Canucks, Flyers and Habs refuse to bow out quietly
Over the course of the last couple of days, three teams have faced elimination from the playoffs. But all three of them…Montreal, Philadelphia and Vancouver … refused to join the recently dispatched Detroit Red Wings on the list of “Also Rans” in this spring’s hunt for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Here is a quick rundown of where those series stand…
Penguins Can’t Shake Habs
Matt Cooke and the Penuins could not trip up the Habs Monday night (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)
The defending champ Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to shake the pesky Montreal Canadiens…holding series leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. Monday night the Habs forced a deciding seventh game, just as they did against Washington in the first round, by defeating the Pens 4-3 behind Michael Cammalleri’s two goals. They were his 10th and 11th so far of the playoffs, a total that leads the playoff field.
Jaroslav Spacek returned to the Canadiens’ lineup for the first time since game-three of the Habs/Caps series and scored the goal that put Montreal ahead 3-2 in the second period. He had missed nine games due to a virus that goes by the title of “undisclosed”.
Jaroslav Halak turned aside 34 of the Penguins’ 37 shots for the win.
Sidney Crosby scored his first goal of series, tying the game at 1-1 in the first period.
If the Canadiens are able to pull off their second upset of this post-season with a game-seven win Wednesday night, it will be the last game played at Mellon Arena. Oddly enough, the Penguins NHL debute ended in a 2-1 loss to Montreal there on October 11, 1967.
Flyers Refuse To Be Kicked To The Curb
Scott Hartnell's first period goal was all the Flyers would need Monday night. They added three more anyway for good measure .(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
In Beantown…for the second straight game, and despite their injury situation, the Flyers denied the Boston Bruins their fourth win of their second-round matchup by blanking them 4-0. This was a tag-team shutout effort in the Flyer’s goal as Brian Boucher was forced to leave the game at the 4:35 mark of the second period, suffering a knee injuring in a crease pile-up.
Michael Leighton…who was just cleared to play since his March 16 injury…relieved Boucher for his first career playoff appearance. He stopped 14 shots he faced after Boucher had kicked out 9 prior to having to be helped off the ice.
Leighton had gone 16-5-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .918 SV% for Philadelphia since being traded to the Flyers from Carolina in December.
Simone Gagne dropped in a pair of goals for Philly.
Like the Montreal/Pittsburgh series, these two resume play on Wednesday night as the Flyers will look to force their series to a seventh game with a win in Philly.
Chicago Can’t Can Canucks
Canucks' Christian Ehrhoff scored Sunday to help bring the series with Chicago back to Vancouver .(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Sunday night it was the Vancouver Canucks who postponed the traditional handshakes by controlling game five from the get-go and defeating the Blackhawks 4-1. Roberto Luongo turned aside 29 of the 30 shots he faced to help bring the series back to the Pacific Northwest once more where they will look to force a game-seven Tuesday night.
Chicago’s Jonathan Toews’ 19 overall points is tied with Crosby. Both have 6 goals and 13 assists, though the Blackhawks have played one fewer games than have the Penguins.
Canuck’s defenseman Sami Salo missed the second and third period of Sunday night’s game in Chicago…he was helped off the ice after blocking a shot in the dying seconds of the first.
Salo was taken to the hospital where it was feared he’d suffered a ruptured testicle. However…and thankfully… there have been reports since stating he did not sustain that type of injury.
Meanwhile…the Sharks continue to rest up after their feeding frenzy on Octopi.
Wolves Still Seeing Stars
And speaking of game-sevens…the Chicago Wolves find themselves in exactly that situation after they shutdown the Texas Stars 2-0 in game six of their AHL Western Conference series. Drew MacIntyre saved 28 shot for the shoutout while Anthony Stewart and Joey Crabb score the Wolves’ goals. For Stewart, it was goal number nine during this playoff season…for Crabb it was his sixth.
“That was playoff goaltending”, coach Don Lever said of D-Mac. “You’ve got to give MacIntyre a lot of credit”.
“We were fighting for our lives and playing desperate, but we did a nice job of protecting the lead…it’s an even field now”.
The two teams will decide who moves on and who moves out Tuesday night in Chicago.
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83 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
May 11th, 2010
1:34 pm
R-L//let’s hope Patrik shows more gumption as an agent than he did as a player!
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
1:37 pm
My shoes, despite being really old, still have enough traction to prevent me from sliding down those slippery slopes.
Also, Smoothie, here’s some song lyrics for you (NSFW – Language). If you really hate your job, you might like these.
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
1:38 pm
The blog monster ate my post!
Brendan
May 11th, 2010
1:41 pm
I agree with both Alan R. and Hokie. Alan’s right that Lehtonen is a higher caliber goaltender than most people give him credit for, when he’s healthy and not having mental breakdowns. On the other hand, Hokie’s right that, at RFA status, the better route would be a 1-year deal, at say $3.0 to $3.25 million for Kari, and if he’s doing really well, you give him a contract extention on January 2, 2011, for however many years the Stars feel comfortable with. But 3-years for such a “unstable” goalie seems like too long of a commitment to make to him. I don’t think $3.5 million is egregiously overpaying him, given that two of those three years would be UFA eligibility years, if the Stars were actually pleased enough with Lehtonen to give him that January 2, 2011 deal. In that instance, the Stars may have even had to pony up to the tune of $4 or more million for a “healthy, capable, productive” Kari Lehtonen.
For the record, I hope Kari has a fabulous career. I’m just sorry things didn’t work out for him here. I’m the sort who believes “everyone deserves a second-chance.” Even Waddell??? Yes, if some other NHL team wants to hire Don Waddell as their GM, I’d be thrilled for him. I hope he gets “decent” ownership, next time around.
Spud Webb
May 11th, 2010
1:41 pm
Anyone see this….http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/05/11/patrice-cormier-charged-with-assault-after-brutal-hit/?ncid=txtlnkusspor00000002
Cormier is being charged for the hit. Not good, faces up to 18 months of jail time.
Smoothie
May 11th, 2010
1:55 pm
Alan – is it David Allan Coe??
Spud – we’re all over it…see above.
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
2:01 pm
Haha. Not quite, Smoothie.
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 11th, 2010
2:06 pm
“Do you or your loved-ones suffer from Mesothelioma?”
That sound you hear would be my loved-ones rushing to a dictionary to look up Mesothelioma and saying, “As a matter of fact, I do! Where do I sign?”
kracker
May 11th, 2010
2:11 pm
haha Smoothie! At least my tax money is going for something I like! Carry on, my friend
Smoothie
May 11th, 2010
2:12 pm
Alan – is that a rap song? Awfully long lyrics! Some of it applies and some of it doesn’t! Quite the “read” to say the least!
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
2:14 pm
It is, but you have to hear it to really grasp it. I couldn’t find a Youtube of it, though. If you’re really nice, someone might be able to put you in contact with me and I could get the song to you. Or, you might be able to find it on Amazon or iTunes.
Smoothie
May 11th, 2010
2:31 pm
kracker – now THAT is funny!! Ha ha LOL
Alan – Bill has my e-mail address and you’re more than welcome to send it to me through him if you choose…I am curious. As for being nice, I’ll try to refrain from any disparaging comments about the Red Wings or DET for the rest of the off-season!
Hockey Biltong
May 11th, 2010
2:39 pm
Go Habs!!! That is all.
Joe Friday
May 11th, 2010
3:01 pm
“kracker – spot on my friend! Plus, I hate my job…boooring! I changed positions and I have less work now than before, but enough of that. I probably shouldn’t risk blowing my cover!”
I wondered if some of you guys were out of work or mabye worked night jobs with how much time is spent during the work day on here. Good to see my tax dollars hard at work there, Smoothie.
At first glance that contract for Lehtonen seems ludicrous, but does anyone else have this nagging feeling that he’s going to turn into the goalie we all hoped for, now that he’s gone?
Very suprised to see the Habs take that series to 7 games, if Halak can stand on his head for 60 more minutes, the Pens are out and that would be the shocker of the year so far.
Let’s go, ‘Nucks!
Red Light
May 11th, 2010
3:35 pm
Not surprising that Mike Liut’s Octagon group represents Lehtonen. Same group handles Ryan Miller, Mikka Kiprusoff and Marc Andre Fleury.
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
Hoping the Canucks and Canadiens win their respective series. Also hoping to see Boston put away Philadelphia once and for all.
Cliff Fletcher
May 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
Like others, I hope Kari turns his career around and enjoys himself in Dallas. He cannot be blamed for the dysfunction that was the Thrashers for many years. I hope the incompetance here is over, depends on how much Don decides he is going to breathe down Dudley’s neck. Sounds like Dudley, the player would have had no issue tossing an emblow to get him out of the way. We shall see.
glovesave29
May 11th, 2010
5:05 pm
OK, this quote from the sportsnet.ca blogs is just funny. Everyone up there ragging on teams and fans in the south as being hockey ignorant, this comes from a guy in Winnipeg…
“Now where did I put that Andres Hedberg jersey? Ah, right beside the Ulf Neilson one. Terry Ruskowski still rocks! And whatever happened to Barry Long? ”
Ummm, hey – all knowing Canadian hockey fan, even a southerner knows it ANDERS Hedberg and Ulf NILSSON. I guess this guy is also a big fan of Keith Catchuk, Bobby Houlle and Nickoly Habbybullin!
Spud Webb
May 11th, 2010
6:07 pm
priceless glovesave!!
Lee
May 11th, 2010
7:03 pm
Canadiens got this all the way!
GO B-HAWKS!
LAC
May 11th, 2010
10:59 pm
Thrashers president Don Waddell is in Germany for the World Championship tournament and was not immediately available for comment…
And Everyone “thought” there would be a change in this mess ? What in the HELL is this worthless S.O.B. doing there ?, taking a vacation on the team’s expense more than likely…
Nothing will ever change with this franchise, IT is still in control !
Brendan
May 11th, 2010
11:14 pm
Bolland scores a “shorty” at 19:15 to make it, 3-0, in favor of the Chicago Blackhawks, in Game Six, out in Vancouver. My, my, my. It’s not looking good for the ‘Couv. This is an elimination game, for them. They can’t allow an opponent to take a 3-goal lead into the 3rd period, especially when the 3rd goal is a “late” period, short-handed tally.
I do have Chicago in this series, but I was hoping for a better game than this from Vancouver. Last year, in an elimination game, Vancouver gave up 7-goals against, to be closed out. I feel for that franchise, out there, in Western Canada. They’ve NEVER won a Stanley Cup, and this was one of the better seasons. They had the Sedins on the leaderboard all year. Luongo won a gold medal in the Olympics, and delivered a good season for them. Things seemed to be going their way, for much of the season. They won their division. And now … it’s all slipping away.
Just so you know, I’d love for the Thrashers to be in this situation, eliminated in six games in the CSF. That would be six playoff wins!!
Alan R.
May 11th, 2010
11:15 pm
Why so paranoid? So the guy is in Germany. Big freakin’ deal.
Maybe you’re right. But I’m going to reserve judgment until I actually see evidence of such, not just simple coincidences.
Brendan
May 11th, 2010
11:34 pm
Joe Friday, I do agree with you. I think Kari Lehtonen is certainly “young enough” to be able to salvage his career. He’s what? 26? That’s when Giguere “finally” took off, in his career. Look how long it took Tim Thomas to put it all together. I wish Kari well.
I know others will disagree, but I think Kari was fed right into the whole “no accountability” mentality that so thoroughly permeated this franchise. If it’s true that Kari will get $3.5 million for each of the next three seasons, that’ll bring his NHL earnings to right around $20 million for his career. If Kari is a “bust,” he certainly managed to GET PAID for being a “flop.” This franchise never really ever made Kari sweat it out, in terms of his status with the club. They didn’t go snare some established goaltender, (Cujo, Hasek, Khabibulin, Belfour, Irbe, Nabokov,) making him have to supplant anyone to earn his spot in net. The closest thing the Thrashers ever did to “scare” Kari Lehtonen, was draft Ondrej Pavelec in the 2nd round, back in 2005. Moose was no threat to Lehtonen. Hedberg was signed as a backup. Michael Garnett was never given a ‘fair chance’ here. Steve Shields was a “band-aid.” Mike Dunham was a backup, all the way. Pasi Nurminen did great while he was here, but I doubt even Waddell would have said, “Pasi is the longterm future of the team.” Milan Hnilicka was traded with half his salary bought out, to the L.A. Kings. Who am I leaving out? Oh yes, Byron Dafoe. Oy. I hope Dudley will examine the free agent market for goaltenders. I like Pavelec, I just don’t think he’s truly a #1 just yet, in the NHL. He’s getting closer, though. To expect Moose to deliver even HALF the season he just gave us, is asking for a lot.
World Be Free
May 12th, 2010
5:49 am
JF-I see another vet in here this year, maybe not a Nabakov or Ellis, but a Michael Leighton-type player. Leighton’s stock will rise if he can pull Philly through in place of Boucher. I’d like to see Pavs work with a real goalie coach, in place of Willie Weeks.
Red Light
May 12th, 2010
7:17 am
“was fed right into the whole ‘no accountability’ mentality that so thoroughly permeated this franchise.”
Totally unfair comment Brendan. I’m told Lehtonen and several others were very instrumental during the Sat. morning car washes and occasional bake sales the team held.
Cliff Fletcher
May 12th, 2010
8:28 am
Maybe Don is in Germany looking for a house. All we can hope for is that Don offers his advise to Dudley and Dudley is smart enough to dismiss it.
You want no accountability look at the NBA. LeBron is still playing for Cleveland but already looking at his options. Even Kovy wasn’t that unprofessional.
Joe Friday
May 12th, 2010
8:48 am
“And Everyone “thought” there would be a change in this mess ? What in the HELL is this worthless S.O.B. doing there ?, taking a vacation on the team’s expense more than likely…”
It’s patently obvious that nothing changed except the nameplates. Any hope I had that Don was out of personnel decisions (including who the the next coach is) is shown to be wrong, he’s still Dudley’s boss, they just need new business cards now. Oof.
So is Luongo the most overrated goalie in the league. The guy craps the bed regularly, and did so again last night in a huge game for his club. There were other Canuckleheads who also failed to show, but Luongo has long been bandied about by some as an elite goalie, and he just plain isn’t that.
Sharks v. Hawks should be awesome, it’s a series that could go either way but of course I am pulling for my Sharks, let’s go boys!
Cliff Fletcher
May 12th, 2010
8:57 am
Not certain if Don truly OK’s all the decisions. I look at the BRaves’ situation; Wren is the GM and Schuerholtz is th Prez. Looks like John has nothing to do with the personnel decisions because most of Wren’s decisions have been bad.
Waddell is still the boss, all we can hope is that he has little say in what’s going on with players and coaches. But we don’t know that.
Savannah Blueland Fan
May 12th, 2010
9:06 am
Hooray for Chicago! And D’oh! Canada!
Red Light
May 12th, 2010
9:11 am
Dudley doesn’t like to fly!
John Madden
May 12th, 2010
9:18 am
I can relate, Red Light.
Brendan
May 12th, 2010
9:38 pm
Heh,heh, heh. Bake sales. Can’t believe Montreal is gonna win. Pfft. Unbelieveable.