NHL playoff round one update: Do you know what an orca sounds like when choking on a feather?
Do you know what an orca sounds like when choking on a feather?
An orca, or killer whale, is an apex predator of the oceans and can even maul large sharks. However, it seems it has a tough time when one gets caught in their throat. And if you are very, very quiet, put a hand up to your ear and listen toward the northwest, you just might be able to hear exactly what that sounds like?
It’s not a pretty noise, really…especially if you’re a Vancouver Canucks fan.
The Canucks…winners of the Northwest Divisions and the Presidents’ Trophy, collectors of 117 regular season points and winners of 54 games coming into the postseason…had the defending Stanley Cup champs right where they wanted them, down three games to none and four games in which to finish them off.
Make that only one now.
Ben Smith’s overtime goal last night in Chicago leveled the series at three games apiece and sets up a seventh and deciding game seven in Vancouver Tuesday night. They’ve outscored the Canucks 16-5 in the three wins and put the Hawks just one victory away from one of the greatest come-from-behind series triumphs of all time.
Or one of the greatest all-time choke jobs…depending on which way you wish to view it.
The question all Canucks fans are asking today is which goalie will they see in between the pipes Tuesday nigh? Head coach Alain Vigneault decided to start backup Cory Schneider in Chicago last night, but Roberto Luongo had to be called upon after Schneider cramped up trying to stop Michael Frolik’s penalty shot that tied the game at 3-3 in the third period.
Luongo stopped the first 12 shots he faced for the remaining time in the third and into OT, but number 13 proved to be unlucky for he and the Canucks.
The dramatic Blackhawks win capped off a great weekend of NHL playoff hockey. Since Friday we’ve seen the Washington Capitals dispose of the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators shake off the pesky Anaheim Ducks for the first ever postseason series win in that franchises history.
Also, the Tampa Bay Lightning thumped the Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings beat the San Jose Sharks to remain alive in their respective series. The Bolts and Kings will each host game six tonight and will be looking to force game seven scenarios as well.
Montreal will do the same tomorrow as the Boston Bruins now hold a three games to two lead thanks to their 2-1 OT win Saturday.
Then there’s the game seven between Philadelphia and Buffalo tomorrow night. Yesterday the Sabres were unable to close things out at home, despite leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3. Scott Hartnell’s first goal of the playoffs tied the score midway through the third period for the Flyers and Ville Leino’s second won it for Philly 4:43 into the overtime period.
Now the Sabres will have to travel back to the city of brotherly love to try and advance to the second round.
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133 comments Add your comment
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
10:33 am
It sounds like this:
GOLD!
Tom
April 25th, 2011
10:33 am
ack… GOLD!
Joe Friday
April 25th, 2011
10:37 am
Lou!!!!
ZAvalanche
April 25th, 2011
10:40 am
I haven’t even finished reading the whole article but just had to say, LOL, after the first paragraph!
Tom
April 25th, 2011
10:42 am
I do have to say we are getting our money’s worth in these series. Everyone is going long except the Big Red Borg.
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
10:42 am
Luongo has to be renting out space, because the Blackhawks are all over the inside of his head.
I’m sensing a repeat of this scene from last year:
http://dj4aces.info/stuff/pics/luongoforsale.jpg
ZAvalanche
April 25th, 2011
10:51 am
President’s Trophy is usually a curse. And I don’t believe it is because of a lack of talent, I believe it mental state. Knowing that you are that much better than every other team could very well make you complacent come playoff time. The opposite is equally true, knowing that there are 7 teams better than you makes you play your a$$ off. Doesn’t hurt to also be former champs – even if you don’t have the same cast. That will be one TENSE game 7 in Vancouver. Hawks have nothing to lose, and the ‘Nucks have everything to lose. I will be glued to that game.
Tonight’s Picks:
Lightning has some serious momentum going in. However, a thrashing like Pitt got on Sat can also be a big motivator. Can our resident stat master find out how often a team that gets beaten badly in the playoffs comes back to win the next game (yes RL, that is you). But that front line of Tampa is crazy scary – Pitt found out on Saturday.
I really think SJ will close it out tonight. However, like any animal trapped in a corner, LA could be very dangerous. That will be a heavy game.
How awesome is this time of year?
kracker
April 25th, 2011
11:08 am
More from Phil Foley at the Examiner. Lots of info, it isn’t necessarily bad news…or good news. I just wish all this would get resolved sooner rather than later.
Analysis: Spirit doesn’t need to keep Thrashers here to fulfill bond obligations
http://www.examiner.com/atlanta-thrashers-in-atlanta/analysis-spirit-doesn-t-need-to-keep-thrashers-here-to-fulfill-bond-obligations#ixzz1KXqG78n1http://exm.nr/gb8p5f
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
11:08 am
I don’t think last night’s game can be considered a choke. Games 4 and 5 certainly, but the Canucks out shot the Hawks 22-14 in the 3rd period an OT. Now blowing a 3-0 series lead, which would be just the fourth time its happened in NHL history and second time in two seasons, certainly would qualify.
Just hate that terminology, particularly when the Hawks have played so well in the last 3 games.
Joe Friday
April 25th, 2011
11:38 am
“I don’t think last night’s game can be considered a choke.”
Their goalies certainly did. The Canuckleheads outplayed the Hawks, scored the first goal, prevented a goal on the 5 on 3, and checked like madmen trying to save Luongo from facing a shot once he was forced in, and they still lost, due to their goalies (first Cory with the two horrible misplays on pucks behind the net, then Luongo handing out free juicy rebounds like Easter candy).
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
11:49 am
“Thrashers win! Thrashers win! Thrashers w–”
*wakes up*
… Oh.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/canadas-mightiest-midgets-120588684.html
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
11:55 am
ZAvalanche: Thanks for the assignment…
Since the 2003 playoffs, in subsequent playoff games after a team was beaten by five or more goals, their record is just 6-11. However, the only time an Eastern Conference team lost by five goals or more and came back to win their next game was in 2006. The Flyers turned the trick against the Sabres.
Game 2 April 24 Philadelphia Flyers 2 Buffalo Sabres 8
Game 3 April 26 Buffalo Sabres 2 Philadelphia Flyers 4 L
Thus, EC teams are just 1-6 in those instances…however…
5-1: The Penguins’ record on the road in their past 6 chances to close out a series.
6-1: The Penguins’ record in their past seven second chances to close out a series.
8-1: The Penguins’ all-time record in series where they gain a 3-1 edge.
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
12:05 pm
Forgot to include Blackhawks-Canucks in that stat. Now should read 6-13 as the Canucks are 0-2 in that situation in this series.
ZAvalanche
April 25th, 2011
12:16 pm
Nice RL! Thanks for the info, I knew you would come through
Looks like the Pens have the distinct advantage, based on stats. I am still going for Tampa over Pitt though. TB has a pretty strong home record at 25-11-5, at the same time, Pitt has a strong away record at 24-11-6. This is going to be a darn good match.
There will be some very interesting games in the next 2 days and I have canceled all social engagements till Tuesday evening.
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
12:28 pm
By the way, I believe this to be true, but the last time a team lost consecutive games by five or more goals (Vancouver lost to the Blackhawks 7-2 and 5-0 in Games 4-5 in the current series) was way back in 1994 when the Rangers defeated the Islanders in Games 1-2 of their first-round series 6-0, and 6-0.
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
Who wants to go to Smashville and watch playoff hockey!
World Be Free
April 25th, 2011
12:42 pm
Not Bind-
I think Ruff will be OK in Buffalo, he got more out of this team that he should have this season. Buffalo’s issues are lack of leadership and mediocre players. Philly is a better team and they have some guys who can make plays. Correct on goaltending-if Philly had any the Sabres would already be playing the back nine somewhere.
Please stop reading the Winnipeg papers. They do not control whether or not the Thrashers stay in Atlanta and Bettman has already stated he wants the team to stay in Atlanta. Progress is being made to keep the team here, so let’s just sit back and enjoy the playoffs and forget Winnipeg ever existed like we did before.
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
12:44 pm
WBF- it was a link to the peewee team, I think you are referring to.
Are you rooting for Beefalo?
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
12:45 pm
Nope you are right. I was looking at Alan R’s post. My bad..
World Be Free
April 25th, 2011
12:48 pm
The defining moment in the Hawks-Canucks’ series was the wakeup call delivered by Raffi Torres. Chicago went to Vancouver with the prisde that comes from being defending champions. Vancouver won the Presidents’ Cup, which is similar to winning a Snipe Hunt. Do we remember who won the Presidents’ Cup 2 seasons ago? Three? Vancouver is a great team, but they need to get through other really good teams to hoist the real silver. Vancouver’s real post season, the season of champions starts tomorrow night. We will see if they are worthy.
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
1:06 pm
Reminds me of a Braves/Yankees series…
Tom Lysiak
April 25th, 2011
1:19 pm
WBF – Just like winning the Par-3 tourney at the Masters every year….
hockeygoon79
April 25th, 2011
2:04 pm
You said it, Tom. We are definately getting our money’s worth in these series. Boston-Montreal, Philly-Buffalo, Vancouver-Chicago, these have all be fun to watch. Tampa Bay could still make a good finish with Pittsburgh too.
NHL playoffs. They’re the best!
kracker
April 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
If y’all are referring to my post, the Examiner isn’t a Winnipeg paper or website. It is a US web-based ‘newspaper’ and Phil Foley works for the Atlanta bureau. He is quite pro-Atlanta for the Thrashers, which is why he is working the story hard. The article contains a lot of current info on the state of the teams, Philips Arena, the re-worked bonds situation, etc., that I had not heard before. We even learn that re-doing the bonds freed up about $7M for improvements to be done at Philips.
Now, if Foley could just find out who the balkan is….
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
2:27 pm
No balking on that.
Hockey Biltong
April 25th, 2011
2:35 pm
Kracker, that was a good article.
You gotta ask yourself, now that all of this info is coming out, what kind of song and dance will we hear next from our ASG fiends?????
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
2:38 pm
A refreshing idea…managing partner of the Panthers posts his thoughts on the off-season. Perhaps it would be more well received if it was done more than just three times in one season.
http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=560942
Cornbread
April 25th, 2011
2:54 pm
WBF You are correct on the PHI-BUF series. They are in the playoffs and in a game 7 because of Miller. The Flyers are experiencing – yet again – what the Thrashers did down the stretch – solid to dominating team play and poor goaltending.
World Be Free
April 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
Cornbread-you wonder what our goaltending will be next season?
Cornbread
April 25th, 2011
3:36 pm
I just hope Pavs is better – much better.
kracker
April 25th, 2011
3:40 pm
Hockey Biltong, I hope the ASGs next song and dance is to exit stage left after selling to good owners. Regardless of their lies and shennagins, I feel the team stays another year while the selling moves forward and after that we will see.
Congrats to the Preds!!! Can the ‘Hawks pull off the #8 seed upset? Sabres fans…sorry, can’t root for them. That’s the thing about Round One, escpeially, you want both teams to lose and somebody will win.
kracker
April 25th, 2011
3:45 pm
I have to think that a) Pavs is a year more matured and b) the same applies for all our young players. So…that should translate into better play. My big worry is that the state of the ownership might be a year-long distraction. No team wants that sort of distraction but a team trying to gel and be able to put forth a consistent effort every game certainly doesn’t need it.
Joe Friday
April 25th, 2011
3:50 pm
Everything I’ve read from those supposedly in the know (not named Kincade) says that as soon as the PHX situation is settled, that we’ll see something happen with the Thrashers sooner rather than later, I don’t think the Spirit want to own the club another year and the NHL would like the situation to move along quickly.
Badger Bob
April 25th, 2011
3:56 pm
Top three Nucks regrets:
Torres hit
Vigneault dressing Torres for Game 4
Luongo contract
Hossa did a supreme job of puck control on that GWG, but can’t figure exactly why Luongo ended up on his belly on the initial shot – last second blocker save threw him off balance, I guess, but that’s just poor balance / body control.
Canada started the playoffs 5-0 and have been 0-6 since. There’s a whole nation gagging a little…
Badger Bob
April 25th, 2011
4:01 pm
Two other tidbits – anyone who did not see it needs to watch Bobby Ryan’s goal on Friday night – his undressing the same Dman twice on the same break was an instant classic.
And Toby and Buff managed to outscore two of the Snorris Finalists. With a team around them, and corresponding improved +/-, they could be in the conversation.
Joe Friday
April 25th, 2011
4:03 pm
“Hossa did a supreme job of puck control on that GWG, but can’t figure exactly why Luongo ended up on his belly on the initial shot – last second blocker save threw him off balance, I guess, but that’s just poor balance / body control.”
Hoss did make that play, he’s so strong on the puck. Remember when people used to call him out as a guy that disappears come playoff time (from his days in Ottawa). That was always pure bunk, he’s money in so many areas besides potting the puck.
That Luongo contract is going to be an albatross on Vancouver for a long time. He has the $10m talent but a $.02 head, it’s so bad for him that they were hiding him in the locker room so he didn’t have to hear it from the Chicago fans last night. Nowhere to hide when he got out there, even though his teammates did their darndest to keep him from a puck making it way to him. He wound up on his belly because he’s so completely freaked out, he was flailing at shots and throwing some rebounds all out in the slot even before that play. Most. Overrated. Goalie.
kracker
April 25th, 2011
4:13 pm
RE Yotes or Thrashers moving: Something has to be decided quickly so the schedule can be developed. If it’s Phx to ‘Peg that’s not quite so difficult to do some division changes and tweek the schedule if it has already been developed. But Thrash to ‘Peg and, say, Wings to the East and the divisional changes that brings means it has to happen by…when? Probably before the amateur draft and certainly before FA signing July 1.
ZAvalanche
April 25th, 2011
4:17 pm
Badger Bob, yup – you couldn’t fit a greased BB through the, ummmm lower orifice, of any Canadian right now. Fear and tension are are a high right now.
And yes, the Bobby Ryan goal was unbelievable! He dropped their jocks on the ice with 3 moves. Outstanding effort.
I don’t know if any of you are football fans, but Peter King’s MMQB was really good today and he thinks that Boston-Montreal is a heavier rivalry than NY-Red Sox. I agree.
Red Light
April 25th, 2011
4:20 pm
Ryan’s was a sick move but glad he’s out of the playoffs.
Hossa played for Jacques Martin in Ottawa, that’s all you need to know about his lack of “performance” there. How he keeps a job is mind boggling.
Since leaving Atlanta, Hossa has 23 goals, 38 assists and a +20 rating in 71 playoff games.
litz
April 25th, 2011
4:22 pm
“We even learn that re-doing the bonds freed up about $7M for improvements to be done at Philips.”
All I can say is … *what* improvements?
LCD screens at all the food stations? That’s pretty much it.
That place needs about 2 months with a serious demo crew on the inside, and some serious reworking to bring it back to where it needs to be.
At a minimum :
- remove, rework, or otherwise regenerate the TV wall
- remove and replace the godawful old Daktronics scoreboards up in the rafters
- re-do every single wood armrest (they are ALL cracking and peeling)
- replace the sound baffels in the ceiling – yellow hanging out of tears in the material looks *so* nice … *not* ….
- re-do the pullout seats behind the goals (great fun when the seatback collapses, and you find yourself laying on the shoes of the guy behind you)
- fix the old Omni scoreboard so it actually shows the score again …
*etc*
Moe
April 25th, 2011
4:32 pm
My predictions tonight are (went 3 for 3 the other night so I feel hot) -> Penguins 3-2 Lightning (Chris Kunitz scoring in OT), Sharks 3-0 Kings, Niemi gets the shutout.
Tom Lysiak
April 25th, 2011
4:42 pm
It seems fairly clear that the ballgame has changed since the Flames were purchased at the Express counter in 1980. The last game was played April 12, 1980. The purchase was announced May 21, 1980. There was obviously not a Bettman around then because the sale was completed and the trucks loaded within 6 weeks or so. Don’t laugh about Bettman being the difference now either. If it weren’t for him and the current governors, one would think the suing group would just cheerfully negotiate a straight sale to the True North schmucks for megabuck profits and laugh all the way to the next court date. Is that too simplistic?
Not Blind
April 25th, 2011
5:01 pm
Where did my post about Ruff go ???
Not Blind
April 25th, 2011
5:17 pm
I actually read the Examiner article
I think any investor group, intending to keep the team in Atlanta, would be insane to buy just the Thrashers. This would put them in the situation of having the ASG as your landlord. With their litigious history who would want to do biz with these guys ???
Rawhide
April 25th, 2011
5:29 pm
Not Blind – I don’t see your post regarding Ruff in Blog Purgatory. Sorry.
In other news…Andrew Ladd has been named Alternate Captain for Team Canada.
Melvin Udall
April 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Joe Friday: “he’s money in so many areas besides potting the puck.”
“People who speak in metaphors should shampoo my crotch!”
Flagstaff
April 25th, 2011
6:36 pm
ZAvs: Nope. BOS-MTL tensions are running higher right now, but the NYY-BOS rivalry is the greatest rivalry in all sports (this coming from a diehard hockey fan).
Lance
April 25th, 2011
6:40 pm
Ice Man – Dude – you suck! Sorry, but called as seen. This aint’t the Ladies Home Journal Hockey Column I’ve stumbled upon is it? Enough with the artsy fartsy metaphors and crap. “If I listen east and a Polar Bear farts west whilst a hockey game playeth in the south…” Come on, drop a set already. Canucks choking against the Hawks – not too surprising though since the 1 choking aginst the 8 is not unprcedented and the Hawks are the current keepers of the cup!
NEW BLOG BOSS PLEASE!!!
Flagstaff
April 25th, 2011
7:07 pm
^ ???
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
8:59 pm
Bill – Too bad he hasn’t been signed yet. Starting to get a little anxious.
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
9:50 pm
Rather interestiong… http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/nhl-playoffs-could-have-their-own-madness-next-year/article1997166/
Alan R.
April 25th, 2011
9:51 pm
Yes, I’m aware, that’s a typo. A stupid awful typo. Read the article.
Rawhide
April 25th, 2011
9:51 pm
Alan R. – I was hopeing he’d be signed by now too…but I’m not too worried about it. I have had a couple people close to the oganization tell me they aren’t too far off from it getting done.
Flagstaff & ZAvs – I’d have to go with the RSox-Yankees rivalry as the biggest, nastiest rivalry in pro sports. There may be some college ones that equal it, (see alos Alabama/Auburn, ND/Michigan, etc.)….but NY/BOS is nothing but pure, unadulterated, USDA Grade-A Prime hate!
Lance – I forwarded your request to my online editor. He said “NO”. Something about “steady increase in site traffic”, “high page views” and other stuff like that….shrugs…whatever that all means.
hockeygoon79
April 25th, 2011
10:25 pm
So far most my first round picks aren’t doing too well but I did predict the Blackhawks in 7. So I at least got that going for me if the Hawks complete the comeback for the ages.
Great game by the Lightning tonight following up their Penguin pounding Saturday. That should be a hum-dinger of a game seven.
So far we have 3 game sevens in the first round. I think we could have 4 total this go around. The Sharks “should” put away LA tonight and I expect the Habs will force one more game, but if we wind up with 4 G-7s, then that’s OK with me.
Gotta love this time of year. I only hope we’ll be able to experience it first hand in Thrasherville next spring.
Cliff Fletcher
April 26th, 2011
7:22 am
lance-your bio should have the word “suck” in it.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
8:35 am
If tonight’s Canucks vs Blackhawks game goes into OT, the Hawks are 7-3 in their last 10 OT playoff games, while the Canucks are 4-6.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
8:40 am
Out with a whimper?
The last time the Canadiens lost four playoff games in a row was in 2009, when the Bruins swept four straight games in the Conference quarter finals. They also lost four in a row to the Flyers in 2008, four in a row to Carolina in 2006, to Tampa Bay in 2004 and to Buffalo in 1998.
DWTOO
April 26th, 2011
8:50 am
Let’s Go Flyers!
Not Blind
April 26th, 2011
8:51 am
My Ruff post was on the previous blog but WBF responded to it on this blog making my brain freeze up.
Anyway, what I asked was that if Buffalo bombs tonight against Philly does Lindy Ruff’s tenure end ? The Sabres have looked terrible in most of these playoff games. Totally out of sync, almost looking like they have never played together. If Philly had goaltending Buffalo would have been swept in 4 games.
Badger Bob
April 26th, 2011
9:27 am
NB, Buffalo has taken the credo that playoff hockey is not about offense to an extreme – they generate so little. LA has looked just about as anemic, which makes me think they’ll be in the Brad Richards sweepstakes.
Lance, are you hard up for hockey coverage that has dull, uncolorful and uninsightful recitations of on-ice happenings? Then try nhl.com or tsn.ca and leave us alone, thank you. Blogmaster, carry on!
Hoof Arted
April 26th, 2011
9:38 am
Lance, seriously? “not unprcedented”? yeah it’s every year we see a Presidents’ Cup winner build a 3-0 lead on a #8 seed and then possibly choke it away. Good call there, sparky.
As for “dropping a pair”, I would think that anyone who puts out what the BlogMaster does several times a week for years now and then having to deal with assclowns like yourself qualifies as having “dropped” far more than you’ll ever be able to in your lifetime.
Not Blind, that’s a really good question and I’d be interested to see if he actually does take the fall. But if it were me, I’d say he doesn’t. He’s been great for the Sabres and it would be tough to see him given the ax after dragging the 2nd best team in the east to 7 games.
Badger Bob
April 26th, 2011
9:49 am
Alan, as that article hints, the majority of my Canadian friends and family see tonight as potenially the last night of hockey – they can’t bear the thought of hockey being played in places like Florida, California and Tennessee with NONE in Canada. At least rating for the World Championship will spike.
And speaking of the weak intermission filler, I certainly hope we’ve seen the last of Iron Mike Keenan at the Versus desk. He was both thoroughly pompous and uninformative the night he replaced Roenick. A sampling “I used to coach Joe Thornton!”. So Keith Jones asks how he would motivate Joe. “I don’t coach him anymore so that’s not my problem!” Nice. Thanks for that, you twit!
DWTOO
April 26th, 2011
10:00 am
I’m with y’all on Ruff. I’m sure he stays – one thing about Buffalo is the stability in coaches/GM’s. Not everyone likes it, but, think it’s one of their strengths. Think they get as much out their budget as any team in the league.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
10:03 am
Lance, hockey is full of metaphors and the like. I just read the following on one of the on-line Vancouver whining rags :
“It is said that Herb Brooks’ final words to his U.S. Olympic hockey team before the players took the ice against Finland in the 1980 gold medal game — having already done the hard part of their Miracle on Ice against the Soviets — were as follows:
“If you lose this game,” Brooks said, “you will take it to your [expletive] graves.”
Then, as he reached the door, he turned and repeated: “To your [expletive] graves.”
One supposes that this isn’t exactly the right moment, in the midst of what must be an emotional tornado whirling inside the Vancouver Canucks, to lay something that heavy on them — and besides, it’s probably not Alain Vigneault’s style to be so negative.
But it’s true, nonetheless. If they do, they will.
Hahaha, go Hawks!!
Joe Friday
April 26th, 2011
10:18 am
Red Light, and 8 out of the last 10 game 7s have been won by the road club.
You know what all these stats mean? Hawks are gonna lose, someone start posting some stats showing the Canuckleheads have the #s on their side, will ya?!?
I love how Gillis tried to call out the refs saying all the calls are going against him. Um, that’s because your lineup is full of either diving twin sisters or cheap shot artists, ya hump
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
10:44 am
Sorry Joe Friday, there are no stats that back up the Canucks except one…
Vancouver has a record of 5-4 in its previous nine Game 7s and are 3-3 in the six played at home. Not exactly a confidence builder, although they have won 2 of the last 3 and the only one they have appeared in with Vigneault behind the bench!
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
10:48 am
Vigneault’s teams are 4-4 in elimination games.
Alan R.
April 26th, 2011
10:48 am
I can actually see the officiating go against the Canucks tonight, given Gilles’ comments yesterday. If there’s one thing you don’t do, it’s taunt the officials.
“You want to see bad calls? Well, alrighty!”
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
10:53 am
In playoff games decided in OT this season, the road teams are 6-3.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
10:55 am
Disagree Alan R. Canadian TV needs at least one team to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Both the Habs and Canucks will have more PP opportunities than the Bruins and Blackhawks. Book it.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
10:56 am
A good metaphor for Shadenfreude” : Hawks score in the first minute of the game tonight, and we all watch with glee as they pan the camera around the rink showing the crowd….:)
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
11:00 am
Lance – ummm, any idiot can write a cold-cut article about how one team beat another and give stats on the various games. It takes some skill and thought to put together a good piece and tie together metaphors in a consistent pattern. This is the best hockey blog I have encountered (and I read a lot of them) and has some very good and knowledgeable posters – even LAC, while brash, has very respectable views. So Lance, respectfully – you suck.
Anyhow, on to the games…….
So far my predictions are all coming through. I just didn’t think LA could handle the Sharks without Kopitar.
I picked Tampa over Pitt with the Pens missing two of their best, that game 7 should be darn good.
Tonight’s games:
Busy night, really busy and some awesome hockey to be had. Canada faces the prospect of being totally out of the playoffs. I think Boston will finish it up. I DO think Vancouver will win this game 7 but that is going to be one tense crowd. Imagine how quiet that place will be if Chi scores the first goal? You would hear a pin drop.
Buffalo – you can do this! I have no love for either team, but I always like taking the underdog.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
11:23 am
Sabres all-time Game 7 record: 1-5 overall and 0-4 on the road.
Flyers all-time Game 7 record: 8-6 overall and 5-3 on home ice.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
11:25 am
ZAvalanche – here here, I agree that this is one of the best hockey blogs and also agree that Lance sucks.
Your wish for Buffalo to come through may just happen. There are some reports out of Buffalo that Derek Roy may be ready to suit up for Game 7 !! When he got injured in December, he was averaging a point a game…
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
11:26 am
David Amber Tweet: #8 seeds have won 4 of 5 game 7’s vs #1 seeds since seeding began in 1994.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
11:42 am
Personally, I never look at what the historical data is. Every game is different. For example, Bryan Bickell just had wrist surgery yesterday even though playing games 4,5, & 6 for the Hawks. He had two goals and one assist in those three games playing with a lacerated wrist. Now he’s out 6-8 weeks, this has to somehow help the Canucks even though they are hanging by a thread with a strong breeze rolling in from the Pacific.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
11:46 am
Thanks Moe. Hmm, playing Roy in a game 7 after not having played a game in the last 4 months would be a hard decision to make. Sure, if he is coming back he has been practicing but that is akin to going from beer-league softball to the world series. Risky move and I hope it pays off. Would be nice to have Hecht back as well. If Roy is 100%, as he states, then that could be the final nail in the coffin for Philly.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
12:06 pm
Hecht hasn’t been ruled out of Game 7. If he plays, Hecht and Roy could replace injured Pomminville and Connelly, with Philly’s shaky goaltending, should be enough to take Game 7..
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
12:09 pm
Moe: I subscribe to the other side of the coin…history does have a bearing, otherwise the Blackhawks would never have evened up this series without their ominous shadow looming over the Canucks. Now, these things don’t hold true all of the time, but it wouldn’t shock me at all if the Hawks win somewhat easily tonight, with or without Bickell.
Whoever said streaks are meant to be broken didn’t know sports!
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
12:12 pm
Peverley on Game 6 tonight in Montreal:
“You want to go into tonight…and play your best game. An elimination game is always the hardest to win.”
Just exactly how would he know? Must have talked with Recchi! lol
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
12:20 pm
RL – I agree with you on stats, but then again I am a reliability engineer, and history tells all and is the only predictor of the future for any given system. Does it mean that it can’t happen? No, not at all. But if there is still a probability > 0, then there is always a chance. That is what I love about this game and the 2-month-long NHL playoffs (we have all heard of the “Any Given Sunday” phrase and that is why we have game 7’s).
I don’t think anybody will argue with me that this is the best time of year: spring, hockey, golf for Smoothie. Fantastic!
Moe, I sure as hell hope Roy is ready to go, best of luck!
Moe
April 26th, 2011
12:32 pm
There’s nothing more exciting than Hockey playoffs. Players injured, players coming back, Pronger playing only on Powerplays last game, players palying through lacerations etc. etc .etc. Whats next, Cindy popping onto the ice for Game 7 and only playing while the Penguins are Shorthanded?
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
12:33 pm
The Canadiens are 24–8 all time in playoff series against the Bruins, and prior to Montreal’s series loss to Boston in 1990, they were 21-3 all time and had won 8 of 9 playoff series against the Bruins. Since, they are just 3-5.
That trend took ages to reverse, much like the Ruth curse the Yankees had over the Red Sox.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
12:41 pm
Totally agree Moe. For instance, The Mule (Johann Franzen) takes a nasty dive, gets a bunch of stitches and comes back in (I wish he didn’t – I hate Detroit – but that is toughness). Every single one of the players are hurt in some way but they throw their bodies on the line anyway. I am sure I am not the only one here to have taken a slapper to the ribs, and these guys do it every shift. Only team sports player I think is more tough than a hockey player is a Rugby player. That game is brutal.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
12:45 pm
RL, the reason for the decline since 1990 = no Patrick Roy (yeah, I know he left in ‘95, got them a cup in ‘93). They haven’t had super solid tending since he left. There was the one year that Theodore was on fire but he came back down to earth after that run.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
Nope…Roy’s lifetime playoff record against the Bruins was well under .500 and the Bruins eliminated Roy’s team in four of five seasons.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
Another reason for Montreal’s decline was losing Sam Pollack, arguably the greatest GM hockey has ever seen. Here is a story of one of his many accomplishments, I’d bet Guy Lafleur had a few things to do with the Bruins losing a series or two.
“Among one of Sam Pollacks shrewdest moves, was a series of trades in which the Canadiens obtained the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft, the year in which Guy Lafleur would be eligible. It appeared as if the first overall selection would be held by the California Golden Seals so he persuaded Seals owner Charlie Finley to trade the Seals’ pick and François Lacombe in return for Montreal’s first round pick and a veteran Ernie Hicke. However, during the 1970-71 season, the Los Angeles Kings were playing even more poorly than the hapless California Seals. The Kings were in danger of “beating” the Seals out for last place, and if this happened Pollock would lose his first overall pick. Pollock cleverly traded the aging but still valuable Ralph Backstrom to the Kings for two insignificant players. Backstrom’s presence lifted the Kings out of last place, the Seals finished at the bottom, granting the Habs the first pick. Pollock chose Lafleur.with his number 1 pick”.
“On another occasion he traded two college prospects to Boston for a young goalie named Ken Dryden”.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
2:11 pm
Good one Moe!
Joe Friday
April 26th, 2011
2:31 pm
“#8 seeds have won 4 of 5 game 7’s vs #1 seeds since seeding began in 1994.”
Great, the jinx is fully in now, thanks for nuthin!
Not Blind
April 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
I hope there is not an Antiques Roadshow being televised tonight that I haven’t seen !!!
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
RL, some of those Montreal teams were very sub-par and Roy was the only thing that kept them competitive, in my opinion. I don’t think there is another goalie in history who could have taken those ‘86 and ‘93 teams to the cup. He earned his reputation and it is cast in sterling silver – 4 times, twice with some mediocre Montreal teams. Can’t really say much about him carrying his Avs teams, they were loaded with talent.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Trixie, I believe my most recent post is stuck in Alabama……….
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
NM, there we go
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
3:11 pm
Not Bline – LOL! Antiques Road show! HA! Good one!
Uncle Milty
April 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/iceman-thrashers-blog/2011/01/12/could-it-be-the-mayflower-trucks-arent-coming-after-all/
An incredibly karmic announcement is just a few days away now.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
Troll Alert! Uncle Milty got into Sage’s kool-aid…….again.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
I checked the regular season games between the Canucks and the Hawks, they both won twice (once in each others rink). I can’t help but think that Toews will be the difference tonight, he hasn’t done much all series. He’s due….Hawks will win…
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
3:27 pm
City holiday in Winnipeg on Friday. Announcement rumors abound. Apparently a new office building will be erected with the first-ever escalator in Manitoba.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
Moe – interesting though. It very well could be Luongo vs Toews that decides it. I still think the ‘Nucks will triumph.
Joe Friday
April 26th, 2011
3:36 pm
“I can’t help but think that Toews will be the difference tonight, he hasn’t done much all series. He’s due”
Great minds think alike, I’ve been thinking this since about midnight Sunday . . . all bets are off if AV and Gilles have had Luongo hypnotized to believe he’s really back in Florida playing the Thrashers . . .
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
3:40 pm
In the words of Peter McNab, “tonights game could go one of two ways”. Yup, prophetic.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
3:48 pm
ZAvalanche – I think your right about Luongo vs. Toews tonight. Last year, Toews had 4 goals and 7 assists in their 6 games against each other. This year, 0 goals 3 assists in 6 games. Toews will score tonight, and it should be the game winning goal…
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
4:07 pm
Moe – If Luongo comes in like regular season Luongo, Chi is in big trouble. If Toews comes in like he rolled last year, Vancouver is in trouble. This is a total and awesome showdown. I think that if the ‘Nucks can make it past this round they are going to be very dangerous. If Chi makes it past the ‘Nucks then they will roll with SJ = a pretty good match up and you have to think they are very pleased to not have to face the Big Red Borg (I still love that term Bill) in round 2 if they get there.
So….
I am hoping for SJ vs Chi
And Nash vs Det. If the ‘Nucks win it would be ‘Nucks vs Nash and SJ vs Det.
Larry E
April 26th, 2011
4:08 pm
Sure would be nice to have some front page news on the Stanley Cup championship instead of Hawks and Braves (boring). We still do have a NHL hockey team for the time being.
Moe
April 26th, 2011
4:12 pm
ZAvalanche – yup, so close to 50-50 its not funny. I think Nashville must be cheering for Chicago, since they did well against the Red Wings this year.
Red Light
April 26th, 2011
4:40 pm
Pick your poison out West: A talented, well rested Wings team? A Canucks team that finally got past its arch-nemesis? A Sharks team that seems better prepared for long series than in the past? The defending Cup champions who came from down 3-0 to beat the Canucks…yet again? Or, a Nashville team coming off its first series victory ever?
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
RL, if I were the team that comes out of the East, I would pick Vancouver as my opponent least likely to beat me. Reason is that I don’t think that their physical play (or lack of) could handle any team in the East. Skill? Yeah, they have everybody blown away, especially in depth.
World Be Free
April 26th, 2011
7:03 pm
Philly 4 Buffalo 1 tonight
Neither team can break from tradition
Brendan
April 26th, 2011
7:23 pm
Almost puck drop for the Sabres-Flyers! Should be a dandy. The real main even is at 10PM, when the Canucks tackle the Blackhawks. I somehow think the Canucks find a way to win this one. I’m thinking … Sedin in OT, to thwart the comeback?
Prior to last season, the NHL didn’t use “History Will Be Made” as its marketing campaign. Since it did, each year, some team has rallied from down 3-0 to force a 7th game. Maybe the Blackhawks will join the Flyers in that regard. Horribly disappointing end to a fabulous season for the Canucks, should they lose. Franchise bests for wins, points, etc. What’s the rule, in the playoffs?
Class! Class!! Class!!!
“Gotta keep winning.” Even up, 3-0, you must keep winning. There are no pity points, for nice effort, anymore. You must win.
Brendan
April 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
Red Light, I pick the Sharks, of the descriptions you mentioned.
Brendan
April 26th, 2011
7:24 pm
Red Light, excellent research today. Just excellent. You are why the blog is so good.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
8:08 pm
Philly and Buffalo are playing it very tight and close to the vest. I don’t have the other game.
ZAvalanche
April 26th, 2011
10:04 pm
Holy a$$ whooping in Philly tonight.
Red Light
April 27th, 2011
12:00 am
Thanks Brendan but I’m nothing but a fourth-line center who occasionally sees time on the PK!
Is there no justice in this world? Another playoff series with the orange-and black? This will be the 6th straight time in two playoff years that I have to watch their crap. A double PA whammy if Pens win tomorrow night. Hate ‘em both!
Alan R.
April 27th, 2011
12:48 am
Vancouver gave up their first shorthanded goal of the season tonight.
A game tying goal.
With under two minutes left in the game.
ZAvalanche
April 27th, 2011
1:08 am
WOW! Can’t fault a goalie for a goal like that. Crawford stood on his head all game, and burner that is rolling is like a knuckle ball, it can go anywhere. Good effort Chi, nice win Van. THAT was a good game.
ZAvalanche
April 27th, 2011
1:19 am
I didn’t catch who turned it over but that dude has to be p!ssed as hell right now.
Tom Lysiak
April 27th, 2011
1:26 am
ZA – pretty sure it was Campoli.
ZAvalanche
April 27th, 2011
1:29 am
Thanks Tom, I don’t have DVR right now so I couldn’t re-watch it. Campoli must be feeling the wrath right now, but not near as bad as he is going to read about tomorrow.
Alan R.
April 27th, 2011
1:37 am
West predictions:
Wings over Sharks in 6
Nashville over Canucks in 6
Detroit is in far better shape than they were last year, and they’ve had plenty of time off to let their guys rest and recover. They may be a little rusty, but with as loose as the Sharks played the Kings, the Red Wings will give them fits.
Nashville is a team that will wear down the opposition, and use any lapses to put pucks on net. Vancouver will have to watch out for that. Anyone saying the Nucks will have an easy time of things have another thing coming. Luongo’s defense, I think, made Luongo look good in this series with Chicago. Given Nashville’s style, however, I don’t see this working for a second series.
Badger Bob
April 27th, 2011
7:13 am
You gotta believe the Nucks would rather be playing in front of Crawford than Luoooongo, and that’s got to play on their minds. Nashville in 7 and the Borg in 5.
World Be Free
April 27th, 2011
7:22 am
Brunes can’t be too happy with Lucic in this series. He has done nothing offesively, then gets a mjor/game that results in a game winning goal. Any player has to know not to hit another player when you see the numbers, just like a block int he back in football.
But I also fault Spacek on the play; he did nothing to protect himself facing the boards and playing with the puck for an extended period. The first they team you in hockey at a young age is look up and get rid of the puck before you get nailed. You knew Spacek was going to get nailed, damage done by a 245# winger. ANd get rid of that seamless glass! Habs are supposed to be so smart, that stuff is the worst invention in hockey history, like hitting a brick wall.
Montreal fans at the Bell Center are the worst bunch of whining crybabies.
Red Light
April 27th, 2011
8:23 am
Vancouver will win the next long series but the grind will cost them a shot at the Cup. Winner of San Jose and Detroit goes to the Cup Finals.
Joe Friday
April 27th, 2011
8:25 am
Campoli with the fitting for the goat horns early this morning. What an egregious turnover in a pivotal game, what an anti-climactic way for that series to end, justice would have been someone making a huge play to win it, not a lame turnover to lose it.
So what did all those stats we saw yesterday prove, yet again? Every time I see #s that favor one over the other, or you see in an NFL game that so and so hasn’t thrown an interception in 13 games, you just know what’s coming next . . . stats show trends in the past, but they also show the odds of the same thing occuring in the future, which is ever diminishing. But thanks for posting all those stats, I sat there all night convinced they were going to lose, after seeing how road team had won so many Game 7s and OTs recently, odds were leaning in Vancouver’s favor heavily because of that. Great season by the Hawks, and what a performance by Crawford, how did he not get nominated for the Calder?
AtlantaFlamesFan
April 27th, 2011
8:40 am
After the first goal, Briere tapped Miller on the back of the helmet. Does anyone else think that deserves an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty? Taunting the goalie like that after a goal could lead to some ugly situations.
Badger Bob
April 27th, 2011
9:11 am
Echoes of ‘89?
Flames 1989 President’s Trophy winners, #1 offense, #2 defense
Vancouver 2011 President’s Trophy winners, #1 offense, #1 defense
1989 Flames pushed to overtime in Game 7 of their first and supposedly easiest series (against Vancouver, BTW)
2011 Nucks pushed to overtime in Game 7 of their first series
1989 Flames only lose 3 more games in the next three series, on route to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
2011 Nucks?? I hope not, but just sayin…
AFF, I saw the tap and it should have been a penalty, but I’m not sure it was meant as a taunt given their relationship.
Rawhide
April 27th, 2011
9:20 am
This is your official 10-minute Ranallo Warning. New blog to be posted at 9:30am.
ZAvalanche
April 27th, 2011
9:21 am
AtlantaFlamesFan – yeah, I noticed that in the replay as well but I don’t think he did it for that purpose, though if he did, he pulled it off well.
Campoli has to bee feeling like he crapped the bed this morning – huge turnover.
Crawford was simply amazing last night – and they lost. Tells me that Vancouver was really the better team. I thought that game was going to be Toews vs Loungo, and in a way it was, but I would say they both get an A- on the evening.
I think Miller got left out to dry. Buffalo’s D was horrific last night and they simply got pushed around by Philly.
Anybody see the Boston Montreal game? How did it look?
Smoothie
April 27th, 2011
9:26 am
“Vancouver will win the next long series but the grind will cost them a shot at the Cup. Winner of San Jose and Detroit goes to the Cup Finals.”
THIS. But I tend to think San Jose will be the ones who oust the Nucks.
AtlantaFlamesFan
April 27th, 2011
9:35 am
When Briere did it, my first reaction was that it was taunting and worth a penalty. However, after seeing the post game handshake and how they embraced each other, I get the feeling that it was not meant that way. However, he is lucky he did not go to the box (and feel much shame).
ZAvalanche
April 27th, 2011
9:59 am
Smoothie, I think SJ or Det could both take Van down. Van struggled with, yes, a former championship team, but a team that lost a lot of it’s role playing players. Vancouver has to be worried about the next round.
Not Blind
April 27th, 2011
10:07 am
I hate Lavliolette coached teams but Buffalo did not compete. In the mid-game interview Ruff sounded beaten already although there was plenty of time left. I didn’t see him try to exhort his team to a higher level of play. I think he could already see that his team wasn’t willing to do the things needed to win [ i.e. take the dirty shots that Philly/Lavliolette dish out ].
Brendan
April 27th, 2011
1:43 pm
Great shot that beat Crawford. I cannot fault him. Campoli attempted to make a crazy clearing pass. I honestly cannot say what he was thinking, other than ‘he panicked.’ He tried to recover, but it was too late.
Canucks exhale. Canucks survive. Canucks will win again, next round.