Montreal shuts down Mellon Arena – Flyers force game seven
Ole…ole,ole, ole!!!! Montréal est victorieuse!
Incroyable! Les victoires de Montréal sur le mois passé sont… incroyable! Le Habs a fait l’inconcevable… l’inimainable. Je n’ai pas les mots à…
OK… for the sake of everyone’s sanity, the remainder of this blog post will be in English. Besides, my French sucks!
Now, let me see if I have this straight. Not only will there be a Stanley Cup Finals minus anyone wearing a red winged wheel blazoned upon their chest, but we shall see no Sidney Crosby and his Penguin pals either?
Hmmm…will the leagues officials even allow such a thing?
Regardless, the Montreal Canadiens…the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference… a team that won only 39 games and amassed but 88 points…the team that would not have even been IN the playoffs had the Thrashers won but 3 more games this past season…yes, these Montreal Canadiens have made their way to the Conference Finals after defeating the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in seven games and the defending Cup Champ Pittsburgh Penguins, also in seven games.
Montreal had to fight an claw it’s way throughout as Pittsburgh held leads in all three of their previous defeats to Montreal during the series.
Conversely, the Habs held a series lead after the game-one OT win in the first round… after that, the only other times was when they were shaking hands with the Caps two weeks ago and the Pens Wednesday on night. That’s it.
The Canadiens wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game seven. Just ten seconds into the match Sid the Kid was sent to the Bin of Sin due to a boarding call. 22 seconds later, Brian Gionta capitalized to put the Habs up 1-0. Then, after taking a 2-0 lead into the break, Montreal doubled their lead with less than six minutes elapsed in the second. Michael Cammalleri scored his playoff-leading 12th goal of the playoffs at the 3:32 mark and Travis Moen’s shorty 102 seconds later put the Canadiens up 4-0.
Gionta added another goal, this one of the power-play variety, in the third period to put his team up 5-2.
Ole, ole, ole, ole! Fans packed Bell Centre in Montreal to enjoy the game-seven victory (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)
Jaroslav Halak kicked out 37 of 39 shots to help his team cap off their second upset of the post-season…including all 18 he faced in the third period after the Penguins had pulled to within two before the second intermission. After allowing 5 goals on 20 shots in game one against Pittsburgh in a 6-3 loss, Halak only allowed the Pens more than two goals once more time over the last six games. That came during Montreal’s 4-3 game-six win on Monday.
Halak is now 8-5 with a 2.42 GAA and .933 SV% heading into the ECF.
The loss marks the end of Mellon Arena as the Penuins home. They are scheduled to begin play in the newly-constructed Consol Energy Center next fall. CEC will hold it’s first scheduled event on September 5…a Lady Gaga concert.
And just whom will Montreal face in the next round? Well, that’s something that is yet to be determined as the Philadelphia Flyers have come back from a 3-0 deficit to force a game seven against the Boston Bruins. Wednesday evening they continued there improbable run, beating the Bruins 2-1.
Michael Leighton has now stopped 44 of the 45 shots taken against him since he took over for the injured Brian Boucher in the Flyers 4-0 game-five win. He stopped all 14 Monday night, then 30 of 31 in game-six.
Since falling behind three games to zip, Philly has out-scored the Bruins 11-5.
So…can Boston’s fall be contributed solely on the loss of David Krejci, who hasn’t seen action since Mike Richard’s crushing center-ice check in game-three? Or is it more than that?
Regardless of who wins Friday night, I can already tell you who my pick will be in the Eastern Conference Finals…ce sera les Habitants de Montréal dans sept jeux.
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123 comments Add your comment
Red Light
May 13th, 2010
12:36 pm
LaPierre has been been excellent and Moore is the type of guy that can contribute in a minor role. Deners is another one who has been impressive for San Jose.
The reason I used Satan is that he wasn’t signed until Jan. 2 and he was awful in Pittsburgh last spring.
Red Light
May 13th, 2010
12:45 pm
HookyBob If you get HBO, watch the Broad Street Bullies documentary. I hated those SOBs but it is a pretty entertaining piece with a lot of former players speaking about that era. One segment talked about a bar they used to frequent that burned down. Players wore black armbands after it happened. Classic.
Here’s the trailer if you haven’t seen it: http://www.hbo.com/#/sports/broad-street-bullies/video/preview.html/eNrjcmbOYC5Uz89JccxLzKksyUwOSExP9UvMTdUsy0xJzYeJOufnlaRWlDDns0knlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmsjGyMXIyMgIAblQXOA==
DWTOO
May 13th, 2010
12:47 pm
After watching Boucher against the Thrashers who would have thought he would outduel Lundquist in a shootout to get his team into the playoffs and then outplay Broduer in a 4-1 series. And kudos to Michael Leighton to come in cold and stifle the Bruins.
However, I do think Philly’s luck will run out tomorrow. Just too much to ask.
R/L – Think you’re spot on regarding Satan. His signing was a major yawn back in January and Boston would be in real trouble without him.
HookyBob
May 13th, 2010
12:56 pm
Redlight: I do not get HBO,…but often wish I did. The trailer is much as I remember them. I’m not a fan of goon hockey (unless it is the Charlestown Chiefs) as I don’t believe it is good for the grand old game,…but they were entertaining. Do you think recent Flyer teams have tried to emulate this (only w/o being entertaining)?
Calling blogger “Badger Bob:” Below is a link you may enjoy.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/memories-of-badger-bob/article1566286/?cid=art-rail-hockey
Darren
May 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
Love how it will either be the 6 or the 7 seed with home ice advantage against the 8 seed in the finals, and yet, regardless of the match-up, there will be significant intrigue in the Finals.
Also, I can’t deny it’s pretty impressive to sell out the *away* arena to *watch* the game on the big screen.
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
steve-CBC and HNIC used to be the best. Now they are just a bunch of homers.
DWTOO-I remember late in game here in ATL the season before last when Satan played for the Pens; Satan made a great check in the offensive zone, forcing one of our defenseman to take a penalty in a 2-2 game. The Pens scored the GWG on the late power play. These are things Miro was not capable of early in his career.
R/L – toss in Malholtra in SJ too-plays all 3 forward positions and is great on faceoffs.
Smoothie
May 13th, 2010
1:33 pm
WBF – you don’t happen to like Malhotra do you?
I’d be quite content if we were to sign these 4 UFAs:
Afinogenov, Malhotra, Seidenberg, Ellis
Of course, make the trade for Sharp and I’m as pleased as punch going into next season with the following line-up:
Bergie(2.75) – Pevs(1.33) – Antro(4.06)
Kane(3.1) – Sharp(3.9) – Mad Max(2.8)
C-Mac(1.75) – Malhotra(2.0) – Litts(2.25)
White(2.4) – Reasy(1.15) – Thorbs(.66) \ Spence(.858)
Bogey(2.725) \ Seidenberg(3.5)
Enstrom(3.75) \ Hainsey(4.5)
Oduya(3.5) \ Valabik(.763) \ Kulda(.517)
Pavs(3.0) & Ellis(2.75) Total Cap # of $54 M give or take bonuses
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
2:04 pm
Smoothie-I see Malholtra today as I did last summer-an upgrade over Slater. Nothing against Jimmy, but he’s not family so he can be replaced and should be upgraded.
I agree with your signings, but wouldn’t mind Harding in goal, especially if we can get him by trading a prospect and/or pick. If this were to happen, in effect would have traded Kari’s rights for Harding. They are about the same age and right now, I’d say Harding is better.
The week leading up the draft all the way through 2nfd week of July should be a great deal of fun. If Duds has the power to do what he needs to.
Joe Friday
May 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
Ok, in case you missed it, here was my pregame post on the other blog right before the puck dropped last night: “Let’s go, Pens! I feel Malkin breaking out with a huge game tonight, Fluery matches Halak blow for blow”
Well, Fluery definitely blew . . . I tell ya, every time I root for loses, you should all take up a collection to bribe me to quit liking the Thrashers. All I got to say now is lets go, Sharks!
Brendan, you said on the last blog “what is the point of the regular season”. For a long time I’ve called the playoffs the real season, because to me the only point of the regular season is to simply get in. And once you’re in, as the Habs and Halak are showing, a hot goalie and superior effort will take you far. It would seem that the winner of the West final will skate the Cup, but who thought the Caps would bow out in the 1st round? Who thought the Pens would be next out and we’d have the three left we have in the East? I’m not counting anyone out, Halak keeps this up and Montreal will end their Cup drought.
steve
May 13th, 2010
2:29 pm
This should sum up the Pens playffos this year pretty well.
Fluery gave up a goal on the first shot he faced in 3 of the last 4 games against the Habs
and twice against OTT.
LAC
May 13th, 2010
2:38 pm
Great to see Cindy Crotchby, going out in style… ie, CRYBABY !
No more Detroit or Pittsburgh… HOW Refreshing !!!! The CRYBABY Poster child GONE !
Now if we could get rid of our own little baby in the presidents chair… Oh I mean, GM in Hiding, we might one day play for the Stanley Cup !!!!
Russ
May 13th, 2010
2:44 pm
JF – Are you really pulling for the Sharks or are you trying to put a reverse jinx on them? Don’t forget, they has the worst teammate and biggest a$$hole in all professional team sports.
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
3:07 pm
LAC-new you could escape a post without taking a jab at the man in the chair! I agree totally on no more PIT or Detroit. Time for some new blood.
Spud Webb
May 13th, 2010
3:09 pm
Red Light, I caught that documentary, holy cow. It was awesome.
glovesave29
May 13th, 2010
3:13 pm
JF – as much as I like the Canadiens story…the little engine that could…this is my concern with them. They have played A LOT of games. The body, no matter how strong the spirit, eventually breaks down. I can certainly see them defeating Boston or Philadelphia. My guess is it that too will be a long series. Both the Flyers and Bruins have been hit by the injury bug and they too are going to play up the underdog role. By the time the Eastern Conference Finals are done, you will have one of three teams – an over achieving MTL team, a injury racked BOS team, or a PHI team that is employing their 42nd string goalie…and all of them will have played a lot of games, with the toughest challenges one or two rounds behind them. I can see the Western team coming in a completely destroying the Eastern champion. By the time you’ve reach the SC Finals, all teams are playoff tested, both teams are on a roll…to me superior talent will win, and let’s be honest – CHI and SJ are far more talented. I can see the Western finals being superior hockey to the SC finals.
All of that said – I wouldn’t be shocked if I was completely and dead wrong!
mike
May 13th, 2010
3:38 pm
people please educate me. we know why we hate crotchby guts: his whining, yelling, abuse from behind on ours man balls, his villain behavior, but why in canada (montreal) they boo every his touch. he is a golden boy for canada olimpik team, like mikle jordan for usa basketball. and stil even canadiens hate him. sorry i missed but certtanly it’s not valabik balls for people in montreal
DWTOO
May 13th, 2010
3:47 pm
mike – Think of Jeff Gordon in NASCAR. Gordon, like Crosby, was the sport’s Golden Boy and generated a lot of publicity and everyone loved him. But fans, being fickle, soon tired of always seeing his face all over the newspapers, etc and turned on him. That’s what we’re seeing with the Crybaby.
Joe Friday
May 13th, 2010
4:12 pm
“Are you really pulling for the Sharks”
Why yes, yes I am (as far as the Hockey Gods need to know). I bleed teal. Go Sharks. Go, uh, Heatley? Who else they got? Nabokov? Go get ‘em, Nabby!
“I can see the Western finals being superior hockey to the SC finals.”
I know. That’s what my brain says, Habs will get tired, Halak will wake up, better team will prevail, but what’s going on in the East is ruling out all of that rational thought, that’s why they drop the puck and let ‘em play, I guess.
Lets go, Sharks!
Joe Friday
May 13th, 2010
4:15 pm
“Don’t forget, they has the worst teammate and biggest a$$hole in all professional team sports.”
Dany? Great guy, shook my hand once (who cares if he sneered at me when I wished him well, poor fella was still distraught over being stuck in, I mean for killing his friend) . Deserving of a ring. Sure, he slapped us all in the face after he left and did the same thing to Ottawa, but a fine upstanding young man like him deserves better than the swill and stench of places like Atlanta and Ottawa. Go Dany!
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
4:16 pm
mike-Crosby can be a great player, like he was in the Ottawa series. A sizeable number of Canadian hockey fans don’t believe he is a true captain and leader. He does not garner the type of respect awarded to another young captain, Steve Yzerman becuase he really hasn’t earned it yet. Booing opposing players is not new to hoceky fans in Toronto and Montreal.
As for the crying, Gretzky alotta crying too, he was one of the worst crybabies especially early in his career. But he also backed it up on the ice.
Russ
May 13th, 2010
4:30 pm
Obviously, that should have been “have the worst teammate”, not “has”.
And don’t forget when he bitched his way out of Ottawa, it was less than a year after he signed a lengthy contract extension. Just an all-around wonderful guy. I kind of feel like the 1972 Miami Dophins team that pops the champagne each season after the last undefeated team is finally beaten (do they still do that after the Patriots had the undefeated regular season, but lost in the Superbowl?). Anyway, that’s how I feel each season after Heatley’s team is eliminated. Unfortunately, if I had to pick right now, I would guess the Sharks will be hoisting the Cup. Of course, I am only 7-6 in the series that have been completed, so maybe I can jinx them. Go Blackhawks.
Red Light
May 13th, 2010
4:31 pm
If you look at Chicago’s roster vs. San Jose’s roster, I think most of us would say that Chicago has a clear advantage on their 23-man roster than San Jose, except of course as it concerns the goaltender. Now, I know you can only suit up 20 and Chicago’s depth or healthy scratch options are clearly better than San Jose, but, just when you think talent rules, you witness what happened in the East so far, and it leaves you shaking your head!
Great point by steve on Fleury. Pitiful performance.
I find it very interesting that both San Jose and Chicago really need to win this year, or it very likely could be a few years until we see them back in this situation. As noted many times, Chicago’s roster will be much different next year due to the cap, and it’s no different in San Jose, because Blake, Nabby, Marleau, Nichol, Wallin and Malholtra could be gone. The difference is that the Sharks have a lot of cap room if they don’t give Pavelski and Setoguchi the farm, although they are going to have to pony up a good amount for both. Those factors make this a very intriguing series.
While I think San Jose can give the Hawks a good battle, I’m leaning to Chicago because of their success away from the United Center. If they learn how to play at home, it could be over in five. Something tells me that San Jose will get the monkey off their back and advance to the Finals, where they can then choke to another underdog as in year’s past.
San Jose vs. Philadelphia? Who’s watching that series Mr. Bettman?
rob
May 13th, 2010
4:49 pm
mike- they booed him because when he’s playing for the other team he’s the freakin enemy. plain and simple. they’ll cheer him again next year, lond as it isn’t against them.
r/l- how is Halak NOT your goalie pick? He is single handedly carrying the Habs to the SCF! They will be destroyed there but they WILL get there just on his goaltending, from the 8th seed and under .500 season I believe (somebody said 39 wins before I believe)
as far as the rooting over the Habs games, Halak is all you need to know. The team as a whole has no business there. They have been outplayed at every turn. Only thing going is the few chances they have gotten at the other end of the rink have been golden. Any NORMAL goalie playing in net for them over the last 2 series would have had several games with a GAA well over 5, if not closer to 7 or 8. I can see them getting into the SCF, but the speed of the west is gonna kill ‘em, and I don’t think even Halak can get them outta losing in 5. Dam western conference and all their speed.
HookyBob
May 13th, 2010
5:13 pm
Until last night I sort of hoping to see Crosby facing off against Toews. Since it ain’t gonna happen,..let me ask now..which one would you rather have on your team?
Rightshot
May 13th, 2010
5:33 pm
Ok It’s taken me all day to get ready to say this. GO HABS!!
Hold on, I feel woozy….
Oh boy. Ok I’m fine now.
Anyway, just saw this on TSN. It’s “Atlanta’s game plan” for the off season. Thought you might find it interesting reading.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=321351
Otherwise, I’m thinking Chicago will win it all. Of course I’m only saying that ’cause some video game predicted it. Was it EA Sports or something? How often are they right?
On a side note, I think I may actually still be a little woozy. Imagine what it would be like if I had said GO FLYERS!!! too.
(falls out of chair) Aw crap.
Red Light
May 13th, 2010
5:47 pm
rob: Halak was no surprise to me. I’ve liked him and followed him since he came into the league and advocated him over Price a long, long time ago.
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
6:51 pm
J-F on Malkin, yeah I remember your post but I didn’t want to rub it in. You have a good memory.
rob
May 13th, 2010
8:30 pm
While I will give you he is a good goalie, who would have thought he would have stood on his head, spinning like a top and kicking aside THAT many shots? I am pretty sure I saw a kitchen sink or 2 there as well. The one thing he didn’t see a lot of that will be interesting, is the net crashing that usually comes when the goalie is on a roll in the playoffs. Caps and Pens stayed to the outside for the most part, no one REALLY wanted to get in there and get dirty, with the exception of Staal (who’s goal in 7 was pure beauty). So, while Boucher has played well, the Bums have played D OK too, and given the opposing goalie fits while they crowded the net. IMO Halak taking over the teams he has already, has to be a surprise, even if you thought of him as better than Price..
Nate
May 13th, 2010
8:55 pm
Everyone: Anybody know of a sports bar doing a Blackhawks viewing party for the game Sunday afternoon?
Rawhide
May 13th, 2010
9:15 pm
Nate – I would sugest TJs in Alpharetta or Firebirds near Perimeter Mall as places people could gather for a viewing party. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I’ll be atending my son’s Baccalaureate Sunday afternoon.
Everyone – According to this AP story in the USA Today, Bruce Levenson says that the Thrashers are not leaving Atlanta and may soon be adding investors.
kracker
May 13th, 2010
9:26 pm
Good hockey viewing tips, RH!
Ya know the realy good thing about Obamacare? You can keep your tax-exemptions on your health insurance plan until they are 26!!! Is that not great or what?!
/sarcasm
World Be Free
May 13th, 2010
9:49 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4aQWoOrq7g
Our new GM doin’ his thing.
Brendan
May 14th, 2010
12:12 am
Joe Friday, I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said. “Get in, then win. The playoffs are the real season.” But, yet, what I can’t reconcile is … just how badly Montreal played all year. I can’t help but think that the only reason Montreal made the playoffs … was because the NY Islanders, Florida Panthers, and Atlanta Thrashers don’t know how to run their franchises. And the league says, “8 teams must go in.” Now, I hear ya, Ranger fans. You “almost” go in. But you lost the shootout to Boucher, even with Lundqvist in net, and that’s that. The NY Rangers don’t have sufficient excuses as to why they are not in the playoffs.
I do find it embarrassing for the NHL, if the # 7 seed hosts the # 8 seed in the East. Not that # 6 vs. # 8 is so much better. It isn’t. Sigh, it’d be one thing, Joe Friday, if Montreal had been ‘riddled with injuries’ all year long, and just … finished where they did because of that. That, I could forgive. I sort of look at the Flyers that way. Philly’s not a bad roster. They had injuries and issues all year. It took its toll. I’m far ‘more tolerant’ of them. Boston lost Savard, and others, and overcame it. I’m ‘tolerant’ of that, to an extent. It ‘explains’ some things. What’s Montreal’s excuse??? They played like amoebas all year. Good for them, that they’ve made the best of things, and solved their dilemma in net. Carey Price very well may be traded for a return at the Draft.
Red Light, couldn’t AGREE more. For SJ and Chicago, the time is now, because you never really know what the future holds. Plus, what a GIFT the hockey gods have delivered!! With Washington and Pittsburgh and New Jersey and Buffalo … all golfing and sunning themselves, the opportunity to end decades of futility is upon both clubs. I can’t root for SJ because of Heatley. Hossa, I have no grudge against. Remember, that shoulder was injured in Atlanta. We learned that 2 years later. He needed surgery for it, and postponed it to try with Pittsburgh and Detroit, to win the Cup. Then he missed most of last season rehabbing the injury. Hossa never wanted to play in Atlanta. And he put up a ‘career year’ in 2007. All Hossa ever did wrong was nurse that injury, while ‘asking’ for a trade out of Atlanta, which the club would not acquiesce to, ostensibly preferring to try to sell more tickets and bluster about contract negotiations. Bygones. I am pulling for Chicago. I admit it. Since Wirtz died, and the village idiot was replaced, look how well things have turned around for the Blackhawks. Chicago is a GREAT hockey town, and it is fantastic to see their return to prosperity. If they win the Cup, they will be off the clock from 1961, and will put Toronto on it, where they belong, for their past transgressions, which were largely the fault of an SOB named Harrold Ballard, a yesteryear previous owner of the Leafs. Go Blackhawks! Get ‘er done!!!
Brendan
May 14th, 2010
12:40 am
Glovesave29 & Red Light, Halak has been impressive. As impressive as Roy and Dryden, in the surprise years where Montreal won the Cup in 1971, 1973, 1986 and 1993? Hmmn. Close, maybe. Halak is starting to make a case for himself. But this 2010 Eastern Conference is actually most making me recall the Cinderella run of the 1991 Minnesota North Stars. Anyone remember them? It was a ‘Miracle’ season. The North Stars were the bottom seed in the Campbell Conference (Western) and finished the year with 27-39-14 record, good enough for a meager 68-points. I have no idea if that was the lowest point total to ever make the playoffs, but it has to be in the ballpark, for an 80 game season. Anywho, the North Stars drew the top seeded Chicago Blackhawks, 106-points, and 49 victories. So, let’s recap a bit. 106-68 equals a difference of 38-points, and 22 wins. But who won the series? Minnesota in six games.
Didn’t the Habs trail the Capitals by something like 30-points in the standings this year? Seem familiar. But who won the series? In the 2nd round, Minnesota drew the mighty St. Louis Blues, who had an impressive 105-point season, themselves. Hardly a major step down from the 106 that Chicago had. But who won the series? Minnesota in six games. In the Conference Finals, Minnesota drew the Gretzky-less, but still plenty powerful Edmonton Oilers, the defending Stanley Cup Champions from 1990. The Oil finished with a .500 record, at 80-points and 37 wins. Twelve (12) points higher than the North Stars, however. But who won the series? The North Stars, in five games.
Could Montreal be the 1991 Minnesota North Stars??? Destined to win the CF and reach the SCF?? Maybe. They’ve certainly got their shot. But the dream ENDED for the North Stars in the Finals, vs. Pittsburgh. But not before they scared the Penguins a bit, by taking a 2-1 series lead, “half-way home” to the promised land. Mario Lemieux won the Conn Smythe and took the series over, from Game Four onward. Enter the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks or San Jose Sharks. That’s where it ends for Montreal, if they even get that far.
World Be Free
May 14th, 2010
6:00 am
It is a little embassarssing for the NHL that the big boys are gone and a team like Montreal is still alive, from a a regular season perspective. But the bottom line is, Montreal has played the ultimate team game, had great goaltending and beat both Pittsburgh and Washington. I am not a Habs fan, but I have to say I have been fully entertained by how hard they are playing. Halak has been great, but what about Hall Gill and Josh Gorges? Toss in 10 more guys playing their hearts out and lifting their games above anything else they have ever played.
Future upsets in any round of the NHL Playoffs will be gauged on what Montreal did to Washington in the first round. Who saw that coming, especially when Montreal was down 3-1 in the series. That stuff doesn’t happen in the NBA, no such excitiment. Once you are down in that league, forget it. Now Montreal has come back from 3-1 and 3-2 deficits in consecutive series. Now that’s excitement!
Tony C.
May 14th, 2010
6:49 am
I’d just like to point out (again):
SIDNEY’S GOING HOME!
man it’s gonna be awesome not have to listen to the talking heads gush over #87… BTW, The World’s Cutest Hockey Fan asked me “Daddy, no Penguins? Does that mean Mr. Cindy’s gonna cry more?”
…
I almost felt shame that my daughter has picked up my extreme loathing of the Crosby-hype factor (and by extension #87 himself).
kracker
May 14th, 2010
8:09 am
Dudley and whoever is the new coach should teach our young players to compete by pointing to these EC playoffs and how Habs and Flyers have overachieved due to grit, determination and hard work. And some good goalie play.
Spud Webb
May 14th, 2010
8:20 am
Wow, I don’t know Bill if I’m happy that they’ll be more investors or sad?? I mean how many more people can that group of &ss clowns get to give money that won’t go to the Thrashers??
This is a critical offseason for us, fingers crossed.
Spud Webb
May 14th, 2010
8:21 am
Bill, I know you said your out this weekend. What about like a game one of the Finals get together at TJ’s???
kracker
May 14th, 2010
8:40 am
Spud, I must have missed something. Has the Spirit Group found a new partner? To replace Belkin, maybe?
Rawhide
May 14th, 2010
8:50 am
Bill, I know you said your out this weekend. What about like a game one of the Finals get together at TJ’s???
Spudster – I can certainly see that happening.
Spud, I must have missed something. Has the Spirit Group found a new partner? To replace Belkin, maybe?
kracker – I belive SW is referring to the link I posted last night in which Levenson indicated the AS, LLC will soon be bringing in new investors.
kracker
May 14th, 2010
9:09 am
Well, that certainly sounds like good news, Rawhide. Best would be a rich hockey lover to replace Belkin and one or two of the others that aren’t able to pay their share.
Red Light
May 14th, 2010
10:32 am
The Carolina Hurricanes announced the acquisition of Jared Staal from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The youngest of the four Staal brothers was originally drafted in the second round by the Coyotes, with the 49th overall pick in the 2008 Draft.
Nice move by JR.
Red Light
May 14th, 2010
10:48 am
Brendan: Great recall on the 1991 North Stars. Another fantastic scenario was in 2006 with the Oilers.
The Oilers, who finished 8th with 95 points (this was the first year of the gimmick point for shootouts, etc. and only Montreal and Tampa Bay had fewer points that season) shocked the NHL’s No. 1 overall team- the Red Wings in six games, dropped the first 2 games to No. 11 overall- the Sharks and then won four straight to win the series. Then the Oilers won the first 3 games of the next series versus the No. 12 overall team- the Ducks for 7 straight playoff wins and then won the series in 5 games. Then the Oilers dropped 3 of the first four to the No. 3 overall team – the Canes, win two and force Game 7 with unheralded Jussi Markkanen spelling injured Dwayne Roloson in the last six games of the Finals.
By the way, tonight is the 28th career playoff series deciding game for both Chris Pronger and Mark Recchi. In Game 7s, Pronger’s record is 1-5, while Recchi is 4-2. Zdeno Chara is 0-4 in Game 7 and has just 3 assists in 12 series-deciding games.
World Be Free: Somewhat surprising is Briere’s record!!!
In 12 series-deciding games, the Briere has 2 goals, 10 assists and his teams have a 7-5 record. He is 1-1 in Game 7s during his career.
Midfield
May 14th, 2010
11:09 am
I think I’ve just soiled my pants. Apparently, in some round-about way, it is suggested that Malkin is not a suitable winger for Sidney Crosby:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Trading-Malkin-Laraque-s-new-TV;_ylt=AvD_aNBptAHLfWXq10Wjx6×7vLYF?urn=nhl,240866
I wonder whether Malkin is thinking if Sidney Crosby is a suitable team mate. As i recall, Mark Recchi did not appear to think so, according to the way he had expressed himself on the Pens bench at the time.
World Be Free
May 14th, 2010
11:26 am
Red Light-that’s why Buffalo should have never let Briere go. He’s not a superstar, but like Drury, Briere is a money player. he sure has been in the Boston series. Darcy Regier must be fired! NOW!
Red Light
May 14th, 2010
11:33 am
Even at that exorbitant rate you think they should have re-signed him? He’s not exactly the rough-and-tumble type you seem to like.
Midfield: I think Pittsburgh should trade Crosby, not Malkin!
Smoothie
May 14th, 2010
11:39 am
Kane and Peverley are finally getting a chance to show their stuff at the Worlds now that they have a winger to anchor them on the right side in Jordan Eberle. Kane with his first goal, Eberle with a beaut of an assist for a Giordano goal (Kane was charging the net) and Peverley with a laser-beam of a wrister for a goal over the goalie’s glove hand to give Candad a commanding 5 – 1 lead…now it’s 6 – 1 on a PPG by Ray “the wizard” Whitney. Commentators have said that Pevs, Kane and Eberle have been CAN’s best line today. They look world-class indeed!
Smoothie
May 14th, 2010
11:41 am
Kane with his second tally on an extended PP for the Canadians! A beauty of a cross-goal-mouth feed to Kane from Eberle for an easy slam dunk. Peverley with the secondary assist from his customary left circle position…well, it should be his customary position.
World Be Free
May 14th, 2010
12:10 pm
Red Light-you can’t replace money players. Drury is a money player too. Both guys can break a 2-2 tie with 7 minutes to go in tight games. Those goals can be the difference between making or not making playoffs.