Since we're at the conference finals, I will be reviewing the seasons of teams as they're eliminated from the playoffs. Obviously, the last team reviewed will be the one that wins the Cup.
Now the next team to be eliminated from the playoffs: The Detroit Red Wings.
My prediction: First in the Central Division and having a nice run in the playoffs.
The truth: First in the Central Division and being a game short of making the Western Conference Finals, being eliminated in seven games by the San Jose Sharks after a nearly impossible comeback.
So what happened?: Sometimes it comes down to one game. For that game, the Red Wings went into battle without their top-six big man Johan Franzen while the Sharks had Ryan Clowe return. Within three minutes, the Red Wings other top-six big man Todd Bertuzzi goes down with injury. With the game being a goal apart early in the third period, a careless play by Jiri Hudler inadvertently injures the team's Number 7 forward Danny Cleary. No team can lose three forwards of that importance and expect to win against another team of equal and comparable talent. That's what happened.
So what's next?: This media hullabaloo about a rebuild is utter horseshit. The components are in place for next season so now the reinforcements are sought to be brought in. If Lidstrom comes back, great. If not, they'll land another top defenseman because they're the Detroit Red Wings. The team may opt to go with their current formula of puck-possession players but a few more chippy players would hurt more than not. Nevertheless, a healthy Wings squad is still dangerous and even if Lidstrom and Co. decides to retire, there's a whole lotta power left in that Red and White machine that will be an absolute bitch to contain.
Jumat, 13 Mei 2011
Derek Boogaard passes away
Straight out of the "fucking awful" department :-(
NEW YORK (AP)—New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment. He was 28.
The team announced Boogaard’s death on Friday night, but gave no details.
The Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis first reported Boogaard was found dead in his home by members of his family. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office in Minnesota confirmed those details and said an autopsy was pending.
“Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual,” Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said. “He was a very thoughtful person, who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
Boogaard signed a four-year, $6.5 million deal with Rangers in July and appeared in 22 games with them last season. He had a goal and an assist to go with 45 penalty minutes.
One of the most feared fighters in the league, Boogaard missed the last 52 games of the regular season with a concussion and shoulder injury and did not play in the playoffs.
Boogaard began his NHL career with Minnesota and appeared in 255 games with the Wild from 2005-10.
“The Minnesota Wild organization sends our deepest sympathies to the family of Derek Boogaard,” team said in a statement. “Derek was a fan favorite during his five seasons with the Wild and will be greatly missed here in Minnesota and throughout the NHL. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boogaard family during this tragic time of loss.”
In 277 regular-season games with Minnesota and the Rangers over six seasons, he had three goals and 13 assists and 589 penalty minutes.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native was Minnesota’s seventh-round choice, 202nd overall, in the 2001 draft.
NEW YORK (AP)—New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was found dead Friday in his Minneapolis apartment. He was 28.
The team announced Boogaard’s death on Friday night, but gave no details.
The Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis first reported Boogaard was found dead in his home by members of his family. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office in Minnesota confirmed those details and said an autopsy was pending.
“Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual,” Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said. “He was a very thoughtful person, who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
Boogaard signed a four-year, $6.5 million deal with Rangers in July and appeared in 22 games with them last season. He had a goal and an assist to go with 45 penalty minutes.
One of the most feared fighters in the league, Boogaard missed the last 52 games of the regular season with a concussion and shoulder injury and did not play in the playoffs.
Boogaard began his NHL career with Minnesota and appeared in 255 games with the Wild from 2005-10.
“The Minnesota Wild organization sends our deepest sympathies to the family of Derek Boogaard,” team said in a statement. “Derek was a fan favorite during his five seasons with the Wild and will be greatly missed here in Minnesota and throughout the NHL. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boogaard family during this tragic time of loss.”
In 277 regular-season games with Minnesota and the Rangers over six seasons, he had three goals and 13 assists and 589 penalty minutes.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native was Minnesota’s seventh-round choice, 202nd overall, in the 2001 draft.
Selasa, 10 Mei 2011
Season Review: The Rest of the Quarterfinal and Semifinal Eliminations
Let's face it, this is a one-man show and that one man just doesn't have the time he used to...
Conference Quarterfinals:
Chicago Blackhawks - Last year's cup champions kept their high-salary guys and rode the heck out of them... and they eventually were too tired because the components couldn't do the job (unlike last season.)
Montreal Canadiens - Give Carey Price kudos for being astounding this season, the rest of the team wasn't as effective against the Bruins in their series.
Pittsburgh Penguins - I thought they'd be out of the playoffs without Malkin and Crosby, so kudos to them for even getting that far. Alas, missing those two guys going up against LeCavalier and Stamkos simply left Pittsburgh with the short end of the straw.
Buffalo Sabres - You can't blame the goaltending in this one; Buffalo was simply outworked by Philadelphia's offensive hustle. Hopefully a full season with their new owner Terry Pegula can see them go deep in the playoffs next season.
Conference Semifinals:
Washington Capitals - The team's still very, very young and there's questions about how coach Bruce Boudreau motivates the team. After their third early season, what will the team with the league's best player do in the off-season?
Nashville Predators - I gave these guys no credit and they still persevered. They came up short against a team who spent to the cap. Would more money in player personnel make them a Cup favorite?
Philadelphia Flyers - The goalie carousel didn't help matters, but it was largely injuries to Jeff Carter and Chris Pronger that deflated the air out the team during the second round.
Conference Quarterfinals:
Chicago Blackhawks - Last year's cup champions kept their high-salary guys and rode the heck out of them... and they eventually were too tired because the components couldn't do the job (unlike last season.)
Montreal Canadiens - Give Carey Price kudos for being astounding this season, the rest of the team wasn't as effective against the Bruins in their series.
Pittsburgh Penguins - I thought they'd be out of the playoffs without Malkin and Crosby, so kudos to them for even getting that far. Alas, missing those two guys going up against LeCavalier and Stamkos simply left Pittsburgh with the short end of the straw.
Buffalo Sabres - You can't blame the goaltending in this one; Buffalo was simply outworked by Philadelphia's offensive hustle. Hopefully a full season with their new owner Terry Pegula can see them go deep in the playoffs next season.
Conference Semifinals:
Washington Capitals - The team's still very, very young and there's questions about how coach Bruce Boudreau motivates the team. After their third early season, what will the team with the league's best player do in the off-season?
Nashville Predators - I gave these guys no credit and they still persevered. They came up short against a team who spent to the cap. Would more money in player personnel make them a Cup favorite?
Philadelphia Flyers - The goalie carousel didn't help matters, but it was largely injuries to Jeff Carter and Chris Pronger that deflated the air out the team during the second round.
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