Oh wow was there some excitement today folks. I'm not gonna waste time, so let's go!
Game 2: Detroit 4, Columbus 0
Detroit leads the series 2-0
The Detroit Red Wings are continuing their dominance of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who don't seem to know how to solve the Red Wings. The Blue Jackets have allowed eight goals within the past two games while generating one in that same span. If they keep that consistency up, they'll be playing golf after two games.
Chris Osgood continues to tell the haters to suck a pickle by making a perfect 25 saves and improves to a .5 GAA and a .978 save percentage for the series. Unlike the last game where the scoring was done by Detroit's third line, the stars game out to give the team some production. Detroit's Top Six Forwards (Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Hossa, Hendrick Zetterberg, Dan Cleary, Tomas Holmstrom, and Johan Franzen) and Top Defensive Pairing (Niklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski) were somehow involved in Detroit first three goals, with the fourth being scored by Jiri Hudler from Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart. Detroit's power play was especially effective; converting three times on numerous chances.
There wasn't much to commend Columbus on for this game. The team once again relied on Steve Mason to bail them out and he did the best he could with 35 saves. But when your team is just marching to the penalty box, there's not much you can do to take an advantage.
Well, the series is going back to Columbus now and the Blue Jackets had better hope some newfound powers come with home ice advantage because they're going to need as much help as they can get.
Game 2: Boston 5, Montreal 1
Boston lead the series 2-0
Like Detroit, the Boston Bruins continue their dominance of their opponent, the Montreal Canadiens, improving their margin this time; winning by a four goal lead. Things got a bit ugly at the end. Specifically, Patrice Bergeron KO'ed Josh Georges while Milan Lucic received an attempt to injure penalty; which the NHL is probably going to do something about (oh, and the videos for both are at the end of the article.) Nevertheless, the Bruins were able to continue their dominance without giving up any ground.
Usually a depth player becomes clutch in the playoffs but Marc Savard showed that your first line center can do the same thing, as he put up two goals and two assists to help lead his team to victory. Tim Thomas made 30 saves and has a GAA of 1.50 in the series. The Bruins special teams were extra effective, converting three power plays, while their centermen won 65% of the faceoffs to keep control of the game.
As for the Canadiens, they played as tight of a game as they could have against the Bruins, but they took too many penalties to remain competitive. They leaned on Carey Price for the second game in a row and unfortunately, his mental makeup this time just wasn't up for it. Jaroslav Halak was perfect for 5 saves and may receive consideration to start in Game 3.
Well, the series goes back to the Bell Centre and frankly, I think it's entirely possible this team could implode worse in their hometown than they did in Boston. Yeah they have incredible fan support, but what do you do when you play for possibly the most intense hockey market in the league?
Game 2: Chicago 3, Calgary 2
Chicago leads the series 2-0
One again, the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames played a very tight, competitive game and once again, the Blackhawks were slightly better and able to pull off a 3-2 victory.
Jonathan Toews was the star of the game, notching two goals on his way to victory. Dustin Byfuglien might not be generating as much offense as he did last season, but he still led the game in hits with seven. While Nikolai Khabibulin had the same amount of saves as his Flames counterpart Miikka Kipprusoff with 30, his team got the one extra shot that turned into that one extra goal. The Blackhawks aren't blowing the team out of the water, but they're good enough to walk away victorious.
It really hasn't been fair to the Flames, who've actually been relatively decent despite getting the losing end of the stick twice. Jarome Iginla was good for two points (a goal and an assist, respectively) and the team was able to play a physical game without taking too many trips to the penalty box. However, they were losers in the faceoff dot, winning 42% of their faceoffs, and that can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Well, the series is going to the Pengrowth Saddledome and that is going to be a very hard building for the Blackhawks to play in. Calgary is exactly the kinda team that can take advantage of being on home ice, so Chicago better not get cocky or they could end up back in Chicago with a split series.
Game 2: New York Rangers 1, Washington 0;
New York Rangers lead the series 2-0
Sometimes, it all comes down to one goal.
Hendrik Lundqvist was brilliant, withstanding a Washington Capitals assault by making a perfect 35 saves. Ryan Callahan did his part in scoring the only goal of the game and from there, the team just competed for the next two-and-a-half periods to stave off a Capitals attack.
Simeon Varlamov made 23 saves in his first NHL playoff start and proved to be relatively effective. Alexander Ovechkin led the game with five hits, but had a disproportionately higher amount of shots and attempted shots than the rest of his teammates. Either the Capitals need to have a more balanced attack or Ovie needs to be a little less selfish with the puck if he wants to lead his team to victory.
The series is going to Broadway for now but whether or not the MSG can be effective at cracking the Capitals psychology remains to be seen. I still think Washington can make this a competitive series, but they're going to have to work on it.
As promised, the Bruins-Habs madness:
Bergeron KO'es Georges:
Lucic gets nasty:
Enjoy!
Thanks for checking in, stay tuned for more Stanley Cup coverage!
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