Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Five

What a day. Each series will at least go to 5 games. Lets see where the cards fell today.

Phoenix: 4; Detroit: 2
Phoenix leads the series 2-1
I've heard a lot of people blaming Jimmy Howard for all the ills of the Red Wings right now but let's face it; these guys have had three consecutive postseasons where they've reached the Western Conference Finals or better; winning the Cup in 2008. In most cities a rebuild year means a Top-5 draft pick. In Detroit, it's a 5th Seed playoff spot. Not bad folks. Question now: can Phoenix hold it together without Shane Doan and Vern Fiddler?

Philadelphia: 3; New Jersey: 2; OT
Philadelphia leads the series 2-1
Hell of a goal by Dan Carcillo to end this one. In the end, role players have to step up their game and teams have to generate enough offense to be scary to their opponents. New Jersey, however, looked like they were battling a case of the Philadelphia flu and were limited to 19 shots on goal. They're going to have to significantly increase that number for the next game.

Pittsburgh: 4; Ottawa: 2
Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1
After watching this game, I realize why I didn't pick Ottawa to win the series. With a power play with 1:58 left in the game. The Senators were unable to generate a quality scoring chance during a 6-on-4 where the Penguins' penalty kill was pedestrian at best. The teams that succeed in the playoffs find a way to make that work. I'm not so optimistic that Game 4 will be good for the Senators; the Pens may just be two games away from ending the series.

Chicago: 2; Nashville: 0
Series tied 1-1
Now, Nashville was in a similar situation as the Senators with the 6-on-4 in the closing minutes of the game but the response from the penalty killing team was absolutely different. Chicago was absolutely tenacious every minute of the game and despite a terrific effort by Nashville, Chicago was just the better team tonight. Game 3 should be electric because Nashville's not going to lie down in their own building; not when the franchise has yet to advance out of the Conference Quarterfinals.

Colorado: 1; San Jose: 0; OT
Colorado leads the series 2-1
Craig Anderson makes 51 saves for his team and this is how the game ends:

Wanna hit that panic button yet, San Jose?

Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Four

by Mike

With the exception of the Nashville-Chicago series, everyone else is now in a best-of-five scenario. Way cool...

Boston: 5; Buffalo: 3
Well Tomas Vanek might miss some time due to a foot injury, but give Boston credit for taking a game despite everything they're up against. Game 3 goes back home for them but considering that was the same building the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated them in last year, one wonders if it really does provide the "home ice advantage" Boston hopes it does.

Washington: 6; Montreal: 5; OT
So I think we've seen the last of Jose Theodore in the NHL provided he doesn't backup either Luongo or Brodeur after this season. Give credit to Niklas Backstrom though for helping propel his team to victory. Andrei Kostitsyn did just as well but doesn't have Alexander Ovechkin as a linemate.

Los Angeles: 3; Vancouver: 2; OT
No for this one, LA was just hungrier. Give Vancouver credit though; they've definitely been able to handle the Kings and took it to the limit. LA didn't get to the playoffs by accident though so you shouldn't be surprised by their victory. I may have to head up to LA to see the next game live.

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?

Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Two

by Mike

Montreal: 3; Washington: 2; OT
This is what playoff hockey's about, Game One surprises. Washington's a decent team but the Canadiens' newfound defensive system seems to have stifled the Great Alex Ovechkin. If Jose Theodore has anything left in the tank, now's a good time to start getting it out there. Otherwise, Europe or retirement awaits.

Buffalo: 2; Boston: 1
Ryan Miller was up to task. Great for him. Boston did well all things considered but they're not up to full health. I don't think much's going to change, which is a bummer because I really liked Boston going into the season.

Vancouver: 3; Los Angeles: 2; OT
The Kings got outworked and if it weren't for Jon Quick, the game would have been ended far, far sooner. Methinks Vancouver has L.A. playing their game; which means coach Terry Murray's going to need to right the ship if they're going to have any chance of beating the Canucks.

BTW: I got my first gold trophy in fantasy hockey. The league had 20 teams where everyone drafted 23 players (much like regular hockey.) I received the third round pick overall in a serpentine draft format. The three players I built my team around? Sidney Crosby, Ryan Miller, and Shea Weber.

Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day One:

"Hockey just won't work in Phoenix." - Jerry Moyes explaining why he tried to sell the team through bankruptcy to Jim Balsillie

Anyhow...

Ottawa: 5; Pittsburgh: 4
Dave says "Alright!" Mike says "So much for that sweep."
Give it up to Ottawa's grinders. Chris Neil, Chris Kelly, and Jarkko Ruutu had a hell of a game and were able to hold on to beat the defending Cup champs in their own house. Pens fans can't be pleased and neither is Bylsma. Game 2 should be fierce.

Philadelphia: 2; New Jersey: 1
Chalk this up to being a semi-shocker, but Philadelphia's got a pretty decent team. The fact that Brian Boucher was able to battle instead of retreating is a favorable sign for Philadelphia. New Jersey, in the meantime, will have to sacrifice just a little defense to try and get more goal scoring going on.

Phoenix: 3; Detroit: 2
Phoenix beat Detroit using their power-play. Oh the irony! The Coyotes better not get complacent though. Babcock's gonna go into world domination mode after this one and Game 2 will not be a walk in the park against the Wings. If the Coyotes stay up to task, then the competition in Game 2's going to be better than this one!

Colorado: 2; San Jose:
Seriously, San Jose? Seriously? The second line got a goal, but Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley all end up pointless and -1. It probably won't be that way all series but if Colorado takes Game 2, I'd start being concerned if I were in the Bay Area.

See ya tomorrow!

Western Conference Quarterfinal Predictions

(1) San Jose Sharks vs (8) Colorado Avalanche
The Scoop: The Sharks are coming off another season where they're finishing the best in the West. Despite their reputation as choke-artists, the fact that Colorado rode the hell out of goaltender Craig Anderson during the regular season is what's going to lead to Colorado's early exit from the playoffs, even when you include San Jose's first line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley.
Dave says:San Jose in 5
Mike says:San Jose in 4

(2) Chicago Blackhawks vs (7) Nashville Predators
The Scoop: The Blackhawks started to realize their potential two seasons back and are coming off a Western Conference Final appearance. Nashville has a very strong defensive corps despite the fact that they aren't the most prolific team in the goal-scoring department. Dave thinks Chicago has better "stuff" and Mike thinks Chicago's firepower makes them +1 this series.
Dave says: Chicago in 7
Mike says: Chicago in 5

(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) Los Angeles Kings
The Scoop: The Canucks have the Art Ross Trophy winner Hendrik Sedin; but goaltender/captain Roberto Luongo has not looked like his usual Vezina-contending self. L.A. is very inexperienced but has a lot of legitimate firepower. Dave thinks that L.A.'s firepower will get them over the top; Mike thinks that Jon Quick's been drained and even though Jonathan Bernier can do his best Cam Ward impression, the Sedin Bros aren't your average scoring duo and will be insane to contain.
Dave says: L.A. in 7
Mike says: Vancouver in 5

(4) Phoenix Coyotes vs (5) Detroit Red Wings
The Scoop: The Coyotes seemed to battle just about everything this season to get their first playoff berth in 8 years. Their reward? To face the red-hot Red Wings; whom are dominating thanks to the return of power forward Johan Franzen and stay-at-home defender Andreas Lilja. Dave thinks that the combination of experience and firepower will put Detroit over the top; Mike thinks that both teams will play torrid two-way hockey but at the end of the day; the goaltending will be the difference.
Dave says: Detroit in 5.
Mike says: Phoenix in 7.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Predictions

(1) Washington Capitals vs (8) Montreal Canadiens
The Scoop: The Capitals are coming off a season where they easily clinched the Presidents Trophy after playing in what was arguably a weak division. Overall, while Montreal has a decent group of forwards, it's not going to be enough to prevent a Washington Capitals onslaught.
Mike and Dave both say: Washington in 5

(2) New Jersey Devils vs (7) Philadelphia Flyers
The Scoop: The Devils ended up winning the division thanks to some solid goaltending (surprise) and a semi-consistent offensive attack. While the Flyers look great up front, and even on the blueline, they're down to their third-string goaltender Brian Boucher to bail them out and it doesn't look promising. Dave doesn't think the Flyers have a chance; Mike thinks the Flyers will have a few respectable games but the series will ultimately succumb to the Devils.
Dave says: New Jersey in 4
Mike says: New Jersey in 6

(3) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) Boston Bruins
The Scoop: The Sabres have had some spectacular goaltending thanks to Ryan Miller which could either propel them or potentially run out (eek). Nevertheless, Boston's battling the injury bug and while Tuukka Rask has done exceptional since Tim Thomas began to sputter, he alone may not be enough to compensate for the loss of Marc Savard, Andrew Ference, Dennis Seindenberg, and Mark Stuart. Dave thinks Boston will make it a contest, Mike thinks it's going to be close to a squash match.
Dave says: Buffalo in 6
Mike says: Buffalo in 5

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5) Ottawa Senators
The Scoop: The Pens come in to defend their Stanley Cup championship but don't end up winning the division; not the greatest sign. Nevertheless, they're taking on the Senators who have an amazing player in Spezza but have some question marks in goal. Dave thinks that Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will pick the wrong time to become ineffective; Mike thinks that's already a problem for the Senators and that's where the fun will end.
Dave says: Ottawa in 6
Mike says: Pittsburgh in 4