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.
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