THE GOALIE CONUNDRUM

Having a great goalie is what gives every team a chance at winning. The Colorado Avalanche had that during the second half of the regular season and in the first round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Wild. Against the difficult Red Wings they have lacked that important component. Jose Theodore have been battling the flue as of late and haven't been the same thus he hasn't been that lock you need in net.

Of course Theodore is not entirely to blame for the Avs being down 3-0 in the series. Instead, blame Joel Quenneville for not giving the other players that fair chance att winning, which they probably would get if Peter Budaj would start in net. Quenneville keeps saying that he wants Theodore to play because he got them there. True, Jose Theodore's incredible goaltending was a huge factor against the Wild, but that is not a good reason to play him when he's playing not so great. With all the injuries this Avs team has suffered they need him to be a difference maker.

Quenneville answered any goaltending questions with "this [Theodore] is a guy that they have to count on. You win with your best and you lose with your best.

What does that tell Peter Budaj, who has come on for Theodore twice in this series and been solid? In my opinion, you play with who is hot. Quenneville's decision to stick with his number one cost the Avs two games and put them in a near impossible situation. This is no time to avoid hurting someone's feelings and Theodore knows this, he's been in the league long enough to know it's about who is hot and who is not. Starting Budaj in Game 2 could have given the Avs a better shot at tying the series at 1-1.

In Game 3 Theodore had 31 saves so maybe he has gotten over his bad spell. Question is if it's too late for the Avs as a team to do the same. No team since the 1975 NY Islanders has erased a 3-0 deficit to advance from a playoff series.

I hate to say it, but this Colorado team does not look like a history-making team.

ARE WE GETTING ROBBED?

Penguins are marching, they are now 7-0 so far in the playoffs, and the Rangers seem powerless to stop them. The Dallas Stars have got the Sharks totally figured out and outsmarted and also lead 3-0 in their series and the Detroit Red Wings, much thanks to a certain Mule, are just steamrolling over the oft-injured Colorado Avalanche. Three out of four series in the second round could stop at just twelve games which means we're missing out on at least four or five games, theoretically, we could be missing as much as nine games but it is very rare that three out of four series goes to seven games. On the other hand, isn't it just as unlikely that many series end in sweeps? It is, and I don't think we'll see three sweeps.

I'm gonna say Rangers in Game 4 and that the series ends 4-1. I think Dallas will take Game 4 and sweep the lame Sharks. Colorado will win Game 4 on sheer determination but ultimately the Wings will prove to tough of an obstacle. It would have been cool to see these two teams battle it out while the Avs were at full power but all these injuries are finally taking its toll on them.

Thankfully the Montreal-Philadelphia series is providing everything I want from a great playoff series, two equal teams bringing out the very best in each other while fighting it out to the very end (hopefully a Game 7), great individual performances (Martin Biron), suckerpunch-controversies and, ultimately, coaches arguing about it.

* * *

The Pens look unstoppable as they try to become the first team to go 8-0 in the playoffs since the seven-game series was introduced in 1987. Two other teams, Montreal in 1989 and NY Rangers in 1994, managed to go 7-0 and both teams went to the Stanley Cup finals.

TOOTHLESS SHARKS

The San Jose Sharks dropped a 2-1 lead in the 3rd period to lose Game 2 against the Dallas Stars 5-2. They now have to dig themselves out of a hole as they head to Dallas for Game 3. And while the key players, such as Mike Modano, Marty Turco, Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro, have all stepped it up in the playoffs, the key players for the Sharks have done the exact opposite. Evgeni Nabokov is a favourite to win the Vezina Trophy for his impressive season where he lead in wins, but against the Stars he hasn't really impressed anyone.

But though the Sharks definately need more from their star goalie, Nabokov is far from their biggest problem. When asked if he needed more from his captain, a very irritated Ron Wilson responded, "No." Then he walked off mubeling something about all the questions always being so negative. Sharks captain, Patrick Marleau, kept up his sub-par performance from Game 1, where he jumped over a shot instead of blocking it. That is not acceptable in the playoffs, if ever.

I realize that I predicted San Jose would beat Calgary in seven games to advance to the second round but, with the facts in hand I am surprised they pulled it off considering how poorly they played. Against Dallas they haven't stepped it up an inch and I would not be surprised if this series ends in Dallas.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS

The Philadelphia Flyers held on to beat Montreal and tie the second round series and there is no doubt in my mind what so ever, this is where the best hockey on the planet is being played. It is too bad only one of these two teams can advance to the Eastern Conference finals. All we can do is enjoy this while it lasts and hope it does so for a full seven games. This, ladies and gentlemen, is as good as it gets.

The Candiens missed the oppurtunity to go 2-0 in the series against the Flyers much because of Martin Biron's stellar play last night at the Bell Centre. Game 2 of the series was just as close as the first one, only this time the Flyers managed to hold on for the win. Biron took 34 of the 36 shots he faced giving the Flyers a 4-2 win. R J Umberger scored twice and red hot Daniel Briere got one as well. But, even though the Flyers played a really solid game, beating the Habs in everything, it was Biron who made the biggest difference.

The Habs certainly aren't happy with splitting the two first games in their own building so expect them to want to do at least the same once the series turn to the city of brotherly love. The Flyers, though probably quite content with getting one game in Montreal, surely must feel they let Game 1 slip away and that they should be heading home leading the series 2-0.

Habs goalie, Carey Price, rated his own performance a 6 out of 10, stating he wasn't lucky with the bounces, but I'm not sure that many would agree with him. Coach Guy Carbonneau just said that great players create their own luck. Price gets a lot of praise for always looking so relaxed and composed in the net, but that means nothing if you don't stop the pucks. Sometimes his relaxed style borders on nonchalance like in Game 2 where he had major difficulties with his glove hand. I don't doubt that Price will get the start in Game 3 in Philadelphia because great players also bounce back.

Red Wings too much for Avs

What looked like an exciting revival of the rivalry between the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche is looking more like a cat's fight with a mouse, after the mouse is out cold.

Colorado, again without Peter Forsberg, had absolutely nothing going for them as they got creamed by a Red Wings team that is looking more and more like a real cup contender. Chris Osgood keeps showing us he's still got what it takes to go all the way and Johan Franzen is playing like a man posessed, leading the playoffs is scoring after his hat-trick.

I really though the Avs would put up more of a fight even without Forsberg, but the shaky play by Jose Theodore has to be coach Quenneville's biggest worry right now. Peter Budaj replaced the former Hart Trophy winner for the second straight game and was great, giving up just one goal. If Budaj, who will surely get the start in Game 3 in Denver, can keep playing like this it will give the Avs an oppurtunity to get back into this series. If not, this series will be over in four.

No beards

It seems a lot of players aren't taking the playoff beard seriously. While watching a pre-game interview with Colorado forward Ryan Smyth, my first thought was how surprisingly clean-shaven he was. After six games against the Minnesota Wild in the first round and one game into the second round series against Detroit you would think he'd sport a full beard by now.

During the warm-up, like always, a slimey octopus found its way down to the ice, only this time a Colorado player picked it up and threw it back into the stands! Hillarious!

Rivalry off to a cool start

The Colorado Avalanche played most of the regular season without Peter Forsberg, yet after the loss to the Red Wings in Game 1 coach Joel Quenneville said that, though his absence was felt, they did learn how to play without him down the stretch. That says a lot about the impact Forsberg has on this team. If he doesn't return for Game 2 on Saturday, the Avs will most likely find themselves in a 0-2 hole heading back to Denver.

Quenneville also has to decide who to play in goal in Game 2. Either go with Peter Budaj, who came on for Theodore and shut the door on the Wings or stay with his number one, Theodore, if he is well by then.

* * *

I can't understand why coaches keep blaming the refs after a loss. Philadelphia coach, John Stevens sat at the podium and sulked over the eledged high-stick by Alexei Kovalev, which, to his dismay, was ruled a goal. There is no point to this, they won't change the call after the game and it certainly does little to help his team. The Flyers lost because they blew a 2-0 lead due to weak defense.

Neither team got a lot of chances at the man-advantage, but both teams took advantage when they got that oppurtunity. Be sure, the rest of this series will be as tight as this first game.

Round two... here we go!

It's time for round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs and so far it has been just awesome. The second round is just as difficult to predict as the first but here are some thoughts.

I can't stress enough how excited I am that the Detroit Red Wings are facing the Colorado Avalanche again. It has been a while since the rivalry's heyday but a handful of players still remain on both rosters. Those who weren't there the last time around, in 2002, will definately get a taste of the old days the minute this series kicks off. The Avs lost all four games against the Wings this season, but they did it without many of their top forwards, including Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, and Paul Statsny. The Colorado team that brushed off Minnesota in six games is a completely different team. I would not be surprised if it takes seven games to separate these two teams, which would be only the second time that has happened. I think Detroit has the edge here, but not because they went 4-0 against the Avs, because of their defense, Osgood and their scoring depth, they basically have no real weaknesses. Theodore played great in the first round but Minnesota is not the offensive powerhouse that Detroit is. The Avs also rely heavily on the presence of Peter Forsberg. With him they usually win, without him they tend to lose.

A lot of experts seem to think this is finally the year of the Shark. I don't. I can't see the San Jose Sharks getting past Dallas, a team brimming with confidence after dismissing the defending Stanley Cup champions in six games. Dallas is a far tougher opponent than the Flames, a team that the Sharks had surprising difficulties getting passed. San Jose gave up a 3-0 lead in Game 3 and when they had the chance to close the series in Game 6 they appeared lame and uninterested. Dallas, on the other hand, played solid for most of their first-round series against Anaheim and unless the Sharks can play more consistent, the Stars will play in their first conference final since 2000.

I have said that I think the Montreal Candiens will play in the Stanley Cup finals and I am not changing that prediction now. I never thought the Bruins would force the Habs to a Game 7 and the Canadiens' powerplay didn't look as sharp as it did in the regular season, eventhough they did connect on two PP chances in Game 7. These were the two best teams on the man-advantage during the regular season so special teams is key to winning the series. The Canadiens also need Alexei Kovalev to be the dominationg force he was during the season. The Flyers got better and better as the series against Washington progressed and they are entering the second round confident they have what it takes to eliminate the eastern conference winners. Montreal native Martin Biron played a great series and is now the undisputed number one goalie. He will have to keep up that level in the second round. Philadelphia is also heading into round two with a Daniel Briere on fire. The Habs will have to find a way to stop him or their cup chase ends here.

I honestly didn't think the New York Rangers would get this far. If I remember correctly I said 4-1 to New Jersey, but now they are here and they did look very good against a very midiocre Devils team. Pittsburgh will be a far greater obstacle than their Hudson neighbors. Defensively I would go with the Rangers, offensively the Penguins have the upper hand, and in goal Henrik Lundqvist has the edge over Marc-Andre Fleury. A long rest didn't do the Ottawa Senators a lot of good before the finals last year and it doesn't favour the Pens now either. I actually think the Rangers will emerge triumphant from this series and Sean Avery, who thrives against the Penguins, will probably play a big part in it, as will Vezina nominee Ludqvist.

Dream match up in second round

The Washington Capitals have spent most of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs coming back and they have captured a lot of fans doing it. Unfortunately, in the first round they faced an even better comeback team in the Philadelphia Flyers. After losing two straight games, missing a chance to clinch the series at home in Game 6, the Flyers finally figured out how to get the better of Alex Ovechkin and his band of young talent.

The San Jose Sharks looked uninspired in Game 6 but pulled them selves together and put out the Flames in Game 7. They will never admit it but, I think the Dallas Stars are quite happy to play the Sharks rather than Calgary.

It is extremely rare that a team returns from a 3-1 defecit and it didn't happen now either. The Boston Bruins fell short in Game 7 just like the Caps. This gives us a second round that is a virtual wet dream and also very hard to predict (like always when it comes to pure guessing), so I'm not going to predict any scores.

Montreal-Philadelphia
Pittsburgh-NY Rangers
Detroit-Colorado
San Jose-Dallas

I have to ponder this one for a bit and come back with my thoughts on the second round. But if you have any predictions, please share with a comment!

Crunch time

The fact that the Montreal Canadiens won all eight games against the Boston Bruins during the regular season means very little in the playoffs, this is especially true now that their first round series has come down to a deciding Game 7. The Habs, heavy favourites at the start of the series, have seen a 2-0 slip away and at the chance of wrapping things up at 3-1 they lost two straight. Young Carey Price gave up five goals in each of those games, which were his first consecutive losses since being called up from the minors in February. Momentum is clearly with the B's even if stats still favour the Canadiens. The Bruins have never won a series in which they trailed 3-1. On the other hand, this is the first time they have forced a Game 7 in that situation. Be that as it may, I'm going to stick with my original pick. This will be the ultimate test to see if Price can perform at crunch time, I think he can.

* * *

The Philadelphia Flyers don't have their backs against the wall, at leaste not yet. Though the Washington Capitals took home Game 5 and avoided elimination, the Flyers still have two shots at clinching their first playoff series since 2004. Ovechkin didn't have any goals or assists in Game 5 but he did play perhaps his best game in the post season. Question is if the Caps can win the next one as well without his contribution the scoresheet. The Flyers will have to do without forward Mike Knuble, but they are more than familiar to playing without their stars, they have gotten through most of the season without several of them. I'm not changing my pick here either, Philadelphia look way too tough and if they lose tonight they will win in Game 7. There is something special about these Flyers and, much like those Canadiens of 1993, they will surprise a lot of people on their way through these playoffs.

* * *

Nice to see that Henrik Lundqvist got nominated for the Vezina Trophy. Early on in the season he carried the non-scoring Rangers on his back and, even though he lost his touch around the halfway pointone point, a late push by the Rangers saw him return to his old form. The nomination is his third in a row. Will the third time be the charm for The King?

The other two nominees are Martin Brodeur, who will try to win his fifth Vezina, and Evgeni Nabokov who posted a league leading 46 wins this season and was third in the league with a 2.14 goals-against-average and tied for third with six shutouts. Lundqvist, who despite his mid-season struggle, posted a 2.23 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage, also led the league with 10 shutouts.

I would have to say that Nabokov looks like the favourite to win his first trophy as the best goalie in the NHL.

* * *

The Flyers - Capitals game just started so I'll have to wrap this up now.

The Bruins - Habs series

Phil:

About game 2 of the B's-Habs series, that's exactly what the Bruins did. They came out of the gates hitting everything in red. A ferocious forecheck was put into works too but to no avail. They are simply snake-bitten by the dreaded Habs this year. Hopefully, the tide will turn for the better in three hours from now.

Apparently, Kessel was a healthy scratch(!)last night. I'm still trying to figure out why Wideman wasn't dressed.


Niklas:

Well, my friend, the Boston Bruins continued to forecheck and play the body hard against the Habs in Game 3 and it payed off. I guess this is they only way they can beat Montreal and, like Marc Savard said, "We don't have a lot of dancers over here, we're a lunch-bucket team." That comment hits the nail on the head, you have to accept what you are and play the game there after.

Unfortunately, this leaves a great player like Phil Kessel on the outside. He was a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.


Phil:

Savard is right, at least in comparison to the Canadiens. But this is the most talented Bruins team I've seen in years. I know this series could be wrapped up in a couple of nights but the Bruins are not supposed to be in the playoffs this year in the first place. And if this is a preview of what's the come in the next two years, I'll be laughing.

Wideman, Krejci, and Lucic are awesome. The latter is the most exciting skater to hit Beantown since Sinden stole Neely from Vancouver. Lucic is a bigger and "badder" Bruin as a 19-year old than Joe Thornton ever was. No pun intended though. We'll see if Julien still thinks Kessel is too soft tomorrow. Allez Bruins de Boston!


Niklas:

I think you're right and, while I still think trading off Big Joe to San Jose is one of the dumbest moves in resent history, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for these young and talented Bruins. The future looks bright and the Montreal-Boston rivalry might take centre stage once again. Carey Price against Tukka Rask could be a classic. But for now, the Canadiens are too good for the B's.

First round thoughts

Montreal had no trouble beating Boston in Game 1, but interestingly enough, they didn't do it through their league-leding power play. Boston tried so hard to not take a lot of unnesessary penalties that they instead gave the Habs too much room to score at even strength. I expect the Bruins to check a lot more and hit a lot more in Game 2.

* * *

Just a couple of hours left until the puck drops at the Verizon Center in Game 1 of the Washington - Philadelphia series. This is by far the most interesting of all match-ups in the first round. I did pick the Flyers to take home the series but I think the Caps will win round one. These Flyers are a comeback team and they will snatch Game 2 before the series goes to Philly. Did I say Flyers in 7? I think so. Wow, this is going to be a classic.

* * *

The Detroit Red Wings got some lucky bounces and managed to fight off the hot Nashville Predators and I think that was really important for the Wings to head into this playoffs not having to comeback early in the series. There is a lot of pressure in Motown and, eventhough the Wings took home the Presidents Trophy again, because of a couple of early round exits from the playoffs, a lot of fans don't expect them to go far. Can't be easy to be the best team so often.

* * *

I did pick Anaheim over Dallas and, eventhough it is just a guess because stats mean nothing in playoffs, I have to stand by that but losing at 0-4 at home is certainly not the start the Ducks had hoped for. I expected Dallas to give the Ducks a run for their money but this? No way! Turco was magnificent and the Stars made the home team pay on their power play. Interesting to see how Anaheim will play in Game 2. Expect Turco to sweat.

Wild Wild West

Most experts agree the Western Conference is tougher than the East, and to a certain extent that is true. The teams are bigger, at least most of them, but most importantly, I think, the travel is longer. Anyway you look at it, the first round is really interesting. Eventhough the Red Wings once again took home the Presidents Trophy I see no clear cut favorite. I'm not sure what Maggie the monkey predicted, haven't had a chance to see any of the TSN experts picks yet, but here are mine for the first round of the Western Conference in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. By the way, why is Maggie spinning a wheel? That's not predicting at all. Just let her point to the team she likes, a monkey could do that for sure.

San Jose 4 - Calgary 3

Sure the Sharks are favorites, but Calgary is a tough team to play and the will make sure any opponent knows it. If they go down, they will go down fighting and the Sharks, should they get past them, will be pretty banged up for second round.

* * *

Anaheim 4 - Dallas 2

When it counts, the champions will step it up a notch. If Sergei Zubov does not return to the Stars' lineup, fending off the Ducks will prove too big of a task. Marty Turco is also a key player, but he hasn't had much luck in the post season yet, though he was spectacular last year in the series against Vancouver, which the Stars lost.

* * *

Detroit 4 - Nashville 1

This could be a sweep but I think the Predators will get one at home. There is a lot of pressure on the Red Wings to go all the way but they have a lot of power up front and are better equipped defensively than last year. The only thing that may be cause for concern is the two previous cup winning veterans sharing duties in the net. That really sounds better than it is.

* * *

Colorado 4 - Minnesota 2

To most, the Minnesota Wild are favorites to advance victorious from this series, and they do have Colorado's numbers this season. But that means absolutely nothing in the playoffs, and if Peter Forsberg can stay healthy the Avs will not only get passed the Wild but will probably be an ugly surprise to a few other teams as well. Jose Theodore is also getting back to his old 2002 form and that will be crucial.

15 minutes before the playoffs begin. Ironically, after writing this, I am watching New Jersey - NY Rangers. Let's go!

Playoffs! Finally!

It's finally here, the time we've been waiting for since September, the Stanley Cup playoffs. And boy, what a playoff this will be.

The first round is full of really exiting match-ups, the Flyers-Caps series is certainly one of them. Philadelphia will have to find a way to contain the Ovechkin-Backstrom combo, however, the Flyers have no shortage of offensive power themselves.

Philadelphia 4 - Washington 3

* * *

When the season started, I don't think the Boston Bruins were planning on making a serious push for the Cup, their plans lay a little further in the future, but now, here they are and it's anyone's game. Against conference winners Montreal, the Bruins can play without pressure, but ultimately, the Habs will be too much for them. But this will be a fun series to watch since these two Original Six teams have faced off against each other once or twice before in the playoffs.

Montreal 4 - Boston 2

* * *

The Rangers have the Devils' numbers, they won 7 of eight games this season against their Hudson rival. None of that matters now and I wouldn't be surprised if this series goes to seven games. The Brodeur-Lundqvist match-up could be future classic. However, this is where the neighbor across the river shows they're the better playoff team.

New Jersey 4 - NY Rangers 1

* * *

I think the Ottawa Senators are actually enjoying being the underdog all of a sudden. The Penguins are stronger and have more scoring depth than last year, but if Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher are healthy, this series isn't as easy to predict as most seem to think. Can Malkin produce along side Crosby?

Pittsburgh 4 - Ottawa 2

* * *

That was the East. I'll do the West tomorrow.

By the way, I am as happy as everyone else about Washington making the playoffs, because it would really suck to see the big dance start without the leagues best player, Alex Ovechkin. And since they did, thanks to an impressive end of the season-winning streak, there is no way they can give the Hart Trophy to anyone else than the Caps' super-Russian.

Caps, Flyers and the Stanley Cup Champions

This season has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia Flyers. At one time they were at the top of their division, then later on they went on a ten game losing stretch. They have had myriad of injuries plauge their roster through out the year yet, through it all, they have looked like a playoff team. Because if there is one thing the Flyers don't lack it's heart, they have an abundance of it and they will need it in the post season because my guess is the Flyers will face Pittsburgh in the first round.

Buffalo still have a shot at a playoff berth, however, the Flyers need only two points to keep the Sabres out. Washington, who have left to play Florida and Tampa Bay at home, probably have the easiest remaining schedule and will probably snag third place overall away from Carolina who are on a two-game losing streak. Washington beat Carolina last night and are 9-1-0 in their last ten games and are looking strong after a slow start to the season.

Montreal will end up second and play Ottawa in the first round and eventually go all the way to the Stanley Cup. And I say this despite the fact that the Habs just lost their captain, Saku Koivu, for the season because there are to major factors that favor Montreal. The most important is Carey Price who is in a similar situation to that of Patrick Roy in 1986 and the Canadiens do have a pretty good track record when it comes to rookie goalies. The second reason is the fact that they made no major aquisitions at the trade deadline which, as history shows, is something most previous Cup winners also did not. Another, less fact based reason, is the names on the roster. Whith names like Latendresse, Bouillon, Brisebois, and Lapierre how can not go all the way?

That, along with the fact that they possess the best powerplay record in the NHL, is why I think the Montreal Canadiens will take home the Stanley Cup.