Burrows, but in the top 30 scorers in these playoffs, there are 6 Bruins and 5 Canucks. It evens out the farther down you go, but in the end the two teams with the best offense made the finals.
So here we are, on the cusp of making history. Either Vancouver will end their cup hoodoo, leaving Toronto as one of the longest, or Boston will end theirs and Bobby Orr will be in the stands. I'd love to see that, if I'm honest.
So what I will do is go with a gut feeling on what I feel had to happen from the beginning, and what happened in the end.
First of all, the Vancouver Canucks are beginning to prove that winning the President's trophy isn't a curse -- it is in fact a statement of intent to the rest of the league that they need to be taken seriously throughout the playoffs. Their barn is loud, too. Kesler has been a dominant force and can be seriously considered for the Conn Smythe up until today at least. Luongo has been decent, and in the last few games really shut down the Sharks.
The Sharks had problems from the get-go, trying to overcome the emotion of their win over Detroit. Just think about where we'd be today had the Sharks overcome the Wings in five, or six? If they hadn't let that energy-sapping series go on for so long, they would have had a few more days to relax and gain perspective ahead of what could have been the most important series in their club's history. Big changes could be ahead. If I'm Doug Wilson, I have to look at the forwards I'm paying and wonder where I'd be if Dany Heatley had shown up for the playoffs in consecutive games, or even for a whole series at a time. I wonder what's the deal with Joe Thornton's health, as it would appear that he's either injured or unsure of what to do when crunch time rolls around.
San Jose has also been through several veteran defensement and is now stuck with only Dan Boyle in the 'high quality' category, as they've seen the backs of Rivet, Blake et al through the last couple of seasons. Niemi has also played a lot of hockey in the last calendar year, especially for a guy who was really in his first big season of hockey last year, culminating in the big deal and move to Northern California.
In the end, the better team won. Not only that, they're getting healthier. Kesler may have taken a knock but Malhotra coming back is a fearsome prospect for the Sharks, especially with his face off prowess. It'll be interesting to see the contest between Bergeron and Malhotra, should it ever come to that.
That, of course, is my segue into the Boston Bruins winning the Eastern Conference. I'll be honest, I did pick them to go all the way once I knew that they'd be playing the Lightning. I didn't expect that series to go to 7 games, but with Roloson playing the way he does in the playoffs, and with St. Louis and Lecavalier as senior, proven playoff performers in the team, you couldn't bet against them in the end.
Boston proved to be very difficult to play against, but there are several interesting story lines going into this final series.
First of all, Tim Thomas. He allowed far more goals in this series than I expected. I didn't think he'd stop everything, get four shutouts and then move on to the second round: the Lightning offense is far too good to allow that to happen. I did expect him to keep them to less than 2 goals per game, or to keep a 2.00-2.15 GAA over the course of a seven game series. Look at the record this series:
Game 1 -- allowed 5 goals.
Game 2 -- allowed 5 goals.
Game 3 -- shutout.
Game 4 -- Allowed 5 goals.
Game 5 -- Allowed 1 goal.
Game 6 -- Allowed 5 goals.
Game 7 -- shutout.
Sorry, but just because you get two shutouts it doesn't mean that you stood on your head. Polar opposites aren't a good thing when you're a goaltender playing at the highest level. Allowing 5 goals in 4 out of 7 games, is usually complete suicide and yet somehow, Thomas is at the top or near the top of every goaltending category there is. He is also top among all active goalies this time of the playoffs (which is only two, I know, but there were four just a few days ago).
Okay, so the winner of the Stanley Cup? Well it's easy to go with the Canucks. They will be the front runner and they will most certainly play well at home. Luongo has been good, and their defensemen have been good, and they have a deep forward corps that have been clicking lately. Their defensive forwards have been excellent, and the likes of Kesler and Burrows have been providing, with Torres hitting everyone in sight.
Then there's the Bruins. So maybe Thomas had a bad series, he's still a terrific goalie that can stop just about anything on his day. Truly, the opposite of Luongo, without a prescribed style and without the size and presence in the crease that the Canucks netminder has.
I'd have to give the goaltending advantage to the Canucks, however.
In terms of defense, Vancouver has the deepest group and that's not up for argument. Even when they've got an injury or two, the depth they have to draw from is immense and could single-handedly win the cup if it comes down to injuries.
The Bruins have the immovable object in Zdeno Chara, who will need to watch his temper and his petulant reactions because he's going to have a few pests to deal with in this series. If he allows the Canucks to get under his skin, he's going to find himself in the box and without a Stanley Cup ring, really quickly. Having said that, there is no question mark over his play at the moment, and that goes for Andrew Ference too, who assisted on the series-winning goal last night.
Kaberle? Well, that's another story. Interesting to see his statistics at the moment, with 8 assists and no goals, and a plus 7 rating. The biggest thing is, he's only averaging 12-14 minutes on the ice per night, and for someone who is supposed to be a stud defenseman, to move the puck and calmly set up your powerplay...well those aren't the type of numbers you'd expect.
So he's been a bust, up until now, and you can expect there will be a massive question mark hanging over his head all the way through until the final buzzer sounds on this series. All he can do is score a few points, take advantage of his shifts and hopefully come on the winning end of it all.
Up front, well this is where things might be a bit of a wash. Both teams boast depth at the forward positions and where the Bruins might edge it is their scoring lines. Even without the likes of Marc Savard, the Bruins are clicking on all cylinders.
Patrice Bergeron has 15 points in 16 games. David Krejci has 17 points in 18 games, Nathan Horton has identical numbers. Brad Marchand has 12 points in 18 games, and both Chris Kelly and Michael Ryder have 11 apiece. Vancouver can counter with the Sedins, Kesler and Burrows, but in the top 30 scorers in these playoffs, there are 6 Bruins and 5 Canucks. It evens out the farther down you go, but in the end the two teams with the best offense made the finals.
So here we are, on the cusp of making history. Either Vancouver will end their cup hoodoo, leaving Toronto as one of the longest, or Boston will end theirs and Bobby Orr will be in the stands. I'd love to see that, if I'm honest.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Has the tide turned?
If I'm a San Jose Sharks supporter, I might be thinking a little bit about what the phrase 'choke artist' means.
If there has ever been a truer display of choking, then someone should get the video over to the HP Pavilion pronto, because these finned fish are displaying some of the smallest balls I've ever seen in hockey.
With an older, more tired, far more bearded Detroit team on the ropes after 3 matches, San Jose should have had the wherewithal in the last 2 games to put them away once and for all. I think that with Chicago's poor season, Columbus terrible play and St. Louis self-distruction, Detroit was awarded the 3rd seed for being just above average, and one of the most overrated teams in the whole dance.
San Jose made a note of that and came in on all cylinders. You can point to 'close games' if you'd like, but this is a true depiction of what a winning team is. It's not close if you're losing in a best of seven series 3-0.
The swing game in Detroit is going to be a loss for the Red Wings. I don't see the Sharks truly throwing themselves under the bus. They are too experienced and hungry for that.
In the other series, I can't say enough about Nashville. You want to know what hard work will get you in hockey? Check out the Predators. Doesn't matter where they play. They'll smash and bang you all night long, and skate off with the ugly victory.
Ugly hockey doesn't matter, because it could earn you the most beautiful trophy in the world.
If there has ever been a truer display of choking, then someone should get the video over to the HP Pavilion pronto, because these finned fish are displaying some of the smallest balls I've ever seen in hockey.
With an older, more tired, far more bearded Detroit team on the ropes after 3 matches, San Jose should have had the wherewithal in the last 2 games to put them away once and for all. I think that with Chicago's poor season, Columbus terrible play and St. Louis self-distruction, Detroit was awarded the 3rd seed for being just above average, and one of the most overrated teams in the whole dance.
San Jose made a note of that and came in on all cylinders. You can point to 'close games' if you'd like, but this is a true depiction of what a winning team is. It's not close if you're losing in a best of seven series 3-0.
The swing game in Detroit is going to be a loss for the Red Wings. I don't see the Sharks truly throwing themselves under the bus. They are too experienced and hungry for that.
In the other series, I can't say enough about Nashville. You want to know what hard work will get you in hockey? Check out the Predators. Doesn't matter where they play. They'll smash and bang you all night long, and skate off with the ugly victory.
Ugly hockey doesn't matter, because it could earn you the most beautiful trophy in the world.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Are you bored, too?
I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm bored, but from what I've been reading it would appear that the Stanley Cup playoffs have been lacking substance, for some.
I'm watching these second round series, or should I say, "Conference Semi-finals" with a keen eye because I have a few players in my 'favourites' group (not unlike Don Cherry) that I would like to see hoist the trophy.
I can understand why there are fans that are feeling a little disenfranchised with this round, and not just because there are two teams on the brink of a sweep, and one that has just suffered that fate.
One of the most popular and well-known teams, the Washington Capitals were expected to run deep into the post-season, and probably would have had two of their star players not gone AWOL for the entire second series, and most of the first one. The Capitals are stacked with talent, that's without question. The main problem is that they just aren't playoff performers. Add to that, the loss of a star defenseman for whom the Capitals traded at the trade deadline, and suddenly you're looking pretty grim. Notice I haven't even touched the goaltending issue?
Another very popular and historically dominant team is the Philadelphia Flyers. They are on the brink of an exit too, and that's not good for a team that had designs on a return to the Cup Final and bettering their runner-up position.
In the East, two of the most popular and well-known teams are out/on the verge of being out. It isn't good for the NHL and it isn't good for ratings, when most people who tune in won't care if their team is out.
However, an original six franchise in the Boston Bruins making it deep will certainly help, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have garnered some notoriety after their Cup win in 2006, so that's got at least Florida excited.
In the West, we're looking at Vancouver (who happens to have a long Stanley Cup drought going on, looking at 41 years?) and San Jose Sharks -- both probably entrants into the Conference Final. Losing Detroit and Nashville will have some people crying, (especially Red Wings fans who happen to think that their team should be in the Final, every year and winning it every other in the very least).
Regardless, the quick nature of these series is going to make most people lose interest for the near future because it's just about academic at this point. So far, only one series is poised to go to 5 games (Vancouver/Nashville) and the remaining two series are both notched at 3-0 leads for the team with home ice advantage.
I am enjoying the hockey, and I am enjoying being around for these playoffs after missing the last two. I just wish the series could all go to seven games so that the tournament would last forever and I could watch hockey up until June 30th.
As it is, the quickness of these series will have an awkward week or so break, unless one of them turns around and begins a long and rare run to a 7th game.
Let's hope it isn't for the Boston Bruins.
I'm looking at some statistics on the NHL website, and I'd like to comment on a few players.
First, Ryan Kesler. He's a great player and becoming a bonafide NHL star. His performance last season, all the way and up until the gold medal game was something to behold, and if he continues to play well the United States is going to be seriously stacked for some time to come -- something I never thought I'd admit.
He's done some terrific two-way play for the Canucks and they're going to need him to continue checking and back-checking against some of the classiest players in the league -- should they meet the San Jose Sharks, he'll have his hands full, not to mention either of the Lightning or Bruins.
Roberto Luongo has sure turned it up a notch from the all-out seizure and disappearance of the first round. He has started to see the puck very well, which means that the San Jose Sharks are going to have to be very, very good to get more than 2 per night past him.
Martin St. Louis is going to have something to talk about when these playoffs are over, regarding how many errant sticks he has taken in the craw. He's had at least two bloody mouths and lost as many as 3 teeth during the course of these playoffs, and he's only played 11 games. He continually skates back to his bench with a look of incredulity on his face. Referees just aren't seeing the calls, and if they are, they aren't even making up for them later on with a phantom call.
Dwayne Roloson. Stand up, son. This guy is amazing, and when bloggers claim to have seen "that look in his eye" they aren't joking. He looks possessed and is seeing the puck as well or better than Luongo. He doesn't flop around and he doesn't have size, he's just determined. And old. This guy has no business playing like this, and you get the feeling that even if he doesn't win the Cup this year, he may never be back. So he's playing like this is his last shot. Good for him. Lots of Canadian players on the Lightning, including a Canadian captain and I happen to favour that when the business end of the playoffs arrives.
An additional note on Roloson, I remember an interview with him when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. He came from Minnesota and had been fairly well-traveled up to that point. He explained to his kids that he'd been traded, and his kids were hoping that it was to the Tampa Bay Lightning. "Nope" he said, and ended up playing them in that fateful Final.
Lastly, a gripe. That call against Shea Weber in the third game in Nashville when he was adjudged to have hooked Ryan Kesler was one of the worst calls I can remember. Not as bad as missing the Calgary Flames winning the Stanley Cup with a goal that crossed the line and didn't get counted, but somewhere in that region.
That penalty was the result of some tricky play and gamesmanship by Kesler -- which he will one day have to admit -- and a wrong--place, wrong-time situation for Weber. It shouldn't have been a call, shouldn't have been a PP and Vancouver may not have won the game. For those of you who want to dispute the importance of that goal, hear this: what are the optics on that series if overtime continues and the Predators win, making the series 2-1 for them, going into game 4 at home in Smashville?
Yeah. That's what I thought, too.
I'm watching these second round series, or should I say, "Conference Semi-finals" with a keen eye because I have a few players in my 'favourites' group (not unlike Don Cherry) that I would like to see hoist the trophy.
I can understand why there are fans that are feeling a little disenfranchised with this round, and not just because there are two teams on the brink of a sweep, and one that has just suffered that fate.
One of the most popular and well-known teams, the Washington Capitals were expected to run deep into the post-season, and probably would have had two of their star players not gone AWOL for the entire second series, and most of the first one. The Capitals are stacked with talent, that's without question. The main problem is that they just aren't playoff performers. Add to that, the loss of a star defenseman for whom the Capitals traded at the trade deadline, and suddenly you're looking pretty grim. Notice I haven't even touched the goaltending issue?
Another very popular and historically dominant team is the Philadelphia Flyers. They are on the brink of an exit too, and that's not good for a team that had designs on a return to the Cup Final and bettering their runner-up position.
In the East, two of the most popular and well-known teams are out/on the verge of being out. It isn't good for the NHL and it isn't good for ratings, when most people who tune in won't care if their team is out.
However, an original six franchise in the Boston Bruins making it deep will certainly help, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have garnered some notoriety after their Cup win in 2006, so that's got at least Florida excited.
In the West, we're looking at Vancouver (who happens to have a long Stanley Cup drought going on, looking at 41 years?) and San Jose Sharks -- both probably entrants into the Conference Final. Losing Detroit and Nashville will have some people crying, (especially Red Wings fans who happen to think that their team should be in the Final, every year and winning it every other in the very least).
Regardless, the quick nature of these series is going to make most people lose interest for the near future because it's just about academic at this point. So far, only one series is poised to go to 5 games (Vancouver/Nashville) and the remaining two series are both notched at 3-0 leads for the team with home ice advantage.
I am enjoying the hockey, and I am enjoying being around for these playoffs after missing the last two. I just wish the series could all go to seven games so that the tournament would last forever and I could watch hockey up until June 30th.
As it is, the quickness of these series will have an awkward week or so break, unless one of them turns around and begins a long and rare run to a 7th game.
Let's hope it isn't for the Boston Bruins.
I'm looking at some statistics on the NHL website, and I'd like to comment on a few players.
First, Ryan Kesler. He's a great player and becoming a bonafide NHL star. His performance last season, all the way and up until the gold medal game was something to behold, and if he continues to play well the United States is going to be seriously stacked for some time to come -- something I never thought I'd admit.
He's done some terrific two-way play for the Canucks and they're going to need him to continue checking and back-checking against some of the classiest players in the league -- should they meet the San Jose Sharks, he'll have his hands full, not to mention either of the Lightning or Bruins.
Roberto Luongo has sure turned it up a notch from the all-out seizure and disappearance of the first round. He has started to see the puck very well, which means that the San Jose Sharks are going to have to be very, very good to get more than 2 per night past him.
Martin St. Louis is going to have something to talk about when these playoffs are over, regarding how many errant sticks he has taken in the craw. He's had at least two bloody mouths and lost as many as 3 teeth during the course of these playoffs, and he's only played 11 games. He continually skates back to his bench with a look of incredulity on his face. Referees just aren't seeing the calls, and if they are, they aren't even making up for them later on with a phantom call.
Dwayne Roloson. Stand up, son. This guy is amazing, and when bloggers claim to have seen "that look in his eye" they aren't joking. He looks possessed and is seeing the puck as well or better than Luongo. He doesn't flop around and he doesn't have size, he's just determined. And old. This guy has no business playing like this, and you get the feeling that even if he doesn't win the Cup this year, he may never be back. So he's playing like this is his last shot. Good for him. Lots of Canadian players on the Lightning, including a Canadian captain and I happen to favour that when the business end of the playoffs arrives.
An additional note on Roloson, I remember an interview with him when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. He came from Minnesota and had been fairly well-traveled up to that point. He explained to his kids that he'd been traded, and his kids were hoping that it was to the Tampa Bay Lightning. "Nope" he said, and ended up playing them in that fateful Final.
Lastly, a gripe. That call against Shea Weber in the third game in Nashville when he was adjudged to have hooked Ryan Kesler was one of the worst calls I can remember. Not as bad as missing the Calgary Flames winning the Stanley Cup with a goal that crossed the line and didn't get counted, but somewhere in that region.
That penalty was the result of some tricky play and gamesmanship by Kesler -- which he will one day have to admit -- and a wrong--place, wrong-time situation for Weber. It shouldn't have been a call, shouldn't have been a PP and Vancouver may not have won the game. For those of you who want to dispute the importance of that goal, hear this: what are the optics on that series if overtime continues and the Predators win, making the series 2-1 for them, going into game 4 at home in Smashville?
Yeah. That's what I thought, too.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Expect the unexpected!
I did not expect the Washington Capitals to lose the first two games of this series to an inferior team. Everything seems to be going well for the Tampa Bay Lightning right now, and that's good for a team that literally has been poor and below average for several years since winning the Stanley Cup.
I did not expect the Boston Bruins to win the first two games of their series on the road in Philadelphia, a louder building now that they have managed to navigate the first round. Regardless, the Bruins have had clutch scoring and better goaltending. The Flyers have some serious decisions to make going forward. It is very clear that they are stuck with Boucher being the least-likely to leave them hanging out of the three goalies that they have. However, Boucher doesn't inspire confidence. They would have been better off going after Giguere, Roloson, or someone of that calibre. It's obviously paying dividends for the Lightning.
The Western Conference is another story. I expected it to be a tight, hard battle between Vancouver and Nashville. With two games coming up in Tennessee, it's likely to be a bloody and hard-hitting couple of nights.
San Jose has proven to be a major contender. If they can steal one in the Motor City, they're going to be home and dry within a week. If they don't, it's a series again. You'd bet on San Jose beating just about anyone at the moment, wouldn't you?
So that's that. We're already looking at three 2-0 series leads and it's going to take some major pushing from the teams who are looking up from that hole to make any of those series long. Philadelphia has the talent and personnel to do it, as does Detroit. Washington should be able to, but I don't know if they've learned their lessons just yet.
Enjoy the action tonight.
I did not expect the Boston Bruins to win the first two games of their series on the road in Philadelphia, a louder building now that they have managed to navigate the first round. Regardless, the Bruins have had clutch scoring and better goaltending. The Flyers have some serious decisions to make going forward. It is very clear that they are stuck with Boucher being the least-likely to leave them hanging out of the three goalies that they have. However, Boucher doesn't inspire confidence. They would have been better off going after Giguere, Roloson, or someone of that calibre. It's obviously paying dividends for the Lightning.
The Western Conference is another story. I expected it to be a tight, hard battle between Vancouver and Nashville. With two games coming up in Tennessee, it's likely to be a bloody and hard-hitting couple of nights.
San Jose has proven to be a major contender. If they can steal one in the Motor City, they're going to be home and dry within a week. If they don't, it's a series again. You'd bet on San Jose beating just about anyone at the moment, wouldn't you?
So that's that. We're already looking at three 2-0 series leads and it's going to take some major pushing from the teams who are looking up from that hole to make any of those series long. Philadelphia has the talent and personnel to do it, as does Detroit. Washington should be able to, but I don't know if they've learned their lessons just yet.
Enjoy the action tonight.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Predictions are about as useful as...
Well, I can't think of anything.
I watched the Boston and Montreal game, or I should say, I listened to it on the radio during a long commute between Toronto and London.
It was interesting to me that Boston seemed to want to shoot themselves in the foot as many times as they possibly could during the game. They allowed Montreal to use their powerplay, which is much vaunted in these playoffs and playing with fire. In a leveling sense, Montreal took a few penalties too, which Boston was unable to capitalize on. So much so, in fact, that Boston set a record for not scoring on a power play in a seven game series for the first time in Stanley Cup history. Try explaining that one to your grandkids.
This comes at a terrible time for the Bruins, who will likely wish their special teams were up to speed when they meet the Flyers. Philadelphia has a problem staying out of the box as they so capably demonstrated in the series with Buffalo just a few short days ago. Buffalo constantly exposed them for their petulance and backed it up with above average goaltending. A better, deeper team than the Sabres would have knocked the Flyers out in five or six games.
I'm going to give a shorter preview of the new series, as it all kicks off this evening in about an hours time.
First off, there's the Nashville vs. Vancouver series. This is looking very much like an easy call, and realistically the Predators shouldn't trouble the Canucks too much. Vancouver will feel as if they have a new lease on life after their much longed-for victory over Chicago. The city will be healing after that, and they'll need to re-focus on what will be a tough defensive test. The Predators have several skilled forwards that can absolutely expose any defensive instability you have. They have a run-and-gun strategy to put the puck deep, and deposit you directly into the boards. They don't call it 'smashville' for nothing.
I am predicting that the Canucks will win the series, but at the end of the day it's all about how easy the Predators make it. They cannot take any penalties. They need Rinne to stand on his head, and they need terrific two-way play from their forwards.
I'm going to say that Vancouver wins this series in 6 games.
The other matchup in the West puts San Jose against Detroit. This is difficult for me. Now that we're approaching the business end of the playoffs, I'd like to see Detroit knocked out. The longer they stay in the competition they more likely they are to win the whole thing.
San Jose was very good against Los Angeles, but they should have done better. The Kings are a decent team, definitely playoff worthy, but the Sharks allowed them to stay in the series.
I think that this is going to come down to whether or not San Jose gets good, solid goaltending. I want the best team to win at the end of the day.
So here's my prediction: Detroit in seven games.
In the east?
There's the small matter of Washington vs. Tampa Bay, a Southeast division battle that could rage on for some time.
Tampa's offense really only got going in the final two games of the series. It exposed Pittsburgh for what it really was: a tired, injured group, bereft of a solid goalscorer and with a goalie that was unable to stand on his head for a full seven games.
Washington is aching to get to the conference finals and prove to everyone that they are the class of the eastern conference. In HBO's 24/7 Hockey, Bruce Boudreau mentioned the statistic that Chicago lost 8 games in a row last year, but pulled their shit together and managed to win the Stanley Cup. That's true, and this year I believe that the Capitals lost 9 in a row while the Penguins were winning 11 in a row. It's funny that they two teams have gone in such opposite directions (though isn't that due to Washington in the first place?) and that the Capitals are starting to pull through for their coach. Their defense first approach has led to success.
Tampa has an excellent offense, but at the end of the day they are not as sound defensively as people thing they are. Sure, they did well in the last two games but it looked like the Penguins literally had nothing left to give. Would they have done as well if Crosby and Malkin were playing? Roloson has done well and won another series, and I'm sure he'll do well here. Maybe even put up another shutout.
I am selecting the Washington Capitals to win in 6 games.
Philadephia vs. Boston.
I'm not sure which Philadelphia Flyers team will show up. I am assuming the penalty-taking, sloppy, non-goaltending team will continue to rear its ugly head, and not even Chris Pronger can change that.
This team has one solid goaltender -- Boucher, who is totally outclassed by Tim Thomas and Tuuka Rask. They have Bobrovsky who is a great rookie, but should never have been kept in as the starter when they weren't sure until the end of the year. Why they didn't trade one of their 300 forwards for a good goaltender is beyond me.
Boston is going to be thinking that they are incredibly lucky and happy to be where they are, and they have another score to settle against the team that came back to cripple them last year. They have confidence, having beaten their biggest and closest rival, and now it's time to beat an conference power.
I am picking the Boston Bruins to win in 6 games.
I watched the Boston and Montreal game, or I should say, I listened to it on the radio during a long commute between Toronto and London.
It was interesting to me that Boston seemed to want to shoot themselves in the foot as many times as they possibly could during the game. They allowed Montreal to use their powerplay, which is much vaunted in these playoffs and playing with fire. In a leveling sense, Montreal took a few penalties too, which Boston was unable to capitalize on. So much so, in fact, that Boston set a record for not scoring on a power play in a seven game series for the first time in Stanley Cup history. Try explaining that one to your grandkids.
This comes at a terrible time for the Bruins, who will likely wish their special teams were up to speed when they meet the Flyers. Philadelphia has a problem staying out of the box as they so capably demonstrated in the series with Buffalo just a few short days ago. Buffalo constantly exposed them for their petulance and backed it up with above average goaltending. A better, deeper team than the Sabres would have knocked the Flyers out in five or six games.
I'm going to give a shorter preview of the new series, as it all kicks off this evening in about an hours time.
First off, there's the Nashville vs. Vancouver series. This is looking very much like an easy call, and realistically the Predators shouldn't trouble the Canucks too much. Vancouver will feel as if they have a new lease on life after their much longed-for victory over Chicago. The city will be healing after that, and they'll need to re-focus on what will be a tough defensive test. The Predators have several skilled forwards that can absolutely expose any defensive instability you have. They have a run-and-gun strategy to put the puck deep, and deposit you directly into the boards. They don't call it 'smashville' for nothing.
I am predicting that the Canucks will win the series, but at the end of the day it's all about how easy the Predators make it. They cannot take any penalties. They need Rinne to stand on his head, and they need terrific two-way play from their forwards.
I'm going to say that Vancouver wins this series in 6 games.
The other matchup in the West puts San Jose against Detroit. This is difficult for me. Now that we're approaching the business end of the playoffs, I'd like to see Detroit knocked out. The longer they stay in the competition they more likely they are to win the whole thing.
San Jose was very good against Los Angeles, but they should have done better. The Kings are a decent team, definitely playoff worthy, but the Sharks allowed them to stay in the series.
I think that this is going to come down to whether or not San Jose gets good, solid goaltending. I want the best team to win at the end of the day.
So here's my prediction: Detroit in seven games.
In the east?
There's the small matter of Washington vs. Tampa Bay, a Southeast division battle that could rage on for some time.
Tampa's offense really only got going in the final two games of the series. It exposed Pittsburgh for what it really was: a tired, injured group, bereft of a solid goalscorer and with a goalie that was unable to stand on his head for a full seven games.
Washington is aching to get to the conference finals and prove to everyone that they are the class of the eastern conference. In HBO's 24/7 Hockey, Bruce Boudreau mentioned the statistic that Chicago lost 8 games in a row last year, but pulled their shit together and managed to win the Stanley Cup. That's true, and this year I believe that the Capitals lost 9 in a row while the Penguins were winning 11 in a row. It's funny that they two teams have gone in such opposite directions (though isn't that due to Washington in the first place?) and that the Capitals are starting to pull through for their coach. Their defense first approach has led to success.
Tampa has an excellent offense, but at the end of the day they are not as sound defensively as people thing they are. Sure, they did well in the last two games but it looked like the Penguins literally had nothing left to give. Would they have done as well if Crosby and Malkin were playing? Roloson has done well and won another series, and I'm sure he'll do well here. Maybe even put up another shutout.
I am selecting the Washington Capitals to win in 6 games.
Philadephia vs. Boston.
I'm not sure which Philadelphia Flyers team will show up. I am assuming the penalty-taking, sloppy, non-goaltending team will continue to rear its ugly head, and not even Chris Pronger can change that.
This team has one solid goaltender -- Boucher, who is totally outclassed by Tim Thomas and Tuuka Rask. They have Bobrovsky who is a great rookie, but should never have been kept in as the starter when they weren't sure until the end of the year. Why they didn't trade one of their 300 forwards for a good goaltender is beyond me.
Boston is going to be thinking that they are incredibly lucky and happy to be where they are, and they have another score to settle against the team that came back to cripple them last year. They have confidence, having beaten their biggest and closest rival, and now it's time to beat an conference power.
I am picking the Boston Bruins to win in 6 games.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
On Hockey:
I remember reading a novel by Bertrand Russell for the first time. It was so simple, so eloquent, so 'the way writing was meant to be.' Russell's strength is in not overcomplicating things, so that the reader gets the point immediately. I will try to do that today.
I've watched several games in the last few days, despite the fact that Easter celebrations took me to mass five times in four days. Being Catholic didn't obstruct my view of what's happened so far. 7 series continued, and there have been a few winners.
First, let's talk about Washington and New York.
Washington won the first two games, meaning that they had a 70% chance of winning the series. That proved to be true as they won 2 of the next 3 games, and knocked the Rangers out of the post-season. I'm glad, in a sense, because the Rangers were so clearly the inferior team. Sure, their defense and goaltending was impressive this season, but overall they lacked the quality that Washington has. I'm convinced that had Carolina won their final game and taken the 8th seed, they would have been a far better test for Washington and made this series more exciting. With Washington's newfound defensive system, it's not as fun to watch the Capitals anymore. Regardless, they're into the semi-finals now, and you'd have to look at them as a favourite to go all the way if their goaltending holds up.
This is probably a perfect time for me to tell you that I predicted Washington would win the series. I gave it 6 games, though. The Caps were a perfect 3-0 on home ice, which I mentioned would be important.
Philadelphia and Buffalo is another series that nobody is really sure about. Buffalo has performed to expectations, especially with how hot they were down the stretch. Having said that, I have never seen a series with so many penalties, so many open-net misses, so many goaltending changes by a 'contending' team. Philadelphia has literally tied this series and stayed in it by playing with fire. I don't know if they are as good as everyone once thought they were. Who is their starting goaltender? A question that should be answered sooner, rather than later. Why are they taking so many penalties? The Flyers are allowing themselves to be taken in by Buffalo's grinders and pests.
With that series going to a 7th game, you'd have to look to Philly to be the winners. However, Buffalo has won two games in Philly, and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of home-ice advantage. I'm going to stick with Philly as my pick to win the series, but I think that Buffalo has every chance of making it through. Nothing less than a Ryan Miller masterclass will see them past the Flyers. Remember, Philly won game 2, so they have a 70% chance of winning this series.
My original pick was Flyers in Six games. I picked Pronger as their talisman (if healthy) and said that the Flyers would be more motivated. We'll see what holds true when this one ends. Does anyone else get the feeling that Buffalo had their chance in game six to eliminate the Flyers, and now that chance is just about gone?
Now on to Boston and Montreal. This is a funny old series, because home ice advantage has counted for naught this far. The visiting team won all four games in the series, and with Boston winning game five on home ice, you'd have to think that momentum would be the Bruins friend going into this game 6.
Is this a good time to mention that I picked the Bruins to win in 6?
What about Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay?
I didn't expect the Penguins to jump out to a 3-1 series lead, albeit they did so by clutch goalscoring and overtime victories. The Penguins have stayed faithful with their systems, but at this point in the series with things going to a deciding 7th game, you're looking at a total loss of momentum for the Pens, and too much hanging in the balance for them. Tampa Bay has won the last two games by a combined score of 12-4, and Pittsburgh is now 0-2 in elimination games in the series. Let's see what happens.
I picked the Penguins to win in seven, because I figured that Tampa's offense would be tough to handle. It didn't hold true in the first 4 games, but they've lit it up on all lines in the past two.
In the Western Conference, it's too hard to tell what's going to happen between Vancouver and Chicago.
Chicago has been irresistible in the past three games, and they are absolutely motivated and on fire. Vancouver has been playing well, and their puck possession and distribution from defense to offense has been terrific. At times, you wonder how Chicago managed to stay in the series.
Regardless of that, Luongo's goaltending has been an issue once again. His nemeses' happen to be these very same Blackhawks, and its starting not to be very fun for him. He was terrific in the first two games, but the rest of this series he has been ordinary and managed a 1-3 record in the last four games. So far, we're looking at a wounded Canucks team who have had their confidence handed back to them for retooling.
I picked Vancouver to win in 6 games, and I still think it's more likely that they win this series, but obviously home-ice advantage doesn't count for very much.
Now for San Jose and Los Angeles. I remember looking at some blogrolls and seeing pundits had chosen this to be the only sweep of the first round. I wasn't too sure about that, but I did pick San Jose as the overwhelming winner. Los Angeles just doesn't have the depth and balance and that the Sharks have.
Give credit to the Kings, they made it a series. Regardless, the Sharks ended this in six games. I predicted it would end in five, although I did pick the Sharks to win it.
Detroit and Phoenix managed to make it a short series, with Detroit turning it on in the end, and Phoenix totally unable to cope with a more experienced and better quality side. I picked Wings in seven, and while that turned out to be far fetched, it's still the correct winner. Another feather in my cap.
The final series in the West was Anaheim and Nashville. I picked Anaheim to win in six games, and I'll admit I was wrong. Anaheim's offense was far too mercurial and they didn't manage to pull it together for more than one game in a row.
So, I have correctly picked the three winners of the series that are over. I have a few going to 7th games, so I could be 7/8, or I could be 3 for 8. Ouch. Tough!
Tomorrow, I'll post on the award nominees and what's happened with the 7th games.
I've watched several games in the last few days, despite the fact that Easter celebrations took me to mass five times in four days. Being Catholic didn't obstruct my view of what's happened so far. 7 series continued, and there have been a few winners.
First, let's talk about Washington and New York.
Washington won the first two games, meaning that they had a 70% chance of winning the series. That proved to be true as they won 2 of the next 3 games, and knocked the Rangers out of the post-season. I'm glad, in a sense, because the Rangers were so clearly the inferior team. Sure, their defense and goaltending was impressive this season, but overall they lacked the quality that Washington has. I'm convinced that had Carolina won their final game and taken the 8th seed, they would have been a far better test for Washington and made this series more exciting. With Washington's newfound defensive system, it's not as fun to watch the Capitals anymore. Regardless, they're into the semi-finals now, and you'd have to look at them as a favourite to go all the way if their goaltending holds up.
This is probably a perfect time for me to tell you that I predicted Washington would win the series. I gave it 6 games, though. The Caps were a perfect 3-0 on home ice, which I mentioned would be important.
Philadelphia and Buffalo is another series that nobody is really sure about. Buffalo has performed to expectations, especially with how hot they were down the stretch. Having said that, I have never seen a series with so many penalties, so many open-net misses, so many goaltending changes by a 'contending' team. Philadelphia has literally tied this series and stayed in it by playing with fire. I don't know if they are as good as everyone once thought they were. Who is their starting goaltender? A question that should be answered sooner, rather than later. Why are they taking so many penalties? The Flyers are allowing themselves to be taken in by Buffalo's grinders and pests.
With that series going to a 7th game, you'd have to look to Philly to be the winners. However, Buffalo has won two games in Philly, and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of home-ice advantage. I'm going to stick with Philly as my pick to win the series, but I think that Buffalo has every chance of making it through. Nothing less than a Ryan Miller masterclass will see them past the Flyers. Remember, Philly won game 2, so they have a 70% chance of winning this series.
My original pick was Flyers in Six games. I picked Pronger as their talisman (if healthy) and said that the Flyers would be more motivated. We'll see what holds true when this one ends. Does anyone else get the feeling that Buffalo had their chance in game six to eliminate the Flyers, and now that chance is just about gone?
Now on to Boston and Montreal. This is a funny old series, because home ice advantage has counted for naught this far. The visiting team won all four games in the series, and with Boston winning game five on home ice, you'd have to think that momentum would be the Bruins friend going into this game 6.
Is this a good time to mention that I picked the Bruins to win in 6?
What about Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay?
I didn't expect the Penguins to jump out to a 3-1 series lead, albeit they did so by clutch goalscoring and overtime victories. The Penguins have stayed faithful with their systems, but at this point in the series with things going to a deciding 7th game, you're looking at a total loss of momentum for the Pens, and too much hanging in the balance for them. Tampa Bay has won the last two games by a combined score of 12-4, and Pittsburgh is now 0-2 in elimination games in the series. Let's see what happens.
I picked the Penguins to win in seven, because I figured that Tampa's offense would be tough to handle. It didn't hold true in the first 4 games, but they've lit it up on all lines in the past two.
In the Western Conference, it's too hard to tell what's going to happen between Vancouver and Chicago.
Chicago has been irresistible in the past three games, and they are absolutely motivated and on fire. Vancouver has been playing well, and their puck possession and distribution from defense to offense has been terrific. At times, you wonder how Chicago managed to stay in the series.
Regardless of that, Luongo's goaltending has been an issue once again. His nemeses' happen to be these very same Blackhawks, and its starting not to be very fun for him. He was terrific in the first two games, but the rest of this series he has been ordinary and managed a 1-3 record in the last four games. So far, we're looking at a wounded Canucks team who have had their confidence handed back to them for retooling.
I picked Vancouver to win in 6 games, and I still think it's more likely that they win this series, but obviously home-ice advantage doesn't count for very much.
Now for San Jose and Los Angeles. I remember looking at some blogrolls and seeing pundits had chosen this to be the only sweep of the first round. I wasn't too sure about that, but I did pick San Jose as the overwhelming winner. Los Angeles just doesn't have the depth and balance and that the Sharks have.
Give credit to the Kings, they made it a series. Regardless, the Sharks ended this in six games. I predicted it would end in five, although I did pick the Sharks to win it.
Detroit and Phoenix managed to make it a short series, with Detroit turning it on in the end, and Phoenix totally unable to cope with a more experienced and better quality side. I picked Wings in seven, and while that turned out to be far fetched, it's still the correct winner. Another feather in my cap.
The final series in the West was Anaheim and Nashville. I picked Anaheim to win in six games, and I'll admit I was wrong. Anaheim's offense was far too mercurial and they didn't manage to pull it together for more than one game in a row.
So, I have correctly picked the three winners of the series that are over. I have a few going to 7th games, so I could be 7/8, or I could be 3 for 8. Ouch. Tough!
Tomorrow, I'll post on the award nominees and what's happened with the 7th games.
Friday, April 22, 2011
"This parachute is a knapsack......"
How badly do the Vancouver Canucks wish that the Dallas Stars had won their final game of the regular season?
The last two games in this series reek of a team that is overconfident.
Sure, the Canucks deserve to have an air of confidence within their locker room. The problem occurs when it spills on to the ice and the humility leaves their game.
The first two games were perfect examples of how the Canucks have transformed themselves into winners, from choke artists. The third game contained good play from both sides and a hit that has changed the momentum of the series.
Watching the 1st and 8th seeds play each other, it's easy to favour the underdog. It is impossible to say that Chicago is an underdog in this case, as they are, in fact, the reigning Stanley Cup champions. They deserve more respect than pundits -- myself included -- game them going into this war.
Now that I've watched the Raffi Torres hit Colin Campbell-style from every angle and with every possible situation in my mind, I'm certain that it was a dirty hit, at an inopportune time. Chicago took exception to it as did the league. What Torres didn't realize as he smugly accepted his one-game suspension from the series, was that it would be totally effective in bringing Chicago back into the fold.
Chicago is playing like a team possessed, like a wild animal that has gone unfed and unloved for a week and they have decided to take matters into their own hands.
Vancouver eliminated Seabrook from the lineup and don't have to face him, but they have to deal with the wrath of the reigning Norris trophy winner Duncan Keith, who, by-the-by, if you didn't watch the game last night, dropped four points on the old nemesis. Every time Kane-Toews and co touched the puck it was panic stations for what appeared to be a very weary Canucks team.
So what happens from here? It's difficult to say. Momentum: Chicago. Motivation: Chicago. Better team: still Vancouver, but they're not playing like it.
The Roberto Luongo we've seen in the last two games has been utterly and pathetically reminiscent of the Luongo of the '09 and '10 playoffs, whom was chased at will from his twined cage like a scared dog. He did the same in the last two games, and was given a vote of confidence from Alain Vigneault that probably won't do all that much for a very stretched and frayed Canucks team.
At this point, it's worth looking back at teams who went down 3-0 in a series but then won two games in an attempt to make it all look respectable, before bowing out and assuming the position in game 6. I remember in Detroit's Cup from from a few years back, the plucky Dallas Stars lost the first three games to the Presidents Trophy winners, then came back to upset the Wings in games 4 and 5, before losing the 6th game in total blowout fashion.
I remember a re-stocked and re-tooled Colorado Avalanche team, who had a certain Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne on their team, looking to bounce an up-and-coming San Jose Sharks team from the playoffs. San Jose won the first 3 games of the series, before Colorado attempted to bring some respectability into it. They managed two wins, and were dumped.
Those are two recent examples (though the Colorado one might be at least 6 years old). It's not often that a team can crawl out of a hole like that, but if any team can do it you'd have to point directly at the Chicago Blackhawks.
One final point on them: can you imagine what it will do to the rest of the conference if they managed to make it out of this series? Nobody will want to play them, and they could go all the way to the 7th game of the conference final without losing any shred of respectability from anyone. One of the best 8th seeds you will ever see.
The other two big games last night contained upsets of sorts. For me, this Boston and Montreal series was over if the Bruins came out flat. They won game three and four on the road, negating any momentum the Canadiens had by upsetting the Bruins on home ice. Now, the Bruins have all the momentum going back to Boston where they can truly put Montreal on the ropes. This series is destined for 7 games, but at the end of the day if the Bruins manage to pull out the series victory you'd have to fear them going into the next round.
The fact that Marchand only really got going last night, as did Bergeron and that Krejci and Lucic haven't really hit their stride yet: things could get dicey for any other Eastern conference opponents. The Canadiens have got to look at themselves and Carey Price, who was unbeatable in the first two games and now looks as if he's been punched in the stomach.
The other match was something of a predictable one. The Sharks, having completed that remarkable comeback the other night, decided to put on a goalscoring clinic. They are reminiscent of the Red Wings a little bit. The perfect amount of grit, goalscoring, a good offensive defense and above average goaltending that is getting them through games. I thought maybe the Kings would be better after that excellent game in San Jose where they tried to shut up their army of naysayers. In fact, they've lost it all and now they go back to the Shark Tank where the Sharks will look to shut them down for good. That five-game prediction is looking pretty smart right now.
So those are the reviews. A few other quick points:
Joe Thornton -- step up son. Your first goal was last night, and that's lovely for you, but you've got to lead by example and that means scoring more points and being involved in the play more.
Corey Crawford -- you're a rookie, and you're getting lucky. I watched his play last night and he scrambles far too many. You want focus? See: Carey Price. He's so calm, it's scary. There were so many 'almost' goals last night that rolled wide, couldn't be redirected or just missed the open net. Crawford made some nice saves, granted, but I wouldn't give him a vote of confidence going into another round where he'd play against Detroit or San Jose, because they will expose him with prejudice.
That's all! Enjoy the games tonight.
The last two games in this series reek of a team that is overconfident.
Sure, the Canucks deserve to have an air of confidence within their locker room. The problem occurs when it spills on to the ice and the humility leaves their game.
The first two games were perfect examples of how the Canucks have transformed themselves into winners, from choke artists. The third game contained good play from both sides and a hit that has changed the momentum of the series.
Watching the 1st and 8th seeds play each other, it's easy to favour the underdog. It is impossible to say that Chicago is an underdog in this case, as they are, in fact, the reigning Stanley Cup champions. They deserve more respect than pundits -- myself included -- game them going into this war.
Now that I've watched the Raffi Torres hit Colin Campbell-style from every angle and with every possible situation in my mind, I'm certain that it was a dirty hit, at an inopportune time. Chicago took exception to it as did the league. What Torres didn't realize as he smugly accepted his one-game suspension from the series, was that it would be totally effective in bringing Chicago back into the fold.
Chicago is playing like a team possessed, like a wild animal that has gone unfed and unloved for a week and they have decided to take matters into their own hands.
Vancouver eliminated Seabrook from the lineup and don't have to face him, but they have to deal with the wrath of the reigning Norris trophy winner Duncan Keith, who, by-the-by, if you didn't watch the game last night, dropped four points on the old nemesis. Every time Kane-Toews and co touched the puck it was panic stations for what appeared to be a very weary Canucks team.
So what happens from here? It's difficult to say. Momentum: Chicago. Motivation: Chicago. Better team: still Vancouver, but they're not playing like it.
The Roberto Luongo we've seen in the last two games has been utterly and pathetically reminiscent of the Luongo of the '09 and '10 playoffs, whom was chased at will from his twined cage like a scared dog. He did the same in the last two games, and was given a vote of confidence from Alain Vigneault that probably won't do all that much for a very stretched and frayed Canucks team.
At this point, it's worth looking back at teams who went down 3-0 in a series but then won two games in an attempt to make it all look respectable, before bowing out and assuming the position in game 6. I remember in Detroit's Cup from from a few years back, the plucky Dallas Stars lost the first three games to the Presidents Trophy winners, then came back to upset the Wings in games 4 and 5, before losing the 6th game in total blowout fashion.
I remember a re-stocked and re-tooled Colorado Avalanche team, who had a certain Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne on their team, looking to bounce an up-and-coming San Jose Sharks team from the playoffs. San Jose won the first 3 games of the series, before Colorado attempted to bring some respectability into it. They managed two wins, and were dumped.
Those are two recent examples (though the Colorado one might be at least 6 years old). It's not often that a team can crawl out of a hole like that, but if any team can do it you'd have to point directly at the Chicago Blackhawks.
One final point on them: can you imagine what it will do to the rest of the conference if they managed to make it out of this series? Nobody will want to play them, and they could go all the way to the 7th game of the conference final without losing any shred of respectability from anyone. One of the best 8th seeds you will ever see.
The other two big games last night contained upsets of sorts. For me, this Boston and Montreal series was over if the Bruins came out flat. They won game three and four on the road, negating any momentum the Canadiens had by upsetting the Bruins on home ice. Now, the Bruins have all the momentum going back to Boston where they can truly put Montreal on the ropes. This series is destined for 7 games, but at the end of the day if the Bruins manage to pull out the series victory you'd have to fear them going into the next round.
The fact that Marchand only really got going last night, as did Bergeron and that Krejci and Lucic haven't really hit their stride yet: things could get dicey for any other Eastern conference opponents. The Canadiens have got to look at themselves and Carey Price, who was unbeatable in the first two games and now looks as if he's been punched in the stomach.
The other match was something of a predictable one. The Sharks, having completed that remarkable comeback the other night, decided to put on a goalscoring clinic. They are reminiscent of the Red Wings a little bit. The perfect amount of grit, goalscoring, a good offensive defense and above average goaltending that is getting them through games. I thought maybe the Kings would be better after that excellent game in San Jose where they tried to shut up their army of naysayers. In fact, they've lost it all and now they go back to the Shark Tank where the Sharks will look to shut them down for good. That five-game prediction is looking pretty smart right now.
So those are the reviews. A few other quick points:
Joe Thornton -- step up son. Your first goal was last night, and that's lovely for you, but you've got to lead by example and that means scoring more points and being involved in the play more.
Corey Crawford -- you're a rookie, and you're getting lucky. I watched his play last night and he scrambles far too many. You want focus? See: Carey Price. He's so calm, it's scary. There were so many 'almost' goals last night that rolled wide, couldn't be redirected or just missed the open net. Crawford made some nice saves, granted, but I wouldn't give him a vote of confidence going into another round where he'd play against Detroit or San Jose, because they will expose him with prejudice.
That's all! Enjoy the games tonight.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
West Coast Road Trip.
Last night was a good journey through left coast hockey.
As an Ontarian, I watch a lot of east coast hockey. There's a certain speed, flair, excitement, big crowds, quirkiness.
The Western Conference in the NHL has a different standard. Overall, it's slightly better despite the league's attempts to gain parity throughout all 30 teams. I would suggest that goaltending is better in the West, as is the quality of defense. I would suggest that there could be less balance on all four forward lines compared to the East, where I think there is better depth overall. However, your defensemen and goal tending tandem is where the Cup is decided and awarded.
Anyway, it was nice to see Chicago win a game last night, because it's a great hockey city that has suffered under some terrible teams for more than a decade. It was nice to see Toews, Kane and Bolland get on the scoresheet, and for the confidence of young Crawford to get the V and help his team stay alive.
They've got momentum, these Blackhawks, and they are heading back to Vancouver with their backs against the wall and a strong desire to take this back to Chicago for game 6. It's been a bittersweet year for the Hawks, who are succumbing to what most Stanley Cup champs experience: the hangover. It's the salary cap era, where teams are built and broken. Most of the great teams that find success are not able to stay together. Detroit is an exception because they have managed to get some players to stay and take a 'home town discount' which is rare in the NHL, and something that Bettman and the powers that be don't like. It's a way of circumventing the cap in a sense, making sure your star players stay for less money, just because they know they will win at some point in the near future.
That's not to say that the Wings haven't drafted well -- they have. They are at the pinnacle of scouting and drafting, and it's done them well over the past few seasons.
So Luongo had a stinker of an evening. Does he come back stronger, more focused? Does he come back with a voice in the back of his head, saying "you've been here before. Now it's at 3-1, and they've got a chance..." Does he panic? He's world class, but he's not good in pressure-cooking situations in the playoffs, as we've seen before.
How about those Kings? I was excited, watching the game last night, because the crowd was loud and was behind this team. Scathing reviews today, after allowing a four goal lead drift away and somehow conspire to lose in overtime. Sounds like Dustin Penner was a useless twat last night, and that's the best I can describe. I've seen a few plays and it appears as if he's not too sure what to do. I think he was at his best on that grind line with Perry and Getzlaf. They brought the best out of him in that playoff run in 2oo7, and I don't think he will ever regain that form.
He's struggled since his move to Edmonton with weight and motivation issues. He had a decent year this year, but moving to a laid-back atmosphere in California where he was once so comfortable has not paid off for the Kings.
Anyway, that's about all I have to say. We could see our first team eliminated tonight, and that's sad in my opinion but...that's hockey.
As an Ontarian, I watch a lot of east coast hockey. There's a certain speed, flair, excitement, big crowds, quirkiness.
The Western Conference in the NHL has a different standard. Overall, it's slightly better despite the league's attempts to gain parity throughout all 30 teams. I would suggest that goaltending is better in the West, as is the quality of defense. I would suggest that there could be less balance on all four forward lines compared to the East, where I think there is better depth overall. However, your defensemen and goal tending tandem is where the Cup is decided and awarded.
Anyway, it was nice to see Chicago win a game last night, because it's a great hockey city that has suffered under some terrible teams for more than a decade. It was nice to see Toews, Kane and Bolland get on the scoresheet, and for the confidence of young Crawford to get the V and help his team stay alive.
They've got momentum, these Blackhawks, and they are heading back to Vancouver with their backs against the wall and a strong desire to take this back to Chicago for game 6. It's been a bittersweet year for the Hawks, who are succumbing to what most Stanley Cup champs experience: the hangover. It's the salary cap era, where teams are built and broken. Most of the great teams that find success are not able to stay together. Detroit is an exception because they have managed to get some players to stay and take a 'home town discount' which is rare in the NHL, and something that Bettman and the powers that be don't like. It's a way of circumventing the cap in a sense, making sure your star players stay for less money, just because they know they will win at some point in the near future.
That's not to say that the Wings haven't drafted well -- they have. They are at the pinnacle of scouting and drafting, and it's done them well over the past few seasons.
So Luongo had a stinker of an evening. Does he come back stronger, more focused? Does he come back with a voice in the back of his head, saying "you've been here before. Now it's at 3-1, and they've got a chance..." Does he panic? He's world class, but he's not good in pressure-cooking situations in the playoffs, as we've seen before.
How about those Kings? I was excited, watching the game last night, because the crowd was loud and was behind this team. Scathing reviews today, after allowing a four goal lead drift away and somehow conspire to lose in overtime. Sounds like Dustin Penner was a useless twat last night, and that's the best I can describe. I've seen a few plays and it appears as if he's not too sure what to do. I think he was at his best on that grind line with Perry and Getzlaf. They brought the best out of him in that playoff run in 2oo7, and I don't think he will ever regain that form.
He's struggled since his move to Edmonton with weight and motivation issues. He had a decent year this year, but moving to a laid-back atmosphere in California where he was once so comfortable has not paid off for the Kings.
Anyway, that's about all I have to say. We could see our first team eliminated tonight, and that's sad in my opinion but...that's hockey.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Out come the brooms. Or do they?
I wish there were more statistics available for people like me who practically have a fetish for them.
There are certain baseball stats that I love. For example, when a batter is up and facing a pitcher, they always post what his batting record is against that particular pitcher. Then, after the first pitch has hit the catcher's mitt the umpire calls it a ball or a striker, the count goes to 1-0 or 0-1, and a new statistic is projected: this batter is .321% on a 1-0 count, or .212% on a 0-1 count.
It's a potential crap shoot, because it's possible that some of those numbers are bloated by lopsided at-bats against left or right handed pitchers, and against a certain number of teams within their division or outside of it. Anyway, I still like them because it gives you an idea of what you can expect in between pitches. It helps when you're watching a pitcher like Matsuzaka or Burnett who take so long in between deliveries with their over elaborate wind-ups and signals.
So the NHL playoffs are on and with each series there is at least one question that I'd like to ask a statistician.
Washington vs. New York Rangers:
Question: What is John Tortorella's record with teams when they have a 2-1 deficit in a series and they do not have home ice advantage?
Second question: what is the record of 8th seeds against 1st seeds when they are down 2 games to 1 in the conference quarterfinals?
Mundane questions at best, but this series doesn't really interest me. I don't like Tortorella's attitude and I certainly don't like a lot of players on their team. I don't mind if they get knocked out. Personally, I don't have anything riding on this series so whomever wins, wins. It will be made interesting if the Rangers manage to win the fourth game, evening the series and putting the Capitals in jeopardy of having to play an opening round 7-game series. They aren't good in 7th games, and the overall record of teams that have to play opening round seven-game series is that they don't win the cup. Isn't that one of the interesting stats I blogged about before? Okay then.
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo:
Buffalo won the first game, and since then it's been a wild-west shootout to see who can score the most goals. At the moment, Philly's unstable goaltending has managed to hold them over to back-to-back wins, at home and on the road. The series is precariously poised at 2-1 for the Flyers, and there's still one more game to be played at the HSBC Arena tomorrow night. The questions I have, are:
1. When the visiting teams wins the first game and shuts out the home team in game one, what is the record of that team in the following games of that series? Do they win overall, lose overall, score more goals? The Flyers have now scored 9 goals in the past two games, so perhaps that opening shutout helped galvanize the offense.
2. What is the record of 7th seed teams after winning game 1 on the road against the 2nd seed?
Boston vs. Montreal:
The storylines! Chara hospitalized, the Bruins inability to score, the 'home ice advantage non-factor' in this series. It's all amazing! I know the Bruins have had a massive mental block when facing the Canadiens in the post-season, but I'd have to say outside of Montreal there are probably far more hockey fans cheering for the Bruins to win because they are the underdog when it comes to history. The last ten minutes of the game were totally tipped in the Canadiens favour, but it was a reversal of fortunes against the Bruins in game 3, with the sloppier goaltending coming from Price, rather than Thomas. The opportunistic goals against the run of play coming for the Bruins, instead of the Canadiens.
Anyway, with all that said, here's the questions I want to know:
1. When the team with home ice advantage loses the first two games in the series, what is their record overall? I'm sure it isn't good.
2. What is the overall record of 6th seed teams playing against 3rd seed teams?
3. If the visiting team wins the first two games away, and the team with home-ice advantage wins the 3rd and 4th games on the road, what is the record in games 4-7?
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay:
This series to me, is about superior defensive systems and goaltending, vs. superior offense and goalscoring. I think that Martin St. Louis is one of the premier forwards in the league, and has been for about 7 years now. I think that Lecavalier has remodeled his game to become a two-way forward with size, and the potential to be extremely physical. There are not many players that have his skill set and his size that can do anything.
Having said that, let's look at some of the questions we have here:
1. Has a goaltender of the same age or older than Roloson ever won the Stanley Cup?
2. Has a goaltender of Roloson's age ever won a post-season series as the team that does not have home ice advantage?
3. What is the record of 5th seed teams, against the fourth seed after being shut out in game 1?
That's probably just about it. This is another series that has the potential to go to game 7, and it also has the potential to be finished quickly. Not only that, I think Crosby could return if the Penguins win this series.
On to the West now.
Vancouver vs. Chicago:
Here's a stat for you, and it's a good one if you're a Canucks fan -- In the Best-Of-Seven era, every Presidents Trophy winner to sweep the opening series has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. This includes the '94 Rangers, the '99 Rangers, and the '01 Avalanche.
Having said that, I don't expect the Blackhawks to go quietly. I don't think they will win the series now, against what is clearly a superior Canucks team, but I don't expect that with all of that talent they will simply lie down and accept the inevitable. This team has a lot of fight in them, from the goaltending through to the coach, and has one of the best leaders in the hockey world, Jonathan Toews.
Questions:
1. How many Art Ross trophy winners have gone on the same year to win the Cup?
2. How many Art Ross trophy winners go on to lead the playoff scoring race? (Note: Daniel Sedin is currently leading the race with 3 goals, 2 assists, though tied for overall points total with three other players).
3. How many teams have come back from a 0-3 hole in a series to win, when they were the 8th seed, facing the 1st seed with guaranteed home-ice?
Now for the next most under-estimated series: San Jose vs. Los Angeles.
I'm not sure why I thought that the Kings would just accept that they were inferior. Let's remember that until their slump, they were the class of their division. Anaheim was inconsistent until the playoff push became important. The Sharks were consistent, but didn't reach another level until the second half of the season. Dallas started well and fell off course, quickly and abruptly. The Kings ended up needing to be very good down the stretch, which they were. They lost some of the core scoring, but their defense and goaltending is very good, and they have several quick, talented forwards that can burn you.
Anyway, some of the questions I have:
1. When was the last time a defenseman led his team in scoring through the end of the first round?
2. When was the last time a defenseman led his team in scoring through the playoffs?
-- I'm assuming it's Bobby Orr, but at the end of the day, I'm asking because Doughty is currently leading his team with 4 points (2G, 2A).
Detroit vs. Phoenix:
This series is boring. I'm sad because I hate Detroit and want nothing more than for them to just get dumped out of the playoffs unceremoniously.
At this point, I have very few questions. I want to know if a 6th seed has ever come back from a 0-3 hole against the 3rd seed. Or maybe just in the Western Conference.
That's all.
Anaheim vs. Nashville:
What a series! This one could produce a team that makes it to the finals.
Mike Fisher is having a second coming right now, with his wife in attendance in her home base, he's done everything he can besides turn into a catfish himself, and play the banjo. Anyway, the Preds defensive style has confounded the Ducks and it's going to require every little bit of talent they have to overcome them. They're also going to need better goaltending from Emery, who hasn't been bad, but hasn't been great.
Questions:
1. What is the record of the fourth seed against the fifth seed?
Umm, that's it.
Okay, so with that out of the way, I'd like to mention a few names that have impressed me and names that haven't really.
Marc Andre Gragnani, step forward. Taking over for the veteran Jordan Leopold probably had most Sabres fans cringing. The fact is, this kid has been solid. He's only played about 14 regular season games in his career, and the three playoff games he's played against a very deep and talented Flyers team have been his first ever. He's only 24 and he's making a big impact, at least on me. His sound defensive play has him sitting at a +1 through three games, two of which were in enemy territory and two of which saw the Flyers score four goals or more. He's got 4 assists, contributing at both ends.
How about Drew Doughty? The guy didn't play very well in his first game against the Sharks, and made most pundits who were predicting a sweep look brilliant. The second game, which all but nullified home ice advantage, produced four points in one game for Doughty, who obviously felt it was his role to step up and lead the team. Game 1 saw him play 30 minutes, get off only one shot, and take four minutes in penalties.
Game 2 saw him play only 24 minutes, take 3 shots, two of which were goals. He contributed 2 assist also, meaning that he had a hand in every goal. He was a +2 on the night as well. Quick also posted a shutout, which has everything to do with the defensemen in front of him. Let's see what happens in the rest of this series.
Teemu Selanne: the ageless one. What can you say about this guy? He's scored, he's skated, he's fought, he's been the catalyst and the antagonist all in one series. No wonder they want him around to mentor the likes of Getz, Perry and Ryan. This guy has done it all, and he can officially retire whenever he wants, having done everything and considered one of the best goalscorers ever.
Roberto Luongo -- talk about one of the heaviest question marks of all time. This guy has had a major monkey on his back. From great regular seasons to mediocre playoffs and crying in the locker room after a painful defeat to a conference rival, this guy has experienced it all. He was the man that led Canada to gold at the Olympics, and the man that Vancouver has placed all of their hopes in, Dipietro style. He's got three wins in three games, with a .944 save percentage, and a 1.67 GAA, with 1 shutout. It doesn't get better than that against the defending Stanley Cup champions, and your personal nemesis. The fact that he is stoning Toews and Kane on a regular basis and has six healthy defensemen in front of him, certainly helps. Let's not pour coffee on those numbers, though.
Tim Thomas -- wow. He made about four or five saves in the last 10 minutes of the game last night that were beyond world class. Some of them were screened, double screened and with players draped all over him. One of them was a brilliant second save following a rebound, still another was deflected. It was reminiscent of Ed Belfour's performance against the Ottawa Senators from about 7 years ago (yes, the last time the Leafs made the playoffs) and I was out of my seat the entire time. It's perhaps a series changing performance, and exactly what the man needed after losing home ice advantage in such poor fashion. And he's still got that smile on his moustached face.
Is Michael Neuvirth for real? I'd have to say so. He's faced quite a few shots and made some big time saves. He looked a little shaky in the first two games that I saw, but performed well in the overtime period in game one, and has gotten two wins. The loss against the Rangers in the third game would have been tough to take, especially so late, but here's the kid's chance to prove to his coach that he can bounce back and has a strong, short memory.
Brian Boucher -- talk about a pressure cooker! Walking into HSBC Arena with a better team in front of you doesn't exactly mean you get to lie in the crease and just wait for the pucks to hit you. He's taken over for his younger teammate Bobrovsky and done exactly what he's done all season long: calm everyone down. I think this is his series to win, and his Cup to win at the end of the day, because frankly Bobrovsky isn't getting it done. Sure, the Russian is going to be their long-term guy, but not for this playoff run.
With the awards due to be released a day at a time to keep hockey fans guessing, I'm going to weigh in on each one as they are released.
First up: the Calder trophy. To me, each of the three candidates are interesting and deserve attention, but there's one clear winner and those who can't see it don't know hockey.
Jeff Skinner is incredible. Coming into the NHL as an 18 year old, meant that he was going to need to be big enough, strong enough, talented enough, and competitive enough. Paul Maurice said, "there's one thing this kid has that few players have in addition to his natural talent, and that is his level of compete." He's probably right. Against every big, strong defenseman in the league, Skinner was routinely competitive and unrelenting. Skinner posted the most points by an NHL rookie in his first season: 63. The next closest was Couture with 56 points, but Couture did play 26 games last season -- an advantage that Skinner didn't have. Couture's age is also 22 years old, a full four years older than Skinner, who is still 18 at the time of writing. Couture played on the Shark's, a Stanley Cup contender, with world class talent on just about every line. Skinner played for the Hurricanes, a team that wasn't expected to compete and managed to just about nick the final spot in the Eastern conference going into the playoffs. He was selected as an all-star in his first season ever, too. Skinner's balanced statistics show that he has 31 goals and 32 assists, meaning he can both score when it matters and create a goal when he's not in position to score. Couture also played 15 games in the playoffs last year, an amazing primer for a young player that allows them to experience the pressure cooker that is the playoff atmosphere.
Grabner, yes he's a fast skater and a good goalscorer on a bad team. Yes he's a good story of perseverance after being dumped by more than one team. He's only 23, and he'll win more awards if he keeps his play up. He's not deserving of this award, however.
So that's that. Give Skinner the trophy now, since he's sitting at home bumed about how his team mailed it in on the final day of the season.
There are certain baseball stats that I love. For example, when a batter is up and facing a pitcher, they always post what his batting record is against that particular pitcher. Then, after the first pitch has hit the catcher's mitt the umpire calls it a ball or a striker, the count goes to 1-0 or 0-1, and a new statistic is projected: this batter is .321% on a 1-0 count, or .212% on a 0-1 count.
It's a potential crap shoot, because it's possible that some of those numbers are bloated by lopsided at-bats against left or right handed pitchers, and against a certain number of teams within their division or outside of it. Anyway, I still like them because it gives you an idea of what you can expect in between pitches. It helps when you're watching a pitcher like Matsuzaka or Burnett who take so long in between deliveries with their over elaborate wind-ups and signals.
So the NHL playoffs are on and with each series there is at least one question that I'd like to ask a statistician.
Washington vs. New York Rangers:
Question: What is John Tortorella's record with teams when they have a 2-1 deficit in a series and they do not have home ice advantage?
Second question: what is the record of 8th seeds against 1st seeds when they are down 2 games to 1 in the conference quarterfinals?
Mundane questions at best, but this series doesn't really interest me. I don't like Tortorella's attitude and I certainly don't like a lot of players on their team. I don't mind if they get knocked out. Personally, I don't have anything riding on this series so whomever wins, wins. It will be made interesting if the Rangers manage to win the fourth game, evening the series and putting the Capitals in jeopardy of having to play an opening round 7-game series. They aren't good in 7th games, and the overall record of teams that have to play opening round seven-game series is that they don't win the cup. Isn't that one of the interesting stats I blogged about before? Okay then.
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo:
Buffalo won the first game, and since then it's been a wild-west shootout to see who can score the most goals. At the moment, Philly's unstable goaltending has managed to hold them over to back-to-back wins, at home and on the road. The series is precariously poised at 2-1 for the Flyers, and there's still one more game to be played at the HSBC Arena tomorrow night. The questions I have, are:
1. When the visiting teams wins the first game and shuts out the home team in game one, what is the record of that team in the following games of that series? Do they win overall, lose overall, score more goals? The Flyers have now scored 9 goals in the past two games, so perhaps that opening shutout helped galvanize the offense.
2. What is the record of 7th seed teams after winning game 1 on the road against the 2nd seed?
Boston vs. Montreal:
The storylines! Chara hospitalized, the Bruins inability to score, the 'home ice advantage non-factor' in this series. It's all amazing! I know the Bruins have had a massive mental block when facing the Canadiens in the post-season, but I'd have to say outside of Montreal there are probably far more hockey fans cheering for the Bruins to win because they are the underdog when it comes to history. The last ten minutes of the game were totally tipped in the Canadiens favour, but it was a reversal of fortunes against the Bruins in game 3, with the sloppier goaltending coming from Price, rather than Thomas. The opportunistic goals against the run of play coming for the Bruins, instead of the Canadiens.
Anyway, with all that said, here's the questions I want to know:
1. When the team with home ice advantage loses the first two games in the series, what is their record overall? I'm sure it isn't good.
2. What is the overall record of 6th seed teams playing against 3rd seed teams?
3. If the visiting team wins the first two games away, and the team with home-ice advantage wins the 3rd and 4th games on the road, what is the record in games 4-7?
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay:
This series to me, is about superior defensive systems and goaltending, vs. superior offense and goalscoring. I think that Martin St. Louis is one of the premier forwards in the league, and has been for about 7 years now. I think that Lecavalier has remodeled his game to become a two-way forward with size, and the potential to be extremely physical. There are not many players that have his skill set and his size that can do anything.
Having said that, let's look at some of the questions we have here:
1. Has a goaltender of the same age or older than Roloson ever won the Stanley Cup?
2. Has a goaltender of Roloson's age ever won a post-season series as the team that does not have home ice advantage?
3. What is the record of 5th seed teams, against the fourth seed after being shut out in game 1?
That's probably just about it. This is another series that has the potential to go to game 7, and it also has the potential to be finished quickly. Not only that, I think Crosby could return if the Penguins win this series.
On to the West now.
Vancouver vs. Chicago:
Here's a stat for you, and it's a good one if you're a Canucks fan -- In the Best-Of-Seven era, every Presidents Trophy winner to sweep the opening series has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. This includes the '94 Rangers, the '99 Rangers, and the '01 Avalanche.
Having said that, I don't expect the Blackhawks to go quietly. I don't think they will win the series now, against what is clearly a superior Canucks team, but I don't expect that with all of that talent they will simply lie down and accept the inevitable. This team has a lot of fight in them, from the goaltending through to the coach, and has one of the best leaders in the hockey world, Jonathan Toews.
Questions:
1. How many Art Ross trophy winners have gone on the same year to win the Cup?
2. How many Art Ross trophy winners go on to lead the playoff scoring race? (Note: Daniel Sedin is currently leading the race with 3 goals, 2 assists, though tied for overall points total with three other players).
3. How many teams have come back from a 0-3 hole in a series to win, when they were the 8th seed, facing the 1st seed with guaranteed home-ice?
Now for the next most under-estimated series: San Jose vs. Los Angeles.
I'm not sure why I thought that the Kings would just accept that they were inferior. Let's remember that until their slump, they were the class of their division. Anaheim was inconsistent until the playoff push became important. The Sharks were consistent, but didn't reach another level until the second half of the season. Dallas started well and fell off course, quickly and abruptly. The Kings ended up needing to be very good down the stretch, which they were. They lost some of the core scoring, but their defense and goaltending is very good, and they have several quick, talented forwards that can burn you.
Anyway, some of the questions I have:
1. When was the last time a defenseman led his team in scoring through the end of the first round?
2. When was the last time a defenseman led his team in scoring through the playoffs?
-- I'm assuming it's Bobby Orr, but at the end of the day, I'm asking because Doughty is currently leading his team with 4 points (2G, 2A).
Detroit vs. Phoenix:
This series is boring. I'm sad because I hate Detroit and want nothing more than for them to just get dumped out of the playoffs unceremoniously.
At this point, I have very few questions. I want to know if a 6th seed has ever come back from a 0-3 hole against the 3rd seed. Or maybe just in the Western Conference.
That's all.
Anaheim vs. Nashville:
What a series! This one could produce a team that makes it to the finals.
Mike Fisher is having a second coming right now, with his wife in attendance in her home base, he's done everything he can besides turn into a catfish himself, and play the banjo. Anyway, the Preds defensive style has confounded the Ducks and it's going to require every little bit of talent they have to overcome them. They're also going to need better goaltending from Emery, who hasn't been bad, but hasn't been great.
Questions:
1. What is the record of the fourth seed against the fifth seed?
Umm, that's it.
Okay, so with that out of the way, I'd like to mention a few names that have impressed me and names that haven't really.
Marc Andre Gragnani, step forward. Taking over for the veteran Jordan Leopold probably had most Sabres fans cringing. The fact is, this kid has been solid. He's only played about 14 regular season games in his career, and the three playoff games he's played against a very deep and talented Flyers team have been his first ever. He's only 24 and he's making a big impact, at least on me. His sound defensive play has him sitting at a +1 through three games, two of which were in enemy territory and two of which saw the Flyers score four goals or more. He's got 4 assists, contributing at both ends.
How about Drew Doughty? The guy didn't play very well in his first game against the Sharks, and made most pundits who were predicting a sweep look brilliant. The second game, which all but nullified home ice advantage, produced four points in one game for Doughty, who obviously felt it was his role to step up and lead the team. Game 1 saw him play 30 minutes, get off only one shot, and take four minutes in penalties.
Game 2 saw him play only 24 minutes, take 3 shots, two of which were goals. He contributed 2 assist also, meaning that he had a hand in every goal. He was a +2 on the night as well. Quick also posted a shutout, which has everything to do with the defensemen in front of him. Let's see what happens in the rest of this series.
Teemu Selanne: the ageless one. What can you say about this guy? He's scored, he's skated, he's fought, he's been the catalyst and the antagonist all in one series. No wonder they want him around to mentor the likes of Getz, Perry and Ryan. This guy has done it all, and he can officially retire whenever he wants, having done everything and considered one of the best goalscorers ever.
Roberto Luongo -- talk about one of the heaviest question marks of all time. This guy has had a major monkey on his back. From great regular seasons to mediocre playoffs and crying in the locker room after a painful defeat to a conference rival, this guy has experienced it all. He was the man that led Canada to gold at the Olympics, and the man that Vancouver has placed all of their hopes in, Dipietro style. He's got three wins in three games, with a .944 save percentage, and a 1.67 GAA, with 1 shutout. It doesn't get better than that against the defending Stanley Cup champions, and your personal nemesis. The fact that he is stoning Toews and Kane on a regular basis and has six healthy defensemen in front of him, certainly helps. Let's not pour coffee on those numbers, though.
Tim Thomas -- wow. He made about four or five saves in the last 10 minutes of the game last night that were beyond world class. Some of them were screened, double screened and with players draped all over him. One of them was a brilliant second save following a rebound, still another was deflected. It was reminiscent of Ed Belfour's performance against the Ottawa Senators from about 7 years ago (yes, the last time the Leafs made the playoffs) and I was out of my seat the entire time. It's perhaps a series changing performance, and exactly what the man needed after losing home ice advantage in such poor fashion. And he's still got that smile on his moustached face.
Is Michael Neuvirth for real? I'd have to say so. He's faced quite a few shots and made some big time saves. He looked a little shaky in the first two games that I saw, but performed well in the overtime period in game one, and has gotten two wins. The loss against the Rangers in the third game would have been tough to take, especially so late, but here's the kid's chance to prove to his coach that he can bounce back and has a strong, short memory.
Brian Boucher -- talk about a pressure cooker! Walking into HSBC Arena with a better team in front of you doesn't exactly mean you get to lie in the crease and just wait for the pucks to hit you. He's taken over for his younger teammate Bobrovsky and done exactly what he's done all season long: calm everyone down. I think this is his series to win, and his Cup to win at the end of the day, because frankly Bobrovsky isn't getting it done. Sure, the Russian is going to be their long-term guy, but not for this playoff run.
With the awards due to be released a day at a time to keep hockey fans guessing, I'm going to weigh in on each one as they are released.
First up: the Calder trophy. To me, each of the three candidates are interesting and deserve attention, but there's one clear winner and those who can't see it don't know hockey.
Jeff Skinner is incredible. Coming into the NHL as an 18 year old, meant that he was going to need to be big enough, strong enough, talented enough, and competitive enough. Paul Maurice said, "there's one thing this kid has that few players have in addition to his natural talent, and that is his level of compete." He's probably right. Against every big, strong defenseman in the league, Skinner was routinely competitive and unrelenting. Skinner posted the most points by an NHL rookie in his first season: 63. The next closest was Couture with 56 points, but Couture did play 26 games last season -- an advantage that Skinner didn't have. Couture's age is also 22 years old, a full four years older than Skinner, who is still 18 at the time of writing. Couture played on the Shark's, a Stanley Cup contender, with world class talent on just about every line. Skinner played for the Hurricanes, a team that wasn't expected to compete and managed to just about nick the final spot in the Eastern conference going into the playoffs. He was selected as an all-star in his first season ever, too. Skinner's balanced statistics show that he has 31 goals and 32 assists, meaning he can both score when it matters and create a goal when he's not in position to score. Couture also played 15 games in the playoffs last year, an amazing primer for a young player that allows them to experience the pressure cooker that is the playoff atmosphere.
Grabner, yes he's a fast skater and a good goalscorer on a bad team. Yes he's a good story of perseverance after being dumped by more than one team. He's only 23, and he'll win more awards if he keeps his play up. He's not deserving of this award, however.
So that's that. Give Skinner the trophy now, since he's sitting at home bumed about how his team mailed it in on the final day of the season.
Monday, April 18, 2011
How am I doing?
I don't think many would have anticipated the route some of the Stanley Cup Conference Quarter Finals are taking.
Let's begin with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.
The Caps began by allowing themselves frustration at the hands of Fred Lundqvist. He was stellar and I was impressed with his overall play. He kept his team in it, and the Capitals seriously upped the tempo whenever they had a favourable match up on the ice. When the game went to overtime, there was only ever one winner. Semin's goal was excellent and the Caps were deserving winners.
Let's remember that game 1 winners are series winners about 62% of the time. Game 2 winners are series winners 70% of the time. Those are positive stats for the Capitals who took a 2-0 series lead before heading to New York.
Last night's match in NYC was a different affair, with Washington forced to come back to tie the game on two occasions. The third time proved too many, and they lost by a 3-2 score. It was probably exactly what the Rangers needed, to taste victory on home ice. Will they will the fourth game? If not, the Capitals are well placed to win this at home in DC. Could be Capitals in five games.
The Philadelphia and Buffalo series is another intriguing one. The first game was a bit of a crap shoot, and a terrific commercial for missed chances. Goaltending was quality though, and Ryan Miller truly earned his shutout in a 1-0 win. The second game went to the Flyers, with a quality victory at home that probably went a long way to building their confidence for the long haul. Having won game 2, it is important to point out that with the Flyers win in game 2, they now have a 70% chance of winning the series. Good odds. Game three goes tonight.
The Boston and Montreal series is something to behold. I truly like the Bruins game. They are so fast, so big, so tough to play against. They shoot the puck quite a bit (despite having Kaberle on their team) and they have been up against their absolute nemesis.
Montreal, somehow, are just resilient. They don't play a super positive attacking style of game, they just maintain poise, look for opportunities and take them. I don't think that Montreal is one of the best teams in the league, and I'd be surprised if they don't get knocked out in 5 in the next round, but irregardless of that they are about to make it to the next round. I think winning both games in Boston has actually knocked the stuffing out of the Bruins. I think Julien will be out as head coach, that Thomas Kaberle will be playing in Florida, and that major changes will be made to Boston's defensive forwards.
Having said that, let's remember again that winners of game 2 are 70% guaranteed to make it to the next round.
The final Eastern Conference matchup began exactly as I felt that it would. Pittsburgh's superior goaltending and defensemen took over the game and finished witha 3-0 score. Tampa's frustrated forwards maintained some poise and took it to the Penguins with a total onslaught in game 2. That's a sign that there's a 70% chance that Tampa Bay will make the second round. Game three goes tonight and could be a second chance to Pittsburgh to regain composure, while the Lightning will be looking to to take a stranglehold in the series with a second game to come in St. Petersburg.
So, looks like our second round clubs will be: Washington, Philadelphia, Montreal, Tampa Bay.
At the West Coast, things are looking a little bit different.
As much as the Canucks were highly touted, I don't think anyone expected them to sweet aside this much-changed Chicago team. I am not a proponent of the cap system when it forces wonderful, impassioned teams to dump players for their salaries and acquire cheaper, makeshift substitutes. I loved Chicago last year, and it's sad to see them coming to an end so quickly here. Vancouver is up 3-0 in the series, and only a tragedy will see them lose the whole thing.
In the second series, the Sharks got off to a good start. Their victory was what just about every hockey pundit prognosticated and all was well in California. Except the Kings just didn't care what anyone said about them and pasted the Sharks in game two, meaning that they now have a 70% chance of progressing. It's amazing to see such a turnaround. Most expects said that in order to have a chance in this series, the Kings would need contributions from Williams, and their two stud defensemen, Drew Dought and Jack Johnson. They got just that, and a good performance from Jon Quick too. Johnson's goal, and Doughty's two goals combined with Quick's shutout just about shut up everyone outside of Los Angeles, myself included. With the series headed back to LA for two games, we could see some interesting games here.
The third series has a funny tinge to it, as Detroit is playing against a stubborn and plucky Coyotes club. They hold a 2-0 series lead, but it didn't come easy. I am hoping that the Coyotes can at least push them all the way to seven games, but Detroit won game two and now holds a 70% chance of making it to the final.
Last but not least, there's a little series going on between Anaheim and Nashville. The Predators, as advertised, came out swinging and got the victory. Their defensive style and quick counter attacking makes them the Montreal of the West, though they do have superior defense corps. Anaheim's goalscorers were quiet, with the exception of game two. Anaheim's game two win means that they hold the 70% chance of progressing, but they are now down 2 games to 1 in the series after Nashville's utterly dominant showing in game three, where they limited the Ducks to just 16 shots.
So, looks like there's a 70% chance that the final four Western Conference teams are going to be: Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Anaheim.
Game three is going tonight in a couple of series, and things could look very different.
Let's begin with the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.
The Caps began by allowing themselves frustration at the hands of Fred Lundqvist. He was stellar and I was impressed with his overall play. He kept his team in it, and the Capitals seriously upped the tempo whenever they had a favourable match up on the ice. When the game went to overtime, there was only ever one winner. Semin's goal was excellent and the Caps were deserving winners.
Let's remember that game 1 winners are series winners about 62% of the time. Game 2 winners are series winners 70% of the time. Those are positive stats for the Capitals who took a 2-0 series lead before heading to New York.
Last night's match in NYC was a different affair, with Washington forced to come back to tie the game on two occasions. The third time proved too many, and they lost by a 3-2 score. It was probably exactly what the Rangers needed, to taste victory on home ice. Will they will the fourth game? If not, the Capitals are well placed to win this at home in DC. Could be Capitals in five games.
The Philadelphia and Buffalo series is another intriguing one. The first game was a bit of a crap shoot, and a terrific commercial for missed chances. Goaltending was quality though, and Ryan Miller truly earned his shutout in a 1-0 win. The second game went to the Flyers, with a quality victory at home that probably went a long way to building their confidence for the long haul. Having won game 2, it is important to point out that with the Flyers win in game 2, they now have a 70% chance of winning the series. Good odds. Game three goes tonight.
The Boston and Montreal series is something to behold. I truly like the Bruins game. They are so fast, so big, so tough to play against. They shoot the puck quite a bit (despite having Kaberle on their team) and they have been up against their absolute nemesis.
Montreal, somehow, are just resilient. They don't play a super positive attacking style of game, they just maintain poise, look for opportunities and take them. I don't think that Montreal is one of the best teams in the league, and I'd be surprised if they don't get knocked out in 5 in the next round, but irregardless of that they are about to make it to the next round. I think winning both games in Boston has actually knocked the stuffing out of the Bruins. I think Julien will be out as head coach, that Thomas Kaberle will be playing in Florida, and that major changes will be made to Boston's defensive forwards.
Having said that, let's remember again that winners of game 2 are 70% guaranteed to make it to the next round.
The final Eastern Conference matchup began exactly as I felt that it would. Pittsburgh's superior goaltending and defensemen took over the game and finished witha 3-0 score. Tampa's frustrated forwards maintained some poise and took it to the Penguins with a total onslaught in game 2. That's a sign that there's a 70% chance that Tampa Bay will make the second round. Game three goes tonight and could be a second chance to Pittsburgh to regain composure, while the Lightning will be looking to to take a stranglehold in the series with a second game to come in St. Petersburg.
So, looks like our second round clubs will be: Washington, Philadelphia, Montreal, Tampa Bay.
At the West Coast, things are looking a little bit different.
As much as the Canucks were highly touted, I don't think anyone expected them to sweet aside this much-changed Chicago team. I am not a proponent of the cap system when it forces wonderful, impassioned teams to dump players for their salaries and acquire cheaper, makeshift substitutes. I loved Chicago last year, and it's sad to see them coming to an end so quickly here. Vancouver is up 3-0 in the series, and only a tragedy will see them lose the whole thing.
In the second series, the Sharks got off to a good start. Their victory was what just about every hockey pundit prognosticated and all was well in California. Except the Kings just didn't care what anyone said about them and pasted the Sharks in game two, meaning that they now have a 70% chance of progressing. It's amazing to see such a turnaround. Most expects said that in order to have a chance in this series, the Kings would need contributions from Williams, and their two stud defensemen, Drew Dought and Jack Johnson. They got just that, and a good performance from Jon Quick too. Johnson's goal, and Doughty's two goals combined with Quick's shutout just about shut up everyone outside of Los Angeles, myself included. With the series headed back to LA for two games, we could see some interesting games here.
The third series has a funny tinge to it, as Detroit is playing against a stubborn and plucky Coyotes club. They hold a 2-0 series lead, but it didn't come easy. I am hoping that the Coyotes can at least push them all the way to seven games, but Detroit won game two and now holds a 70% chance of making it to the final.
Last but not least, there's a little series going on between Anaheim and Nashville. The Predators, as advertised, came out swinging and got the victory. Their defensive style and quick counter attacking makes them the Montreal of the West, though they do have superior defense corps. Anaheim's goalscorers were quiet, with the exception of game two. Anaheim's game two win means that they hold the 70% chance of progressing, but they are now down 2 games to 1 in the series after Nashville's utterly dominant showing in game three, where they limited the Ducks to just 16 shots.
So, looks like there's a 70% chance that the final four Western Conference teams are going to be: Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Anaheim.
Game three is going tonight in a couple of series, and things could look very different.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Live blogging what could be an epic night!
At least I'll blog the early match between Boston and Montreal. That one could be so good, it could supersede anything the Western Conference matches bring us.
Then again, one of them is the battle of California, two teams that clearly don't like each other very much. The other match contains a complete opposite of last season's lineups, with Buffalo looking like the underdog and the Flyers trying to win an opening series as a top seed.
So here we go. In Boston, the atmosphere looks epic. It's loud in there, and Renee Rancourt seems to have one of those old time voices. Like something you'd hear in the 1950's, sitting around the grand piano in your parents' living room drinking Tom Collins.
Anyway, the stage is set.
7:09pm -- Chara looks like he's going to put someone's head right through a stanchion. Oh, wait....
7:11 -- Sean O'Donnell, in Philadelphia, says that he's feeling good. That's good, because he looks about 48 years old. Where's Chelios?
7:12 -- The BOS/MTL game is about one minute in. First chance falls to Plekanec but he cant bury it. Furious pace, as all 1st round, 1st games are.
7:12 -- Kostitsyn leaves the ice in obvious pain. Man down already?
7:14 -- Apparently the PHI/BUF game starts at 7:30?
7:14 -- GOAL -- Montreal makes it 1-0, after Kaberle plays some sloppy hockey. He goes around the back of the net and just casually chips it towards the blue line. Bad play, too casual in this atmosphere. The crowd is unhappy. It's a goal for Gionta.
7:15 -- Assist goes to Gomez, probably because he was directly in front of the net. Subban gets in to it with Lucic. Bad idea, dude.
7:19 -- Sorry, delay there. Wife called and wanted to know the score. No, really she wanted to make sure I cleaned the kitchen before the game began.
7:20 -- Just over 5 minutes in. Shots are 4-3 in favour of the Bruins. Canadiens are skating quickly from zone to zone. Boston's transition game is quick, too.
7:22 -- Bruins forecheck is tough. Takes the Canadiens a minute to clear it, and Price makes a save at point blank range. Literally all he had to do was stand there because it was directly at him.
7:23 -- PENALTY to the Canadiens. They're going to be on the Penalty Kill after Hamrlik sends Marchand into the boards from behind, sort of. Looked a bit dirty. If the crowd were on the edge of their seats before, they're certainly going to be in a frenzy now. Commercial break! Shots are now 6-3 for the Bruins.
7:25 -- As the special teams come out, Plekanec takes the puck the length of the ice and both Bruins defensemen have to fall back to take the puck back. One minute gone in the PP.
7:26 -- Carey Price makes a good save after an odd-man rush gives the Bruins a good chance. 30 seconds left in the Bruins PP.
7:27 -- Penalty: killed. Boston in the zone still, and Price looking cool and unaffected. Another commercial break!
7:30 -- Apparently Kostitsyn is in the medical room, hasn't been on the bench for a little bit. More updates when we get it!
7:31 -- If Kaberle totally tanks in Boston, does that mean the Leafs get to laugh having got their first round pick and a blue chip prospect? Be the first time that's happened in a while!
7:32 -- Shots now 7-4 for the Bruins. Lots of play between the blue lines. I guess that's what we call the 'neutral zone' but frankly, I'm not a commentator so it doesn't matter.
7:33 -- The puck goes down for icing, and there are more boos from the crowd. They want goals, or at least blood. Or maybe just for Chara to take someone out.
7:34 -- Is it just me, or does Kaberle not look like he knows what he's doing? Could it be that he hasn't taken part in a playoff game in the last six years? He just looks a step out of place, poor positioning, etc.
7:34 -- Kaberle gets a penalty now! That's not good. Let's take a look at the replay. It happened right off the faceoff and it's a 50-50 call. Kaberle having a shocking first period of play. Might be better that he's in the box, to be honest.
7:37 -- The kill is half over, and the Bruins send it the length of the ice. Montreal getting lots of possession and Thomas has had to pounce on a few loose pucks in and around his area. That's sort of like saying he's caught a few Rice Krispies falling in or around his lap.
7:38 -- Penalty officially over. Canadiens had just one shot. Canadiens still forechecking. Bruins get the puck and get started. 7 shots for each side.
7:39 -- Wow, Marchand should have had that, and Price made a good save after his shocking miss. The place is buzzing again, which is good.
7:40 -- Stat comes up: 8 mins 20 seconds without a shot on goal for Boston. Wow.
7:41 -- Desharnais gets a shot off, but it's too weak to beat Thomas. The Bruins take the zone and get one or two good shots off and finally Price smothers it. A crowd gathers, and the cops, err referees calm it all down.
7:43 -- Over at the BUF/PHI game, it's about 3 minutes in and as I flip to it there's a good shot by Buffalo and a smothering by Bobrovsky. Not the crime, I mean there's a nice save at his knees.
7:44 -- Back to Boston, the Bruins start to rush from their own zone but they are in offside. In Philly, the crowd is very quiet compared to Boston, so I'm not sure what they're waiting for. Everyone is wearing orange, too. Not sure if I like it or if it's awesome. It's an aggressive, bright orange. Ohhhh, some major pushing and shoving in this game now too, as Miller tries some MMA moves. This is going to lead to penalties for sure.
7:45 -- In Boston, there's a penalty called against Boston and the Bruins are going to try and end the period with parity. I'm not sure who's off, actually. but it looks like Montreal is going to get another penalty for roughing now to even it up. Its 4-on-4 for the final 8 seconds. Nothing doing, and it's over. Round 1 goes to Montreal.
7:48 -- It was Krejci who had the penalty, and White got the roughing call a second later. The period ends with shots even at 8 a piece.
7:49 -- In Philadelphia, it looks like the Flyers and Sabres are 4-on-4. The pushing match probably led to coincidental penalties. The Van Reimsdyk hits the post, but it's on the outside of the post and never really a threat though Miller was beaten.
7:50 -- Penalty to Philadelphia coming up here, I believe as a Buffalo player was interfered with at the side of the Philly net. McCormick takes Richards off his feet. That's the replay, and it's a sloppy play. Ruff won't like it.
7:53 -- Regular season numbers come up. Buffalo's PK units were effective. Philly's PP numbers are unimpressive. Flyers are offside, so play stops.
7:55 -- The Flyers PP has lacked some urgency so far, and Buffalo looks relatively untested. It comes to an end, and back to even strength are the Sabres. 3 shots each, no score, 9 full minutes gone in the first period.
7:55 -- Kaleta turns Ville Leino into a billboard poster. Literally. It was high, but legal apparently. Edgy hit, that.
7:57 -- Bobrovsky hasn't let a goal in yet, but he looks a little frenetic. People are getting into his crease and he doesn't look at all confident. It's a different competition, these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
7:59 -- Commercial break.
8:00 -- Interview with Kimmo Timonen. He's a nice chap, eh?
8:01 -- Delay in the game as they fix Ryan Miller's net. Re-drilling the holes for the pegs. Funny.
8:03 -- It's 4-4 in terms of shots, that's about the only exciting thing at the moment. As I type that, Miller saves on Richards.
8:04 -- 7 and a half minutes left in the first period here. The other game could start up in a moment, so I'm keeping an eye on CBC. Another shot from Syvret that deflects up into the netting. Miller didn't see it, went off Leino and over the glass.
8:04 -- Shots are now 5 apiece! Oh boy!
8:05 -- For some reason, when all the Buffalo defense had to do was pinch in for a moment, they backed off at the opposing blue line and let Philly bring it all the way in to Miller. A couple of half chances go off, and that 'play it safe' attitude doesn't work when you're attacking.
8:07 -- MTL/BOS has started up again. Boston are on the PP now, and there's 30 seconds left for the Bruins to make a mark. Chara is open at the point and takes a shot. Price sees it all the way and chips it up into the netting.
8:08 -- The crowd is incensed after another non-call against Montreal. They thought it was a penalty. Looked like a Bruin was upended, but....not sure if that's a penalty. Kostitsyn is back on the Montreal bench. They probably just gave him a shot.
8:09 -- Shots 11-8 for the Bruins. They rush into the Canadiens zone, but the puck comes to Price and he slows it down.
8:10 -- The other game is at a commercial break, but NHL.com tells me that Buffalo are about to begin a PP, and Versteeg is in the box for an apparent interference call. It's weak, at best. Not sure what the official saw there.
8:11 -- I'll tell you what, Montreal is getting chances here on Thomas. Bruins ice it, and now the faceoff is in Boston's zone.
8:12 -- Doesn't look like Buffalo is going to get anything on this PP. So with less than three minutes to play, it's still locked at 0-0.
8:13 -- Carey Price uncharacteristically bobbles a save and it goes to Thornton who can't bury it.
8:14 -- Buffalo called for icing in the other match, and looks like Briere and Montador were involved just off the play at the red line. Briere draws the penalty and it will be a Flyers PP. Commentary team says that Miller looks hurt. Not sure what that's about though. Last minute to play, there.
8:15 -- In Boston, Price makes a right toe save that is pretty brilliant. No rebound, either.
8:16 -- Philly pressing on the PP but the period ends. Gaustad looks like he's hurt after blocking a shot. 10 shots apiece in the period for those teams as they head to the locker room.
8:17 -- Montreal gets another penalty here, with Spacek hooking a Bruin. They have had two chances already and their power play has looked anemic at best.
8:22 -- Commercial break and the Bruins PP comes to nothing, but Montreal did get a good chance to add a second with Thomas stranded. Boston is really turning the screw here, with straight possession for about 2 full minutes after the PP ended. The matchups were not favourable there, and Chara has had several shots. Moen is on the bench injured after taking one of his bombs.
8:23 -- I don't care what anyone says about the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia -- Boston's barn is LOUD. Now Montreal has only had one shot in the last 7 minutes +. That's not enough, boys! Shots are now 19-11 for Boston.
8:25 -- The pace of this game is insane. If it was 0-0, I'd say that they'd just tire themselves out and the first person to make a mistake will let in a goal. That's already happened though because Kaberle had another one of his legendary brain farts. Commercial break, which is favourable to the Canadiens who need a break and a medical team. Bad for the Bruins because they are well and truly on top here.
8:30 -- nothing doing. Still. Not sure what has to happen here, but the game needs a goal for Boston to really open things up. Shots are 13-6 for Boston in this period, which tells you who is winning this round so far.
8:31 -- Marchand gets another chance on a rush here, and can't beat Price. Canadiens are riding Price and hanging on at the moment. 22-14 shots for the Bruins.
8:33 -- Make that 23 shots. Commercial break! I need a snack. And a beer.
8:38 -- Not sure what happened there, but it appears that my keyboard was frozen. Anyway, the Bruins are playing like they are on the power play right now, intense offensive play in the Montreal zone for the last five or so minutes. They have come close on several occasions. Sopel has blocked a shot now too. Shots are something like 17-6 for the period.
8:40 -- Just checked in with PHI/BUF and that's a boring game. The building is quiet and after 3 seconds I quickly flipped back to Boston. Can't be bothered. But 4 minutes gone in that one, still no score. Boston still with lots of pressure, crowd still loud with anticipation and anxiety. Only 1 minute left in the period.
8:40 -- Brad Marchand is going to get a penalty for interference here, after all of that. Marchand takes out Plekanec, who is a dirty annoying player and deserves to be dumped on his ass. Power play now for Montreal, but it'll be broken up by the intermission.
8:42 -- The 2nd period ends. Round 2 goes to Boston, no question.
8:48 -- After a delay to eat a sugar cookie, I've watched van Riemsdyk get pulled down and it's a PP for the Flyers. Could we see the first goal of this game?
8:49 -- Miller makes a save down low after seeing the puck all the way through. Flyers playing a confident game but Buffalo not looking overawed by them.
8:49 -- Another penalty on the Sabres here, with Morrisson getting a bad slash in on Richards. It was a delayed call and undisciplined play. This is as good as it gets for Philadelphia. Laviolette wants his troops to have a good plan going into this for 38 seconds of 2-man advantage.
8:52 -- Miller makes several saves and can't be troubled at the moment. Looking good for the Sabres here. Flyers are working hard here, and nothing doing.
8:57 -- Shots are 22-14 here for the Flyers. Sabres are getting chances though, and the Flyers turnovers are giving them some hope.
8:58 -- Just 6:15 left to go here in the 2nd period. A very even game, as most people thought it would be.
9:00 -- Flyers still getting chances, Miller keeps the score at a goose egg.
9:00 -- Back in Boston, the game has restarted. Montreal has 40 seconds left on the power play. They are forechecking, and getting nothing so far.
9:01 -- Penalty is just about over here, and the Canadiens must just be happy to attack a little bit because they spent the entire period defending their one goal lead.
9:02 -- Boston offside at the Montreal blue line. Commercial break in the other game allows me to catch my breath and take a break from the boredom. To be fair, the second period has been better than the first but not by much.
9:03 -- Just about three minutes gone in the 3rd period. Canadiens have had the best of it so far. Price fields a shot from the blue line and just dumps it into the corner, all gangsta' like.
9:04 -- Bad turnover by Ference goes tape-to-tape to Plekanec. Luckily, he's a cheap player so it comes to nothing.
9:06 -- 2 minutes left in Philadelphia. Still nothing doing. Mathieu Darche takes a hard hit and goes to the bench a little bit shaky. That's a fourth player now. They may win this one, but they're going to lose half of their eligible players, Montreal.
9:08 -- The commentator in the PHI/BUF game is saying the players' names in a funny, incorrect way. He's got Carle down as 'Call' and Carter down as 'Cotter.' He's not even from New York, so...?
9:09 -- Very even, this period from Boston and Montreal. Thomas has just made a few saves now on Montreal counter attacks. Shots 27-17 in favour of Boston, meaning that Price has been busy, and Thomas less so. As the 2nd period draws to a close in Philadelphia, shots are 26-19 in favour of the Flyers.
9:10 -- 13 minutes here, all that separates Boston from an opening-game loss at home against their biggest and fiercest rivals. This is looking bad. Julien may head home after the press conference and update his resume.
9:12 -- Bergeron has won 78% of his faceoffs tonight. That's a good number. Too bad his work hasn't led to goals. 12 minutes left now, with nothing doing for Boston.
9:15 -- More pressure from Boston. Only 10 minutes left here, and Boston doing everything they can. Price making himself big. Icing against Montreal. That's happened a couple of times in the last few minutes now, and that's making it tough for tired Montreal players.
9:16 - 30 shots for Boston, 17 for Montreal. I meant to type, too, that Lucic had a great rush with Horton where he dropped the shoulder and changed speeds to go past a Montreal player. He ended up on his ass, but got the shot away and made it look good.
9:19 -- This is becoming an exercise in futility. I don't know what the Bruins have to do to get a goal past Price, but at this point it's starting to look a little bleak. There's just 8 minutes left here in Boston.
9:21 -- 7 minutes left now, and the puck is bouncing around everywhere. Boston had a good chance with three players in front of Price, but it didn't go in despite the rebound.
9:23 -- The Bruins are getting their chances, but it's not happening. 5:36 left in the 3rd period. Other game should be going soon.
9:26 -- Sloppy play leads to a couple of chances for Montreal. Chara looks pissed.
9:27 -- The game has started up again in Philadelphia. It's looking slow and quiet, as per usual. If a game ever needed a goal: it's this one.
9:28 -- Less than four minutes left. GOAL -- Montreal gets his second goal of the game, and that's that for the game. Turnover by Lucic who is trying to do too much. Gomez drops it for Gionta, and that's game, set match. Nice try, Boston.
9:31 -- Now Plekanec, trying to win the trophy for least-liked hockey player in the NHL, draws a penalty from Chara who is petulant at times. And was, at that point.
9:32 -- Boxscore shows that Thomas Kaberle is a -2 for the evening. Hmm.
9:33 -- Still no goals and no pulse in the other game. In Boston, fans streaming out, pissed at what they've seen.
9:34 -- In Philadephia, there is 15 minutes left to play in the 3rd period. Buffalo looks as if they are giving as good as they are getting here.
9:35 -- The other game is officially over. Price with the shutout and 31 or 32 saves. On a second look, Thomas was partially at fault for that second goal because honestly, it was directly through the pads.
9:36 -- GOAL -- BUFFALO! Kaleta gets a goal. Buffalo are digging and srapping and it comes out in front after a rebound from Bobrovsky. He makes a Bobby Orr like dive right after the puck goes in, and that's a nice celebration for Buffalo.
9:37 -- So if the story line last night was about 'the comforts of home' you'd have to say that tonight, it's 'road tripping to victory.' Or something more eloquent.
9:42 -- Couple of half chances for Philly, but still no goals for them. Big face off in Buffalo's zone here won by the Flyers. Nothing happens from it though.
9:44 -- Wow, that Flyer orange is loud. I've had a second look and it's great for the brand, for sure, but good Lord is that a gawdy, aggressive colour.
9:48 -- Philly has a PP here, with less than ten minutes to go in the game. Miller scrambles, and another couple of half chances come and go. It's still looking like all fuzz and no real lint, here.
9:55 -- Phone call interruption. There is now 4 and a half minutes left, and it's still 1-0 for Buffalo.
10:01 -- Bobrovsky departs the ice and the extra attacker is on. Miller has got something going at the moment but I won't say it until it's true. Just over one minute left in this game. It's either over, or it's going to overtime.
10:03 -- It is over, and it's a shutout for Ryan Miller. It's a nice 1-0 victory for Buffalo, just proving that it doesn't matter what the standings tell you.
That's enough for me. It's been nice and not as epic as I thought it would be.
Then again, one of them is the battle of California, two teams that clearly don't like each other very much. The other match contains a complete opposite of last season's lineups, with Buffalo looking like the underdog and the Flyers trying to win an opening series as a top seed.
So here we go. In Boston, the atmosphere looks epic. It's loud in there, and Renee Rancourt seems to have one of those old time voices. Like something you'd hear in the 1950's, sitting around the grand piano in your parents' living room drinking Tom Collins.
Anyway, the stage is set.
7:09pm -- Chara looks like he's going to put someone's head right through a stanchion. Oh, wait....
7:11 -- Sean O'Donnell, in Philadelphia, says that he's feeling good. That's good, because he looks about 48 years old. Where's Chelios?
7:12 -- The BOS/MTL game is about one minute in. First chance falls to Plekanec but he cant bury it. Furious pace, as all 1st round, 1st games are.
7:12 -- Kostitsyn leaves the ice in obvious pain. Man down already?
7:14 -- Apparently the PHI/BUF game starts at 7:30?
7:14 -- GOAL -- Montreal makes it 1-0, after Kaberle plays some sloppy hockey. He goes around the back of the net and just casually chips it towards the blue line. Bad play, too casual in this atmosphere. The crowd is unhappy. It's a goal for Gionta.
7:15 -- Assist goes to Gomez, probably because he was directly in front of the net. Subban gets in to it with Lucic. Bad idea, dude.
7:19 -- Sorry, delay there. Wife called and wanted to know the score. No, really she wanted to make sure I cleaned the kitchen before the game began.
7:20 -- Just over 5 minutes in. Shots are 4-3 in favour of the Bruins. Canadiens are skating quickly from zone to zone. Boston's transition game is quick, too.
7:22 -- Bruins forecheck is tough. Takes the Canadiens a minute to clear it, and Price makes a save at point blank range. Literally all he had to do was stand there because it was directly at him.
7:23 -- PENALTY to the Canadiens. They're going to be on the Penalty Kill after Hamrlik sends Marchand into the boards from behind, sort of. Looked a bit dirty. If the crowd were on the edge of their seats before, they're certainly going to be in a frenzy now. Commercial break! Shots are now 6-3 for the Bruins.
7:25 -- As the special teams come out, Plekanec takes the puck the length of the ice and both Bruins defensemen have to fall back to take the puck back. One minute gone in the PP.
7:26 -- Carey Price makes a good save after an odd-man rush gives the Bruins a good chance. 30 seconds left in the Bruins PP.
7:27 -- Penalty: killed. Boston in the zone still, and Price looking cool and unaffected. Another commercial break!
7:30 -- Apparently Kostitsyn is in the medical room, hasn't been on the bench for a little bit. More updates when we get it!
7:31 -- If Kaberle totally tanks in Boston, does that mean the Leafs get to laugh having got their first round pick and a blue chip prospect? Be the first time that's happened in a while!
7:32 -- Shots now 7-4 for the Bruins. Lots of play between the blue lines. I guess that's what we call the 'neutral zone' but frankly, I'm not a commentator so it doesn't matter.
7:33 -- The puck goes down for icing, and there are more boos from the crowd. They want goals, or at least blood. Or maybe just for Chara to take someone out.
7:34 -- Is it just me, or does Kaberle not look like he knows what he's doing? Could it be that he hasn't taken part in a playoff game in the last six years? He just looks a step out of place, poor positioning, etc.
7:34 -- Kaberle gets a penalty now! That's not good. Let's take a look at the replay. It happened right off the faceoff and it's a 50-50 call. Kaberle having a shocking first period of play. Might be better that he's in the box, to be honest.
7:37 -- The kill is half over, and the Bruins send it the length of the ice. Montreal getting lots of possession and Thomas has had to pounce on a few loose pucks in and around his area. That's sort of like saying he's caught a few Rice Krispies falling in or around his lap.
7:38 -- Penalty officially over. Canadiens had just one shot. Canadiens still forechecking. Bruins get the puck and get started. 7 shots for each side.
7:39 -- Wow, Marchand should have had that, and Price made a good save after his shocking miss. The place is buzzing again, which is good.
7:40 -- Stat comes up: 8 mins 20 seconds without a shot on goal for Boston. Wow.
7:41 -- Desharnais gets a shot off, but it's too weak to beat Thomas. The Bruins take the zone and get one or two good shots off and finally Price smothers it. A crowd gathers, and the cops, err referees calm it all down.
7:43 -- Over at the BUF/PHI game, it's about 3 minutes in and as I flip to it there's a good shot by Buffalo and a smothering by Bobrovsky. Not the crime, I mean there's a nice save at his knees.
7:44 -- Back to Boston, the Bruins start to rush from their own zone but they are in offside. In Philly, the crowd is very quiet compared to Boston, so I'm not sure what they're waiting for. Everyone is wearing orange, too. Not sure if I like it or if it's awesome. It's an aggressive, bright orange. Ohhhh, some major pushing and shoving in this game now too, as Miller tries some MMA moves. This is going to lead to penalties for sure.
7:45 -- In Boston, there's a penalty called against Boston and the Bruins are going to try and end the period with parity. I'm not sure who's off, actually. but it looks like Montreal is going to get another penalty for roughing now to even it up. Its 4-on-4 for the final 8 seconds. Nothing doing, and it's over. Round 1 goes to Montreal.
7:48 -- It was Krejci who had the penalty, and White got the roughing call a second later. The period ends with shots even at 8 a piece.
7:49 -- In Philadelphia, it looks like the Flyers and Sabres are 4-on-4. The pushing match probably led to coincidental penalties. The Van Reimsdyk hits the post, but it's on the outside of the post and never really a threat though Miller was beaten.
7:50 -- Penalty to Philadelphia coming up here, I believe as a Buffalo player was interfered with at the side of the Philly net. McCormick takes Richards off his feet. That's the replay, and it's a sloppy play. Ruff won't like it.
7:53 -- Regular season numbers come up. Buffalo's PK units were effective. Philly's PP numbers are unimpressive. Flyers are offside, so play stops.
7:55 -- The Flyers PP has lacked some urgency so far, and Buffalo looks relatively untested. It comes to an end, and back to even strength are the Sabres. 3 shots each, no score, 9 full minutes gone in the first period.
7:55 -- Kaleta turns Ville Leino into a billboard poster. Literally. It was high, but legal apparently. Edgy hit, that.
7:57 -- Bobrovsky hasn't let a goal in yet, but he looks a little frenetic. People are getting into his crease and he doesn't look at all confident. It's a different competition, these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
7:59 -- Commercial break.
8:00 -- Interview with Kimmo Timonen. He's a nice chap, eh?
8:01 -- Delay in the game as they fix Ryan Miller's net. Re-drilling the holes for the pegs. Funny.
8:03 -- It's 4-4 in terms of shots, that's about the only exciting thing at the moment. As I type that, Miller saves on Richards.
8:04 -- 7 and a half minutes left in the first period here. The other game could start up in a moment, so I'm keeping an eye on CBC. Another shot from Syvret that deflects up into the netting. Miller didn't see it, went off Leino and over the glass.
8:04 -- Shots are now 5 apiece! Oh boy!
8:05 -- For some reason, when all the Buffalo defense had to do was pinch in for a moment, they backed off at the opposing blue line and let Philly bring it all the way in to Miller. A couple of half chances go off, and that 'play it safe' attitude doesn't work when you're attacking.
8:07 -- MTL/BOS has started up again. Boston are on the PP now, and there's 30 seconds left for the Bruins to make a mark. Chara is open at the point and takes a shot. Price sees it all the way and chips it up into the netting.
8:08 -- The crowd is incensed after another non-call against Montreal. They thought it was a penalty. Looked like a Bruin was upended, but....not sure if that's a penalty. Kostitsyn is back on the Montreal bench. They probably just gave him a shot.
8:09 -- Shots 11-8 for the Bruins. They rush into the Canadiens zone, but the puck comes to Price and he slows it down.
8:10 -- The other game is at a commercial break, but NHL.com tells me that Buffalo are about to begin a PP, and Versteeg is in the box for an apparent interference call. It's weak, at best. Not sure what the official saw there.
8:11 -- I'll tell you what, Montreal is getting chances here on Thomas. Bruins ice it, and now the faceoff is in Boston's zone.
8:12 -- Doesn't look like Buffalo is going to get anything on this PP. So with less than three minutes to play, it's still locked at 0-0.
8:13 -- Carey Price uncharacteristically bobbles a save and it goes to Thornton who can't bury it.
8:14 -- Buffalo called for icing in the other match, and looks like Briere and Montador were involved just off the play at the red line. Briere draws the penalty and it will be a Flyers PP. Commentary team says that Miller looks hurt. Not sure what that's about though. Last minute to play, there.
8:15 -- In Boston, Price makes a right toe save that is pretty brilliant. No rebound, either.
8:16 -- Philly pressing on the PP but the period ends. Gaustad looks like he's hurt after blocking a shot. 10 shots apiece in the period for those teams as they head to the locker room.
8:17 -- Montreal gets another penalty here, with Spacek hooking a Bruin. They have had two chances already and their power play has looked anemic at best.
8:22 -- Commercial break and the Bruins PP comes to nothing, but Montreal did get a good chance to add a second with Thomas stranded. Boston is really turning the screw here, with straight possession for about 2 full minutes after the PP ended. The matchups were not favourable there, and Chara has had several shots. Moen is on the bench injured after taking one of his bombs.
8:23 -- I don't care what anyone says about the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia -- Boston's barn is LOUD. Now Montreal has only had one shot in the last 7 minutes +. That's not enough, boys! Shots are now 19-11 for Boston.
8:25 -- The pace of this game is insane. If it was 0-0, I'd say that they'd just tire themselves out and the first person to make a mistake will let in a goal. That's already happened though because Kaberle had another one of his legendary brain farts. Commercial break, which is favourable to the Canadiens who need a break and a medical team. Bad for the Bruins because they are well and truly on top here.
8:30 -- nothing doing. Still. Not sure what has to happen here, but the game needs a goal for Boston to really open things up. Shots are 13-6 for Boston in this period, which tells you who is winning this round so far.
8:31 -- Marchand gets another chance on a rush here, and can't beat Price. Canadiens are riding Price and hanging on at the moment. 22-14 shots for the Bruins.
8:33 -- Make that 23 shots. Commercial break! I need a snack. And a beer.
8:38 -- Not sure what happened there, but it appears that my keyboard was frozen. Anyway, the Bruins are playing like they are on the power play right now, intense offensive play in the Montreal zone for the last five or so minutes. They have come close on several occasions. Sopel has blocked a shot now too. Shots are something like 17-6 for the period.
8:40 -- Just checked in with PHI/BUF and that's a boring game. The building is quiet and after 3 seconds I quickly flipped back to Boston. Can't be bothered. But 4 minutes gone in that one, still no score. Boston still with lots of pressure, crowd still loud with anticipation and anxiety. Only 1 minute left in the period.
8:40 -- Brad Marchand is going to get a penalty for interference here, after all of that. Marchand takes out Plekanec, who is a dirty annoying player and deserves to be dumped on his ass. Power play now for Montreal, but it'll be broken up by the intermission.
8:42 -- The 2nd period ends. Round 2 goes to Boston, no question.
8:48 -- After a delay to eat a sugar cookie, I've watched van Riemsdyk get pulled down and it's a PP for the Flyers. Could we see the first goal of this game?
8:49 -- Miller makes a save down low after seeing the puck all the way through. Flyers playing a confident game but Buffalo not looking overawed by them.
8:49 -- Another penalty on the Sabres here, with Morrisson getting a bad slash in on Richards. It was a delayed call and undisciplined play. This is as good as it gets for Philadelphia. Laviolette wants his troops to have a good plan going into this for 38 seconds of 2-man advantage.
8:52 -- Miller makes several saves and can't be troubled at the moment. Looking good for the Sabres here. Flyers are working hard here, and nothing doing.
8:57 -- Shots are 22-14 here for the Flyers. Sabres are getting chances though, and the Flyers turnovers are giving them some hope.
8:58 -- Just 6:15 left to go here in the 2nd period. A very even game, as most people thought it would be.
9:00 -- Flyers still getting chances, Miller keeps the score at a goose egg.
9:00 -- Back in Boston, the game has restarted. Montreal has 40 seconds left on the power play. They are forechecking, and getting nothing so far.
9:01 -- Penalty is just about over here, and the Canadiens must just be happy to attack a little bit because they spent the entire period defending their one goal lead.
9:02 -- Boston offside at the Montreal blue line. Commercial break in the other game allows me to catch my breath and take a break from the boredom. To be fair, the second period has been better than the first but not by much.
9:03 -- Just about three minutes gone in the 3rd period. Canadiens have had the best of it so far. Price fields a shot from the blue line and just dumps it into the corner, all gangsta' like.
9:04 -- Bad turnover by Ference goes tape-to-tape to Plekanec. Luckily, he's a cheap player so it comes to nothing.
9:06 -- 2 minutes left in Philadelphia. Still nothing doing. Mathieu Darche takes a hard hit and goes to the bench a little bit shaky. That's a fourth player now. They may win this one, but they're going to lose half of their eligible players, Montreal.
9:08 -- The commentator in the PHI/BUF game is saying the players' names in a funny, incorrect way. He's got Carle down as 'Call' and Carter down as 'Cotter.' He's not even from New York, so...?
9:09 -- Very even, this period from Boston and Montreal. Thomas has just made a few saves now on Montreal counter attacks. Shots 27-17 in favour of Boston, meaning that Price has been busy, and Thomas less so. As the 2nd period draws to a close in Philadelphia, shots are 26-19 in favour of the Flyers.
9:10 -- 13 minutes here, all that separates Boston from an opening-game loss at home against their biggest and fiercest rivals. This is looking bad. Julien may head home after the press conference and update his resume.
9:12 -- Bergeron has won 78% of his faceoffs tonight. That's a good number. Too bad his work hasn't led to goals. 12 minutes left now, with nothing doing for Boston.
9:15 -- More pressure from Boston. Only 10 minutes left here, and Boston doing everything they can. Price making himself big. Icing against Montreal. That's happened a couple of times in the last few minutes now, and that's making it tough for tired Montreal players.
9:16 - 30 shots for Boston, 17 for Montreal. I meant to type, too, that Lucic had a great rush with Horton where he dropped the shoulder and changed speeds to go past a Montreal player. He ended up on his ass, but got the shot away and made it look good.
9:19 -- This is becoming an exercise in futility. I don't know what the Bruins have to do to get a goal past Price, but at this point it's starting to look a little bleak. There's just 8 minutes left here in Boston.
9:21 -- 7 minutes left now, and the puck is bouncing around everywhere. Boston had a good chance with three players in front of Price, but it didn't go in despite the rebound.
9:23 -- The Bruins are getting their chances, but it's not happening. 5:36 left in the 3rd period. Other game should be going soon.
9:26 -- Sloppy play leads to a couple of chances for Montreal. Chara looks pissed.
9:27 -- The game has started up again in Philadelphia. It's looking slow and quiet, as per usual. If a game ever needed a goal: it's this one.
9:28 -- Less than four minutes left. GOAL -- Montreal gets his second goal of the game, and that's that for the game. Turnover by Lucic who is trying to do too much. Gomez drops it for Gionta, and that's game, set match. Nice try, Boston.
9:31 -- Now Plekanec, trying to win the trophy for least-liked hockey player in the NHL, draws a penalty from Chara who is petulant at times. And was, at that point.
9:32 -- Boxscore shows that Thomas Kaberle is a -2 for the evening. Hmm.
9:33 -- Still no goals and no pulse in the other game. In Boston, fans streaming out, pissed at what they've seen.
9:34 -- In Philadephia, there is 15 minutes left to play in the 3rd period. Buffalo looks as if they are giving as good as they are getting here.
9:35 -- The other game is officially over. Price with the shutout and 31 or 32 saves. On a second look, Thomas was partially at fault for that second goal because honestly, it was directly through the pads.
9:36 -- GOAL -- BUFFALO! Kaleta gets a goal. Buffalo are digging and srapping and it comes out in front after a rebound from Bobrovsky. He makes a Bobby Orr like dive right after the puck goes in, and that's a nice celebration for Buffalo.
9:37 -- So if the story line last night was about 'the comforts of home' you'd have to say that tonight, it's 'road tripping to victory.' Or something more eloquent.
9:42 -- Couple of half chances for Philly, but still no goals for them. Big face off in Buffalo's zone here won by the Flyers. Nothing happens from it though.
9:44 -- Wow, that Flyer orange is loud. I've had a second look and it's great for the brand, for sure, but good Lord is that a gawdy, aggressive colour.
9:48 -- Philly has a PP here, with less than ten minutes to go in the game. Miller scrambles, and another couple of half chances come and go. It's still looking like all fuzz and no real lint, here.
9:55 -- Phone call interruption. There is now 4 and a half minutes left, and it's still 1-0 for Buffalo.
10:01 -- Bobrovsky departs the ice and the extra attacker is on. Miller has got something going at the moment but I won't say it until it's true. Just over one minute left in this game. It's either over, or it's going to overtime.
10:03 -- It is over, and it's a shutout for Ryan Miller. It's a nice 1-0 victory for Buffalo, just proving that it doesn't matter what the standings tell you.
That's enough for me. It's been nice and not as epic as I thought it would be.
Night one: the comforts of home, for some.
Last night's results will come as a shock for very few.
The first game I watched was Pittsburgh v. Tampa Bay, which seemed to play out exactly as I anticipated. Marc Andre-Fleury was outstanding, without a doubt the star of the game. The James Neal/Alexei Kovalev/Mark Letestu lineup is an absolute handful, and if they play like that every game, they're going to win that series on their own. Staal wasn't terribly effective, but he'll get better as the series goes on.
Tampa were very good, and I'd say that probably Roloson kept them in the game as the Penguins started to exert more pressure. I know that most people say that the penalty kill is far more important, but as the game ebbs away and you've wasted six or seven opportunities with a man advantage with the score locked at 0-0, it starts to look like you're not making a good enough effort.
The Penguins were lucky on a couple of occasions. But they did deserve to win the game. The top six of Neal/Kovalev/Letestu/Kunitz/Staal/Dupuis is doing quite well in the absence of Crosby and Malkin.
The second match I watched was the Rangers v. Washington. This was a very good match, with two very even strength teams playing in an out all battle. The Rangers were fairly impressive but at the end of the day, Washington does come across as a superior team and they really needed that win last night. It was interesting to watch overtime because Washington didn't seem overawed by the occasion. With Arnott and some of the other seasoned veterans, there didn't seem to be any panicking. They played smart, efficient, attacking hockey and it paid off. Semin's goal was awesome. It was a coach's dream, really, because it was an example of 'getting the puck on the net at every opportunity.'
The next match I watched was the Canucks vs. Blackhawks. This was a war, though it started as Vancouver running amok and seeing most of the puck possession in the first period. I expected better play and more energy from the Blackhawks, but we did see some of it through at the end of the game when they tried to get a goal and break the duck.
I didn't watch the Anaheim vs. Nashville game, and I'm glad. It was extremely one-sided. As some pundits predicted, Nashville's collapse-to-defend and then catch-them-on-the-break system of play was efficient and effective.
I also didn't get a chance to watch Detroit v. Phoenix, and that's good because I hate Detroit and it looks like the Wings are not going to let the Coyotes have anything easily. Some of the goals were scrappy, so the Coyotes need to clean that up. However, they did hold the lead for nearly half the game, so they should take that as a positive. They also scored two goals on the Wings much revered defense, so that's another positive to take to the bank. They are facing a beatable team with a beatable goalie.
So that's that for night one. I can't wait to watch the three games tonight. Remember though, game two is the most important one.
The first game I watched was Pittsburgh v. Tampa Bay, which seemed to play out exactly as I anticipated. Marc Andre-Fleury was outstanding, without a doubt the star of the game. The James Neal/Alexei Kovalev/Mark Letestu lineup is an absolute handful, and if they play like that every game, they're going to win that series on their own. Staal wasn't terribly effective, but he'll get better as the series goes on.
Tampa were very good, and I'd say that probably Roloson kept them in the game as the Penguins started to exert more pressure. I know that most people say that the penalty kill is far more important, but as the game ebbs away and you've wasted six or seven opportunities with a man advantage with the score locked at 0-0, it starts to look like you're not making a good enough effort.
The Penguins were lucky on a couple of occasions. But they did deserve to win the game. The top six of Neal/Kovalev/Letestu/Kunitz/Staal/Dupuis is doing quite well in the absence of Crosby and Malkin.
The second match I watched was the Rangers v. Washington. This was a very good match, with two very even strength teams playing in an out all battle. The Rangers were fairly impressive but at the end of the day, Washington does come across as a superior team and they really needed that win last night. It was interesting to watch overtime because Washington didn't seem overawed by the occasion. With Arnott and some of the other seasoned veterans, there didn't seem to be any panicking. They played smart, efficient, attacking hockey and it paid off. Semin's goal was awesome. It was a coach's dream, really, because it was an example of 'getting the puck on the net at every opportunity.'
The next match I watched was the Canucks vs. Blackhawks. This was a war, though it started as Vancouver running amok and seeing most of the puck possession in the first period. I expected better play and more energy from the Blackhawks, but we did see some of it through at the end of the game when they tried to get a goal and break the duck.
I didn't watch the Anaheim vs. Nashville game, and I'm glad. It was extremely one-sided. As some pundits predicted, Nashville's collapse-to-defend and then catch-them-on-the-break system of play was efficient and effective.
I also didn't get a chance to watch Detroit v. Phoenix, and that's good because I hate Detroit and it looks like the Wings are not going to let the Coyotes have anything easily. Some of the goals were scrappy, so the Coyotes need to clean that up. However, they did hold the lead for nearly half the game, so they should take that as a positive. They also scored two goals on the Wings much revered defense, so that's another positive to take to the bank. They are facing a beatable team with a beatable goalie.
So that's that for night one. I can't wait to watch the three games tonight. Remember though, game two is the most important one.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The view from here:
I've been perusing more blog sites and I'm gaining more anticipation and anxiety as the series come closer.
NHL.com gave some terrific statistics yesterday and I happened to think they were good enough to re-post on this blog, which says a lot. I like to do my own digging and create my own statistics. I think that most researchers have an idea, a theory they'd like to prove and they manage to find statistics to support them no matter what. "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics," as the story goes.
The full story on NHL.com is in sixteen parts, reflecting the 16 teams that are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nice, eh?
Our first story of interest is about uncertainty and rookies in goal. One needn't look to far to remember that last year's Flyers team went directly to the Stanley Cup Finals with Michael Leighton. Does anyone remember Cam Ward? He'd never played a game in the post-season before the Hurricanes rode him like the wind to their first and only Cup success ever. Neuvirth and Bobrovsky are both seriously untested in the second season and Crawford in Chicago is actually a legitimate rookie. Rinne in Nashville has only played six playoff games, and Quick in Los Angeles has only played six, too.
A second story of interest would be the so-called 'Presidents' Trophy Curse' which, from what I remember, was broken by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 when they won the Cup. Other than that, no winner of the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record in the NHL has even managed to make it to the Finals. I'd say that the Vancouver Canucks are well-placed to discontinue that trend, and I'd also say that if they did, two teams in four years winning the whole thing and at least making it to the final would mean that you'd have to reconsider how important 'the Curse' really is.
How about playing seven games in your conference quarterfinal? Statistics show that the last 32 teams to win their first series in seven games have failed to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Here's one that I love -- winning the first game of the series gives you a 27-13 win/loss ratio in the series as a whole. That's a .613% win record, but it could be better. That is, it could be better if you win the second game irregardless of what the result of the first game of the series was. Teams who win the second game have a 28-12 win/loss ratio in the series, which is a .700%.
There is one that only applies to one team, and that is that no player who has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals scored in the regular season has ever won the Cup. That means that Corey Perry is cursed!
There is also only one team that has ever won the cup after missing the playoffs the previous year: 1994's New York Rangers. So, The Rangers of this year, Anaheim and Tampa Bay are just spinning their wheels.
Okay, so that's that.
Now on to more 'expert' predictions.
Washington vs. New York:
Shaune Vetter -- NY Rangers in Six games, citing Washington's goaltending problems.
Travis Yost -- Washington in Five games, citing Washington being underrated and NYR barely scraping into the playoffs.
Travis Hughes @ SB Nation -- Washington in Seven.
Mike Chen @ SB Nation -- Washington in Seven.
Steven Lepore -- Washington in Six.
Zachary Zielonka -- Washington in Six.
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo:
Shaune Vetter -- Flyers in Five -- they're hungry for success, he says.
Travis Yost -- Flyers in Seven -- Buffal's streaky scoring will let them down.
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Flyers in Six.
MC -- Flyers in Six.
SL -- Sabres in Five.
ZZ -- Flyers in Seven.
Boston vs. Montreal:
Shaune Vetter -- Montreal in Six -- Carey Price has more to prove.
Eric Engels -- Montreal in Six -- a bias, he's the Habs writer.
Travis Yost -- Montreal in Six -- Cammaleri to come alive again!
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Bruins in Six.
MC -- Bruins in Six.
SL -- Bruins in Seven.
ZZ -- Bruins in Five.
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay:
Shaune Vetter -- Lightning in Six, citing Roloson with unfinished business.
Travis Yost -- Lightning in Seven, citing better, healthier offense.
Eric Smith @ Hockeybuzz.com -- Lightning in Six.
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Lightning in Seven.
MC -- Lightning in Six.
SL -- Penguins in Five.
ZZ -- Penguins in Four.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Vancouver vs. Chicago:
Shaune Vetter -- Hawks in Six, citing a curse on the Canucks when it comes to Chicago
Travis Yost -- Canucks in Six.
San Jose vs. Los Angeles -- Sharks in Seven, citing the Thornton factor.
Travis Yost -- Sharks in Five, citing the lack of goalscoring.
Detroit vs. Phoenix:
Shaune Vetter -- Coyotes in Seven, citing Detroit's struggles down the stretch.
Travis Yost -- Red Wings in Seven.
Anaheim vs. Nashville:
Shaune Vetter -- Nashville in Six. It's their year!
Travis Yost -- Anaheim in Seven.
That's it! Enjoy the games!
NHL.com gave some terrific statistics yesterday and I happened to think they were good enough to re-post on this blog, which says a lot. I like to do my own digging and create my own statistics. I think that most researchers have an idea, a theory they'd like to prove and they manage to find statistics to support them no matter what. "Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics," as the story goes.
The full story on NHL.com is in sixteen parts, reflecting the 16 teams that are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nice, eh?
Our first story of interest is about uncertainty and rookies in goal. One needn't look to far to remember that last year's Flyers team went directly to the Stanley Cup Finals with Michael Leighton. Does anyone remember Cam Ward? He'd never played a game in the post-season before the Hurricanes rode him like the wind to their first and only Cup success ever. Neuvirth and Bobrovsky are both seriously untested in the second season and Crawford in Chicago is actually a legitimate rookie. Rinne in Nashville has only played six playoff games, and Quick in Los Angeles has only played six, too.
A second story of interest would be the so-called 'Presidents' Trophy Curse' which, from what I remember, was broken by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 when they won the Cup. Other than that, no winner of the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record in the NHL has even managed to make it to the Finals. I'd say that the Vancouver Canucks are well-placed to discontinue that trend, and I'd also say that if they did, two teams in four years winning the whole thing and at least making it to the final would mean that you'd have to reconsider how important 'the Curse' really is.
How about playing seven games in your conference quarterfinal? Statistics show that the last 32 teams to win their first series in seven games have failed to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Here's one that I love -- winning the first game of the series gives you a 27-13 win/loss ratio in the series as a whole. That's a .613% win record, but it could be better. That is, it could be better if you win the second game irregardless of what the result of the first game of the series was. Teams who win the second game have a 28-12 win/loss ratio in the series, which is a .700%.
There is one that only applies to one team, and that is that no player who has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals scored in the regular season has ever won the Cup. That means that Corey Perry is cursed!
There is also only one team that has ever won the cup after missing the playoffs the previous year: 1994's New York Rangers. So, The Rangers of this year, Anaheim and Tampa Bay are just spinning their wheels.
Okay, so that's that.
Now on to more 'expert' predictions.
Washington vs. New York:
Shaune Vetter -- NY Rangers in Six games, citing Washington's goaltending problems.
Travis Yost -- Washington in Five games, citing Washington being underrated and NYR barely scraping into the playoffs.
Travis Hughes @ SB Nation -- Washington in Seven.
Mike Chen @ SB Nation -- Washington in Seven.
Steven Lepore -- Washington in Six.
Zachary Zielonka -- Washington in Six.
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo:
Shaune Vetter -- Flyers in Five -- they're hungry for success, he says.
Travis Yost -- Flyers in Seven -- Buffal's streaky scoring will let them down.
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Flyers in Six.
MC -- Flyers in Six.
SL -- Sabres in Five.
ZZ -- Flyers in Seven.
Boston vs. Montreal:
Shaune Vetter -- Montreal in Six -- Carey Price has more to prove.
Eric Engels -- Montreal in Six -- a bias, he's the Habs writer.
Travis Yost -- Montreal in Six -- Cammaleri to come alive again!
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Bruins in Six.
MC -- Bruins in Six.
SL -- Bruins in Seven.
ZZ -- Bruins in Five.
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay:
Shaune Vetter -- Lightning in Six, citing Roloson with unfinished business.
Travis Yost -- Lightning in Seven, citing better, healthier offense.
Eric Smith @ Hockeybuzz.com -- Lightning in Six.
SB Nation's writers:
TH -- Lightning in Seven.
MC -- Lightning in Six.
SL -- Penguins in Five.
ZZ -- Penguins in Four.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Vancouver vs. Chicago:
Shaune Vetter -- Hawks in Six, citing a curse on the Canucks when it comes to Chicago
Travis Yost -- Canucks in Six.
San Jose vs. Los Angeles -- Sharks in Seven, citing the Thornton factor.
Travis Yost -- Sharks in Five, citing the lack of goalscoring.
Detroit vs. Phoenix:
Shaune Vetter -- Coyotes in Seven, citing Detroit's struggles down the stretch.
Travis Yost -- Red Wings in Seven.
Anaheim vs. Nashville:
Shaune Vetter -- Nashville in Six. It's their year!
Travis Yost -- Anaheim in Seven.
That's it! Enjoy the games!
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