Jaroslav Halak ist der Schlüssel zu dieser Reihe. Alle Halak zu tun hat, ist immer Washington in Schach, wenn er es schaffen, zu tun, dass die Canadiens werden viele Torchancen gegen Washingtons Schweizer Käse Verteidigung zu erhalten. Zwei Dinge, die wir sicher wissen: Montreal kann nicht aufhören Washington vom Zählen und Washington kann nicht aufhören zu Montreal von Scoring. Die Nummer eins Schlüssel wie ich bereits erwähnt ist Halak sondern es ist auch von entscheidender Bedeutung für Montreal extrem diszipliniert Hockey jede Minute eines jeden Spiel zu spielen. Technische Fehler gemacht werden, die einfach in der Natur des Spiels, aber schlechte Entscheidungen (Fehlpässe, faul Puck Verfolgung, etc.) und unter schlechten Strafen wird das Ende von Montreals Playoff-Leben ist. Washington hat genug Talent, um die Fehler, es wird zu überwinden und das Fehlen einer angemessenen Verteidigung und fleckig goaltending Montreal aber nicht. Viele Leute denken, Washington ist reif für die Ernte-und das mag wahr sein, aber wenn Montreal nicht ihren Fehler-Verhältnis halten im Vergleich zu Washington Capitals die sehr niedrig wird sie umhauen. Auch wenn Montreal hat einen schlecht sagen Strafe müssen sie auf der Playoff-Erfahrung der Jungs auf ihrer Spielerliste verlassen, um jemanden mit in die Schachtel, alle wenig Fragen Rechnung tragen. Wenn Montreal kann die Dinge, sie werden gewinnen zu tun; aber das sagte ich nehme die Capitals in fünf.
2. New Jersey 7 vs. Philadelphia
Philadelphia wird diese Serie zu gewinnen. Es hat wenig mit dem Flyer "Fähigkeiten und mehr mit New Jersey Unzulänglichkeiten zu tun. Die Devils verlassen sich zu stark auf erste Scoring dann unter Verwendung der neutralen Zone Falle und Marty Brodeur, das andere Team zu ersticken. New Jersey wird nicht immer zuerst ein Tor und haben eine Führung, um zu schützen, noch haben sie die Fähigkeit, andere als um 2 oder mehr Tore wieder kommen sollte Philly bekommen so weit voraus zu haben. Es ist nicht mehr 1995 und die neue NHL ist nicht förderlich für New Jersey-System wodurch eine große Menge an Post-Saison Erfolg. Sie haben auch legte eine sprichwörtliche Wand vor ihrer größten Bedrohung in Scoring Ilya Kovalchuk. Jedes Spiel wird sehr wahrscheinlich in der Nähe sein, weil, wie die Devils zu spielen, aber es ist Philly-Serie zu gewinnen.
3. Buffalo vs 6. Boston
Ryan Miller ist der beste Torhüter der Welt von heute und die Boston Bruins nicht KANN NICHT punkten. Genug gesagt, nehmen Sie die Sabres Serie.
4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Ottawa
Crosby war der heiße spät, aber das schließt zwei Spielen gegen die New York Islanders, die eine wirklich kleine Verteidigung und dass die Ergebnisse in einer Tonne von Torchancen und viele Tore. Die Pinguine haben eine harte Zeit zu stoppen Team von Scoring aber auch nicht mit der größte Torgefährlichkeit selbst (gewährt Gonchar und Malkin verletzt worden, so dass sollte sich bis sure) hatte. Es ist gesagt worden, dass die Pinguine einfach benötigt, um in die Playoffs zu bekommen und jetzt, dass die Zeit gekommen ist, werden sie mehr motiviert, sich zusammenreißen, bauen auf den Erfahrungen der letzten Jahre, und gehen Sie auf, um zurück zu bekommen dest die Conference Finals. Aber ich denke, die Ottawa Senators kann etwas dazu zu sagen haben. Die Senatoren haben eine der besten Mannschaften in der Konferenz im letzten Monat der Saison und spielen unglaublich gut als eine Einheit. Losing Alex Kovalev wird ein Rückschlag für Ottawa sein, aber sie haben immer noch Daniel Alredsson, Jason Spezza und Mike Fisher, damit sie nicht die Sehnsucht nach Scoring-Geschenke auf dem Eis sein. Ihre Verteidiger sind alle ziemlich groß, so dass eine Übereinstimmung-up relativ gut mit der Pinguine "Linien von oben nach unten. Torchancen werden viel mehr Arbeit für die Penguins gegen Ottawa, als es gegen die Islanders benötigen. Vielleicht die größte Schwachstelle für Ottawa ist Brian Elliot mangelnde Playoff-Erfahrung. Während Erfahrung zählt, an allen Positionen ist es für Torhüter wichtigsten sei denn, Sie Ken Dryden oder Patrick Roy sind. Dennoch, mit, wie die Pinguine haben zu spielen (inkonsistent) wurde sie reif sind für eine Überraschung und ich denke, dass die Ottawa Senators wird genau das tun.
West-Vorschau:
1. San Jose gegen 8. Colorado
Als technischer Analyse, wie ich denke, das Match-up gehen, ist vielleicht eine Verschwendung von Zeit. San Jose hat hier immer und immer wieder war und Colorado ist ein Team, das die ganze Saison übererfüllt hat. Ich denke, in der Zeit Colorado sehr gut sein wird, aber es ist einfach nicht in die Karten für sie in diesem Jahr. San Jose hat mehr Erfahrung, sind eine insgesamt bessere Team und wird einfach nicht nach Colorado zu verlieren. San Jose nimmt diese Serie.
2. Chicago vs 7. Nashville
Mit Nashville in den Playoffs ist immer schön, denn was hilft Hockey in nicht-traditionellen Märkten zu wachsen ist eine gute Sache für das Spiel und der Liga. Nashville hat hier gewesen, aber hat es nicht geschafft, die erste Runde (keine Schande, dass, da sie Detroit in jeder Playoff-Auftritt in ihrer kurzen Geschichte gespielt haben) zu bekommen. Was gibt Nashville die beste Chance auf Erfolg in dieser Serie ist, dass sie sich nicht auf eine einzelne Person verlassen, um all ihre Vergehen zu liefern. Steve Sullivan, Patric Hörnqvist, Martin Erat, Jason Arnott, JP Dumont, Shea Weber und alle hatten 40 Punkt Jahreszeiten, die ein sehr positives Zeichen ist, da kann man nicht einfach Chicago konzentrieren sich auf einen Mann in der Hoffnung, halten die Preds in Schach. Das Problem für Nashville ist, dass von der Saison gaben sie so viele Tore wie sie hat, welche nichts Gutes bei der Wiedergabe die gerne von Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp und co. im besten vier-of-seven-Serie. Während ich root für Hockey-Erfolg in Nashville für die gute Spiel Ich denke, Chicago wird zu viel für die Preds und wird Vergangenheit Nashville auf ihrem Weg zu den Cup-Finals zu bewegen, als ich bei der Eröffnung der Saison vorhergesagt.
3. Vancouver vs 6. LA Kings
Es ist toll, die LA Kings zurück in den Playoffs zu sehen. Ich habe seit der Offseason, dass dieses Team für real war und sie haben sicherlich nicht die ganze Saison enttäuschen und hier sind sie in der Nach-Saison gesagt haben. Anze Kopitar war phänomenal ganze Jahr und Jonathan Schnell war der Netto-Draht-zu-Draht-System. Ich sagte, bevor das Jahr begonnen, dass nicht nur würden die Kings die Playoffs, aber sie würde auch die erste Runde Serie zu gewinnen, und ich werde nicht nach unten ab, die zurück. Leider für die Könige (und für mich) sie müssen im Eishockey gehen gegen die wohl beste Linie ganzjährig, dh die Sedin Zwillinge mit Alex Burrows und manchmal Ryan Kesler. Oh, und dass Roberto Luongo Kerl ist auch nicht übel. Eine Menge Leute denken, das ist das Jahr für Vancouver zu überwinden, was sie in der Vergangenheit konfrontiert habe und schließlich aus dem Westen kommen. Ich werde gegen meinen Kopf in der Kommissionierung diese ein zu gehen und sagen, dass die Kings wird die Serie zu nehmen, aber sie sind besser verlassen sich stark auf Rob Scuderi-Cup gewinnen Erfahrung von vor einem Jahr, weil sie es brauchen.
4. Phoenix vs 5. Detroit
Schlechte Phoenix. Eigentumsfragen zurück zu der Nebensaison ergeben, nicht zu wissen, wo sie im Begriff waren, in diesem Jahr vor der Saison zu spielen begonnen und auch dort, wo sie im nächsten Jahr noch nicht abgeschlossen ist. Trotz allem, dass die Spieler schlossen sich zusammen und bekam nicht nur sich selbst in die Playoffs, aber zu Hause Eis in der ersten Runde, großes Recht? Falsch. All das harte Arbeit liefert ihnen den Lohn spielen die Detroit Red Wings in der ersten Runde, was für eine Belohnung für eine tolle Saison eh? Wir könnten nach unten Match-Ups zu brechen, bis die Kühe nach Hause kommen, aber es wäre dumm für mich, gegen Detroit holen. Ich hoffe, dass Phoenix gibt Detroit einen großen Kampf und schafft es sogar, sie zu schlagen, aber das ist unwahrscheinlich, und deshalb gebe ich diese Serie zu den Red Wings.
Genießen Sie den Beginn der schönsten Zeit des Jahres!
Wer würde auf der Fach Frist gedacht, dass die Übernahme durch die Calgary Flames des ehemaligen Maple Leaf Spieler Ian White, Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman und Vesa Toskala würde in die Flammen fehlt die Playoffs führen? Wie wäre es mit JEDER außer jemand innerhalb der Calgary Flames, die jede Organisation Entscheidungsfindung Fähigkeit hatte; ehrlich, was dachten sie? Toronto spielte schlecht die ganze Saison lang noch irgendwie unter eine Menge Spieler aus dieser leistungsschwache Team würde Calgary Spielniveau zu erhöhen? Schnappte sich die Jungs sollte in den Flammen Scoring Leiden zu erleichtern, sondern es tat nichts. Es gibt Gerüchte herumwirbelt, dass die Organisation in Flames für eine große Veränderung in der Nebensaison auf fast allen Ebenen, vielleicht zu Recht. Viele Entscheidungen auf dem Weg gemacht beigetragen, Calgary Beseitigung von Playoff-Streit, aber die jüngsten Schritte hatten viel Mitspracherecht in ihrer Sinnlosigkeit Strecke laufen. Das Tor für die Flames kommen in dieser Saison war, endlich die erste Runde zu bekommen ... lustig, wie die Dinge ändern.
Mit ihren 6-3 Verlust in den Händen der Washington Capitals am Dienstag die Verteidigung Stanley-Cup-Champions fiel zu einem kombinierten 0-10 gegen New Jersey und Washington in dieser Saison. Trotz dieser Rekord die Pinguine haben es geschafft, sich in Position zu bringen, nach Hause zu-Eis in der ersten Runde der Playoffs haben und immer noch auf den Gewinn der Atlantic Division einen Schuss. Aber diese Tatsache beiseite, was ist eine 0-10 Bilanz gegen zwei der besten Teams im Osten für die Penguins in den Playoffs das? Die Zahlen selbst nicht bedeuten, eine ganze Menge, da regulären Saison Kopf-an-Kopf-Datensätze nicht über tragen in die Playoffs, aber es ist, warum sie so viele Male auf diese Teams, die die größere Geschichte ist verloren. Washington hat einfach auf die Pinguine, was sie an alle, das ganze Jahr getan haben, und das ist-Score und Score einige mehr. Es ist nichts kompliziert über den Hauptstädten "-Spiel und viele Experten einig, ihre mangelnde Verteidigung wird eher nachteilig sein, wenn es an der Zeit, um zu versuchen, zu spielen und schlagen ein Team in einer Best-of-seven-Serie geht. Noch alarmierender für die Penguins ist ihre Leistungen gegen New Jersey. Die Devils nutzten ihre neutralen Zone Falle nicht nur schlagen die Pittsburgh Penguins, aber sie dominiert in jedem der sechs Spiele, die sie gespielt. Die Pinguine gelang nur fünf Tore in sechs Wettbewerben, von denen keine in der Nähe, darunter zwei Shutouts. Es scheint etwas von der neutralen Zone-Falle, die als wirklich gegeben sein, die Penguins Kopfschmerzen in diesem Jahr scheinbar mehr als je zuvor. Dieser Stil hat sie so sehr, dass die Tampa Bay Lightning verwendet das gleiche System gegen die Penguins vor kurzem in Perfektion gegen Pittsburgh 2:0 betroffen. Wenn die Devils und nun die Lightning haben eine Blaupause dafür, wie die Pinguine dominieren erstellt, dann ist es wahrscheinlich, dass andere gute Teams in den Playoffs könnte auch mit dem gleichen System und tatsächlich führen, dass die Pinguine, die schon in der ersten Runde ausgeschieden. Erste Schritte, die von der Falle bei drei verschiedenen Gelegenheiten gegen zwei verschiedene Teams geschlossen ist kein Zufall, und das ist, warum das 0-6 Bilanz gegen New Jersey ist beängstigend für Pittsburgh.
Schließlich, es ist alles vorbei, aber die schreiend aus West! Jeder Platz in den Playoffs wurde geholt, und jetzt warten wir einfach, um zu sehen, was die Match-Ups sein. Der diesjährige Wettbewerb enthält ein paar Gesichter aus der letzten Saison, wie die LA Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators und Phoenix Coyotes haben alle qualifizierte sich für die Post-Saison spielen, nachdem ich von vor nur eine Saison nach Hause. Es wird großartig sein, um etwas neues Blut in den Reihen in den Westen zu sehen, aber wir können nicht vergessen, die Vielflieger in die Detroit Red Wings in den Playoffs für das 19. Jahr in Folge vor. Kann jeder der neuen Teams ersetzen die Red Wings an der Spitze der Western Conference Mountain? Tune in der nächsten Zeit, wenn wir eine Vorschau der Westen, und ich gebe die Gründe, warum Detroit wird (oder nicht) Rückkehr zu den Finals noch einmal.
Letzte Nacht wurden die Pittsburgh Penguins in Schach doch wieder von den New Jersey Devils, die jetzt gefegt haben die Saison-Serie gegen die Penguins 6:0 und in entscheidender Weise jedes Mal statt. Ein Team dominiert anderen wie dies nicht selten, aber der Unterschied in diesem Fall ist, dass die Pinguine haben immer eine der besten Mannschaften in der Liga das ganze Jahr und sind auch noch für die Division-Krone mit New Jersey zu kämpfen, obwohl er jedes Spiel verloren gegen sie. Es ist nicht sehr häufig zu sehen, ein Team von einem anderen Team dominiert zu werden und doch noch so hoch in der Gesamtwertung sein. Was bedeutet dies für die Playoffs bedeuten? Ganz ehrlich, solange beide Teams machen es (wie sie sicherlich werden) bedeutet es nicht, eine ganze Menge sollte sie übereinstimmen-up miteinander, bis das erste Spiel gespielt wird. Wenn Pittsburgh verwalten können, um den ersten von einer Best-of-seven-Serie mit New Jersey gewinnen, dann ist der Schiefer im wesentlichen sauber gewischt. Allerdings sollte New Jersey schlagen Pittsburgh und dominieren sie die gleiche Weise haben sie das ganze Jahr dann New Jersey wird das Vertrauen der Pinguin-Team so sehr, dass die Serie würde im Grunde vorbei sein, bevor es überhaupt begonnen beeinflusst haben. Es gibt keinen wirklichen Sinn und Verstand für die Teufel 'Dominanz über die Penguins hat es einfach eine Frage der New Jersey ihr System spielen solide und die Pinguine so dass zu viele Chancen und nicht die Schaffung von genügend eigene. Wir werden sehen, was passiert, von hier, aber wenn nichts anderes diese Serie von Siegen sollte New Jersey geben eine Menge Vertrauen als die Strecke laufen weiter und geht in den Playoffs.
Für Sie Western Conference Fans, schauen Sie nicht jetzt, aber die Detroit Red Wings sind in Top-Positionen für die Post-Saison noch einmal qualifizieren. Ab jetzt die Red Wings haben einen Vorteil gegenüber einem Punkt 9. Platz Calgary mit einem Spiel in der Hand und haben die Flames jeweils von den letzten zwei Zeiten, die sie gespielt haben, besiegt. Egal, wie die reguläre Saison geht für Detroit sie scheinen immer, weg mit allen Schwächen sie während des ganzen Jahres zeigte tun und zur Top-Form, wenn April herum rollt. Detroit ist auch gesünder so dass die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass sie die Strecke Flunder nach unten verringert sich mit jedem Spieler sie zurück zu bekommen. Sollten sie die Playoffs wird es wahrscheinlich wie die 7 oder 8. Same sein; was für ein Preis für die Mannschaft, die sich mit der Konferenz regulären Saison Titel kommt. Sie arbeiten das ganze Jahr, um sich in der besten Position, möglich zu machen und Sie sind mit einer ersten Runde Match-up gegen die zwei Mal verteidigen Konferenz Meister belohnt. Es gibt nichts wie ein Date mit Franzen, Zetterberg, Lidström, Datsyuk, usw. und alle ihre Stanley-Cup-Ringe als Art zu sagen, herzlichen Glückwunsch zu behaupten, einer der Top-Spots in der Konferenz. Trotz, wie die Saison für Detroit gegangen, wenn sie zu erhalten, müssen sie als einer der Favoriten aus dem Westen kommen peg.
Schließlich, was waren die Chicago Blackhawks Denken auf dem Messeschluss? In großen Punkt ihrer Mannschaft ist solide und braucht keine Stell um zu sicher auf, was sollte ein Lauf um den Stanley Cup Finals sein (das ist ein vernünftiges Ziel zumindest). Aber ein Bereich, der unbedingt benötigt Adressierung wurde Torwart. Keine Respektlosigkeit zu Huet und Niemi aber sie sind nicht bereit, ein Team in das verheißene Land zu führen. Weder hat keine Playoff-Erfahrung der Note und während Sie kann nur durch Erfahrung zu bekommen tatsächlich spielen, wenn der Rest der Mannschaft ist bereit, einen Vorstoß, die nicht die Zeit für Ihre netminder seine Füße nass zu machen. Kane, Keith, Sharp, Toews, Hossa, Byfuglien, Versteeg, Campbell (vor der Verletzung), etc. sind alle bereit, auf der letztjährigen Lauf zu den Conference Finals, indem sie ihre jeweiligen Spiele "auf die nächste Ebene und das letzte, was zu verbessern sie brauchen, ist Torwart um sie zu senken. Gehen nach jemanden wie Manny Legace, die einige Erfahrung oder sogar JS Giguere die trotz Ungnade fallen in Anaheim hat eine gute Erfolgsbilanz und vielleicht eine Veränderung der Landschaft hat, ist genau das, was der Arzt verordnet hatte für ihn. Entweder Wahl wäre wert gewesen, zumindest versuchen, denn weder konnte noch schlimmer als Niemi und Huet zu tun haben in der letzten Zeit. In zwei Sonntagen in Folge sowohl Huet und Niemi haben eine Vielzahl von Zielen in sehr kurzer Zeit verursacht ihr Team zu sprengen zwei und drei Ziel führt bzw. geblasen führt Chicago konnte von beiden mal Rebound gegeben. Klar, dass hätte jedem an einem Tag passieren, aber zweimal in 7 Tagen ist inakzeptabel, und es ist nicht sehr Gutes für Chicago in dieser Saison, wenn sie schlecht in den Playoffs auch nur annähernd so spielen.
Heute vor einer Woche sah die Welt eine der besten Eishockey-Spiele in geraumer Zeit und sicherlich das beste Spiel des olympischen Turniers. Trotz großer Hartnäckigkeit von den Amerikanern war es König Hockey Kanada von Sidney Crosby, der die Vancouver-Spiele mit der Goldmedaille nach links geführt ausgedrückt. Überstunden Ziel Crosby markierte das Ende einer fantastischen zwei Wochen Hockey, die eine Vielzahl von unvorhersehbaren Momente produziert. Während es die Kanadier, die auf die Spitze des Berges erklommen, am Ende die wahren Gewinner waren Eishockey-Fans auf der ganzen Welt. Also habe ich die Zeit nehmen und die Kanadier zu ihrem Sieg zu gratulieren, um das Spiel des Eishockeys in der Regel zu grüßen und Abschied, was war eine tolle zwei Wochen der Eishockey-bieten.
Mit den Olympischen Spielen hinter uns wir Übergang von einem Satz von großer Hockey zum anderen, wie die NHL Strecke Lauf geht in vollem Gange. Wie steht es heute Punkte 6 bis 11 in der Eastern Conference werden von insgesamt vier Punkte getrennt, während der Kampf um den 7. und 8. Flecken im Westen ist eine noch engere Rennen. In den nächsten Wochen werden wir herausfinden, wer die richtigen Schritte auf der Fach Frist erfolgt und die mehr getan haben sollte. Wir werden sehen, ob Emporkömmling Phoenix können Colorado (zurück zum glorreichen Tage oben abgebildet?) Ihre Spielniveau hoch genug, um Playoff-Positionen zu halten halten, wie es ist ein neues Konzept für diese beiden Teams als heute zusammengebaut. Können die Detroit Red Wings gelingt, einen Playoff-Platz zu festigen, oder werden sie zum ersten Mal gelassen werden, da die Dinosaurier die Erde? Haben die Pittsburgh Penguins genug neue Gesichter hinzufügen, um ihre Aufstellung zu sicher bis sie Mängel gehabt haben, um sie in die Mannschaft setzen, um in den Osten zu schlagen? Haben die Washington Capitals schließlich angesprochen ihrer defensiven Leiden genug, um sich in die Kategorie der schweren Pokal-Teilnehmer zu katapultieren? Warum haben die Boston-Top-Samen im Osten war im letzten Jahr, nicht mehr tun, um ihre Unfähigkeit zu punkten Adresse? Die ganze Zeit, die mehr Tore vor Saisonende Alex Ovechkin oder Sidney Crosby Tor? Jede dieser Fragen werden in den nächsten Monat beantwortet werden, und das bedeutet, Hockey-Fans werden ab sofort bis zum Ende der Stanley-Cup-Finale im Juni verwöhnt. So rüsten puckheads, weil das wird großartig werden!
Für die Penguins ist es offensichtlich, warum sie in einer guten Position sind. Pittsburgh hat Star-Power in Crosby und Malkin, einer stellaren aufstrebende Stern in Jordan Staal, savy Veteranen wie Bill Guerin und Sergej Gonchar, in einer unglaublichen Schlussmann Marc-Andre Fleury, und oh ja sie haben das Finale war jeder der letzten zwei Jahren (habe ich erwähnt sie den Stanley Cup gewann im letzten Jahr?). Die Zukunft für die Penguins scheint zu sein, geht sehr viel die gleiche Weise wie ihre jüngsten Vergangenheit. Die eine große Hürde, die Pinguine haben zu überwinden ist die Verletzung und sogar Fehler, die ganz gut für sie gearbeitet hat. Trotz der Niederlage eine Menge Spieler über weite Strecken sie in der Lage, eine Menge der Produktion von den Jungs, sie hatten sich von ihren AHL Affiliate, die, was sie über Wasser gehalten ist aufrufen zu bekommen. Die Erfahrungen, die Jungs werden immer von unschätzbarem Wert ist und es nur ein gutes Omen auch für die Pinguine nicht nur für den Rest der regulären Saison, sondern auch in den Playoffs sollten sie jemanden, der in der Klemme intensivieren müssen. SO trotz einiger Unebenheiten die Pinguine haben durch dieses Jahr gegangen haben Sie immer noch, sie als einer der Favoriten zwei in der Eastern Conference in diesem Jahr wieder.
Die Sabres haben nicht die großen auffälligen Stars wie Pittsburgh, aber wenn Sie sich auf ein Team, das wohl nur ein großer Star sein, sind Sie wollen, dass zu Beginn der Netto-und das ist, was sie in Ryan Miller haben. Es besteht kein Zweifel, dass Miller ist einer der besten netminders nicht nur in der NHL, sondern in der ganzen Welt. Miller Karriere Zahlen sprechen für sich, aber lassen Sie uns auf diese Saison konzentrieren allein. Miller hat in 47 Spiele Ihr einen GAA 2.10 erschienen (Tops unter Torhüter mit mindestens 20 Auftritte), ein 0,932 Prozent (am besten in der Liga) und fünf Shutouts (zweite in der Konferenz hinter Marty Brodeur) speichern. Mit einem Torwart mit Zahlen, wie das ist eine unglaubliche Startpunkt für jede Mannschaft, und obwohl sie nicht über die Star-Power vor ihm ein vielleicht gefallen sie eine Reihe von Spielern, die als Gruppe unglaublich konsistent sind, haben. Tim Connolly führt das Team in den Punkten, aber er kann nicht die gesamte Last tragen sich selbst und das ist, wenn eine Vielzahl von anderen Spielern den Durchhang aufzuheben. Es scheint, wie jede Nacht eine andere Person verstärkt, um einen Unterschied einschließlich, aber nicht Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek und Jason Pominville beschränkt zu machen; in der Tat einige Nächte Jungs wie Drew Stafford oder Tim Kennedy wird sich verstärkt groß, wenn sie müssen. Durch die nicht mit einem großen Zeit-Sterne in ihrem Team die Buffalo Sabres müssen eine Reihe von Jungs, um in der Kupplung treten und das ist genau das, was sie in der Lage, die bisher in diesem Jahr tun. Dies wird aus dem Gleichgewicht Teams halten, weil sie nicht einfach herunterfahren ein Kerl und weiß, das Spiel ist ihnen für die Aufnahme. Dies ist besonders wichtig kommen Playoff-Zeit, und das ist, warum ich denke, dass die Buffalo Sabres sind in bester Position (wie lange, wie sie gesund bleiben), um eine ernsthafte Lauf an der Konferenztitel zu machen.
Die NHL beiden größten Stars nahm das Eis gegen einander zum ersten Mal seit ihrer klassischen Eastern Conference Halbfinale von vor einem Jahr. Ich rede natürlich von Sidney Crosby und die Penguins gegen Alex Ovechkin und die Washington Capitals. Dies ist nicht nur ein Matchup der Liga zwei größten Stars, sondern auch von zwei der besten Mannschaften im Hockey. Das Spiel war ein sehr unterhaltsamer Kampf, der letztendlich sah Washington herunterPittsBurgh in der dritten Periode, um das Spiel 6:3, aber das Spiel selbst ist nicht die Story. Leider ist das größere Problem ist die Tatsache, dass das Spiel nicht auf eine Steckdose, dass Menschen auf der ganzen Nation im Fernsehen sehen konnte. Sicher, es wurde auf der NHL-Netz ausgestrahlt, aber die Zahl der Menschen, die den Kanal haben, ist nicht nur in der reinen Zahlen, sondern auch um Menschen, die bereits das Spiel lieben begrenzt begrenzt. Dieses Spiel benötigt, um auf eine Station, die die höchste Zahl von Menschen möglich zu erreichen und würde, während ein Tag-Spiel nicht auf NBC zu sein und ich akzeptiere diese es könnte immer noch auf Versus gewesen. Zugegeben, die NHL nicht das beste TV-Vertrag, aber sie haben nicht einmal das Potenzial der Deal, den sie tun müssen, zu maximieren. Hockey ist ein fantastischer Sport, aber Leute wie mich brauchen nicht davon zu überzeugen, es ist die Casual-Fan, der in der letztjährigen Playoff-Serie, die ein Schaufenster für das Spiel der besten Spieler wieder zu sehen in diesem Jahr, um sie näher an das Spiel zeichnen müssen abgestimmt; jedoch sind die Chancen sie nicht sehen, das Spiel, weil kausale Fans wahrscheinlich nicht die NHL Network. Im krassen Gegensatz dazu auf der gleichen Nacht war die NBA zeigen Gehäuse zwei seiner größten Stars LeBron James und Kobe Bryant auf TNT, die viel mehr Menschen Zugang haben. Das ist einfach ein Beispiel für die NBA macht einen viel besseren Job als Marketing-NHL. Meiner Meinung nach zumindest die NHL hat ein Produkt, das so gut wie das, was die NBA-Felder jede Nacht, es ist nur eine Frage der besseren Vermarktung im Rahmen des NBA ist. Wenn die NHL will, um das Spiel wächst und einfach an die Massen (die zweifellos lieben, was sie zu sehen) nehmen seine große Produkt dann haben sie die Aufmerksamkeit auf die Details achten; sonst wird die Liga auch weiterhin einen Schritt vorwärts und zwei Schritte zurück, wenn es um seine wachsende Popularität in den USA kommt.
In auf Eis News die Edmonton Oilers sind nicht das beste Jahr mit. Es gibt viele Gründe, warum Edmonton hat gekämpft, aber es gibt auch keinen Zweifel daran, dass niemand mehr als die Herzensbrecher Oilers verloren. Edmonton Matchup gegen die Dallas Stars am Freitagabend ist das perfekte Beispiel für eine solche herzzerreißend Verlust. Mit etwas mehr als eine Minute, um ein Ziel gehen die Oilers zog ihren Torhüter zugunsten eines sechsten Angreifer und mit 1.02 auf der Uhr band das Spiel um drei. Die Spieler waren begeistert, die Fans waren total aufgedreht und es sah so aus Edmonton im Begriff war, einen Punkt mindestens stehlen aus ihren Western Conference Feinde. , Nicht einmal eine Minute später Kummer schlug jedoch Edmonton wieder als James Neal schlug zu Hause eine Erholung mit nur 23 Sekunden später nach Dallas für eine gute Führung gebracht. Sagen Sie, was Sie über die Art, Edmonton verloren und wie sie haben Spiele wie folgt verlieren die ganze Saison, aber für eine Nacht schien es wie jeder in Edmonton wäre Grund haben, einen tapferen Comeback feiern, anstatt ein letztes zweite Niederlage und doch ... es wollen hat nicht sollen sein. Gefühl, schlecht für Profisportler unter keinen Umständen ist hart, aber in diesem Fall fühle ich mich schlecht für die Öler Organisation und ihre Fans sind, können sie einen Sieg kaufen?
Zunächst einmal muss ich die Zeit nehmen, um das Team USA U-20-Mannschaft zum Gewinn der Junioren-Weltmeisterschaft in Kanada in einem der besten Spiele, die ich je auf jeder Ebene gesehen haben, gratulieren. Der Spielfluss war hin und her die ganze Zeit mit Kanada wischte einen Zwei-Tore-Führung Team USA in den letzten drei Minuten vor der Regulierung Team USA nahm den 6-5 Sieg in der Overtime. Kanada hatte wieder einmal eine unglaublich talentierte Team und für das zweite Jahr in Folge hatte das Heimpublikum hinter sich, aber das Team USA nicht zulassen, dass ihre Wirkung Maß an Konzentration, und das ist sehr zu respektieren. Also Glückwunsch an beide Teams auf eine unglaubliche Spiel und hoffentlich ist es ein Vorspiel zu dem, was wir in Vancouver im Februar zu sehen.
Neuausrichtung auf NHL-Nachrichten ist dies die perfekte Zeit, um die Philadelphia Flyers zurück in die Anwärter Tisch begrüßen zu dürfen. Ich war besonders kritisch auf diese Mannschaft so weit, weil sie viel zu viel Talent hatte, so schlecht zu spielen. Michael Leighton hat einige dringend benötigte Stabilität für sie in eine Netto-Beitrag 7-0-0 Aufzeichnung mit einer erstaunlichen 2.14 GAA vorgesehen ist; jedes Team mit einem netminder spielen so eine Chance hat, jeden Abend zu gewinnen. Der Rest der Mannschaft hat ihr Spiel uped als auch Taktik und Strategie, aber nicht erklären, warum die Flyers haben alle-von-ein-bis plötzlich Seriosität zurück. In einem Spiel gegen Pittsburgh in der vergangenen Woche die Flyers besiegt die Pinguine 7-4; während des Spiels gab es viele Möglichkeiten, die die alten Flyer würden getroffen, um die "Schlacht der harten Jungs", was ihrem Team wertvolle Strafminuten in den Prozess und letztlich das Spiel zu verlieren haben, zu gewinnen. Aber diese neuen Flyer hielten ihre kühle, blieb Fokus auf die eigentliche Aufgabe bei der Hand und das war das Spiel zu gewinnen auf der Anzeigetafel. Es ist eine grundlegende Veränderung, die Peter Laviolette gutgeschrieben werden soll sowie der Auf-Eis-Führung der Flyers. Wenn sie ihren Fokus zu halten (während die Verwaltung, um gesund zu bleiben) und weiterhin anständige Torwart die Flyers nicht ein Team, die Leute wollen, die Strecke und in die Playoffs spielen nach unten.
The 2010 Winter Classic by all accounts was a big time success and I agree completely. The magic of the day was not tarnished by anything; the weather was great, the ice held up extremely well, the fans were fired up, and the game itself was spectacular. Three cheers for everybody who helps make this game happen because it's certainly a treat for everyone and congratulations to the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers for putting on a great show leaving us all wanting for more.
In the meantime the other big news to come out over the holidays was the announcement of the various Olympic team rosters set to take the ice next month. At the moment the easy favorites to win the Gold Medal are Canada and Russia with the Canadians possibly holding a slight edge over Russia because the tournament will be held on the smaller North American size ice along with the fact that the games will be held in Canada which instantly gives them a boost. On the other hand, one might say that the games being held in Canada yields a slight advantage to the Russians because Canadians traditionally have a ton of pressure on them to win the Gold Medal anyway but now that pressure is intensified since Team Canada will be playing on home ice. Although there is a fair amount of pressure on the Russians as well there will no doubt be a lot less on them than on the Canadians which will allow them to simply relax and play hockey without worrying about any other distractions. Despite those factors it is still a virtual toss-up between the two teams in trying to pick the favorite but you can't really go wrong either going for gold and everyone else likely battling for the bronze.
On the rest of the NHL front there are a number of teams streaking in both the right and wrong direction. The San Jose sharks are currently the hottest team in the league as the smoked Edmonton 4-1 on Saturday to improve their win streak to eight. Despite the streak the fans in San Jose are cautiously optimistic as they've been down this road before. In each of the last three years the Sharks have posted over a hundred points—winning the President's trophy last year—and faltered come playoff time. This year's teams is by far the best they've ever had but the question is can they finally carry over this success into the post-season.
Ein weiteres Team genießen jüngsten Erfolg ist die Philadelphia Flyers. Trotz der Niederlage gegen Boston in der Winter Classic am Freitag, haben die Flyers vier von fünf gewonnen und zumindest einen Punkt in fünf gerade verdient. Es ist ein langer Weg, um für die Flyers, die sich ganz ein Loch gegraben haben, aber es scheint, dass sie es geschafft haben, die Dinge umzudrehen und einen legitimen Druck in Richtung der Playoffs fast über Nacht gehen.
Die Calgary Flames auch in der Mitte eines vier Spiel-Siegesserie nach von hinten nach Toronto 3:1 am Samstag zu besiegen. Dies ist ein Team in einer ähnlichen Situation wie in San Jose, dass sie einen angemessenen Betrag von regulären Saison Erfolg, dass sie nicht in der Lage, in der Nachsaison zu übersetzen hatte. Starke goaltending war immer für Calgary gewesen, aber was trennt sie von der letztjährigen Kader ist eine viel stärkere blueline mit dem Zusatz Jay Bouwmeester in der Nebensaison, die ein Plus 13 aktuell sind. Es ist seine Präsenz, die Dion Phaneuf geholfen hat, sein Spiel ein wenig und nimmt auch etwas Druck von Kiprusoff weshalb in diesem Jahr ist wahrscheinlich Calgary beste Chance sie in den nächsten Jahren tief in die Playoffs voraus hatten.
Die Pittsburgh Penguins sind Schlieren als gut, aber in die falsche Richtung. Mit ihrem 3:1-Niederlage in den Händen der Tampa Bay Lightning am Samstag Nachmittag die Pinguine haben vier in einer Reihe verloren, erzielte nur ein Tor in zwei Spielen, und blies eine 3:0-Führung zu den Buffalo Sabres früher in der Woche. In einer langen Saison gibt es viele Höhen und Tiefen, aber die alarmierende Sache für Pittsburgh ist die Art, wie sie schon seit verlieren. Es ist ein langer Weg zu gehen und die Pinguine haben zu viel Talent für solche Serie fortzusetzen, sondern sie haben einen Weg zu mehr konsequent Tor und führt zu schützen, wenn sie sie bekommen haben, zu finden.
Das Schlimmste, der Pechsträhnen gehört zu den Atlanta Thrashers, die nach einem tollen Start in die Saison 8 Spiele in Folge verloren haben. Es gibt wirklich keine Überraschung, es ist einfach, dass Atlanta Atlanta, bis sie zeigen mir etwas anderes.
Nun, das ist ein Lauf rund um die Liga ein wenig. Ich hoffe, jeder genoss die Winter Classic und eine tolle Zeit haben klingeln in das neue Jahr! Haben Sie eine große 2010 alle!
1. The Philadelphia Flyers fired John Stevens after four seasons in which he had experienced quite a bit of success. In the 2006-2007 season the Flyers were awful and Stevens followed up that season by leading the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals where they were eliminated by the Penguins. Then of course last season Stevens had the Flyers in the playoffs again only to see their cross-state rivals once again eliminate them from the playoffs. Granted, there is nothing good about losing but there is really no shame in getting eliminated from the playoffs by one of the best and eventually the best team in the league. Thus far this season the Flyers have been mediocre but are hardly out of playoff contention currently sitting in 13 th in the East but it games in hand on every team in front of it so if it wins those games in hand a playoff spot would belong to the Flyers. It remains to be seen what will happen with this early season coaching change—and I was forced to eat my words about midseason coaching changes last year by Pittsburgh who made a coaching change then went on to win the Stanley Cup—but I do not think it will make one bit of difference for Philadelphia. There is a fair amount of talent on the team and Ray Emery has been pretty good in goal but the Flyers problems focus more on trying to win a fight on skates rather than a hockey game. Physical play is in fact important and it's a significant piece toward becoming a championship team but being undisciplined is a dagger in the heart of victory. They also have to play much better defense in front of whoever is in net because in their last nine games they have given up at least three goals on seven different occasions. No offense to new coach Peter Laviolette but the Flyers are who they are and so I don't think the season will go any differently with him than it would have with Stevens. (please see the following link for my preseason thoughts on the Flyers http://sportsroids.com/2009/09/27/eastern-conference-outlook/ )
2. As much as I enjoy watching Alex Ovechkin play he is really making a name for himself as a dirty player. All of North America saw his knee-on-knee hit on Sergei Gonchar is last year's second round playoff series, and now Ovechkin has served a suspension for doing the same thing to Hurricane defensemen Tim Gleason (Ovechkin also sustained an injury on that same play). There are some other questionable plays on Ovechkin's record and if they continue to build up it will taint his image. No other player in the league can impact the game any more than Ovechkin can with his incredible offensive presence but hockey is a game of honor and if Ovechkin continues his dirty play he will have to answer to some pretty tough guys who will not go quietly. So if I'm Caps coach Bruce Boudreau I am making it clear to Ovechkin that has to keep better control of himself and stop with the dirty play for otherwise the Caps championship aspirations will be in serious jeopardy.
3. The Carolina Hurricanes got their first road win of the season in 14 tries by defeating the defending champion Penguins. Why the Hurricanes are so bad is a headscratcher but a sarcastic congratulations from me to them on their first road victory of the year. Here's to many more road wins… or at least one more anyway.
Greetings puckheads, hope everyone in the US had a great Thanksgiving (and to you as well Canadian friends, although I'm about a month late eh?). I am back from my break and have a lot to cover so let's get started.
Saturday night Sidney Crosby and the Penguins opened up a can on the New York Rangers with an 8-3 win vaulting Pittsburgh back into first place in the Atlantic Division (at least for the moment). Crosby netted his third career hat trick on free hat night in Pittsburgh (the ice was covered) while Sean Avery put up big numbers of his own jumping Ruslan Fedetanko midway through the third period yielding a 7 minute power play for Pittsburgh as Avery got two for instigating, five for fighting and a ten minute game misconduct penalty. Quite a turn of events for Pittsburgh who just a short time ago had most of their starters sidelined with injury, and now they can focus on defending their title as most everyone returns to the lineup.
There is also a certain level of delight in three Eastern Conference cities who have not seen (or had much success) in the playoffs the last few years. As I write this the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, and Tampa Bay lightning occupy the final three playoff spots which few expected. Most new Ottawa could be good but not be able to put things together so well so quickly as they have. We all knew Atlanta could score with Ilya Kovalchuk, but now he has a supporting cast in Rich Peverley, Maxim Afinigenov, and Nik Antropov. We also knew that there was a ton of talent in Tampa but it never produced anything last year so there was little reason to think otherwise this year but so far so good. It is my contention that NONE of these teams (that's right zero) will make the playoffs, simply because there is too much talent in the East; but all of these teams can hang their hats on the amount of success they've had to date and possibly parlay that success into a playoff run proving me wrong.
The news is not so good in Edmonton as the team continues to struggle they have officially lost their second leading scorer Ales Hemsky for the year with a shoulder injury that will require him to have surgery to repair. It has really been tough going for Edmonton since making it to game 7 of the finals in the first year after the lockout. Mediocrity has plagued this hockey crazed city and this year was finally supposed to be different. There was a new coach, a seemingly a brand new Dustin Penner , and they went out to get a big time netminder in Nikolai Khabibulin, all of which coming together nicely for the Oilers. Despite their great start to the season the month of November has been a disaster where Edmonton has only been able to muster three wins in 13 attempts dropping them not only out of a playoff spot but into 14 th in the conference ahead of only the Minnesota Wild. With Ales Hemsky the Edmonton Oilers had a chance to rebound from this rough stretch, but with him out they will need more than just Penner to push this team into playoff contention and I simply do not believe they have the fire power on their roster to do that as it stands today. As a result the mediocrity will probably continue in hockey crazed Edmonton.
There is so much more to talk about but so little time. But I will say that the season has been incredibly entertaining so far and it's only going to get better with the Winter Classic and Olympics right around the corner!
On Thursday night the Penguins got good news with the return of Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot, Goncarh's first game in weeks and Talbots first since game 7 of the Cup Finals last season. These two additions to the line-up were important for Pittsburgh as they have been decimated with injuries after their hot start. That good feeling did not last long for the Penguins or their fans as Ottawa ruined the party with a 6-2 drubbing of Pittsburgh.
The Penguins started out in a hurry with an impressive goal from Jordan Staal within the first 70 seconds of the game. The rest of the first period and into the second were pretty even but it was in the third when the wheels really fell off. Before you could blink the Senators had posted three goals, it was 5-1, Fleury was yanked, and the Penguins had lost any shot of winning the game. Some may want to blame the loss on Fleury giving up a few arguably soft goals, others might say the two guys coming back left the team out of sync, but it was simply a game of missed opportunities and a loss of focus as a result of those failed chances. After netting the first goal Pittsburgh got four power play chances to really distance themselves from the Senators—who are not a top team by any stretch—which probably would have put the game out of reach but Pittsburgh failed to do so. That really seemed to take the wind out of the sails for the Penguins and to Ottawa's credit they smelled blood and seized the opportunity. The Senators were pressuring majorly in the final two periods and spent a ton of time in the Penguins' zone. There were a number of occasions that Ottawa wore the Penguins down in their own zone resulting in Pittsburgh icing the puck a number of times allowing Ottawa to regroup and sustain their pressure. Neither Ottawa nor Pittsburgh are as good or bad respectively as they showed on Thursday but what you can take from this game is what happens when one team misses chances, loses confidence, and the other teams senses that and turns up the heat. Ottawa did not do anything special they simply put Pittsburgh away when they were down.
A great sign about Thursday for Senators fans was that they showed the ability to turn it up a notch when last year they might have let Pittsburgh hang around and actually lose the game. It has been a while since a Senators team has been able to do that and if they build off of this experience they can grow into a pretty good team.
With a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks last night the New Jersey Devils have now won six in a row and find themselves on top of the Atlantic Division supplanting the injury riddled Pittsburgh Penguins. That is what makes the Devils a unique win producing machine; in the offseason they lost Brian Gionta and long time stable John Madden and yet the victories continue to pile up. Say what you will about the neutral zone trap—that it's boring, unentertaining, etc.—the bottom line is that it works and there's nothing more entertaining than watching your team win. Let's not kid ourselves, the Devils roster is not full of duds, Patrick Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner, and of course Martin Brodeur are big time players. However, for most teams losing the players New Jersey has over the last few years would not have ended well. Despite the losses (including Brodeur miss most of last year with injury) the Devils players continue to buy into the system being preached to them and it results in win after win and ultimately playoff appearances. Granted, over the last few years success in the playoffs has been hard to come by for New Jersey but being in a position to be successful is all you can ask for coming out of the regular season because once the post-season begins you never know what will happen.
After most NHL teams have played in the neighborhood of eight games it is important to note (as should be said every year about this time) that no top team is as good as they seem and no bottom teams are as bad as they seem. So Pens and Rangers fans keep your lids on and Leafs fans it really will get better.
The LA Kings are for real. There has been some debate whether they're ready to be good now or are still a year off. Well after a very strong start there should be no doubt in anybody's mind that they are ready to compete now. So to those of you on the east coast if you do not watch any other games for west coast teams all year make sure to catch LA in a home game if you can it's worth it to watch a team just beginning to bloom.
Early signs point to the Atlantic Division in the east and the Pacific Division in the west as being the most competitive division in each conference. As a result they will probably have the most teams in the playoffs come April.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could not have asked for a much better start to their championship defense as they are 6-1-0, undefeated on the road, have a starting netminder who has yet to lose, and are seeing Jordan Staal ride last year's playoff wave by becoming a major force in the middle. Crosby and Malkin are of course still leading the team, (and Sergei Gonchar continues to play extremely well) but they are also getting strong play from the likes of Tyler Kennedy who has four goals and an assist which equals Crosby's total to date. Defenseman Alex Goligoski is very much taking advantage at his first chance to play a full season at the top level for he has been brilliant. Not only does Goligoski have five points but he has been working extremely hard to get to loose pucks and to make other teams pay for every inch of ice they gain against him; Goligoski is also in the top twelve in the league in terms of blocked shots (see: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/statistics?stat=nhlscoring&league=nhl&sort=bs&order=true&qual=true&season=2009&seasontype=2&pos=r for more blocked shot numbers among other stats). The season is still young and as the Ottawa Senators (of two years ago) and New York Rangers (of last year) will tell you a fast start does not carry you throughout the season. It never hurts to get off to a great start and few would doubt that the Penguins have the team that can sustain their early success but their energy level has to remain high. The Stanley Cup hangover certainly has not been an issue thus far but they must also hold off the complacency bug as the season rolls on.
Tomorrow the journey for the Stanley Cup begins but for now we preview the other side of the coin before the puck drops, all analysis ends, and the games begin.
Ok corny intros aside here is my preview of the west (much like I did for the east) followed by the finals pick and who I think will hoist the Cup next spring.
The eight teams to qualify—in no particular order—are as follows: Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, and the San Jose Sharks.
The only other team that could make any noise should they make the playoffs are the Anaheim Ducks. Their experience is what sets them above the rest but unfortunately perhaps their greatest asset is their biggest downfall. The Ducks are an aging team who have lost yet another step at every position and can only hope to stay close until the trade deadline where they can maybe make a move for a younger group of players with fresher legs for a lengthy playoff run. Edmonton is not far behind either but they fall short of the star power and physical play needed to succeed in the west. Goaltending is Edmonton's strongest aspect but that was true last year as well so they will not get their either. No other team has a prayer of even getting to the playoffs let alone making noise once they get there.
With all of that said I think the Chicago Blackhawks will be the team to make it out of the west as they will find what they need in net and will go a step further than last year. Chicago will take on the Boston Bruins who will outlast a tired group of Pittsburgh Penguins to take the east. This sets up an awesome original six match-up which will be a marketing dream for the NHL. After an incredible back and fourth battle the Stanley Cup Finals will again go seven games at which point the Chicago Blackhawks will finally allow Marian Hossa to hoist the Stanley Cup as the 2009-2010 Stanley Cup Champions! Enjoy opening night everyone!
As the hour draws closer and the puckheads continue to salivate over the tease that is the hockey preseason it is time to supplement the appetizers before the hockey fest begins.
Eastern Conference Preview:
I'll start by predicting who I think will make it to the playoffs (in no particular order) then we'll look at least briefly at where each team stands. So here are the top eight teams in no particular order: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers (Carolina Hurricanes?), New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and the Washington Capitals.
The Pittsburgh Penguins should probably be the favorites going into the season because their team is a lot the same and they are the champs until someone else wins the title. They did lose Rob Scuderi but overall you have to like their chances to defend their conference title.
The New York Rangers lost Scott Gomez but have added Marian Gaborik who—if he can stay healthy—will add scoring power to a pretty solid but not spectacular line-up. The nice thing about the Rangers is that even if they do not score a ton of goals Henrik Lundqvist will keep them in most games, will steal a few, and will overall give them a chance to win most every contest they are involved in. Having a chance to win every game is not actually winning them however and that's where Gaborik is going to be important for them. If Gaborik stays healthy he scores enough goals to get them enough points to get them into the playoffs. In the event that Gaborik does get hurt that will leave New York on the outside looking in and will open the door for the Carolina Hurricanes to sneak into a playoff spot. Carolina too is a solid team but Cam Ward cannot do it alone and they will not be able to rely on Jussi Jokkinen to play all year the way he did in the playoffs. But if any team should fall off at all (ie the Rangers) that opens the door for the Canes. Either way, neither team will be a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Well it has been a long time coming for but finally the NHL season is upon us and as such so is the return of the NHL section of sportsroids.com. I am just as excited as anyone for the season to rev up again so let's get right to it.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back to defend their title and with the exception of the loss of Rob Scuderi the team is about the same now as they were on the day they won the cup. Despite that, repeating is going to be a daunting task because not only are they the defending champs but in order to repeat they will have to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for a third year in a row. At the same time they still have two of the best players in the world on their team so it will be interesting to see how the story develops in Pittsburgh.
As for the rest of the league there are a lot of intriguing stories to keep an eye on including some old faces in new places (for example Dany Heatley to San Jose, Marian Hossa to Chicago) as well as the return of a few from their disappearing acts (Ray Emery in Philadelphia, Theo Fleury in Calgary). There are also plenty of questions to be asked about both up and coming teams as well as those who have been on the cusp but have not quite made that next big step: In the East, can Washington play just enough defense this year to get them into the Conference Finals and possibly make their first finals appearance in the Ovechkin Era? Will Philadelphia finally get the consistent play in net they have lacked the last two years that will likely get them over the hump? Does the Southeast Division continue to be a two horse race or can Tampa Bay finally put their talent together well enough to become serious playoff contenders? And what is actually going on in Montreal and Ottawa, have they finally got their respective acts together? Out west, will Chicago seize this opportunity to dethrone the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division? Is Dany Heatley the answer to San Jose finally translating their regular season triumphs into post-season glory? Are the LA Kings poised to translate their young talent into a playoff appearance? Is Calgary ready to kick their first round exit habit of the last few years? What is the deal with the Coyotes, are they moving or what?
The NHL has announced that the 2010 Winter Classic will be held at Fenway Park between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers. Generally speaking I could care less who is playing in this game because as a fan of the sport and of the unique nature of this game I will be watching and will enjoy it from start to finish. That said, I cannot understand why the NHL and NBC have decided that a Bruins-Flyers match up will have a better draw in the US than say a Bruins-Capitals showdown. It is true that both teams have large television markets and that will result in a huge draw from the two participating cities alone. However, there is no bigger star in the NHL today than Alexander Ovechkin; no matter what you think of him I think all fans agree that he is one of the most exciting hockey players in the whole world from his on ice performance to his off-ice personality. Not only would people in the DC and Boston area be excited about this game, but hockey fans throughout the country and casual sports fans alike would go out of their way to watch Ovechkin play in a game as special as the Winter Classic has become. Not only should Ovechkin and the Caps be playing this game instead of the Flyers for star power but also because Philadelphia playing in this game against Boston pushes away the idea of a Penguins-Flyers Winter Classic at Beaver Stadium for many years. That makes deciding to put Philadelphia in this match-up a double whammy of blunders on the part of the NHL and NBC. The ratings will suffer this year because Ovechkin is not in it (and should be) and because a potential future contest that could also result in huge ratings and fan turnout in person has been push back indefinitely. So again, while I will be watching this game no matter who is playing in it–and it is possible that this match-up will still get a huge draw and be largely entertaining–I still think the NHL and NBC have hurt the potential of the Winter Classic not only for 2010 but for the near future as well.
As the Pittsburgh Penguin organization and fans continue to celebrate their club's victory and people in Detroit continue to lick their wounds the rest of the hockey world looks to the future. The NHL awards dinner is Thursday June 18, the NHL entry draft on June 26 and of course NHL free agency starts July 1 st . With the NHL awards first up we'll take a look at three of the biggest awards (according to me) up for grabs and my prediction for who will win; those awards are the Calder Trophy (Top Rookie), Norris Trophy (Top Defensemen), Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender), and the Hart Trophy (League MVP).
Calder Trophy Nominees are Steve Mason (CBJ), Bobby Ryan (ANA), and Kris Versteeg (CHI). Bobby Ryan made an unbelievable impact on the Ducks this year and will certainly big a major force in Anaheim for years to come but he's not taking home this trophy. Kris Versteeg is an important part on a very young team that will be fantastic for years to come with guys like Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and Duncan Keith (among others) but it's not his trophy to win either. The winner in my view has to be Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets because if not for him the Blue Jackets would not have made the playoffs let alone a decent seed at sixth. Mason led the league in shutouts with 10 and first in Goals Against Average (GAA) in the Western Conference at 2.29. They have some talent in front of Mason in Columbus but he was the backbone of the team and if he plays like this in the years to come as the talent improves with time the Blue Jackets can make a lot of noise but without Mason they won't go anywhere. So as far as I'm concerned the 2008-2009 Calder Trophy winner will be Chris Mason.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defied the odds Friday night by defeating the Detroit Red Wings to win the franchises third Stanley Cup and first since 1992. The hero of the night was Max Talbot who scored both of Pittsburgh's goals and had the Red Wings scurrying to keep up with him all night. It had been said that the Wings were going to be able to use their experience to walk all over the Penguins to win back-to-back titles with ease. What Pittsburgh showed Friday night is not only did they have outduel Detroit in a game seven, but for the second game in a row they showed more depth than the Red Wings from top to bottom. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were again both held without a goal and once again the Penguins showed they don't need their stars to score in order to win. Malkin did in fact have an assist on this night propelling him to his 36 th point and ultimately the Conn Smythe trophy making him the first Russian and only fourth non Canadian to win the Award.
One star the Penguins did need to come up with a huge game was netminder Marc-Andre Fleury and boy did he delivery. Fleury played arguably his best game of the series in game seven exercising all of his Joe Louis Arena demons in the process. Going into the game most felt that Pittsburgh needed a strong game from everyone on the ice to ultimately hoist the cup and that's exactly what they got. Pittsburgh was sharper than Detroit from start to finish including the man who came to the Red Wings in the offseason from Pittsburgh in one Marian Hossa. It was the ultimate irony as Hossa not only did not win a Stanley Cup in Detroit but he lost to the team he left because he felt he'd have a better chance of winning as a Red Wing. Hossa was a ghost in the final series and perhaps the pressure to perform got to him, or maybe we'll later on about an injury he was playing with but the bottom line is he left Pittsburgh last summer to win a cup and it was the Penguins who ended up winning the whole thing.
So congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins on their victory. This is a bunch of young guys who may find themselves in this position time and time again in the years to come. But for now, it is a moment for them to simply soak up and enjoy because despite their talent it is also something that may never happen again. Detroit will no doubt be back next year as they retool and get re-energized for next season, but for now the mountain top belongs to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The time is almost upon us and no one is more excited than I as the hockey world prepares for the 15 th game seven in Stanley Cup Finals history. All of the hype over the past few days will culminate it what we hope will be one of the best nights of hockey in recent memory and perhaps one of the best games in all of sports history. That remains to be seen of course but one thing we know for sure is that the Stanley Cup WILL be hoisted tonight and if that isn't enough to get you charged up then you simply don't like hockey. The fans, players, coaches, and media are all ready to go so the electricity inside Joe Louis Arena at the drop of the puck should be extraordinary.
So who will be victorious tonight and raise the Stanley Cup? Many think Detroit is the easy pick having home-ice advantage and experience on their side from having been here time and time again including last year over these very Pittsburgh Penguins. Detroit will also get last change so they expect to continue to hassle Crosby and Malkin at every turn frustrating them from the start of play until the final whistle. However, tonight's X-factor is the third line of the Penguins with Staal, Kennedy, and Cooke. They have played very well at home providing great energy and both goals for Pittsburgh in game six. The biggest advantage for them is that Detroit likes to match-up against every line man-for-man and as a result of that the Penguins third line disrupts that order. For the most part this series the Penguins third line has got the best of Detroit even managing to frustrate them a few times. The top players are going to play well no matter what but when it comes down to it Pittsburgh's third line has an edge over Detroit's third line. So will all the emotion flowing through the Joe tonight it is the third line of the Penguins that will be the difference in them WINNING THE STANLEY CUP. I picked Pittsburgh to win at the outset of this series and I will not back away from that now. Detroit has a lot going for them tonight but it won't be enough as the Pittsburgh Penguins will hoist the Stanley Cup for the third time in team history and first time since 1992.
Whether you're a fan of Pittsburgh, Detroit, or just a fan of hockey generally tonight should be an exciting and memorable night; for no matter what happens it should be a great not for hockey. Enjoy the game everyone!
The Pittsburgh Penguins answered the call Tuesday night to force game seven on Friday in Detroit. Pittsburgh used a lot of energy to dominate the entire first period and second putting up two goals before Detroit could get on the board. A few interesting notes about Tuesday's game are as follows: Sidney Crosby only played 17 minutes while Tyler Kennedy played 19; neither Malkin nor Crosby figured in on the score sheet; the players (excluding goaltenders) who had the best game were probably Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy, Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi; and last but not least Chris Osgood played a great game and the Penguins still won. Marc-Andre Fleury huge because he kept Detroit out of the net toward the end of the game which was exactly how Pittsburgh needed him to play after yielding five goals in game five. No save was any bigger than the breakaway save on Dan Cleary which probably would have put the Penguins behind the eight ball in terms of momentum.
After game three the tide had indeed turned in favor of the Pittsburgh Penguins as they parlayed their momentum into a 4-2 game four win to even the series at two. That momentum carried into the first period of game five which saw the Penguins outshoot Detroit 10-8 but resulting in the Red Wings taking a 1-0 first period lead. Then the wheels fell off… Three straight power play goals put the Red Wings ahead 4-0 and they never looked back. Pittsburgh lost its composure as they continued to tack up the penalties that ultimately led to the dismissal of Marc-Andre Fleury and a 5-0 Detroit win putting them only one win from their second straight Stanley Cup Title and Pittsburgh's second straight finals loss. Fortunately for the Penguins the score does not carry over into the next game so they can start anew as they face series elimination prior to game seven for the first time in these playoffs and only the third time in the last two years. All Pittsburgh has to do in game six is forget about the second period of that game and return to their first period form of game five—and with the home crowd on their side that should be fairly easy to accomplish. There is no need for them to panic because they have amazing skill, talent, speed, coaching, and leadership to aid them in forcing a game seven in Detroit.
For Detroit it's the same old story. They are one win away from winning their second straight title and fifth since 1997. They have allowed their experience and skill (along with impeccable coaching from Mike Babcock) to carry them through adversity by staying disciplined and focused. The Penguins can learn a whole lot from Detroit in how they bounced right back from dropping two in a row in Pittsburgh and having a game four second period to forget. As long as they remain patient, whether any early storm, and stay out of the penalty box (as they did Saturday night) they will no doubt be raising the Stanley Cup around 10:20pm or so Tuesday night.
From the causal Fan's point of view hopefully game six is as entertaining as the rest of the series had been prior to period two of game five. And I see no reason why it wouldn't be. If for no other reason excitement should build because for the first time this year the Cup will be in the house! Enjoy the game everyone.
[*Some of you may have noticed the drop off in the consistency of my posts the past couple of weeks. I was on vacation and had some unforeseen computer problems which did not allow me to post when I would have liked. But now I am back to my home computer and things are fine again; so thank you all for your patience and for sticking with me!]
The funniest thing about this series so far is that arguably the team to play best in each game has lost. In the first two games the Red Wings looked tired and broken down, were outshot by an enormous margin and yet they took a 2-0 series lead to Pittsburgh. On Tuesday night (despite scoring first) the Penguins looked outmatched and yet they were victorious. The difference so far has been timeliness goaltending and goal scoring but also in being first to the loose puck at the right time. Special teams have also played a major role as Detroit's penalty killing woes continue yielding two goals (including the game-winner) to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. So what will be the difference in the series as it rolls on? Pittsburgh simply needs to get timely goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleuryp; but furthermore they simply need Malkin and Crosby to each have decent games at the same time! The great news for Pittsburgh is that Detroit has played Crosby extremely tough and yet he still has a point, if that is as bad as it gets for Crosby then Pittsburgh has a great chance of not only getting back into the series but of winning it. Detroit on the other hand needs to use the time they have on Wednesday to rest. They seemed more upbeat on Tuesday and should be in much better shape come Thursday and perhaps that will help their penalty killing. Detroit also cannot continue to allow Pittsburgh to get on the board first because if they do then the Penguins will eventually get a two goal lead and build from there which can get to Osgood as has happened many times this season. In the end however it all comes down to who can one less mistake than the other team because that will likely be the difference between winning a game and therefore the series; and at the moment momentum seems to be in Pittsburgh's favor. The fans are pumped, the players seem relaxed and the hockey world in genearlly is strapping up for a great game four… See you on the other side!
Aside from Detroit's third goal (poor play by the defense and poor goaltending to boot) the Pittsburgh Penguins have been in each of the first two games but the difference is they have been outworked. Detroit certainly has a lot of talent but what makes them so successful is they pride themselves on their work ethic from top to bottom. No matter the skill level of the player each and every Red Wings works as hard as possible from start to finish and it is killing the Penguins. There is also a little bit of bad luck invovled–mainly potential goals by Crosby and Guerin narrowly missing by hitting the post each time–but bad luck does not lose you a series. If Pittsburgh wants to win they simply have to work a little bit harder; they do not need to outmuscle or outclass Detroit (they can't) but they can match their work ethic. By matching their work ethic they Penguins can surely win each of the next two games because that extra work combined with the home crowd, and the skill they already have can put them over the top. There is also the Chris Osgood factor, although he has played very well thus far he has been weakening as time goes on and there was a reason he split time with Ty Conklin this year and went into last year's playoffs as the backup to Hasek; Pittsburgh simply needs to keep going after Conklin the way they went after Varmalov in the second round and the way they did in Cam Ward (slowly but surely) in the Conference Finals. Pittsburgh winning game three means everything to the series and they can certainly do that. If the Penguins win game three then the series will surely change in tide no matter what happens in game four as they have shown they can come back from adversity. We'll see ya after game three everyone.
Ladies and gentlemen the time has arrived as hockey fans the world over gear up for the sports biggest club competition final featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. The storylines in this series are plenty as the defending champs try to stave off last year's runner-up in the new and improved Pittsburgh Penguins. Beyond all of the hype and excitement is where we find the keys to victory for each team. For Pittsburgh they need to have their best players be their best players and have each role player take his role and embrace it every step of the way. If someone is in a scoring slump he shouldn't try to do too much to make up for the slack simply allow everyone else to fill in the void and focus on doing one thing and doing it well. Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury will have to be at the top of their game for sure but the team needs to rely a lot on last year's journey and the success of veterans like Billy Guerin whether it's on game day or at practice. Detroit on the other hand needs to overcome their health problems. The biggest hurdle for them is have played three overtime contests in the last round and are licking their wounds as a result. Otherwise the team has nothing to worry about as just about all of them have experienced an enormous amount of success. Unlike last year however this series will have a different tone and the Pittsburgh Penguins will use their grit, experience, and skill to raise the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992 and the third time in team history. No curse here for touching the Prince of Whales Trophy folks, it will be the Penguins taking home the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Title. Enjoy the Finals everyone!
After there game three and game five respective blow out wins the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are each one win away from a repeat of last year's finals. Both teams looked very impressive as both their stars and role players shined in fairly one-sided victories. The Penguins had to flex a little more muscle because of the solid performance by Cam Ward that was aided by basically nothing from the rest of the team. Sure one might say the game was closer than the 6-2 score indicated but Ward still needed to get a lot more out of the guys in front of him to win and he didn't. In Chicago on the other hand, Huet getting his first start of this post-season proved to be a disaster as the Wings soared to an early 3-1 lead and never looked back. So for the moment both teams look to be in control and although neither series is over, a finals rematch is looming. As such, what could we expect to see differently this time around? The Penguins would certainly like to get off to a better start than last time and their year's worth of experience will certainly aid in that. It isn't just having lost in the finals last year but also having been pushed to the brink in the regular season (almost not qualifying for the playoffs) and in the playoffs when they were down 2-0 to Washington. Detroit simply needs to do what they've been doing and they will be fine. Of course the storyline to watch would be Marian Hossa taking on his old team as he left them for a chance to win the Stanley Cup in Detroit. Could the Penguins prove he made a mistake by leaving or will the Red Wings again prove their league supremacy? Perhaps we will find out soon enough!
Game two of the Eastern Conference Finals had a bit more intensity than the first and the contest was much closer than the 7-4 final indicates. The result of this game gives Pittsburgh a 2-0 series lead but the big story on Thursday night was the play of Evgeni Malkin. The Pittsburgh superstar took over the game in the third period scoring two goals in a row including a magnificent backhanded top-shelf goal right off of the face off deep in Carolina's zone that broke this otherwise tight game wide open. These are the things that separates superstars from the other great players; not only did Malkin break the game open, he stole momentum away from Carolina almost completely and scored his third goal unassisted and in an incredible manner. Nothing should be taken away from the rest of the team—including Marc-Andre Fleury who looked a little rattled early on but made some key saves at the end of the game—but this night belonged to Evgeni Malkin who helped make Cam Ward look human. Now the Penguins have a chance to smother Carolina by taking a 3-0 series lead as the teams shift to Raleigh for game three. Pittsburgh is not likely to take the series for granted at this point as the Canes have been resilient all season long and the Penguins won the previous round after going down 2-0 to Washington. On Saturday night the fans will be rocking the RBC Center and the Canes will not go away without a fight.
The key for Pittsburgh? Surprise Surprise, it's get to Cam Ward! We know the star power that exists on the Penguins and their ability to get secondary scoring from people all over the line-up. Generally speaking the Penguins simply need to keep playing the way they've been playing throughout the playoffs and also need to have Fleury return to the form he was in against the Philadelphia Flyers. One can talk about strategy from the Penguins' prospective all day long but the bottom line is they need to get to Cam Ward. If Pittsburgh makes Cam Ward look human they will advance in the series with little trouble; if they don't the series will go a long way, Pittsburgh will start to get frustrated and before you know it Carolina will be headed to the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite all that, barring major injury, I don't think Carolina matches up well with Pittsburgh and although the games will be very close it will be Pittsburgh advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals defeating Carolina in five games. And so for the second it will be the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Detroit Red Wings for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.
The Conference Finals start Sunday afternoon so before they get rolling let's take a lot at both series to see what we should expect from both and most importantly who will win!
Western Conference:
The Western Conference features the regulars versus the new kids on the block as the Detroit Red Wings take on the Chicago Blackhawks . Detroit won the Stanley Cup last year and are in position to be the first team to repeat as champions since they did it in 1997-98. This process is nothing new to the Red Wings and they'll be all business come Sunday afternoon whereas the Blackhawks have not been here in quite some time. Chicago is looking to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1992 where they were swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins . With those facts in mind which team has the edge? The easy answer is the Detroit Red Wings and rightfully so but there are other factors that play into this series that will make it a lot closer than it might first appear on paper. The following are what I think each team needs to do to win:
Detroit simply needs to remained focused on their goal. One of the things they pride themselves in is not retaliating to any post-whistle scrums, cheap shots, or “jaw-jacking” the other team might do which they have to continue to do. The Red Wings must allow their superior level of skill to shine through no matter the circumstances and stay out of the penalty box. This series is different from the previous two in that way because it is a natural rivalry that goes back to the 1920s and the early days of the NHL. But the most important factor for Detroit is going to be the play of Chris Osgood. There is no denying all that Osgood has accomplished but none of that is counted toward his record in this series. Osgood has played well thus far in the playoffs but if it returns to his regular season form at all the Hawks will eat him alive which would push Mike Babcock to insert Ty Conklin who was not much better over the course of the season and hasn't played in these playoffs at all so far.
Chicago has to keep playing with reckless abandon giving no credence to any of the factors going against them. Sure this is the first time most of them have been in this spot and yes the Red Wings greatly outmatch them at almost every position and yes Detroit is very methodical about their play from the opening face-off to the end of the game. Chicago cannot look to the other side of the ice and be blinded by the glare of Hart, Conn Smythe, and Norris Trophies and Stanley Cup rings. The young Hawks simply need to play hockey they way they have all along in these playoffs. They don't care who they are up against they are just a bunch of young guys who love to play hockey and are going out there to beat up on whoever they're playing. Most importantly, they will have to rely heavily on Nikolai Khabibulin's experience in goal to possibly propel them to the next level. If the Hawks can do that they give themselves a very good chance of winning this series. In the long run however I think the Red Wings will be too much and will send the Hawks packing in a very competitive five game series.
Tune in tomorrow for the Eastern Conference Finals preview.
Yet another series is game seven bound in the Eastern Conference after Boston's 4-1 thrashing of Carolina Tuesday night. Unlike the Pens-Caps series however, this series has lacked any drama from the prospective of the casual fan. Each goaltender has been hot in some games while the other was hot in others but never at the same time and aside from a 3-2 overtime win by Carolina in game three there has been nothing to write home about. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the series generally is that Carolina took a 3-1 lead on the seemingly high-flying top-seeded Bruins who some thought my cruise into the Conference Finals. The Canes certainly showed their worth having taken a 3-1 lead over the mighty Bruins, a Bruins team that has since flexed its muscle to force game seven. So why should anybody watch the Bruins-Canes finale Thursday night? Because both teams will be pressing hard, the energy from the fans will be high and you better believe both netminders will be fired up and on their respective games. Because Boston could be yet another one seed that fails to reach the finals and be eliminated by a sixth seeded team to boot. Because no matter how good the game is Thursday night the Bruins fans will not be satisfied and although they may applaud their team at the game's conclusion they will NOT be so kind in the time to follow. The Boston sports teams have been so successful in recent years that the Bruins losing will be quite gratifying for follows of sports generally outside of New England. But if none of that appeals to you then there's always the fact that game sevens generally consists of some of the best hockey you'll ever see so if you pass on this one you'll be kicking yourself for some time to come.
What else should anybody have expected but to see Pittsburgh and Washington go to a seventh game. After an intense back and forth battle Monday night both teams will have to retool and focus their energies on playing what is all but certain to be another incredible match-up. The difference in the game will likely not be Washington having home ice advantage, or superstar play from Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Semin, etc, but it will come down to the goaltenders. Sure it seems obvious that the last line of defense will determine who wins and who loses but it is more than the obvious. Which of the two will make the big save at the right time and who will make the easy save when it's necessary? Which will push the play up the ice when the puck comes into his respective zone or make a simple play when a simple play is required rather than trying to be a hero with the puck? Smart play from the netminders, not just great saves, will be the difference in game seven. As the games have gone on Varlamov has been the one people are waiting to fall apart, and it was believed that finally happened in game four. But he has stood his ground and been able to battle back from the adversity he faced. The series is six games old and he has not caved yet and he won't—quite frankly neither will Fleury. Varlamov has played well but Fleury has another level to take his game to, it's a level we saw last year in game five of the finals and it's a level we'll see Wednesday night. Because of Fleury kicking it into another gear he will simply outduel Varlamov and the Penguins will head into round three.
PS This is my 100 th entry. Thanks very much to everyone who reads these and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them. Here's to the next 100!
Round 1 of Crosby versus Ovechkin goes to Ovie as the Washington Capitals outlasted the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 Saturday at Verizon Center. Based on the flow of the game this should be a pretty long series that goes back and forth. The difference in the game (aside from an incredible save by Simeon Varlamov) was Washington's stellar power play outdueling a “headscratchingly” bad power play for the Pittsburgh Penguins. If the Penguins want to win the series they have to get their power play to at least be mediocre. Right now they have an enormous amount of talent on their power play unit but they are wasting it by setting it up poorly. Set up two power play lines that splits up Malkin and Crosby and better utilizes Kunitz and Guerin so that there is a line with say Crosby and Guerin and another line with Kunitz and Malkin. Splitting up the time certainly can't hurt nor could making any change to it really because it hasn't worked. The Penguins are really only one power play goal per game away from being a completely unstoppable team offensively. The Capitals on the other hand just have to keep doing what they've been doing. Keep dominating on their power play while playing fairly strong at even strength. Their speed and skill cannot be stopped with the man advantage (let alone a two-man advantage) so as long as they have that going and Varlamov holds up they are going to win the series. Another luxury the Caps have right now is being able to be aggressive without fearing being penalized. It isn't that the refs aren't calling penalties on them it's just that the Penguins are not making Washington pay for their mistakes. Bottom line, if Pittsburgh's power play gets going they win the series, if it continues the tract it is on now Washington will win no matter what else happens.
Out West, the Chicago Blackhawks made another comeback against the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night erasing Vancouver's early two goal lead. Only this time the Hawks were able to make the comeback stick and went on to defeat the Canucks 6-3 tying their series at one heading to Chicago. Saturday's loss was the first for Vancouver in these playoffs and won't be their last as they are on a collision course with elimination. Sure they have been able to get off to a quick start the first two games—barely hanging on to win game one—but Vancouver relies way too much on Luongo to bail them out on a nightly basis. Relying on Luongo worked well enough in the first series against a more inferior opponent but it will not work against Chicago. Vancouver needs to get a whole lot more from their big guns if they want to survive. If Roberto Luongo has to be Vancouver's best player for them to win they will be eliminated before the end of this round.
Round one could not have gone out on a better note with two game seven's ( Devils-Hurricanes and Caps-Rangers ) that did not disappoint in drama and excitement. I couldn't possibly say anything to sum the two games that are surely both instant classics; as a result we'll just turn to round two now that we know the match-ups. So far the sportsroids predictions have yielded a 4-4 record which I'll be looking to improve upon in round two.
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins who overcame a 3-0 second period deficit on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday afternoon. The Flyers had a loud home crowd behind them, with all the momentum in the world and were seemingly headed toward pushing the series to a seventh game Monday night in Pittsburgh. However, the Penguins remained calm and the Stanley Cup finalists from a year ago used that experience to not only battle back but to score five unanswered goals to ruin the day for the Flyers and ending their season. The big stars— Malkin , Crosby , and Fleury—all played a major role in getting Pittsburgh back to the second round as you might expect, but it was role player Maxine Talbot who got the ball rolling. At 4:21 of the second period Talbot engaged Daniel Carcillo in a fight that by all accounts Talbot lost. As a result of the fight the Flyer bench was pumped up and the fans went absolutely crazy! There was one problem for Philly and that was the effect the fight had on the Penguins bench. Up to that point the Penguins had not lost composure but they also did not have a great amount of energy coming from the bench; but after Talbot's fight the players were jolted with a surge of electricity as they suddenly came to life and 14 seconds later Ruslan Fedetanko got the Penguins on the board. It was the beginning of the end for the Flyers when Fedetanko scored and it teaches everyone a valuable lesson about fighting. If your team is up 3-0 with all the momentum in the world and the other team is fairly deflated DO NOT FIGHT! You cannot give that other side anything to go on, simply frustrate them by not engaging in their antics and continue to bury them on the scoreboard. If not, then you re-invigorate the other side and give them something to build off of. So while guys like Crosby put the numbers on the scoreboard, the Penguins owe a debt of gratitude to Max Talbot for being smart enough to engaged the Flyers in battle, ultimately being the springboard to Pittsburgh's success. So Kudos to Max Talbot and shame on you Daniel Carcillo for obliging to Talbot's request; now Philly can thank Pittsburgh for sending them to the golf course two years in a row.
What an incredible night for Marc-Andre Fleury in Philadelphia as he helped the Pittsburgh Penguins get a strangle hold on that series. Not to be outdone however where the Canes and Devils who played a game that had quite an ending Tuesday night and that's where we'll start.
Coming into Tuesday's game the Devils and Canes had traded overtime wins on the other team's home ice and despite New Jersey's dominating game one performance this looks like it can be quite a series. Carolina came out of the gates blazing building a 3-0 lead that was kept from getting worse by Martin Brodeur's stellar play. The Devils were dominated for 39 minutes 30 seconds until Brian Gionta netted New Jersey's first goal as the second period came to a close ripping the momentum from Carolina's grasp. In the first nine minutes of the third period the Devils road the momentum into the net twice more to tie the game at three and looked to have taken control of game four. As the third period came to a close the contest looked destined for overtime where by all accounts the Devils would have held a marked advantage; NOT SO FAST! With time winding down in the third the Canes blast a shot from the blue-line that clips a skate in front and gets by Brodeur with only .2 seconds remaining! The goal was one of the most incredible plays in playoff history and perhaps in all of hockey. Buzzer beaters are a common occurrence in basketball but certainly not in hockey. For those of us who were able to catch the game witnessed history in the making. There really is no such thing as a bad shot in the playoffs, just ask the Carolina Hurricanes. The series is now tied at two and the story will just keep getting better.
Well the playoffs are now in full swing as every series will have played two games by the end of Saturday. So let's take a look and how the respective series are unfolding:
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Bruins VS 8.Montreal Canadiens The final score of game one was about what everybody expected but the level of competition between the two clubs was probably higher than most thought. Boston roared out to a 2-0 lead but the Canadiens battled back to tie the game at two before ultimately going down 4-2. But the rivalry is hot and despite the perception of a major mismatch it doesn't seem likely to be over anytime soon. Game 2 is tonight before the series shifts back to Montreal so we'll see what surprises are in store for us.
2. Washington Capitals VS 7. New York Rangers Jose Theodore didn't make it past the first game as he was benched for rookie back up netminder Simeon Varlamov after Washington's 4-3 loss at home to the Rangers. Again many people felt the Rangers were completely outmatch by the fire power of the Capitals and that the only chance the Rangers had offensively is if Theodore didn't play well. Theodore did not play all that well in game one and the Rangers stole one from Washington but surely things would be different now that Theodore was benched. Varlamov did indeed play very well in net for Washington Saturday afternoon as the Rangers were only able to net one behind the rookie netminder. Unfortunately for the Caps Henrik Lundqvist was up to the challenge and shut Ovechkin and company out. Now the series shifts back to New York with the Rangers having a commanding lead and looking for the sweep. Sportsroids when against the grain in predicting a Rangers win in this series and so far the Rangers have no disappointed.
It's time again to sweep around the league to talk about a few of the stories developing as the playoffs inch closer and closer:
1. Number one Story of the night is the Marty Brodeur has surpassed Patrick Roy in wins to take the all-time lead at 552. There is not much more to be said about Brodeur at this point after the article dedicated to his tying of the record. If you missed it you can click here or on his name above.
2. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of an eleven game point streak which catapulted them from 10 th into a tie with Philadelphia in fourth position in the Eastern Conference. The acquisition of Kunitz and Guerin has been golden so far as both have contributed majorly on the scoreboard as they play the respective wings next to Crosby on the top line. Roughly 20 games ago many people suspected the Penguins were very likely to miss the playoffs or do little damage even if they managed to scrape by to get in. But now not only are the Bylsma led Penguins in decent playoff position by some of those same people feel they can not only make it to the playoffs but make yet another run at the Stanley Cup. Oh and don't forget about that Malkin guy who scored his 100 th point Tuesday night, they tell me that's kind of a big deal or something.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won six in a row, eight of the last nine and when five-for-five in their most recent road trip yielding them ten points out of a possible ten. Since hiring Bylsma, Pittsburgh is 8-1-1 with an increase in the level of scoring, a rise in offensive zone pressure and spectacular goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury. Not only did the road trip go very well for the Penguins but in those five games, four of the teams are either in a playoff spot or are tied in points with a team who is. The addition of Chris Kunitz has been priceless thus far as he has netted three goals in four games and five points overall. Kunitz gives them a presence in front of the net they missed dearly with the loss of Ryan Malone. Along with Kunitz was the acquisition of Billy Guerin who has provided invaluable experience and a right-handed forward for a power play that has improved with every game since the return of Sergei Gonchar. Pittsburgh's power play scoring has not exactly been stellar, but the amount of opportunities they are creating is more than they have in months. The amount of movement for those with and without the puck has increased which is a substantial change from recent months and will only lead to more scoring which is key to the Penguin's continued success.
As great as the last ten games have gone for Pittsburgh they have needed to use every point gained to reach a playoff position. Right now they stand in eighth with 76 points tied with Florida and New York ahead of them and are only one point behind fifth place Montreal. However, Carolina and Buffalo are breathing down their necks and even a minor slip up can spoil this ten game party. Thus far the trades have been great, the coaching move is paying dividends and Fleury has elevated his game. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh they cannot celebrate their recent success too much because they almost have to go 8-1-1 in their NEXT ten in order to ensure themselves a playoff spot. The Penguins have certainly proven that this new look team can make a lot of noise in the NHL's second season; but for now… they just have to get there.
There was a lot of action in the NHL this past weekend as there is every weekend but there are four big things we learned and should keep in mind the rest of the year:
1. The Washington Capitals are for real. They have been on a roll lately but nothing like Saturday when they beat the East leading Boston Bruins 2-1 at Verizon Center. And after defeated the new trap playing penguins (more on that later) and the similar defensive style of the Bruins who supplement that with great goal-scoring the Caps showed they can beat anybody and play any style. Their team speed breaks that trap better than any other team in the East and they can win high scoring AND low scoring games… the rest of the league should be on high alert.
2. The Pittsburgh Penguins have finally figured out that with all their injuries a change in strategy is necessary and the trap is just what the doctor ordered. In casual conversation with a friend on December 12 th I mentioned the Penguins need to run a trap if only temporarily to keep themselves in games until they get some guys healthy and sure enough a month and a day later they run it and win against the Flyers. Now they have won two of three and despite all the injuries are in a playoff position. The Penguins are now a team to worry about again and once they get guys healthy the teams at the top of the standings should worry… just ask the Flyers and Rangers.
3. The San Jose Sharks beat Detroit 6-5 on Saturday. They are not going to fade away… the Western Conference has been warned.
4. The Phoenix Coyotes (yes Phoenix) is a viable team and WILL make the playoffs.
The Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks are the only three teams in the NHL that have shown any amount of consistency all year. The Pittsburgh Penguins once upon a 6 game winning streak, and now it looks like they cannot play defense or hold a lead for the life of them. At times Toronto has looked very strong at times and at others look very much like the young team they are. The New York Rangers started hot out of the gate and since have settled down a bit but are still playing well. Anaheim started pretty sluggish but now they look great and Phoenix was awful at one point but have seemed to put it together to become a much better team since the beginning of the year. Ottawa was up and down for a while got hot for a moment and now they are looking to have a fire-sale. The list of teams and stories to accompany them goes on and on, the point being, save for the three teams mentioned in the first sentence above we don't know anything about anybody. There is Panic in Pittsburgh with how the team has stumbled, there are rumblings in Montreal with how poor their power play is and how well the Bruins are playing. Bottom line is for players, coaches, front office managers, analysts and fans alike what is needed most in the NHL is to have patience with a team and that's what there seems to be the least of. See where your team is come late January early February and then start to Panic.
Lots of news, little time, let's go around the league in a flash.
- Mats Sundin has finally decided on a team, he's going to Vancouver. Great, now can we please stop talking about him?
- Detroit put a hurting on San Jose Thursday night 6-0. Be not afraid, the game means little because San Jose is still better than Detroit in the long run. I picked San Jose to win the Stanley Cup and I am not backing down now.
- My other finals pick (Montreal) ended Philly's five game winning streak on Thursday in convincing fashion. Despite a few hick-ups the Canadiens' season is going well so far. If Kovalev ever gets his scoring woes in order they will be in very good shape.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins scored 6 goals to defeat Atlanta by three on Thursday after a long lay-off. Any win for the Penguins right now is a good win but their defensive troubles continue to be a thorn in their side. - Yes Boston has 22 wins and 48 points good enough for first in the east; however come playoff time it will be hard for their overachieving players to keep playing at this high of a level. Kudos to their play so far though.
- The Washington Capitals are on fire, winning their fifth in a row Thursday night and looking tremendous in every facet of the game: special teams, offense, defense, and goaltending. Washington is rolling… remember them come playoff time.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the middle of a fairly rough stretch losing five of the last seven and with the exception of a 9-2 thrashing of the lowly New York Islanders scoring has been a problem. For most of the season to this point Pittsburgh has had trouble keeping opponents off the score board but were able to post enough goals to win games 6-5, 7-6, etc. However, not only have the defensive struggles continued but now the Penguins are not scoring a lot of goals. Games they have been able to come back to win or overcome blown leads by basically “scoring” their way out of it simply is not happening anymore. Injuries have seemed to plagued this team from day one of training camp and despite all that they currently sit sixth in the east but the standings will not be forgiving for much longer. No matter the amount of injuries, long road trips, normal slumps of a long season or otherwise the excuses have to stop. There is no position in the playoffs reserved for the team who had the most injuries but still did “pretty well” considering the circumstances. Last year's success has no bearing on this season and no one is entitled to anything because of what they have done in the past in professional sports (see the 2007 Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes of the last two years). There is time to right the ship but it better be righted quickly or Pittsburgh will have a bunch of talented hockey players populating golf courses everywhere come mid April.
ESPN.com is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes have fired Head Coach Peter Laviolette just three seasons after leading the Hurricanes to the franchise's only Stanley Cup title. Although Laviolette led the team to the highest level possible they have missed the playoffs each of the last two years. Carolina currently stands second place in the weak Southeast division only three points behind Washington but have given up 10 more goals than they have scored thus far this season. The team's power play has struggled mightily scoring only 12.9% of the time and have won only four of their last 10 games and once in their last five. In a strange turn of events Laviolette has apparently been replaced by Paul Maurice who Laviolette actually replaced when he was named head coach five years ago. As it stands now Carolina would be in the playoffs sitting in the 8 th spot just one point ahead of Buffalo but the team clearly needs to turn a the corner. What this will mean for Carolina long-term is yet to be seen but Maurice will be tested right away as the Hurricanes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday night. Carolina has plenty of talent in Ray Whitney, Rod Brind'Amour (although he's aging), Eric Staal, and a reliable goaltender in Cam Ward; but now that talent needs to produce wins.
Let me start by saying how great the respective ceremonies were honoring Patrick Roy and Wendel Clark. The Canadiens (Roy) and Maple Leafs (Clark) paid tribute quite appropriately to two guys' who each left different marks on the game but both will have a positive impact on the world of hockey for many years to come. In other news it was a showcase day for the original six teams who were all on TV nationally in Canada on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada and on the NHL Network in the US with four of the six matching up against each other—Montreal vs. Boston and Chicago vs. Toronto. Both games were extremely entertaining as they each had one team come from behind late in the game to force overtime with the former being decided in a shootout. Although both home-standing teams lost I think it was fitting that two players were honored on a night that ended in a very exciting manner. The rest of the schedule was entertaining with six games being decided by one goal five needing overtime/a shootout to decide a winner. All-in-all it was a great day to be a hockey fan; the one low point however came in Vancouver's 3-1 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the first period netminder Roberto Luongo left the game with what appeared to be a substantial injury. We may never know what exactly is wrong with him due to the league's new ridiculous nondisclosure policy but nevertheless it does not look good for one of the league's best and most exciting goaltenders.
Tonight's (11/11) game between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins was billed as a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals. And the Penguins 7-6 come-from-behind win in overtime certainly made a statement that the Penguins aren't still ailing from last year's Cup Finals loss. But the big story took a backseat to an incredible side-story that developed for one Jordan Staal. Entering the evening the promising young forward had been struggling to score goals and although his penalty killing continued to be top-notch many fans were growing restless of his goal-scoring woes; that is, until late in the third period. With the Penguins down 5-3 Staal gave them hope by scoring a brilliant goal in front of Osgood to cut the lead to one at 5-4. Detroit later answered to re-establish their two goal lead but Staal was just warming up. Staal scored the next two goals for the Penguins to force overtime and also drew a penalty toward the end of regulation setting up a golden opportunity for Pittsburgh heading into overtime. The ensuing power play was killed by the Wings, perhaps all that did was irritate Staal for as the game approached a shootout he pick-pocketed Pavel Datsyuk setting up Ruslan Fedetanko who buried the game-winning goal. Staal had 5 points before tonight, and left the ice with 4 in this game alone. So for all those who were worried, it won't be like this every night, but it looks like he's coming along just fine.
When is an injury more than just an injury? When it happens to Sidney Crosby. On Thursday night against the Phoenix Coyotes the Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar suffered what has been reported only as an upper body injury, which has him listed as day-to-day. Crosby's injury is a big loss for the Penguins because he is their best player as well as their on and off-ice leader. For the league as a whole he is so much more than a dynamic player—arguably the best in the world—but he is their most marketable person and the key to their commercial success in the United States. He sells merchandise and does wonders for national TV ratings in the US, that much is a given. Beyond that though is his ability to go on road trips to places that can barely keep decent attendance and draw sell-out crowds. Crosby is the type of player who people come to watch who barely care about hockey in general but sit in their seats or turn on the TV and watch in awe of everything he can do. The man changes casual fans into consistent hockey fans and I think his positive influence on the league cannot be overstated; so we can only hope that Crosby's injury is minor and the league is not without him for a long stretch two-years in a row.
