Round one in Wild West wrapped up with Wings win
OK…raise your hand if you thought that the last series to be decided in the opening round of this spring Great Hunt for Lord Stanley’s Cup would be the one between the President’s Cup-winning Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens, who finished with fewer 33 points than did the Caps.
put your hand down, Smoothie!
Uh-huh…not too many, I see.
After a good run at Detroit, the Cototes skated out of the playoffs with a 6-1 loss Tuesday night (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
But that is exactly where we are now with only an improbable Caps-Habs game-seven standing between the completion of round one and round two.
Tuesday night the final four combatants of the Western Conference were finalized as the Phoenix Coyotes…after putting up one helluva fight in the series…eventually fell to the Big Red Borg. Detroit spanked the Yotes 6-1 to snap the 3-3 series tie, their third win in four games played in the desert.
The Wings will now take on the top-seeded San Jose Sharks who disposed of Colorado in six games.
The Sharks rode the back of great goaltending, as Evgeni Nabokov’s 1.76 GAA in the first round was second only to that of the Flyers’ Brian Boucher. Nabokov has a .926 SV% so far in post-season play as well. San Jose’s leading scorer from round one was Joe Pavelski with 5 goals and 3 assists. He was a +6 versus Colorado. Ryane Clowe’s 8 overall points came by way of a goal, 7 assists and was also a +6. Dan Boyle had 5 overall points and was a +5.
Wings and Sharks - Who wins?
- #1 San Jose (49%, 39 Votes)
- #4 Detroit (51%, 41 Votes)
Total Voters: 80
Loading ...Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg’s 6 goals and 5 assists were tops for the Wings. He had three assists in last night’s win. Pavel Datsyuk’s pair of goals helped him finish with 5 goals and 8 overall points in the series. Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen had 7 points against the Coyotes.
Jimmy Howard’s first career NHL playoff series proved to be successful. He went the distance in goal for Detroit and has a 2.59 GAA and .919 SV% with a shutout to show for it.
The other matchup in the Western Conference we already knew of…Vancouver and Chicago, a rematch of last year’s round-two rumble that was won by the Blackhawks in six. The Canucks used offensive might to do away with the Kings, scoring 4.17 goals per game against L.A. Mikael Samuelsson led the charge with 7 goals, 4 assists and a +8 rating. Daniel Sedin had 4 goals and 10 overall points to go with a +6. Brother Henrik had 7 assists and chipped in with a goal of his own and finished the series a +7.
Blackhawks and Canucks - Who wins?
- #2 Chicago (49%, 35 Votes)
- #3 Vancouver (51%, 37 Votes)
Total Voters: 72
Loading ...In goal for Chicago, Antti Niemi had two shutouts against the Predators and he had a 2.15 GAA and .921 SV%. Jonathan Toews had 2 goals and 6 assists to go with a +2 to lead the Hawks in scoring, Patrick Kane, (4g, 3a E) and Patrick Sharp, (3g, 4a +2) followed closely behind. Marian Hossa only scored once…albeit a pretty timely one…but helped out with 6 helpers.
With the Detroit victory, the Western Conference saw all three of the division winners advance and the 5th seeded Wings tag along for good measure. Quite the opposite is the case back east, however, as two of the three teams already with their round-two ticket punched upset higher seeds…#7 Philly over #2 New Jersey and #6 Boston over #3 Buffalo. If Montreal has its way, that will become 3 of 4 teams in the Eastern Conferencing advancing to the next round by way of upsets.
Even with the one last game to go, this opening round of the playoffs has treated fans to some great games and matchups. Two game-sevens and five series that have needed six games to decide things. Only one team failed to win at least two games…the Devils who were only able to get one against the Flyers.
Antti Niemi and the Chicago Blackhawks will face the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the playoffs (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Now, as far as picks are concerned…well…let’s just say it’s a good thing I don’t gamble on sports. If so, I would probably have already lost my thumbs to Vinny “The Crusher” long ago. I thought given the gap between upper tier teams in the east and the lower three, there wasn’t going to be any upsets. I was wrrrrrr….I was wrrrrrr…I was wrrrrrrr…
ahem…I was less correct than normal.
Hence, my 4-3 showing in the seven series already decided. So I’m hoping for the Caps to pull this off so I can salvage a semi-respectable 5-3 showing.
But in the Wild West during round two, I’m gonna go with the Blackhawks to take Vancouver in six games…and given the road prowess of the Big Red Borg, I’m going with Detroit to win another game-seven on the road, dropping the Sharks in the playoff drink.
Only…I wouldn’t go running off to Vinny “The Crusher” with that.
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106 comments Add your comment
Brendan
April 28th, 2010
1:57 am
Rawhide, like you, I’m going with Chicago and Detroit to meet in the CF. If it happens, it’ll mark the 4th year in-a-row for the mighty Winged Wheel in the CF. Though the salary cap was supposed to prevent that sort of thing.
Hey, good for Detroit. It wasn’t necessarily looking too good for them even being in the playoffs in the weeks prior to the Olympic break. What about San Jose? Another solid year? Sure. I just don’t have the belief that they’re really a Stanley Cup winner yet. The Avs found some dents in the armor. If Dany Heatley were not a member of the San Jose Sharks, I’d root for them. Instead, I will throw my support behind the young Jimmy Howard and the Red Wings.
In Vancouver, I’m sure they’re all fired up for the rematch. The Canucks were the favorites last year, and lost. I don’t see the outcome being any different this year. Though, I suppose I must add that Vancouver had a better year. Sedins were all over the leader board. Luongo has a shiny, gold medal from the Olympics. And the only thing that could top the Olympic Games in Vancouver would be a Stanley Cup in the same season. The Canucks have NEVER won one, in their history, dating back to 1969-70.
I will take Chicago in six or seven games. Should be a nice series. The East’s matchups are still up in the air. I don’t know if I want to see Philly-Washington more than Philly-Boston. Bruins fans and Flyer fans hate each other so much. It’d be fun to watch!! I find Capitals fans to be more subdued. Far less volatile.
Uhh, I suppose I should mention that I really am, despite my 6-1 record this year, not very good at making picks. My average is 8.5 wins and 6.5 losses in the 15 series played every year. Last year, I think I went 9-6. The year before, 8-7. The year before that, 7-8. And the best I’ve ever done … is 12-3, which I’ve done three (3) times in my whole life. Don’t put $$ on my picks.
Before the playoffs began, I had Washington vs. Chicago for the Cup. If the Caps lose to Montreal, my “Cup Winner” won’t even make it out of the 1st round. Yeah, well … the monkey probably didn’t pick Washington.
Sharon
April 28th, 2010
3:43 am
Go Wings!
Go “double-allegiance bull-crap” of fans from the “cesspool” that is Detroit!
Go good sportsmanship! Indeed, that went a long time ago for some of you. Congratulations on your dubious achievement.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
7:20 am
Stroz-what are you doing putting Smoothie on the spot!? Let’s see what his next move is. Smoothie will write something about hockey and bypass the subject.
Brendan, yup we were both right about the Sabres. Sabres have too many “lambs” that won’t pay the price. Come to think of it, Washington has the same problem right now. Sorry to say, this was one first round prediction that I was hoping to be wrong on.
Hooky Bob-I like Kubina’s game, but if we can get Volchenkov for similar money, I’ll take him over resigning Kubina. I still don’t know what Pavel is saying when he is referring to a “fair offer” from the Thrashers.
Back on Washington/Montreal. The Habs are playing like a playoff teams that was hungry to get to the playoffs and happy to have the opportunity. Washington is playing like a team that cruised through the final month of the season (which they did) after using brute offensive force to get to March 1. I hope they were watching the Wings’ game last night, to see how a superior team puts it together to finish off a lesser, but worthy opponent.
Nate
April 28th, 2010
7:30 am
Go Hawks! And [insert expletive here] the Wings!
kracker
April 28th, 2010
7:45 am
Sharks – Nabokov, Big Joe and his Sharks due to break thru any year now
Nucks – Revenge, offense (tho the Hossa curse may have destined the Hawks to lose Cup in 7)
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
7:59 am
Brendan-can’t believe how much Detroit overmatched Phoenix last night. Turned over from the Braves’ mess and missed 1/2 the first period. Wings’ veterans came through.
Both series out West are going to be incredible. The Sharks have to go up against the Wings-again. You wonder what has to be going through their heads right now. I think of the Super Bowl Bills when I think of the Sharks. Each Super Bowl you wondered what was going through their heads at certain times of the big games. The Sharks are the same type of team-great group of players that can’t close the deal. This series will be fun to watch.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
8:36 am
Was really pulling for the Yotes, but it looks like I’m pulling for the Wings the rest of the way…
Justification:
1) It’s the only scenario in the West that works out for the Thrashers.
2) The Hossa “Former Team wins the Cup” saga continues.
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
8:39 am
WBF – We’re going to have to take up a collection to help Smoothie “over the fence.”
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
9:14 am
Stroz-call it the “He Went To Jared” fund
Spud Webb
April 28th, 2010
9:19 am
I think the Sharks will eliminate the wings, 6 games. I think the wings are spent.
Geez, hawks vs canucks. Not sure on that, I’ll go canucks, 7 games.
East, yet to come, never rooted for the frogs, but can honestly say I like the way they’re playing right now. Should be a great game 7.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
9:32 am
C’mon Stroz-a-damus! No need to ask me about my personal life as you already know the answer considering your boundless, infinite wisdom as a supreme prognosticator of future events!! But if you need to dig on someone’s personal life, you can always spend a little time on this blog instead: http://twittorati.com/harveylevintmz
As for the playoffs, I’m sticking with the ‘Nucks to get to the Finals, but I am starting to have misgivings about the Caps. If they think it’s tough to score on MTL, just wait till they have to take on Tuukka and the B’s, if the B’s get that far.
I’ll go with the ‘Couve over the Hawks in 6; San Jose over the Winged Wheel in 7 games; das Capital over the Flyers in 5 games and Pittsburgh gets extended to 7 games by the Brunes.
VAN over San Jose in 6 games
WSH over Pittsburgh in an epic 7 game series
Vancouver wins their first Cup over WSH in 6 games.
Savannah Blueland Fan
April 28th, 2010
9:43 am
I’m guessing Detroit would have had a tougher time last night if the other team had bothered to show up. Pretty disappointing. Perhaps they were unable to produce their “papers” to the state police and were deported back to Canada. I had to keep counting the Redwings to make sure there were the proper number on the ice because they seemed to be everywhere. I’ll say this much for the crowd in Phoenix—they were L O U D!!!!
Detroit vs San Jose— going strictly on the PrimaDonna Heatley angle, I’m switching from a Detroit-hater to a Detroit-cheerleader. GO WINGS!! (checking for bile–nope, none. I can do it!)
Chicago vs Vancouver— well, I’m Blackhawks all the way; and Leaky Luongo should help a bit. He is either really REALLY bad or really REALLY good–no middle ground with him. I am willing to bet, though, that this will probably be the best series of the second round.
Washington— give me 10 minutes in the locker room!! 10 minutes!! I’d pass a bucket to each player and demand that whatever it is that they are chocking on SPIT IT OUT INTO THIS BUCKET AND PLAY!!
That is all.
Joe Friday
April 28th, 2010
9:45 am
Lots of bad blood between the Canuckleheads and the Hawks. This should be a great series and look for the better goaler to prevail, Nucks in 6.
Sharks advance against the hated Red Wings in 7.
Looking forward to the game tonight but the Caps have to break out here, right? Right?!?
DWTOO
April 28th, 2010
9:54 am
WBF/Stroz – I’m surprised Smoothie took you guys on. A definite no win situation. Thought he was being like Kennedy in the Cuban Missle Crisis – respond to the letter you like and ignore the taunts. Kudo’s to the Smooth guy for deflecting the issue.
Canucks/Hawks – Cheering for the Hawks who(m) I think will win.
Dead Wings/Guppies – YECH! Cheering for the Zebras. Both leave that sour taste in your mouth.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
10:19 am
Smoothie-so you are going with Vancouver. I am not sure they have what it takes up front to take it all. But I will be very happy to see them kick San Jose to the curb, so Heatley is thwarted in his Cup quest one more season.
If there’s any team out there “limper” than Buffalo, it’s San Jose. Washington may join the club this evening. We are going to see what Ovechkin is made of tonight; is this his team and is he a leader? Wayyy too much whining in game # 6.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
10:21 am
Joe Friday-Caps are the eastern Conference version of the Buffalo Bills. You just wonder what’s going through their heads and also wonder how they will deal with adversity tonight. If they don’t get out the blocks quickly, they will be in trouble.
A 0-0 score after one will be like Thurman Thomas losing his helmet.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
10:25 am
Though the salary cap was supposed to prevent that sort of thing.
The “Salary Cap” was meant to prevent teams from buying championships. It wasn’t meant “to prevent” teams from getting to the conference finals in consecutive fashion. If Atlanta’s model was similar to that of Detroit, we would be gearing up for a round two playoff appearance by our very own Thrashers.
Jeff
April 28th, 2010
10:30 am
Nice Fonzie reference!
Red Light
April 28th, 2010
10:42 am
There are major differences from this year’s Hawks team vs. the one that beat the Canucks last season. Havlat was replaced by Hossa. Khabibulin has been replaced by Niemi. Barker has been replaced by Sopel on defense. Madden replaced Pahlsson and Kopecky is in for Eager or Burish or Bickell.
In Vancouver, it’s essentially Samuelsson for Sundin, Erhoff for Ohlund, Alberts for the injured Willie Mitchell and Grabner for Pyatt.
So, I get the Blackhawks with an improved roster in terms of roles being played, home ice advantage and a year of valuable experience of going to the Conference Finals last year versus the same type of Vancouver team we’ve seen year after year. RE: SOFT!
So, it’s the Hawks in 5 or 6 games.
Red Light
April 28th, 2010
11:13 am
The top line through the first round of the playoffs has been Setoguchi, Clowe and Pavelski with a collective 22 points. Last year, that trio had six points in six games. Huskins replaced Lukowich and Demers replaced Ehrhoff, which is a concern. But, I get Heatley for Roenick, Malholtra for Moen, Couture for Goc, Nichol for Grier, Mitchell for Michalek and McGinn for Cheechoo.
Subtracting Hossa and Samuelsson from Detroit, who accounted for 11 goals and 14 assists in 23 games for the Wings last year, and replacing them with Bertuzzi and Eaves doesn’t make much of a statement. Hudler is gone, replaced by Miller, and in goal Osgood has been replaced by Howard.
The Sharks are 10-16 vs. Detroit since the lockout, and dropped the second-round series to the Wings 4-to-2 in 2007 after taking a 2-1 lead. This time the Sharks have home ice advantage but they are only 10-8 in their last 18 home playoff games. The Wings are 18-17 in their last 35 road playoff games.
I think this series is a much tougher call than the other Western semi-final, but I’m going to side with Joe Friday’s goalie of choice Nabokov over the Howard-then-Osgood tandem in Detroit.
Sharks in seven!
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
11:29 am
From Craig Custances twitter…
From KHL Playoff MVP Ilya Nikulin:”Do I follow the Thrashers? I don’t. Why should I? They are losing when AK Bars is winning.”
Russian
April 28th, 2010
11:34 am
**to GaVaHokie**
Damn! I cannot believe he said that. SOB.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
11:39 am
Nikulin is reciting the same history we complain about on this blog. This is why we have to repair this situation as soon as possible, regardless of the obstacles created over the last 10 years.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
11:43 am
The truth hurts. Now, stop whining and fix it.
J.B.
April 28th, 2010
11:56 am
True or not, it was an unprofessional comment that he should not have said. A little bit of a slam on some of his Ak Bars and Team Russia teammates who’ve played for Atlanta too in my opinion.
Rawhide
April 28th, 2010
11:59 am
Lots of bad blood between the Canuckleheads and the Hawks. This should be a great series and look for the better goaler to prevail, Nucks in 6.
Joe Friday – Yup…should be a good ‘ol fashion slober-knocker!
Nice Fonzie reference!
Jeff - AAAAAyyyyyy…..
From KHL Playoff MVP Ilya Nikulin:”Do I follow the Thrashers? I don’t. Why should I? They are losing when AK Bars is winning.”
GaVaHokie – Ilya WHO?
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
12:02 pm
Someone should ask Nikulin how it felt to have the talent of a KHL defensemen in the Olympics while watching NHL players skating around him.
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
12:07 pm
I bet Smoothie doesn’t bring up any colorful pony references for awhile.
How’s that for a prediction?
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
12:13 pm
Not all is lost folks-we have other hockey fans that know the pain of perpetual losing, when it becomes generational.
Sabres fans are spewing bile today at half the players that wore the slug this season. Darcy Regier is getting thrashed for having assembled a “core’ that won’t hit or take a hit to make a play. Some are even calling a change behind the bench.
Which brings us to the question-if Lindy gets the ax, would Dudley consider him for the Thrashers? They were teammates once. I’ll hang up and wait for your response.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
12:24 pm
True or not, it was an unprofessional comment that he should not have said.
In Russia, those players don’t expect their comments to make it back to the states. They also don’t expect their comments translated into English. Furthermore, don’t forget the “KHL vs NHL” thing going on. What’s unprofessional to us is a promotion of their game and their league to them.
All that doesn’t change the fact that we’re a rather dysfunctional team, with dysfunctional ownership and, up to this point, a dysfunctional front office. We don’t know if the front office part really has changed yet, but we’ll soon find out. We don’t know if the dysfunctional ownership part will ever change. The fact remains: We stink.
The truth sure does hurt, doesn’t it? Deflecting the comments as unprofessional doesn’t change the end result of the equation. There’s a problem here, and it needs to be solved. I hope the front office sits up and takes notice of it. In doing so, I hope they don’t sit around and whine about how our former draft pick has spoken pro-KHL team to the Russian media, and instead works to fix our problems here at home.
The problem is not Nikulin. The problem is here. Fix it.
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
12:24 pm
Come to think of it, this blog has given the saying “Pony Up” all new meaning.
It’s better than discussing sheep, isn’t it?
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
12:34 pm
Which brings us to the question-if Lindy gets the ax, would Dudley consider him for the Thrashers? They were teammates once. I’ll hang up and wait for your response.
Absolutely… that would be like winning the lottery! The question is, would the Spirit Group “pony up” the money to get him?
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
12:36 pm
re: Nikulin… I’d ask him, “Did Ak Bars win the KHL playoffs this year? I don’t know. Who cares? It doesn’t really matter.”
glovesave29
April 28th, 2010
12:37 pm
If Ilya is not following us, how does he know we are losing?
I’d be interested to see how a champion KHL team would do against the AHL’s Calder Cup champ.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
12:44 pm
I would guess that Lindy Ruff would sell more tickets next year than Kovalchuk ever could have… for far less money.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
12:51 pm
Lindy-after 13 seasons and no Cups, it’s time for a change for everyone. The no Cups thing is the key.
DWTOO
April 28th, 2010
12:53 pm
Definitely would consider Lindy Ruff. Has a good track record although never winning the Cup. An improvement over what we just went thru and another step in the right direction of shaking the popular conception of the franchise.
And Stroz – your mind is in the gutter, or at least Buford Highway/Cheshire Bridge Rd., today.
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
12:57 pm
DWTOO – What, What, Who Me…I’m going to Hawks game tonight.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
1:10 pm
DWTOO… which was exactly why I thought the Falcons should have considered Marty Schottenheimer a few years ago instead of Mike Smith. “Marty can’t win the big game”… so what… how about making the playoffs two consecutive years? That would be a major improvement.
I would feel the same with Lindy Ruff coaching the Thrashers.
J.B.
April 28th, 2010
1:20 pm
If Ruff gets the coaching job, I would bet money Max wouldn’t re-sign, so take that for what it’s worth… maybe not much depending on your opinion.
I belive Ak Bars did win the KHL Championship this year, actually.
J.B.
April 28th, 2010
1:27 pm
Alan – I’m not deflecting; I agree with you. The Thrashers do have issues all over the place and are the problem. Nikulin is not the problem, but he is a douchebag. That’s my point.
As far as not expecting their comments to be translated into English or make it back to the states… C’mon man that’s ridiculous. He said it to a puck daddy blogger working for Yahoo!.
Odd Man Rush
April 28th, 2010
1:31 pm
Interesting comments today from Jay Feaster on NHL Live regarding the Atlanta coaching situation. Feaster, who knows Dudley well, believes our new coach will be either John Torchetti or Craig Ramsey (for what it’s worth). Feaster had very good things to say about Ramsey, particularly his ability to teach younger players and to communicate/motivate the veterans.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
1:37 pm
JB-correct on Max, no way he and Ruff will be together again if Max can help it.
Odd Man-Yup, Featser and Duds go way back. Sounds like these are the 2 finalists. Wonder why Feaster hasn’t landed another management job?
J.B.
April 28th, 2010
1:41 pm
In Russia, those players don’t expect their comments to make it back to the states. They also don’t expect their comments translated into English. Furthermore, don’t forget the “KHL vs NHL” thing going on. What’s unprofessional to us is a promotion of their game and their league to them.
All that doesn’t change the fact that we’re a rather dysfunctional team, with dysfunctional ownership and, up to this point, a dysfunctional front office. We don’t know if the front office part really has changed yet, but we’ll soon find out. We don’t know if the dysfunctional ownership part will ever change. The fact remains: We stink.
The truth sure does hurt, doesn’t it? Deflecting the comments as unprofessional doesn’t change the end result of the equation. There’s a problem here, and it needs to be solved. I hope the front office sits up and takes notice of it. In doing so, I hope they don’t sit around and whine about how our former draft pick has spoken pro-KHL team to the Russian media, and instead works to fix our problems here at home.
The problem is not Nikulin. The problem is here. Fix it.
First, I think it’s ridiculous to think KHL players don’t expect their commentary to make it across the ocean and/or be translated into English, especially when they are talking to a Puck Daddy blogger working for Yahoo!.
That said, I completely agree with you Alan. The Thrashers are the problem and need to be fixed. I was not deflecting and blaming Nikulin for telling it like it is was not my point… my point is that Nikulin is a d****bag.
rob
April 28th, 2010
1:42 pm
The KHL? Knucklehead Hockey League? Is that another minor league offshot? Anyway, all of this speculation going on around here about goalies, coaches, forwards. I would be suprised if any real changes get made personnel wise. Dudley has said he liked the tandem we had this year, makes me cringe but he said it. There are a lot of kids who are suppose to be ready to help at the Wolves, this year is probably their chance. So my question is this. If next year we field a young team with the core we have now, and hope that Pavs finds himself, and a GOOD coach is hired, will a hard playing team that misses the playoffs be seen as a failure, or as a step in the right direction that may get 1 more season to prove if they are worthy of the FANS return to Blueland to cheer the boys in blue? I feel not bring in some of the kids this year was a missed opportunity that will now have to be done next season, maybe to our detriment, but they gotta learn sometime, so why not under new coaching staff? Thoughts?
DWTOO
April 28th, 2010
1:43 pm
Forgot to add Max to earlier post. Say goodbye to Max if Ruff is coaching here. Would be a tough call. Fortunately we’re just engaging in speculation here.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
1:44 pm
If Ruff gets the coaching job, I would bet money Max wouldn’t re-sign, so take that for what it’s worth… maybe not much depending on your opinion.
I’ll take Ruff.
I belive Ak Bars did win the KHL Championship this year, actually.
…yawn.
rob
April 28th, 2010
1:47 pm
Rawhide,
The names for coach on the AJC page did not include Ramsey or Torchetti, any thoughts as to why???
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
Craig Ramsay certainly knows a thing or two about sound, fundamental 2-way hockey. He was a Selke Trophy winner in 1985. In addition, he scored over 20 goals in 8 consecutive seasons. Not to mention he scored over 50 points in 8 consecutive seasons. Of course, that was a much different NHL in the 80’s. Also of not was how durable he was playing a full 80 game season 8 straight times.
Joe Friday
April 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
“A 0-0 score after one will be like Thurman Thomas losing his helmet.”
Agreed. That said, I can see them finally breaking out and taking this one 5-2 or something. I’d love to see the Habs knock them out, but I just have to think Halak can’t keep it up and some of those pucks start finding the back of the net.
“if Lindy gets the ax, would Dudley consider him for the Thrashers?”
Personally, I’d take Ruff and would pony up the money to fly him down here but I don’t think Dudley wants to go that way and has Torchetti in the pole position to come in here and strip away the Anderson system.
Rawhide
April 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
rob – I’m trying to find out why those names were omitted myself. BTW, did you get your Rawhide’s Rowdies Membership Card that you asked for the other day from Trixie’s Corner?
J.B.
April 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
I liked John Anderson as a person, but I sure am tired of hearing about this legendary ’system’ and which way pucks bounce.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
2:23 pm
Apparently JA’s system was dependent upon said lucky bounces to work efficiently and effectively. That and having Patrick Roy in goal.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
Smoothie-nice background on Rammer. I can’t remember how many games he played in a row, 800+ I believe, but I ran into him right after he had to take himself out of the lineup with a broken bone in his foot.
I’ll tell you, one of the true great guys in the NHL, all of hockey for that matter. Finally got his due with the Selke in ‘85 after being a great 2 way player for a long, long time.
Nice to see Lindy getting the respect of Thrashers’ bloggers.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
2:28 pm
WBF – indeed, Craig was always my Dad’s favorite player after Ric Martin. For some reason, I think he liked Martin more than Gilbert. I used to have a Perreault jersey (classic white) and I’ll never forget the poster I had of him commemorating his 500th goal. I was also fond of the other Ramsey as he was a hip-checking artist! And who didn’t love Mike Foligno’s goal celebrations?!
R. Stroz
April 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
Joe Bob Friday – That was an excellent post. You covered all the important areas.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
Smoothie… Brad McCrimmon was a Plus/Minus Leader, but his coaching didn’t necessarily translate to better Thrasher defense… just saying.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
Wow, you guys could write material for Craig Ferguson! Well done.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
Hey, I didn’t say he was my first choice Hokie!
He’s probably a bit too long in the tooth to relate to all the younger guys. But then again, perhaps this team does need a drill sargeant like Ruff to whip their azzes into shape.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
2:57 pm
I was not deflecting and blaming Nikulin for telling it like it is was not my point… my point is that Nikulin is a d****bag.
I concur… which was my initial reason for posting his comment.
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
3:01 pm
Smoothie-proud of your Sabres knowledge, back when they were good! Actually, Dudley was probably my favorite Sabre of the era, no kidding. Duds played hard every minute. Mike Ramsey was the hip checker-I have a pair of skates he tested prior to the 1984 season.
Rico Martin had one move, the drag the puck between the opposing defenseman’s skate-better known as the “Rico Shuffle”. Martin had an absolute cannon for a slap shot, wrist shot wasn’t bad either.
Joe Friday-I am really going to enjoy this game tonight. I agree, washinton could win easily but they need to get Halak out of their heads. This is the adversity they need if they are truly going to be a championship team.
Habs fans will riot (again) if they win tonight. Montrealers love to riot, fon’t know why. Is Montreal Philly north?
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
3:03 pm
I’ll tell you ONE moment in Thrashers history where I said, “That’s the attitude we need” was when Mellanby was team Captain. He used to punish guys for walking on the team logo in the locker room… that was a very “Herb Brooks” thing to do, and I appreciated it.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
3:17 pm
GVH – did he physcially assault them in the room? I would pay for a footage of Mell tackling Andy Sutton for disgracing the Thrashers logo in the locker room…too funny.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
3:18 pm
Looking forward to this…
From Ben Wright’s twitter… “Just finished talking to Thrashers GM Rick Dudley. It’s going to take a little while to put the piece together. 38 minutes of audio.”
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
Smoothie… haha… I think it was more of a “push ups” kind of punishment.
Russ
April 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5142565&categoryid=2378529
Heatley immediately demanded a trade after throwing this pitch claiming the pitching coach was not giving him enough bullpen work.
Joe Friday
April 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
“You covered all the important areas.”
I forgot to mention that although Ruff is a little pastie, but it’s not quite as nippy here in Atlanta, so he would like that.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
Russ… that was funny! Thanks!… that was an awfully long time to interview a little girl about out-pitching Dany Heatley though… 3 min 30 sec?
rob
April 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
Rawhide,
.
I had not…..but now that I went over to Trixie’s page, I see it. A big thank you to her for helping us out here on the blog
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
3:49 pm
Joe-patsy in that he won’t fight as a player? I am not going to defend Ruff as a player or coach just curious to see where you are coming from.
Rawhide
April 28th, 2010
3:51 pm
Russ – Great video…thanks!
rob – You’re welcome. That’s what I’m here for
Joe Friday – As always, your comments are titillating…very good points indeed. I always appreciate the way you never dance around the subject.
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
WBF… I think he means Pasty, as in Pasty White Boy who needs some sunshine.
Smoothie
April 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000531986.html
Hokie, was McCrimmon really this good?? A + 83 in Philly in ‘85-86 season, yikes!
GaVaHokie
April 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
Smoothie… can’t say that I’m an expert on McCrimmon.
In draft news… here’s a kid, Riley Sheahan, I hoped would fall to us in the late 1st Round who just got into alcohol trouble.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=319796
Russ
April 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
Hokie – I don’t have audio on my “work” computer, so I don’t know what was said, but I agree 3 1/2 minutes is rather long.
I would take Ruff as coach in a heartbeat. Buaffalo is a small market team and the Thrashers are not going to be a team to break the bank anytime soon, and as such I think the Buffalo style of rolling three or four pretty similar lines is the best way to compete. Sabre fans may not like that they haven’t reached the ultimate goal, but they are a consistently competitive team on a limited budget. At this point, I’d take that. Just get to the dance, then anything can happen.
Lee
April 28th, 2010
4:44 pm
Detroit definetly proved something this series, but they have some very good contenders ahead of them in the coming rounds. Can Detroit beat the #1 contender San Jose? Maybe, but I know it won’t be easy. As for Vancouver, they have a fair chance for beating Chicago. Chicago is the better team statstically, but the last series versus the Preds, seemed kinda tough for them. But..anything could happen in the playoffs.
Red Light
April 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
I love Ruff, but if he couldn’t win it all in Buffalo in 12 years with Darcy Regier pulling the personnel strings, then what makes us think he can do it here with Dudley and Waddell?
Personally, I think most of us would be satisfied (tickled ****less actually) with two losses in the Conference Finals and one loss in the Cup Finals during the next 12 years in Atlanta, but he did miss the playoffs five years too.
During his tenure in Buffalo, he also had the luxury of having an AHL team that did things the Sabres’ way and played the same system for the most part that the NHL club did. That makes a huge difference as so many have stated during the past few months. Until you get that kind of cooperation at the AHL level, not sure the Thrashers and their coach will do well with call-ups during the season.
I also think this is a moot point as Ruff isn’t getting fired. I would expect upgrades on their blueline with $14 million to spend and a little more toughness upfront as World Be Free has suggested time and time again.
I could be wrong!
Who’s gonna win tonight guys?
Russ
April 28th, 2010
4:54 pm
Red Light – Although I would love to see the big upset, I see Washington rolling tonight. Something like 6 or 7 to 2.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
5:31 pm
First, I think it’s ridiculous to think KHL players don’t expect their commentary to make it across the ocean and/or be translated into English, especially when they are talking to a Puck Daddy blogger working for Yahoo!.
He’s a Russian media member first (Sovetsky Sport), Puck Daddy blogger second. He does us English speakers a service by translating stuff for us.
I was not deflecting and blaming Nikulin for telling it like it is was not my point… my point is that Nikulin is a d****bag.
He is, but it seemed that you avoided commentary on my original post, choosing instead to call out Nikulin for “unprofessional behavior.” We on this blog have known Nikulin for quite a while. Every offseason, taunting and teasing us with the possibility of coming over, only to dash what hopes we did have. In fact, Nikulin wishes he could be so classy as to be called a D-bag, for he is worse than that.
You have to remember that Russians are far different from Westerners. You can’t take a comment he made like that and put it on him. Russians hold no bars, and they speak their mind. A fine, recent example of that is one Vyacheslav Kozlov. I honestly don’t care that he made the comment. He spoke his mind, and he speaks the truth. We all at least agree with that last part, and something needs to change as a result of it.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
5:32 pm
It appears my post has been eaten by the Blogmonster.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
5:43 pm
I saw there was earlier talks of Lindy Ruff. He might be a big mistake if Afinogenov is re-signed. Just a thought.
Red Light
April 28th, 2010
5:58 pm
Wow, Russ that’s a major limb you’re crawling out on tonight. Montreal is 3-0 in its last three Game 7s. The home team in Game 7 of the Conference Quarter Finals is now 9-10 with Detroit’s win at Phoenix during the past 10 seasons. The home team in Game 7 of any series during the past 10 seasons is 23-17.
The only Russian captain worth a damn on the big stage was Marko Ramius (The Hunt for Red October)!
Go Habs!
glovesave29
April 28th, 2010
7:48 pm
Did ya notice how active Varlomov’s feet were on the goal? Not a good sign for the Caps. Need a goalie in the zone – where the body and the feet are calm.
kracker
April 28th, 2010
8:19 pm
how bout the Habs! 1-0 at the halfway mark on a Bergeron blast! Halat a wall so far.
LAC
April 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
Ok, red light, Train Stopped short of impact…
Are these to be UFA’s/RFA’s combo, and resigning Atlanta players ?
Please advise.
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
April 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
It appears my post has been eaten by the Blogmonster.
Mr. Alan R. – Your 5:31 pm post has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Alan R.
April 28th, 2010
8:34 pm
I love you, Trixie!
kracker
April 28th, 2010
8:58 pm
WOW what a tough call on Knuble! Not very much contact w/ Halat
kracker
April 28th, 2010
9:29 pm
OMG!!! Moore makes it 2-0 w/ about 3 minutes to go….un-fn-believeable!!!
kracker
April 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
arrrrgh! 2-1 now, gonna be a frentic last 2 minutes!
kracker
April 28th, 2010
9:39 pm
WOW HABS WIN after blowing gm 2 and being down 1-3!!! WOW….add Boudreau to Duds HC window shopping list? Does Duds go for C Price?
World Be Free
April 28th, 2010
9:43 pm
The most amazing thing about Montreal is that their players, big and small all play big. Heart, desire and teamwork-that’s way Washington is home for the holidays.
Red light-you have noted a fact that is missed by many-having a far team that uses the same game plan as the parent club. Players play the system when they come in to the AHL, same one used on the big club. Very important
Somaatl95
April 28th, 2010
9:51 pm
Smug Frenchy Frogs – I wanna barf. I can see all the jerk offs on TSN saying this is why the SE division should go away. If I drank I’d be doin shots now…
Red Light
April 28th, 2010
9:55 pm
LAC: Are these to be UFA’s/RFA’s combo, and resigning Atlanta players?
Yes, whatever you feel is the best way to complete the roster with the current guys under contract. Propose deals, whatever, just want your roster.
Jaro Halak just made about $13 million tonight. Good for him!
Brendan
April 28th, 2010
10:15 pm
I think we just witnessed a modern-day ‘miracle.’ Rawhide, what was the voting on the Washington-Montreal series? I’m gonna guess it was a 90-10 split on the percentage.
Folks, this is a world class upset. The Capitals won the President’s Trophy. This was to be a ‘Stanley Cup’ contention season for Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, Varlie and Theodore, Laich and Green. In my opinion, perhaps only in my opinion, this is a much bigger upset then Anaheim (8) over last year’s President’s Trophy winner San Jose (1). Anaheim had won a Cup in 2007, and still possessed some of those pieces, including Pronger and Niedermayer, Getzlaf, Perry, etc. Plus, they had Giguere and Hiller in net. As I pondered the Anaheim-SJ series, my first thoughts were, “Bet San Jose is sorry they drew Anaheim. It’ll be a tougher series with the Ducks than with Columbus or St. Louis, which lept from 9th to 6th place on the final day of the 2009 season.
Folks, the NHL didn’t want this. Oh sure, Montreal is one of its most storied franchises. But the Habs aren’t going anywhere. Maybe they’ll push Pittsburgh to five games. Mayyyybe. The “icons” of the league are Ovechkin and Crosby, who were scheduled to meet in the CF later this Spring. That’s what was supposed to happen. That’s what would have drawn better ratings. Now, the CF will be a laugher between Pittsburgh and the Boston/Philly winner. “Soft walk” to the Cup, here we come, says a few Penguin fans. I can’t disagree. I won’t disagree. I see Pittsburgh going 8-1 over the next two series.
Hey, Montreal. Prove me wrong. I love Halak. Ride him all the rest of the way. His stock is rising. If the Habs shut down Crosby and Malkin and Staal like they did Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom and Green, it’ll be a long series. Ifffff.
I suppose this is also nice for Canada, which still has two (2) teams in the hunt. I sure hope Bruce Boudreau isn’t in any danger. His Capitals have won the Southeast Division three years in-a-row, and they’ll win it again next year. Last season, the Caps had the Penguins down, 2-0, in the Conference Semi-Finals series, starring at a 3-0 series lead, with an overtime winner in Game Three. Instead, Kris Letang scored for the Pittsburgh, and the Penguins took the series in seven games, en route to winning the Cup. So, I just don’t buy this crap about how Washington isn’t constructed to go deep into the playoffs. I don’t know if Ovechkin was hurt, or what? Or if there’s some serious acrimony in that Caps lockerroom. Or if this was just a classic case of #1 seed just NOT RESPECTING or taking their opponent seriously.
When the USSR lost to Team USA, by their own testimony, there didn’t think they could ‘possibly lose’ under there was less than a minute left to play. I don’t think the notion that the Caps might lose ever entered their brains. Teams won’t lie down and die for you in the playoffs. You must make the plays. What’s the playoff rule, bloggers? It’s either (1) you win or (2) you don’t. No pity points in the playoffs. Make the plays … or go home. Montreal made the plays. Washington is going home. What a disasterous year for Ovechkin. What’s next for him? Utter collapse and failure in the IIHF at the World Championships? Russia had a terribly disappointing Olympics, too.
Russ
April 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
Wow, I finished with a horrible 4-4 record in predicting the first round and guessed the Caps would win easily tonight.
Oh well, on to the second round, and I’m not going to even guess number of games because it has gotten too embarrassing.
Boston, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Chicago will advance to the Conference Finals.
Brendan
April 28th, 2010
10:34 pm
The announcers said this is the first time everrrr that a # 8 seed has come back from down, 3-1, to win a series. I suppose that’s true. In case you’re curios, a # 8 seed has reached the Stanley Cup finals before. It was the 2006 Edmonton Oilers, who lost the Cup in Seven Games to Carolina.
Segue, in 2006, the highest remaining seed after the 1st round of the Western Conference playoffs was San Jose, at # 4, just like Pittsburgh is now. Has it ever happened in the East? Answer: Yes!! In 1998, Ottawa (8) upset NJ (1), 4-2. Montreal (7) upset Pittsburgh (2), 4-2. Buffalo (6) upset Philadelphia (3), 4-1. And Washingto (4) held serve vs. Boston (5), 4-2. Buffalo (6) would meet Washington (4) in the CF and lose in six games. In 2006, Edmonton (8) defeated Anaheim (6), 4-1. And now, you know … ‘the rest of the story,’ (TM, Paul Harvey News, all rights reserved.)
kracker
April 28th, 2010
10:40 pm
God, brendan…can’t you just make a focused post? plz? lol Or divide your stuff into several posts? I think you’d get more readership that way. Sometimes, other ppl indacate they skip you, too, because you get unfocused (”but I digress”) and ramble on for so long.
Not trying to start a fight..
Just trying to try to read your stuff. I think you have a lot to offer if you decide to present it in smaller bites.
..(this is a blog not an op-ed page 
But how about those Habs!! WOW Come to ATL C Price!!
Rawhide
April 28th, 2010
11:05 pm
I think we just witnessed a modern-day ‘miracle.’ Rawhide, what was the voting on the Washington-Montreal series? I’m gonna guess it was a 90-10 split on the percentage.
Brendan – It was 96% – 4% in favor of the Caps. 128 votes to 6.
Brendan
April 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
I finally had a chance to read some of the Sabre talk above. Some quick thoughts. I doubt either Ruff or Regier is going anywhere. But never say never, right? There is 12 years of “Cup-less” history there. I certainly like Craig Ramsay. He and Don Luce combined to be a formiddable checking line during a high flying style of offense in the 1970’s. My favorite Sabre of that era was probably Gil Perreault. He was one of the great playmakers of his era. I would often compare him to Guy Lafleur. By that I mean … he’d create opporunity where none appeared to exist. Later, Gretzky would completely embody this type of player. He could make a scoring chance out of just about any situation.
I haven’t made both my Eastern Conference picks yet. But I know, for sure, I’ll be taking Pittsburgh all the rest of the way in the East, no matter who they play. I can’t decide who I’m taking between Boston and Philly. They say Marc Savard just got medical clearance to play in that series. That’s great news for Boston. Is Savard re-signed for next season? I remember he signed a 4-year/$20 million deal in the 2006 offseason. Which means if he hasn’t yet been re-signed, he’ll hit the open market.
I’m sticking with Chicago and Detroit in the West. I do have concerns about Niemi occasionally being “rattled.” And, certainly, Jimmy Howard is new on the playoff scene. I’m playing hunches. The statistics probably all point to San Jose and Vancouver advancing, but I just don’t have faith in either club. SJ finds ways to lose. And Vancouver has never won a Cup. The last time they were in a CF was 1994. Overdue to return??? Probably. But they have to do it. I like Chicago. Kane impresses me. Toews impresses me. Luongo may have that gold medal, but he didn’t play spectacularly well in that gold medal game. And in the Stanley Cup playoffs …. he’s yet to really win anything significant. Division titles are nice. But they’re not the goal. The goal is the Stanley Cup. No Conference titles, either.
Brendan
April 28th, 2010
11:17 pm
Kracker, you have my official blessing to engage your down arrow button every time you see my name. I’m not offended.
kracker
April 28th, 2010
11:29 pm
This Habs-Caps tilt was a great series, Rawhide!
But just think….if Bogo doesn’t injure his arm early in the season and Kane doesn’t break his foot late (And I’m including that all the Kovy BS goes as it did)…well just maybe the Thrash could have been the team playing the Caps….and maybe beating them. As we just saw, they were beatable.
kracker
April 28th, 2010
11:49 pm
Brendan, I don’t need your official bessing
I already do sometimes.
But I’m hoping you will observe how Smoothie, WBF, etc. present their ideas. Man, I’m on your side, really I am! I am just suggesting that instead of having a single posting with 6 long eyes-glazing-over paragraphs, that you consider posting multiple posts about a given topic…or maybe two per post.
Anyway, love ya man…Brendan, you are a fount of knowledge, for sure….I’d just learn more if you were a fountain instead of a volcano
[Last post ever attempting to get Brendan to normalize his postings] …everyone is clapping lol
Rawhide
April 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
kracker – As I’ve said before…if the Thrashes has simply beaten Tampa Bay, Carolina and Columbus during that 5-game losing streak in March, (three teams they finished higher in the standings than), then they would have had 89 points and been in.
sigh…
Let it go. Let it goooooo….
Anyway…we can discuss the Habs huge win on the new blog just posted.
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
9:21 am
“Joe-patsy in that he won’t fight as a player? I am not going to defend Ruff as a player or coach just curious to see where you are coming from.”
lol. Dude, seek help.
Joe Friday
April 29th, 2010
9:22 am
“WBF… I think he means Pasty, as in Pasty White Boy who needs some sunshine.”
Why am I not suprised. lol.