Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Eight

By Mike

Washington: 6; Montreal: 3
Washington leads the series 3-1
Well, Carey Price was given the opportunity to vanquish both the doubters of him being a starter and those who thought he was too immature to be an effective goaltender in the NHL. The contest was tight and tied at 2 after two and a half periods of play when the Capitals responded by scoring two goals in under a minute. How did Price respond? He shot the puck at Jason Chimeria after he scored, earning his team a two-minute penalty kill and drew another two-minute minor after Niklas Backstrom scored the empty netter with 11 seconds left in the game. In the end, he squashed his opportunity to do either and now the Capitals are in prime position to eliminate the Canadiens on home ice for Game 5. To be fair, the Capitals are playing some splendid hockey and the Canadiens' "defense-first" approach is starting to get worn against the best offense in the league. Yet when you're in a "must-win" game, you have to hold your composure. What would have happened had he not shot the puck at Chimeria? Who knows; maybe Montreal would have rallied back and won. Regardless, I think Jaroslav Halak should get the start for Game 5 because win or lose, he's been the Habs go-to-guy, even though they haven't deserved him as much as he deserves an NHL job.

Boston: 3; Buffalo: 2; 2OT
Boston leads the series 3-1
Well, in a battle of two Eastern Conference teams you had to expect some of this to spill over...

Be that as it may, the Sabres picked the worst moment to have a too-many-men penalty in the second overtime and Miro Satan, a guy who was signed midway through the season, scored the deciding goal. The game's going to go back to Buffalo where the Sabres may have a chance at winning, but it seems that not only has Boston regained their form, but that no Vanek means no victories, which could spell the end of Buffalo's playoff run.

Vancouver: 6; Los Angeles: 4
Series is tied 2-2
This was a close one folks and the game was in a dead heat until the Sedins scored with less than 3 minutes to go. L.A. pulled the goalie, lost control of the puck, and Selke Trophy finalist (and fellow Detroiter) Ryan Kesler sunk the empty netter. When the game ended, Vancouver's Kevin Bieska got tied up with the new pride of Scarbourough, Ontario, L.A.'s Wayne Simmonds. This series reminds me very much of the Phoenix-Detroit series going on and both have very similar parallels. L.A.'s done better than I figured they would, but it's now a best-of-three game series. Game 5 should be way intense.

Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Seven

by Mike

Detroit: 3; Phoenix: 0
Series tied 2-2
Alright, I've gotta vent here...

Here's the typical Red Wings fan after Game 3:
The team sucks, they're lethargic, Todd Bertuzzi's too lazy, and Jimmy Howard's a terrible goaltender.

Here's the typical Red Wings fan after Game 4:
The team's great, they're energetic, Todd Bertuzzi's a power play force and Jimmy Howard's a Calder Trophy contender.

In other words... RELAX DETROIT! The Red Wings still got it!

But to Phoenix fans who have their head up their blindside with the "pack mentality" mantra; don't ever discredit the importance of a single player. Shane Doan set the tone for that team and while the Coyotes rallied around his absence in Game 3, they sorely missed his leadership in a tight, defensive contest in Game 4. Detroit attacked and attacked early and in the end, they were rewarded for their efforts.

My prediction? If Doan's back for Game 5, the Coyotes will likely win (and the series will go to seven games). If Doan's out, it's going to take some Dave Tippett wizardy, not mastery, to propel that team over Mike Baccock's hair alone, let alone the Red Wings.

Pittsburgh: 7; Ottawa: 4
Pittsburgh leads the series 3-1
Well, Pittsburgh continues to punish Ottawa on the score board so Ottawa tries to punish Pittsburgh with some bush-league antics that make fighting in hockey look like a bad thing...

Too bad they were more dumb than effective. If anything, it's just going to make the Penguins that much more amped for Game 5, where they should dispatch the Senators on home ice.

Philadelphia: 4; New Jersey: 1
Philadelphia leads the series 3-1
Wow, I didn't figure the Flyers to be doing so well, but suddenly Brian Boucher looks very confident in net and the Flyers have found their scoring touch. Meanwhile, the Devils can't seem to find production from anyone other than Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils are, once again, giving themselves an offensive chokehold that's forbidding them to get past the first round. They could win Game 5, but could they win Game 6? Suddenly I'm not so optimistic for the Devils.

Nashville: 4; Chicago: 1
Nashville leads the series 2-1
You know what's more exciting than playoff fights? PLAYOFF PENALTY SHOTS!!!

Give Nashville every single bit of credit; they've played very hard and very well against a Chicago team that, on paper, should be absolutely dominating the series. I don't think the goaltending would be a problem for Chicago if they could keep it under 30 shots. This time they didn't and Nashville displayed an evening of offensive prowess.

Can Chicago regroup, or will they go back to Chicago trailing by three games? They'll have to keep it simpler if they don't want that to happen.

San Jose: 2; Colorado: 1; OT
Series is tied 2-2

I thought when you played in your home building, you got home ice advantage? This wasn't the case for the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Why do I say this? San Jose calls a timeout with 9:58 left in the first overtime period because they iced the puck and were being aggressively forechecked by the Avalanche. Instead of trying to help the home team out, the ice crew actually comes out and cleans the ice during the timeout, giving the iced San Jose players even more time to rest. Then they send a very attractive female crew member to clean up Craig Anderson's crease. In case you didn't know, Anderson's got a weakeness for the ladies and before you know it, Joe Pavelski sends everyone in Colorado home with a great goal. In fairness though, Evgeni Nabokov came through with some clutch goaltending that prevented the series from going to 3-1 in Colorado's favor. San Jose's heading back home and will have an excellent opportunity to put the series in a beargrip... unless that pesky Anderson continues to stand on his head while juggling sinks; then the Avs still have a chance!

Random Thoughts On The Stanley Cup Conference Quarterfinals: Day Six

Boston: 2; Buffalo: 1
Boston leads the series 2-1
Wow. Give Claude Jullien credit; he's got the Bruins playing some tight, hard-hitting hockey and some spectacular goaltending from Tuukka Rask (to think; he could be in Toronto...) What was more amazing was the intensity of the game. Here's Johnny Boychuk hammering one my my favorite grinders; Matt Ellis.

Give Ellis credit for skating to the bench.

What else happened? PLAYOFF FIGHTS!

Great hockey!

Washington: 5; Montreal: 1
Washington leads the series 2-1
I think Alex Ovechkin got into Jaroslav Halak's head and now he's got the showdog syndrome that used to dog Detroit players. Carey Price wasn't much better; though one wonders if it's fair to say that if he would have started the game. Nevertheless, Semyon Varlamov did well this evening while Washington got 4 goals from players not named Alexander Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, or Alexander Semin. Great showing for the Capitals tonight.

Los Angeles: 5; Vancouver: 3
Los Angeles leads the series 2-1
Wow, Vancouver came out playing nasty, but L.A.'s power-play was surgical, going a perfect three-for-three. Vancouver tried to mount a comeback, even tried to stir the pot, but L.A. was steadfast in not taking the bait and in the end, it's now the Canucks who're trailing the series. Can't say that L.A. doesn't deserve it; it looks good on them.

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.