Beast of the east humbled by Habs
So…is the Presidents’ Trophy becoming a curse? Well, if you ask the Washington Capitals and last year’s San Jose Sharks, they just might be open to the possibility that it just might be so.
Last year, the Sharks finished the regular season with an NHL-high 117 points, one more than the Boston Bruins…but fell to the Anaheim Ducks who squeezed into the playoffs with 91 points. This year it was the Montreal Canadiens entering into the post season with a mere 88 points…just five more than the Thrashers’ 83…and they then proceeded to knock off the mighty Washington Capitals, who finished with 121 points.
In fact, of the five Presidents’ Trophy winners since the lockout, three have failed to advance to the second round. In 2006 the Edmonton Oilers knocked out the top-seeded Red Wings and rode that waive right into the Stanley Cup Finals. Going back to 2000, it was the St. Louis Blues that ended their fine season on a down note, losing to the San Jose Sharks in seven games.
Bucking the trend of late, however, were the Red Wings of 2008 who skated away with the Stanley Cup after finishing the regular season with a league-high 115 points. They also pulled off that trick in 2002.
Speaking of ’02…that spring the Canadiens performed a similar feat by bumping the top-seeded Boston Bruins in the first round.
Bruins and Flyers - Who wins?
- #6 Boston (64%, 69 Votes)
- #7 Philly (36%, 38 Votes)
Total Voters: 107
Loading ...But back to Montreal’s latest stunner…this one was nothing short of amazing as they fell behind Washington 3 games to 1 and have been facing elimination since last Friday night. However since that time, have outscored the Capitals 8-3 over the course of games five through seven despite the fact that they were outshot…now get this…134-65.
The star on the Canadiens’ show was the man between the pipes, Jaroslav Halak who saved all but three of the 134 shots he faced over the last three games, (.978 SV%), including 41 of the 42 shots Washington took on him Wednesday night.
Another 41 shots were blocked in front of him.
Not to be overlooked here is the fact that Montreal’s penalty kill unit faced down the best power play in the NHL this year, holding them to just one, single, solitary goal on 31 power play opportunities. I guess it’s only fitting then that they closed out the deciding game seven while fending off a Caps’ man advantage.
Penguins and Canadiens - Who wins?
- #4 Pittsburgh (66%, 75 Votes)
- #8 Montreal (34%, 38 Votes)
Total Voters: 113
Loading ...With the 8-1 upset by the Habs, and the fact that all three division winners in the Eastern Conference went down in the opening round, this leaves #4 Pittsburgh as the highest remaining team in the east. Thus, they will take on the Canadiens while the #7 Flyers take on the #6 Bruins.
Of course, given that the Flyers have not seen action since disposing of the Devils in five games last week, the question that will be asked by some is “will they be rusty coming into the second round having spent so much time off?” Personally, I think that after playing 87 games with only the Olympic break in February to rest up, Philly probably looked forward to the time off. They should benefit from having been given time for some of the bumps and bruises to heal and it should make for a great matchup with Boston.
The Flyers got great goaltending from Brian Boucher, whose 1.59 GAA was tops in the first round, helping to keep the Flyers GA/G average down to just 1.80 per game. Philadelphia was led by Mike Richards’ 8 overall points as well as Claude Giroux’s 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points. Chris Pronger and Danny Brier each had 5 points.
Boston’s Tuukka Rask had a nifty 2.18 GAA and .927 SV% against Buffalo, even though the Sabres were able to get off an average of 32.3 shots per game. The Bruins offense saw four players tallying five overall points…Mark Recchi, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and Miro Satan. Two others…Dennis Wideman and Matt Hunwick…had four points.
The Bruins will regain the services of Marc Savard for their series with the Flyers (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
As for the team Montreal will face, Pittsburgh’s offense was on full display as they gave the boot to Ottawa in six games. Sidney Crosby’s 5 goals and 9 assists for 11 overall points led the Penguins’ charge. He was also a +7 in the series. Evgeni Malkin scored 4 goals, 4 assists and was a +2. Sergei Gonchar had 6 assists and was a +7.
As for predictions…well, I’m already on record as going with Detroit and Chicago out west. As for the east, well I’m gonna pick the Bruins in seven fun-packed, thrilling games. I’d like to jump on the Habs band wagon, but I think Pittsburgh will be playing just a little better team hockey than did the Caps in these past three games. Montreal makes it interesting though…but fall in six games to the Pens.
And as I said in the previous blog, take these picks to your local, friendly bookie at your own risk as I went 4-4 with my first-round picks. Meanwhile, “lola” accurately predicted 7 out of 8 based solely on whether or not she liked the team’s jersey or not.
But if I am correct, that would leave the Blackhawks and Red Wings battling it out for the Western Conference Finals and Boston dealing with Pittsburgh in the ECCS.
Either way, the Capitals are simply left to admire their President’s Trophy.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
148 comments Add your comment
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
12:01 am
I suppose I should pick someone. What the heck, Boston over Philly. Penguins roll all the way to the Cup Finals. Hey, my picks are the same as yours, Rawhide. Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago and Detroit.
Re: President’s Trophy, it does seem to be a mixed bag of blessings. On the one hand, being the team with the best overall record during the regular season is a very fine accomplishment. On the other hand, it seems like President’s Trophy winners fail to win the Cup 67% of time. I think the mark is 8-16 for the 24 seasons in which the President’s Trophy has been awarded. Here are the clubs who achieved the feat of winning both the Trophy and the Cup in the same year.
1987 Edmonton Oilers
1989 Calgary Flames
1994 NY Rangers
1995 Detroit Red Wings
1999 Dallas Stars
2001 Colorado Avalanche
2002 Detroit Red Wings
2008 Detroit Red Wings
RevB
April 29th, 2010
12:04 am
First!
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
12:05 am
Yes, I know. In 1995, the New Jersey Devils defeated Detroit. Sorry. I’ll stand corrected at seven clubs.
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
12:09 am
WBF, Smoothie, Rob … I know what you’ll say about 1999. But the league says Dallas won.
PensFan
April 29th, 2010
12:29 am
I feeel weird about this Caps loss. As a hockey fan I wanted to see a Caps – Pens conference finals. As a Pens fan, I gotta admit the path to the finals, while not guaranteed, just got easier.
NBC must be pissed, though. CBC is happy though as Ovi’s loss is offset in ratings by the Montreal Canadiens brand name.
I think Pens over Montreal in 5 or 6. Fleury will blow a game or two even if he gets it together eventually.
Tossup: Boston in 6 or Philly in 7.
In the Conf Finals: I think Pittsburgh over Philly in 6.
Western Conference: I have no idea. All 4 teams are Stanley Cup caliber.
Cup Finals: No idea who meet Pittsburgh. And no idea who wins.
PensFan
April 29th, 2010
12:30 am
I gotta say: Semin should have been traded by the Caps for a defensive defenseman or a Selke caliber forward.
Sage of Bravesland
April 29th, 2010
6:05 am
Do not subsidize the incompetence. Do not spend your money on that fraud of a coach or his equally inept hitting coach. Hit the owners where it hurts worse, in their pocket
Lee
April 29th, 2010
6:54 am
Wave off goal shouldve counted. Yes, he did NUDGE the goalie, but not push him! I see that happen in the regular season all the time!! Ovi looked extremely disapointed, sorry caps!
kracker
April 29th, 2010
7:39 am
Congrats to Iola for picking seven of eight first round winners!
Pens too much for Habs w/ home ice….better sweaters, too
Flyers….just because I still appreciate them knocking off the Devils.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
7:47 am
I mentioned yesterday about getting into someone’s head. Halak did just that in Game 6 and it carried over to Game 7. Also noted that if the score was 0-0 after one, Washington was in trouble. Make it more trouble when it was 1-0, Montreal.
Jacques Martin and his coaching staff are the real stars of this series. They had the Habs ready to play playoff hockey, while Washington stayed in regular season mode. Boudreau doesn’t look like an elite coach today, more like the minor leaguer he was during his playing days. The Caps clinched a playoff birth around January 1, so it’s been awhile since they had a game to play for. The headlights they were staring in last night were pretty bright.
TSN sucks, plain and simple. They spend too much time trying to mirror the idiocy of ESPN.
Brendan, Sabres Cup drought is 40 years total. Ruff and Regier are the “drivers” of the last 12 year drought. I believe, in the end both will end up staying, but at some point the idiots that own the Sabres have to look to make some change. They have 4-5 players that absolutely disappeared in the Boston series.
Ramsay, Luce and Gare were a great line for the Sabres in the 70’s. Perreault was a beast that rarely used his size and strength to compliment his skill. If they guy ever had a heart (like Pat LaFontaine or any of the current Habs) to match his skill he could have been one of the best ever. Starting to lean towards Craig Ramsay as the next coach, though I would be disappointed if Torchetti got the job either. Both would be good picks.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
7:49 am
Brendan-1999
And the league has the last word. Hull was in the crease, but he should have been placed on his backside, if the Sabres’ defense was doing their job in the first place.
Cliff Fletcher
April 29th, 2010
8:01 am
Sage of Bravesland-don’t get me started
Terry Pendleton makes Don Waddell look like Sam Pollack
LAC
April 29th, 2010
8:03 am
Maybe Bruce will call John for advice on putting an high scoring team on the ice next season…
D.C. looked really bad, Just believe they “thought” they could win because of the regular season…
Guess NOT !
Riceowls
April 29th, 2010
8:08 am
Definition of manic-depression: go from Beast of the east to losing three HOME games to lose in the first round. D.C. needs a whole lotta Xanax this morning
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
8:24 am
The Caps fans were pretty more smug during 8-1 Washington’s drubbing of the Thrashers earlier this year. Betcha those Washington idiots who were sitting behind me at that game are quiet today.
lola
April 29th, 2010
8:26 am
Thanks, Mr. Kracker! The pressure is on for Round 2 — I’ll probably do better with my Derby picks.
GaVaHokie
April 29th, 2010
8:31 am
Draft Update… Detroit holds the “key” to our draft position now. We’ll draft either 23rd or 24th based on the Detroit/San Jose series. Nothing else matters.
All four teams in the East are ranked lower than the New Jersey Devils (Division Winner) in draft status… all Division Winners in the East are eliminated (crazy).
Washington is locked in to 26th.
A Detroit win:
26) Washington
25) San Jose
24) Chicago/Vancouver
23) Atlanta (via NJ)
A Detroit loss:
26) Washington
25) Chicago/Vancouver
24) Atlanta (via NJ)
rob
April 29th, 2010
8:39 am
Halak wasn’t in their head, they threw everything but the kitchen sink at the guy, the Habs blocked more shots than most teams actually get on net in a game. We just watched what a hot goalie does in the playoffs, gives ANY team a chance to win. Habs didn’t have the skill to compete, they were completely overmatched. All the ice time was spent in their zone. A hot goalie in the zone crushed a better team, and good sticks in the lane blocked shots. Do they repeat it against the Pens? Seriously doubt it, but the playoffs are a new season and what happened in the regular season doesn’t account for much now. I think we all missed out on what would have been a classic matchup of the Pens/Bruins with Savard back, but oh well.
rob
April 29th, 2010
8:46 am
Brendan,
There should be an asterik next to the Stars names for ‘99 LOL After the league called that the entire season I was just in total shock that the most important goal of the season ended like that, I just kept waiting for them to tell the Stars no goal and to line up for the faceoff, even after it was apparent they weren’t going to. HAHA Buffalo sports are cursed.
On a side note anyone notice how many sticks Ovechkin broke on shots?!?! Not sure that is a normal occurrance with him but I saw 3 I think and I didn’t see the first period and 1/2 of the game. Any Caps or Ovechkin fan know if that is norm for him?
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
8:50 am
rob-how many times did Caps’ players look to the sky after a Halak save?
I give the Habs’ alotta credit for blocking shots, no doubt. But in the end, Montreal beat Washington 3 straight for 2 reasons 1) the way they played as a team 2) the guy in nets for games 5-6-7
Price is now officially available for trade.
DWTOO
April 29th, 2010
8:53 am
Think Mr. Halak will be receiving a HUGE raise next year. Let the bidding begin.
FormerIslesFan
April 29th, 2010
9:05 am
Following up on DWTOO’s comment:
So, once again I ask the question to GS29: Still think Halak is not a “money” goalie?
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 29th, 2010
9:05 am
I’m just as stunned this morning as I was last night. Then to switch channels and watch the Braves lose yet again??? Stunned, just stunned. I only hope that while building that statue to Halak, the classy Montreal fans (yeah, I know, that’s an oxymoron) will pause to honor the services of Mike Green since he was equally responsible for the Habs victory. Anyone think that old BB will be joining his good buddy JA down at the local labor pool? Probably not.
Philly/Boston—the Flyers are checking themselves INTO the hospital while the Bruins are being released….my money is on Boston.
Montreal/Pittsburgh—maybe I’ll just skip this one since I don’t want either team to win.
Scotty
April 29th, 2010
9:06 am
It’s a good thing I don’t root for teams based on their jerseys or I would never be a Thrashers fan. Those blue things are hideous. Glad the system worked for lola though.
Anyone else notice how AO tried to win the game by himself last night? In the second period he wasn’t even looking to pass the puck. Playing against one player is pretty easy to defend.
I simply can not pull for the frogs, but I can admire what they did this past week. I think they will give the Pens a run but I’ll take Pittsburgh 4 to 2.
I like Philadelphia to keep rolling and take the Bruins in six or seven. I am interested to see how well Savard will play coming back from that head injury. Cooke is a goon.
Out west I’ll take San Jose in seven and Vancouver in six.
Sage of Hawksland
April 29th, 2010
9:10 am
nevermind
EA
April 29th, 2010
9:19 am
Semin and Green are literally being trashed on the DC blogs. Ovie has upset many fans as well. Many feel he is a one trick pony and the Habs had his number. The reaction to JA’s good friend Bruce,is very mixed, but definitely leans negative.
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
9:20 am
The Capitals were stripped of their Stanley Cup dreams by a hard working opponent. When the rubber met the road, the Caps couldn’t close the deal.
As Ovechkin had his head fixated on the puck instead of the entire playing surface, he wasn’t able to see the other players preparing to steal the puck away.
The Caps have learned a very valuable lesson, the hard way.
Alan R.
April 29th, 2010
9:30 am
The Cup is for closers only (nsfw-language). The Canadiens were sitting there, waiting to give the Capitals the game. The Capitals weren’t man enough to take it.
It was F or walk. We see what the Capitals decided to do.
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
9:31 am
Maybe Ovechkin is the next Charles Barkley, who had 123 playoff games in 13 playoff appearances with just one trip to the NBA Finals. Wouldn’t that suck for him?
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
9:47 am
“Halak wasn’t in their head, they threw everything but the kitchen sink at the guy, the Habs blocked more shots than most teams actually get on net in a game. We just watched what a hot goalie does in the playoffs, gives ANY team a chance to win. Habs didn’t have the skill to compete, they were completely overmatched. All the ice time was spent in their zone. A hot goalie in the zone crushed a better team, and good sticks in the lane blocked shots.”
Bingo. This is 100% spot on. The Caps massively outplayed the Habs in this series. There was one reason they won, and that’s a goalie who stood on his head for three straight games and the guys in front of him recognized it and shut things down and leaned on him. It’s hockey, it happens. Get in the real season and get a goalie who’s hot, and you can run all the way to the Finals. Halak keeps playing like that and they can take the Pens out as well.
It’s why the goaler is the most important position on the ice and regardless of what you’ve seen Waddell do trying to build this club, it’s the first and most important position that must be addressed. Build from the goal out. If we want success, it’s the first thing that needs fixed on this club.
“Still think Halak is not a “money” goalie?”
You’re kiddin me? That was the definition of money.
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
9:48 am
For those of you who believe that the Penguins are a given in the Eastern Conference, I’d like to point out that the last time a team appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in three consecutive seasons was 1983-85 when the Edmonton Oilers did it. They lost to the Islanders in ‘83 and won the Stanley Cup the next two seasons beating the Islanders and Flyers.
Since the current playoff format was instituted for the 1994 playoffs, a sixth seed has hosted a second-round series four times, most recently in 2006 (Anaheim). The Eastern Confrence’s 4-6-7-8 seeds also won first-round series in 1998 and 1999. Oddly, this is Boston’s second time hosting a second-round series as a No. 6 seed (1999).
I think we’ll see a Pennsylvania Turnpike Conference Finals with the Penguins winning in 6 games and the Flyers also winning in 6 games.
Montreal can play with the Penguins but in the end I think they have too much for the Habs, particularly on their third and fourth lines. As the talking heads said last night, Martin was forced to play a short bench and that’s not a good sign against the Penguins.
The Bruins defensive corps is weakened without Seidenberg, Ference and Stuart, forcing Hunwick and Boychuk to play too many minutes. The Savard return will no doubt be a boost but Philly is not only rested but they have the veteran North American leadership so vital in the playoffs.
So, my Final Four includes the Sharks, Blackhawks, Penguins and Flyers.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
10:05 am
I am just wondering how much Montreal has left in the tank after that series. They are small, have limited depth and played a number of guys alotta minutes in this series. They also have a bunch of bruises from all the blocked shots. That will catch up with you, as the bruises mount.
Washington never altered the way they played throughout the series. You habve to play playoff hockey in the 2nd, not just believe your regular season game plan will transcend to the playoffs. It doesn’t work that way, no matter who you are.
Eric Belanger and Scott Walker would be great pickups for the Thrashers. They are both UFAs.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
10:09 am
Believe me, a hot goalie that gets in the zone does get into the heads of the opposing team, especially in a long series. When you are throwing everything at a goalie and nothing is going in, it has an impact on the opposing team.
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
10:15 am
Kovy has another golfing buddy today.
DWTOO
April 29th, 2010
10:18 am
The Caps looked very frustrated last night. From the looks on the faces from the bench it looked like they couldn’t believe what was happening and didn’t know what to do.
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
11:08 am
“I’d like to point out that the last time a team appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in three consecutive seasons was 1983-85 when the Edmonton Oilers did it.”
Well, since Crosby is the Next One and the greatest player since, they should do it, right?!?
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
11:39 am
Well, the Penguins also broke a 24-year long streak last year. That was that a team that finished runner-up the prior year hadn’t returned to the Cup Finals since the Oilers did in 1983 and 1984. So, they completed the first part and certainly are capable of taking the next step. But, I sure hope not, I’m having a bad case of Penguins-envy.
Smoothie
April 29th, 2010
11:47 am
I am most disappointed for the NHL. The Habs played well and deserved to win the series. But right now, the NHL needs Ovechkin vs Crosby. Plain and simple. There’s no way they capitalize on the ratings momentum they had coming out of the Olympics. Perhaps a Pens v. Wings rematch will do pretty well, but casual fans won’t tune-in to watch Pens v Habs and B’s v Flyers. Well, the ratings in the NE will be okay, but this certainly isn’t what Gary Bettman and company had hoped for.
kracker
April 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
That’s a good point, Smoothie…They needed a ratings matchup like all those Bird-Magic series.
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
12:05 pm
Screw the NHL Smoothie! I’m sick of the incessant Crosby-Ovechkin BS. There are 690 players in the NHL, not two, and the sooner they realize it the better off the league will be in the long run. It’s time to begin pushing the other great players in the league. Everyone knows #87 and #8, but we don’t need to further the whole star struck generation that has been fostered by ESPN and others for the past 30 years.
As a hockey fan, I know you appreciate the unseen, unheard part of the game, ie the boardwork, backchecking, forechecking, shot blocking etc. It ain’t sexy but it’s a huge part of the game. Others need to realize it to, and not be so fixated on highlight reel goals and no-look passes. Bettman has brought this BS on himself.
Sell the game, not the people.
da 'boomer
April 29th, 2010
12:07 pm
Is Mike Green the lamest Norris Trophy nominee ever? Ya think Stevie Y knew something when he overlooked Green for the Canadian Olympic team?
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
Bettman has brought this BS on himself.
Bettman is following the footsteps of Stern and the NBA.
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
12:12 pm
Yes, and look where the NBA is now!
Dwayne
April 29th, 2010
12:13 pm
I’m sick of crotchby and the dirty player from the crapitals also, it’s as bad as hearing about the spankees and the red sux. excuse me, i have to go puke!!!
rob
April 29th, 2010
12:23 pm
While the name recognition might not be as high, I have to think that every Stanley Cup playoff game is great for the game. I don’t care who’s playing, I am watching it, because while the regular season is great, playoff hockey is AWESOME. Go back to listen to the Habs fans in Game 6 and tell me where else you would get that kind of intensity?!?!?! Folks watching just because of one name aren’t fans of the game, it is a team, an attitude, a culture. If you watch just one game, and can get an understanding for what is happening, you are hooked. I say the top teams falling out adds more drama to it, because it took something special for them to lose, ex. Halak standing on head and building a brick wall at the goal line and taking all the potshots the Caps could throw his way to no avail. Now let’s watch and see if he does it again, or gets dismantled by the Pens. That’s a story. B’s get Savard back, let’s see if he’s OK and where they can go from there. Sharks snake bitten yet again or is this the year? Hawks legit or not? Will we see yet another Wing drive (I hope not someone else needs a shot from out west)? Vancouver, let’s see?
All are good stories for the NHL and a good reason to be watching playoff hockey.
I left out mentioning the Bums in Philly, just can’t bring myself to say good about them (apologies to Philly fans but I am sure you understand).
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
12:25 pm
“I sure hope not, I’m having a bad case of Penguins-envy.”
I don’t know if you remember seeing her in her Pens Mario sweater at games, especially in the early years when Pitts. came to town, but the wife is a huge Pens’ fan, so she’s pretty happy with the turn of events–if it winds up Pens-Hawks, I may have to sleep in the guest room. I don’t root much for the Pens, but I respect and like the club, always liked Mario as well and appreciate what he did to save that franchise for the city. Don’t get all the Crosby bashing, unless it’s just pure envy, the kid is a player.
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
12:25 pm
Yes, and look where the NBA is now!
Exactly. In fact, the NBA playoff games, at times, appear staged to promote certain teams to the deep rounds of the playoffs.
ben
April 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
Crosby is waaaay overrated.
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
Joe Bob Friday – Yes, Crotchby has talent, but he’s also a whiny punk.
The Boris backside ball attack was one of the most gutless acts I’ve ever seen in hockey.
If an official dares to call a penalty on him, you’d think someone just took his teddy bear.
If Crotchby would just shut up and play the game, take checks like a man, and respond by checking back, I’d have some respect for the kid.
rob
April 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
Joe,
I tried not to like him but the more you watch the more it seems he finds a way to come through when they need it. I think most people don’t like him because they feel he didn’t pay his “dues” yet, but if anything that should be more to his credit now that he is showing it wasn’t just a flash in the pan and he is living up to the hype.
DWTOO
April 29th, 2010
12:53 pm
Well, scratch one coaching rumor. Lindy Ruff will be beack next year as Sabres exercised their option. Also reported by minority owner (and WBF’s best friend) Larry Quinn they’re looking at a long tem extension. Oh, well.
Alan R.
April 29th, 2010
12:56 pm
Don’t get all the Crosby bashing, unless it’s just pure envy, the kid is a player.
Hmmm…
Alan R.
April 29th, 2010
1:00 pm
Well, scratch one coaching rumor. Lindy Ruff will be beack next year as Sabres exercised their option.
Good. I’d like to keep Afinogenov.
Dwayne
April 29th, 2010
1:10 pm
Joe, crotchby is a punk thug, no better than than some of those punk thugs in the NBA, talent? hell yes, clutch? hell yes, money? Ask USA Hockey team. Would I want him in a Thrashers uni? hell yes. That hurt me to say that. Hurt Doris too!!!
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
1:10 pm
No question Sid the Kid is one of the best players in the league. Is he THE BEST? Not sure about that although there are definitely arguments on both sides. Now, he has done a lot during the past two seasons to deserve the accolades but my problem is, just like with Tiger Woods, is that the media (particularly the Canadian media) propped him up as the savior of the sport. As you can see from my comments above, I’d like more people to recognize the other great players in the league. I can give you a very solid argument that Lidstrom is the best player over the past decade or more and would be glad to do so someday when I have time to list all of his accomplishments, but I think you all know what they are.
English Teacher
April 29th, 2010
1:16 pm
Hoping for more of this…
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2297779653_c41e1934fe.jpg
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
1:35 pm
Long term for Lindy-which ensures the status quo in Buffalo, which ensures Buffalo will have wimpy teams that Thrashers can beat on a regular basis.
Norris Trophy candidiates should have firm criterion to be nominated. One special requirement should be that all nominated defensement consistently play DEFENSE against the opposing team’s number one offensive units. Green is like a forward pretending to be a defenseman.
Crosby or Overchkin? Crosby led his team in points during the opening series, made team-oriented defensive plays and setup his teammates for game winning goals. What did Ovechkin do in the opening series? Which leader is still playing? I am not a Crosby fan, but I cannot ignore his contributions.
GaVaHokie
April 29th, 2010
1:37 pm
Great interview with Evander Kane…
http://thrashers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=656&id=67895
Smoothie
April 29th, 2010
1:49 pm
Wanna market someone? Market Kane. Not because he’s black playing in a “chocolate city”, but because he is fast, gritty, intelligent and plays the game the right way. Not to mention he has a pretty good right hook!!
Don’t get me wrong, I have a hard time stomaching Crosby and Ovechkin, but it is what it is. They are the best players and they are the most dynamic. Not having them play against one another is a big blow to the ratings whether you like it or not. Everyone here is already a hockey fan. We’re going to watch hockey regardless of whom the NHL tells us are the best and most exciting players.
I just don’t know how you’re going to make casual fans into core fans during the playoffs when they are going to be subjected to the neutral zone trap in both of the next Eastern Conference match-ups. The only thing worse than going to a hockey game and having your team get frustrated at every turn by the neutral zone trap is trying to watch a team execute the neutral zone trap on TV…zzzzzzzzzz.
I agree that more of the marketing focus should be on the game and the plethora of great players throughout the league. But it’s a little late for that this season. Folks aren’t exactly buzzing around the water cooler to discuss Hal Gill’s reach and shot-blocking ability.
kracker
April 29th, 2010
1:51 pm
Thanks for the Kane interview link, GaVaHokie.
Yesterday, someone mentioned there was an interview with Dudley being put on the web. Do you have that link, too?
Smoothie
April 29th, 2010
2:05 pm
Kracker – Ben hasn’t finished transcribing the lengthy interview with milk Duds; he said there was too much background noise (Waddell wailing his eyes out outside his old office
to post it on-line. I’ll post a link to his blog when it’s up.
GaVaHokie
April 29th, 2010
2:06 pm
kracker… it’s not ready yet… Ben Wright is working on it. Keep an eye on the main site and the Blueland Blog.
http://www.bluelandblog.com
kracker
April 29th, 2010
2:11 pm
Thanks, you guys!
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
2:22 pm
“the NBA playoff games, at times, appear staged to promote certain teams to the deep rounds of the playoffs.”
Hoops is the sport I play (still) and I quit watching the NBA after Jordan would take the Bull into series, we’d win the first two games by 38 pts each, then go into Cleveland or whereever and lose games 3 and 4 by 10 (48 pts swing?) ensuring we go 7 games, where they’d take the 7th game by 38 again. Staged or fixed, it’s like WWF.
I knew my Crosby comment would liven up the troops! He did whine a lot to the refs his first couple years, but he’s toned that down, and that Valabik ball buster was ridiculous. But the kid has talent, a Cup where he played great and a gold medal in the past year (and he scored the winner for the gold) and he just had a great 1st round. Hate him, but you can’t say he’s overrated.
Scotty
April 29th, 2010
2:46 pm
Used to like Ovie over Sidney Crosby because I thought he was the more complete player on both sides of the ice. But after the last year I have changed my mind.
Oh I still think he’s a spoiled cry-baby brat, but the results speak for themselves. Crosby is not only a great player but he also makes the players around him better too.
Russ
April 29th, 2010
2:52 pm
If I were starting a team right now and could pick one player to build around I would go with Crosby. So, no I don’t consider him overrated. By the way my second pick would be Doughty, he is going to be his generation’s Lidstrom.
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
I, personally, never thought Sidney Crosby was over-rated. I did, however, feel that he was promoted by the NHL as THE BEST EVER waaaaayyyy before his pucks dropped. But you can’t really blame him for that. For me, it was the whining and the crying and the diving and all the immature belly-aching that turned me off. I will say, on his behalf, that this year he hasn’t done that quite so much. Maybe he grew up.
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 29th, 2010
3:40 pm
And, I might add, after all of his tantrums on the ice, once the final horn blows…..he seems like a fairly nice kid. But I still hope they lose.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
Russ, I like Doughty too, but I think the real Nik Lidstrom of the next generation is going to be Victor Hedman. Not cause he’s Sweedish either
Cliff Fletcher
April 29th, 2010
3:45 pm
It is so nice being on this blog and not having to hear anything about Don Waddell. His name is rarely mentioned on the Rawhide blog anymore and that suits me just fine!
Scotty
April 29th, 2010
3:51 pm
FIRE WADDELL!!!!
sorry Cliff Fletcher…..
kracker
April 29th, 2010
3:55 pm
Anybody: What’s that online place to stream the games? A friend was asking…
Russ
April 29th, 2010
3:59 pm
WBF – I haven’t seen Hedman enough yet to form much of an opinion on him, but I’ll take your word for it that he is on his way. Let’s hope after a disappointing season that Bogosian can rebound and develop enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Doughty and Hedman in the near future.
Red Light
April 29th, 2010
4:00 pm
Smoothie, so as not to be rendered as being obtuse, let me just say this as I think you may have said to me once before:
TV doesn’t do the sport justice no matter how you slice it. Nobody’s coming to Philips next year because they got to see Crosby and Ovechkin do battle on NBC with a bunch of slathering turds talking about how wonderful they are. They’ll come to Philips because someone who digs hockey asks them to come along and experience it live.
We watch the games on TV because we care, but the casual fans aren’t sitting down with a bag of peanuts and a beer waiting for the next VERSUS broadcast to start whether those two are playing or not.
World Be Free
April 29th, 2010
4:33 pm
Russ-I think Hedman is going to be something special. If Tampa Bay can get their house in order, get a GM and decent coach. He has Lidstrom’s temperment.
I like Doughty alot-no sophomore slump for Drew, he was even better this year than he was last year. I wish we could see him play more often.
HookyBob
April 29th, 2010
4:40 pm
kracker: Try ATDHE.net for streaming of live games.
R. Stroz
April 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
I may be “misinformed,” however, today’s conversation isn’t nearly as stimulting as yesterday’s discussion.
kracker
April 29th, 2010
5:13 pm
That’s it HookyBob! Thank you.
Alan R.
April 29th, 2010
5:14 pm
Fun fact: The people who stream games don’t like it when you use ATDHE.
You’ll find any and all info you’ll ever need here.
kracker
April 29th, 2010
9:30 pm
Sharks go 1-0 up on the PP!…loved the “Jaws” PP music…Sharks just go up 2-0!!! (except it was by Heatley grrrr)
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
10:58 pm
WBF, if the Sabres could just retain some of its players, they might get closer to winning a Cup.
Gotta keep either Tallinder or Lydman. I’d pick Tallinder. Actually, I’d pick both. These two defenders have been with Buffalo for many seasons now, and clearly the systems well.
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
11:08 pm
It’s another PPG for San Jose, as they extend their lead to 4-2 over Detroit. Go Wings!!!
kracker
April 29th, 2010
11:29 pm
Nail biter…4-3 Sharks w/ about 7 minutes to go! c’mon…
kracker
April 29th, 2010
11:46 pm
Sharks! yes
HookyBob
April 29th, 2010
11:46 pm
Uff,..da…
Best line of the night. “You might beat Detroit,…. but you have to set records to do it.”
Brendan
April 29th, 2010
11:51 pm
The storyline was San Jose’s special teams play, in the 4-3 win. Sharks lead the series, 1-0.
kracker
April 29th, 2010
11:54 pm
yea, HookyBob, I think they just said 1st time 3 players from the same school scored goals in a playoff game. Or maybe same jr team, not sure.
HookyBob
April 30th, 2010
12:01 am
You know,… methinks the 2nd round is going to be better than the first.. (not exactly a “go figure”).
Yes,..tonight’s top players made Wisconsin (and the WCHA) proud.
EA
April 30th, 2010
7:10 am
The Washington Post ran an article today telling how Brooks Laich, after losing game 7, stopped on his way home when he saw a Mom and her daughter in Caps gear waiting for AAA to come and change their tire. He changed the tire for them in addition to apologizing for the Caps loss. This is a good example of what great guys most hockey players are.
Tom
April 30th, 2010
7:13 am
Why I am a hockey fan.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/04/brooks_laich_changes_a_tire_af.html?wprss=dcsportsbog
Brooks Laich changes a ladies tire on his way home from the devastating Game 7 loss? Only a hockey player would do something like that…
We had a similar situation years ago. We were traveling with our month or two old son introducing him to family. As we were changing planes on a flight to Buffalo we ended up on the same flight as the Sabres coming home from a long road trip. Yes, they flew commercial in those days.
As we were trying to get all of our stuff organized in the incompetent way that new parents do, the Sabres players including Pat LaFontaine started grabbing all of our bags and carried them onto the plane for us.
That was the day I changed from enjoying hockey to being a life long hockey fan.
kracker
April 30th, 2010
7:40 am
That’s a nice story, guys. Win oe lose, life goes on.
World Be Free
April 30th, 2010
7:41 am
Brendan, I like both players. Both Lydman and Tallinder are solid NHL defensemen and both want to stay with the Sabres. But Buffalo needs a complete makeover at this point. It was the muckers and grinders that kept Buffalo in the Boston series.
EA-thanks for the Laich story-guys like Brooks worked hard, as usual in the Montreal series when other Caps like Semin disappeared. Semin reminds me of Sany Heatley-good for goals but no much else.
Tom-I heard alotta good stories about LaFontaine, his work with sick children all over WNY. We had a terminally ill boy in our neighborhood in Amherst, NY. LaFontaine’s car was over there alot, especially as the boy got sicker and the end was in site. He never asked for attention to his work with the kids. These are stories that ESPN will not cover about hockey players. The media outlets today are so screwed.
There was dicussion earlier about who you might pick to start a team, Ovechkin or Crosby. For my money, I’d pick Pavel Datsyuk. They guy is a classic team player, not big, but he hits, makes plays and may be the best defensive player in the entire league. And he’s Russian, so Don Cherry and the folks at TSN (Totally Screwed Network) rarely talk about him.
EA
April 30th, 2010
8:08 am
Tom, thanks for providing the link. We must have been reading it at the same time.
GaVaHokie
April 30th, 2010
8:20 am
Wow, that Brooks Laich is a real a-hole huh?
Pretty awesome story… I wish more stories like that would make mainstream media instead of Todd Bertuzzi’s hit on Steve Moore or Richard Zednik getting his throat slashed open by a skate.
SC 360
April 30th, 2010
8:32 am
This just in, shortly before the heroic efforts of Brooks Laich on the Roosevelt Bridge, it is being reported that Penguins star, Sidney Crosby drove by the damsel in distress shouting “get the hell out of the way, you’re blocking traffic”. Crosby then whined to the state police that a reckless driver on the bridge was impeding his progress.
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
10:31 am
Thoughts on a slow day…
1) Every Stanley Cup coach got another chance with the same team or another team. Why hasn’t Bob Hartley?
2) At one time, Scott Mellanby was praised for having a great effect on the Thrashers younger players and how he handled himself publicly for the organization. Why wasn’t he offered a position here?
3) Mellanby, now a professional scout with the Canucks, is part of a deep scouting staff with five former NHL players
Vancouver Canucks scouts
Ron Delorme 524 career NHL games
Thomas Gradin 677 career NHL games
Scott Mellanby 1,431 career NHL games
Harold Snepsts 1.033 career NHL games
Lucien DeBlois 933 career NHL games
In contrast, the Thrashers have just one guy on their scouting staff with NHL experience, yet Dudley said he sees no reason for change?
Atlanta Thrashers scouts
Pete Mahovlich 884 career NHL games
Dan Marr 0
Marcel Comeau 0
John Perpich 0
Mark Hillier 0
Mark Dobson 0
Just wondering…why?
DWTOO
April 30th, 2010
10:47 am
Think Mellanby was offered a job with the organization. However, he wanted to work out of St. Loius, or somewhere else, and the Thrashers wanted him the ATL.
Russ
April 30th, 2010
10:51 am
Red Light – Please clarify your question #1. Bob Hartley won a stanley cup with Colorado and then got another shot with Atlanta.
glovesave29
April 30th, 2010
10:58 am
Red Light – awesome bit of info. Did ya also notice that they are a varied bunch too. Think the ‘Nucks put some thought into this? Jeez, I wish we had an organization that was this thorough.
Sorry FIF – not ignoring you, bidnit has been crazy (about damn time, too) – but to answer your question about Halak…sorry man, not drinking the Kool-Aid just yet. He had a PHENOMENAL second half of the series. He was as hot as any goalie I have seen in a long, long time. His body was quiet, his positioning strong, rebound control was perfect. Puck probably looks like a bowling ball to him right now. I have read alot here praising the MTL D for blocking so many shots, but that is a function of Halak’s brilliance. The D can play more aggressive and take those chances when they have total faith in their goalie. They feed off of each other. If you try to go and block a shot and miss, you’ve created an odd man situation against…but if you know your goalie is on fire, you go for it and hope you create an odd man for yourself. Playoff hockey – gotta love it!
I watched the game with a fellow goalie and a Montreal native. He agrees with me. Halak is HOT. But I don’t think a great stretch of 3 games make you a “money” goalie. Could it be the start of his legend?…absolutely! But for every Billy Smith, Grant Fuhr, Bernie Parent (a few of the true MONEY goalies) – there are goalies who got hot for a few weeks in the early rounds, then got pummeled later (Don Beaupre, Arturs Irbe, Kelly Hrudey, Mike Palmateer come to mind). I am sure he was motivated by Ovechkin’s “shaking” comment.
I like to see great goaltending as much as the next guy. I’d like to see Halak continue to shine. I would not shock me if he does, but I can see him “wetting the bed” too. Eventually the wear and tear of 40 – 50 save per game playing every other night against the best the NHL can throw at him, plus adding the pressure of being a goalie in Montreal (perhaps the toughest job in the NHL) may break him. Odds say it will.
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
11:27 am
Russ: He did get a shot in Atlanta, but why not since? Plenty of former coaches get another shot, particularly those who led a floundering franchise to their only playoff appearance!
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
11:28 am
DWTOO: Not so on Mellanby!
rob
April 30th, 2010
11:32 am
glovesave,
excellent perspective. it will be interesting if the Pens dismantle him. the Habs fans will probably tear him apart after singing his praises if it happens. even if he somehow holds it together against the Pens, can’t see him staying this hot the whole run, like you said, way too much pressure every night stopping that many shots in the post season playing for the Habs.
World Be Free
April 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
Red Light-one of the things I noted for Dudley’s task list was to review the scouts. Your list show a bunch of ex-NHLer’s, not all former Canucks on the Vancouver staff. Waddell’s been the chef in a bad restaurant the past 10 years-can’t we blame of the bad personnel moves on the scouts, the guys recommending which groceries to buy?
Hartley must have done something to make him undesirable to other organizations as a coach. We all know Teddy Nolan scortched some earth behind him when he left Buffalo. What did Hartley do?
Mike Palmateer-now there’s a name from the past; did the Leafs ever make playoffs while Palmy was playing in Tronna?
Alan R.
April 30th, 2010
12:52 pm
The Devils are going to lose money, because they didn’t go deeper into the playoffs.
Canadians, rise up! Let’s move the Devils to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia! After all, they’re losing money!
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
1:19 pm
Palmateer saw action in the playoffs five times and started 13 games in 1978, when the Leafs eventually lost to the Isles in seven games.
Scouting staff is a huge problem, and I couldn’t find one bad word uttered by Hartley, so I’m wondering if someone bad-mouthed him, which is a bit more likely. Food for thought?
Smoothie
April 30th, 2010
1:27 pm
Playoff ratings are up per Kevin Allen’ tweet:
http://twitter.com/kausatoday
Pretty sad when ratings are up 35% and there’s still only 600k people tuning in to watch games. But hey, it’s a heckuva lot better than only 440k people. Don’t know if the bump is due to the exposure (not likely) gained for the league during the Olympics or because of guys like Sid the Kid and OV. Twill be interesting to see if ratings taper off now that WSH is out. I reckon the ratings will be strong as long as PITT, DET and CHI are in the playoffs.
World Be Free
April 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Red Light-I was away at college in the late 70’s, so I missed the Palmateer days in the playoffs. Those years are a little fuzzy.
Not sure why Hartley hasn’t got another chance, while Claude Julien, Ron Wilson, Hitchock, Andy and Terry Murray have had several changes in the same time period.
glovesave29
April 30th, 2010
1:36 pm
WBF – I am sure that you recall that in those days EVERYONE made the playoffs – 16 of the 21 teams. It was also easier for upsets as it wasn’t seeded 1-8. The broke it down by division – for instance Patrick Division 1 played 4, and 3 played 2. I recall a HORRIBLE Colorado (Rockies, not Avs) team making it in with 59 points.
rob
April 30th, 2010
1:42 pm
While I hope Hartley gets a chance somewhere, I don’t think coming back here should be considered an option. There was a reason the split was made, and whatever that reason was, it doesn’t need a second go around. If Dudley wants Torchetti, I am OK with that (as if that matters in the equation LOL). I think as things sit with this team being fairly young, a younger coach may be better suited to it. Why you say? Because an older coach will be set in his ways, and the new generation that is coming up doesn’t seem to work that way or respond well to it, and that is just reality unfortunately right now. Any of you in management probably understand this very well. Just a thought, might be nothing to it, but it passed through my head and wouldn’t leave until I threw it out there.
Russ
April 30th, 2010
1:57 pm
I think Waddell should be coach, or the ASG members could set-up a rotation to each coach a few games. That would be a good way for them to get to learn about the game of hockey.
World Be Free
April 30th, 2010
2:18 pm
Glovesave-If I am not mistken, the coach of that horrible Colorado team was Don Cherry. Cherry’s always taking credit for introducing Gary Glitter’s Rock and Roll Part 2 to Rockies’ games.
Adam
April 30th, 2010
2:26 pm
Red Light – While Bob did do a lot of work with Kovy he did very “little” with many of the other younger players. He is known as a hard nosed coach and was not very well liked in the Av’s locker room either, the players there pretty much ran him out. For a guy that coached his way up from juniors you’d think he’d have been better with the younger players. I think that has to be the biggest reason he hasn’t got another job in the big leagues.
If teams could spend to the moon like pre-lockout he’d be behind a bench somewhere by now. It’s a different game now and I believe his perception by other GM’s has kept his phone quiet.
If you took the best parts of JA & BH you’d have a very good coach and can you imagine the quotes.
glovesave29
April 30th, 2010
3:24 pm
WBF – according to hockeydb.com, the coach was Pat Kelly. Cherry got them a few years later and built them to a 51 point powerhouse.The 1977-78 Rocks did have Wilf Paiement (prior to his days of wearing 99 in Toronto and causing an uproar), John Van Boxmeer and Barry Beck. The team had a
-174 goal differential and MAKES THE PLAYOFFS!
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
Well, Slater was a young guy and had this to say about Hartley…”Bob Hartley taught me the game. I came in pretty raw, and Bob was tough on me. It’s never easy on a player to be the rookie, but I look back and can say that it was good for me. I think he taught me to play the game the right way.”
I recall that Roy was pissed at Hartley for pulling him in a game at Anaheim. Not sure much else was a problem other than Roy and their slow start in 2002-03.
Alan R.
April 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
Red Light, the fact remains, the locker room turned against him. Yeah, most of those guys are gone now. That doesn’t mean we should do a U-turn and go back down that path. We’ve been there before. I see no reason to do it again.
World Be Free
April 30th, 2010
3:49 pm
Thanks Glovesave
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
Not advocating him coming back, just asking why you thought he hasn’t gotten another job. How do you know the locker room turned against him here? Here-say or fact?
glovesave29
April 30th, 2010
4:28 pm
Jiri Hudler is going to come back to the Wings next season after the Moscow Dynamo folded last week…
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=320005
Alan R.
April 30th, 2010
4:55 pm
How do you know the locker room turned against him here? Here-say or fact?
How else would you call it? The Thrashers ended 2006-2007 on a very shaky note, got swept out of their only playoff appearance, only to start 2007-2008 by going 0-6-0.
When Hartley was fired, the team won against the team that swept them out of the playoffs the prior year.
Circumstantial? Sure, it might seem that way. Look deeper.
Brendan
April 30th, 2010
6:35 pm
Glovesave29, thanks for the Hudler story. That’s good news for the Winged Wheel.
kracker
April 30th, 2010
7:26 pm
Alan….When there’s turmoil in the locker room the players can’t be fired so it’s the coach that goes. However, I’m thinking that a ‘cancer in the locker room’ player(s) can be as much or more the reason for friction between players and coaches. Furthermore, any players that play poorly to get a coach fired I’d just as soon they left with the departing coach.
Having said that, I’m not particularly defending Hartley nor damning any players of those years. Hartley was obviously done in by getting swept by the Rangers and the poor start the following season. Did the players turn on him, did they deliberately play poorly or were they just unmotivated because they blamed Hartley? I don’t know those answers.
We do know one thing: Hartley had just had his contract extended for three more years so for these frugal owners to fire him at that point says DW (and perhaps BL?) for sure thought something was badly amiss. Was it largely the frustration of the 10 game losing streak or was there also a foul stench billowing out of the locker room? Who knows….
kracker
April 30th, 2010
8:18 pm
Hate to be cynical but there’s no way the NHL would allow their other star not to advance. Habs scored first, then it’s been a lot of PP time for the Pens. Habs too injury depleted to even come close to duplicating the Caps series, anyway. Plus the Pens will be on their game. 1-3 Pens in the 2nd. They scored 3 for 3 on their PP opportunities.
Habs probably get swept.
kracker
April 30th, 2010
8:55 pm
2-4 Pens after two. One each team ES goals in the 2nd period.
Brendan
April 30th, 2010
10:04 pm
Kracker, completely agree. The NHL needs the “showcase event” known as the Stanley Cup Finals to feature the Winged Wheel vs. Crosby and the Pens. That’s the biggest ratings potential that I see.
Well, hold up. If Chicago wins the West, the storyline would be “1961 and counting …” vs. the defending Champions. That’s compelling. It would also be a repeat of the 1992 Finals, when Lemieux repeated.
From the TV ratings perspecting, Vancouver vs. San Jose is a nosedive on the East Coast, not to mention keeping us all up too late. The money matchup in the West is Chicago vs. Detroit, same as last year. Now, refs cannot be asked to fix games, clearly. That kind of conspiracy cannot be contained. Someone would squeal. In the East, clearly Pittsburgh needs to advance, to have some the league’s marquee players in the show. And I’d say that it doesn’t much matter, TV-ratings wise, who wins the Boston-Philly series. I cannot say if Philly-Pittsburgh would outdrawn Boston-Pittsburgh. Now, I hear ya whoever said, “Boston vs. Montreal” would put two traditional, “Original Six” teams in the CF, guaranteeing that one of them would be in the SCF. But, again, the league would probably rather see Crosby advance. Though, I’d be riveted by tradition that Boston vs. Montreal would bring. And what a year for Boston, that would be. First, they eliminate a hated rival in Buffalo. Then they get past Philly, another hated rival, only to draw perhaps their biggest rival, in Montreal, hypothetically. And what a roller coaster ride from being the #1 seed in the East last season? But, first things first. Boston has to eliminate Philly. And the odds of them drawing Montreal are very slim.
Red Light
April 30th, 2010
10:04 pm
Yes, and please lets remember all of the great decisions Waddell has made during his tenure.
kracker
April 30th, 2010
10:43 pm
Definitely, Brendan, the best SC match up for ratings would be Pens-Wings. And yes, Pens-Hawks would have some appeal…I think with some non-hockey-fans, just having a big city name like Chicago would be attractive to some of them.
Bruins-Flyers could be really interesting if the Flyers aren’t too injury depleted. Similar to the Habs with their injury situation. Which got worse tonight with Cooke taking out Markov…though it looked like a clean hit this time. Markov tumbled into the boards hard and injured his leg, foot, ankle, whatever it was.
glovesave29
April 30th, 2010
11:00 pm
Personally, I’d like to see the Hawks take it all for two reasons…they built their team the right way, and that it would really tick off the Leaf Nation as they would now have the longest SC drought.
kracker
April 30th, 2010
11:19 pm
Very good reason, gs29! lol
World Be Free
May 1st, 2010
7:45 am
Boston is pretty good right now and they will get better at the draft when they pick up 1 of the 2 best players available. Thank you Tronna!
Lee
May 1st, 2010
2:06 pm
Why do I like ice hockey? Well, it’s fast, exciting, fun to watch/play, competitive, crazy, not boring, enjoyable, athletic, energizing, violent, extreme, exhausting, exhilerating, intense, invigorating, suspensful, etc.
Why do I like the Thrashers? I have no clue.
Brendan
May 1st, 2010
3:40 pm
This has been an awesome overtime. The Bruins took a 3-2 lead into the 3rd period, and extended it to 4-2, but the Flyers would not be denied. The Flyers stormed back with two goals to force overtime. Both goalies have been great in overtime.
Savard just won it for Boston!!!
HookyBob
May 1st, 2010
3:41 pm
The link below notes that there have been 272,000 hits on Kane’s KO of Cooke.
http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/postedsports/archive/2010/05/01/431771.aspx
I’m still thinking Kane is captain material. I’ll delay that if we,…..well, somehow, land Ignila.
“KO Kane” has a nice ring doesn’t it.
Don’t know what you think of Cooke, but I don’t believe he should be allowed on the ice any longer. I’m tired of hits from behind or the side (after the puck is gone), “legal” or not. This is where one notes there difference between legal and moral.
Gotta go,…overtime is heating up.
Savard scores, yes, yes, yes.
Brendan
May 1st, 2010
3:52 pm
I thought Tuukka Rask was responsible for not controlling the rebound on the Briere goal that tied it for the Flyers. For Savard, it’s his first game in two months.
I am loving this Flyers-Bruins series. It’s one of those, “Well, someone has to win” type of series, that I love so much. Truthfully, I never could have imagined that, as weak as the Flyers, Bruins and Habs were down the stretch, eeking their way into the playoffs, that these teams would make up 75% of the Eastern Conference’s 2nd round playoff field.
I hope everyone who is a hockey fan saw this overtime game between the Flyers and Bruins, this afternoon. Truly, I do. It was an enjoyable game, especially if you’re a “neutral” fan like I am. I don’t care who wins. Well, okay. I picked Boston, ‘cuz I have to pick someone in this series, but I’m not really rooting one way or the other.
Rawhide, I just saw the polling results. And I am stunned that this blog thinks the Flyers’ chances of advancing over Boston are only two percentage-points higher Montreal’s chances vs. Pittsburgh. That’s right. 66% of you think Pittsburgh will beat Montreal. But only 64% of you think Boston will defeat Philadelphia. Answering truthfully, I thought this blog would vote, by an 80-20 split, Pittsburgh over Montreal. I guess that means that Jaroslav Halak has made converts out of many of you. Could this mean Carey Price really will be gone next year, from the Habs? Shrugs. I don’t know. We’ll see. A 64-36 split, in favor of Boston over Philly doesn’t surprise me, by this blog. My guess would have been 60-40, in favor Boston. So, this voting feels about right.
Brendan
May 1st, 2010
4:09 pm
Glovesave29, right you are, bro! A Blackhawk Cup win puts Toronto, “officially on the clock,” at 1967. Chicago fans will quickly point out that in 1971, 1973, and 1992 the Blackhawks at least got a “sniff” at a Cup, whereas Toronto hasn’t. In a sense, they certainly can claim to have been “closer to winning the Cup” than Toronto has, since 1967.
The Blackhawks lost Conference Finals in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1995, and 2009. The Blackhawks also won 14 division titles since 1967. Toronto? Can you believe this?? Guess many many division championships the Leafs have won, since they last won the Cup in 1967? Give up? The answer is: one (1). It was in 2000, with 100-points. The Leafs lost Conference Finals in 1993, 1994, 1999, and 2002. The Leafs highest point total since 1967 was 103-point, back in 2004. The most points the Blackhawks have had, since 1967, was 107-points, which they achieved TWICE, in 1971 and 1972, when the season was only 78 games long. The Blackhawks have 106-point seasons, twice, in 1991 and 1993.
Okay, thank you for indulging me on that bit of Blackhawks and Maple Leafs history. Carry on.
glovesave29
May 1st, 2010
5:37 pm
Ha, ha ha ha – I hope this happens! The Devils will implode and he and Lamariello would kill each other!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=320148
Lee
May 1st, 2010
5:51 pm
Nice game for Savard. That was one of the most exciting playoff games so far!
kracker
May 1st, 2010
8:43 pm
Niemi is a rebound machine! 1-0 Nucks…Hawks going on PP
kracker
May 1st, 2010
9:04 pm
That was one hell of a long rebound off Niemi! 2-0 Nucks
Brendan
May 1st, 2010
9:09 pm
Well Glovesave29, if anyone could successfully teach Kovalchuk to play defense, maybe it’s “Iron” Mike Keenan? Who knows? Maybe that’s the answer? But, probably, it isn’t. Still, somehow … some way … someone … keeps giving Mike Keenan a job. It’s amazing, really.
Brendan
May 1st, 2010
10:31 pm
Well, this game wasn’t half as good of the Flyer-Bruin game. It’s 5-1, Vancouver over Chicago. This is why they play seven games. Chicago will win a game in Vancouver, in this series. This is a tremendous start for Vancouver. Game Two is really a chance to put a stranglehold on this series. Go Blackhawks!!!
World Be Free
May 2nd, 2010
9:34 am
You have to look at Alain Vinneault, the guy in Vancouver that never seems to get enough credit for how well the Canucks play. He got screwed in Montreal, cast aside as a scapegoat for Habs failures. The Canucks are making him look like a pretty good coach right now.
On the other bench, you have Joel Quenneville, who was supposed to be a major upgrade from Dennis Savard. The Hawks have a ton of talent, which in my view, covers for the fact that Quenneville is an average coach, just like he was an average player. Good for Vancouver.
Craig Ramsay’s stock is going if Boston continues to play well. McGuire talked about Rammer yesterday during the 3rd period and overtime on the NBC broadcast.
Jameson
May 2nd, 2010
12:45 pm
In researching Wilf Paiement wearing 99, as I’d never heard of it before, I discovered that Dudley also wore 99 in the 1980-81 season.
kracker
May 2nd, 2010
4:58 pm
I no longer think the Habs probably get swept
Red Light
May 2nd, 2010
5:55 pm
R Stroz sighting at the Hawks game. Megaphone and all! Another couple million dollars for the ASG folks, which simply means Rutherford Seydel no longer has to take MARTA to the games.
kracker
May 2nd, 2010
6:08 pm
Oh, the Hawks played today? Did they win?
lola
May 2nd, 2010
8:06 pm
Mr. Kracker: Yes, they did and yes, they won — I had an R Stroz sighting as well!
Brendan
May 2nd, 2010
8:06 pm
I’m astounded by the disciplined special teams play of the Montreal Canadiens. Where was ANY of this “heart” during the regular season? Did Montreal just want to rid itself so badly of Bob Gainey that they play uninspired hockey all year? But now, they’re suddenly “into” achievement? Pittsburgh was shut down today.
But, this is also why we play seven games. I had Penguins in five. There’s no margin for further error now. A creeping thought did occur to me today. It’s possible for an ALL “original six” Conference Finals. Montreal vs. Boston and Detroit vs. Chicago. It’d make for great storylines.
Lee
May 3rd, 2010
3:42 pm
Kracker – Yep, and the next series is against the Magic, which will be tough.