Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Three

by Mike

Today was ultimately a day-of-reckoning of sorts. Everyone who played their second game ended up tying the series. Check it out.

Detroit: 7; Phoenix: 4
I don't care how people play in the regular season; if you play lazy even once in the playoffs, you're gonna lose. Hendrik Zetterberg worked his ass off and was rewarded with a hat trick. Ed Jovanovski took a penalty kill too lax and it resulted in a great goal by Valtteri Filppula. Game 3's going to go back to an intense Detroit house. Can Phoenix keep their emotions in check?

Pittsburgh: 2; Ottawa: 1

In case you didn't see Andy Sutton lay out Jordan Leopold...

Ouch.

Anyway, Ottawa couldn't contain Crosby today and the series is now tied at one despite a valiant effort by Brian Elliott. I think I may have underestimated Ottawa's goaltending going in; he's been real good for them. I think Ottawa's chances have significantly decreased now that Milan Michalek is out for them; he's pretty important.

New Jersey: 5; Philadelphia: 3
Seriously, I heard a guy from Philly upset about a series-tying Game 2 loss. I don't think anyone who'd be unbiased wouldn't have seen this coming. Now it goes back to the Wachovia Center though; and I expect them to act like a seventh player on the ice. Should be fierce.

Nashville: 4; Chicago: 1
The game was a lot tighter than the score suggests. In the end, Nashville was slightly tighter and the idea to go 6-on-5 burned Chicago twice. If the rest of these series is any indication though, I think Chicago can find a way to win Game 2.

San Jose: 6; Colorado: 5; OT
This game was not as tight as the score suggests. In the end, San Jose had to dig deep into themselves and force a victory over Colorado. Craig Anderson faced 52 shots and despite the assists, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau look completely flaccid out there. I was thinking this could be easy for San Jose; suddenly I'm not so sure. Have they overworked Evgeni Nabokov over the regular season that he's prone to breaking down come playoff time?