See You Later, Joe

One of the all-time greats is calling it quits. After 20 seasons in the NHL, all with one franchise, Joe Sakic has decided to hang up his skates. Throughout his fantastic career, the Colorado captain, known for his leathal wrist shot and smooth passing, won two Stanley Cups with Colorado and recieved the Hart Trophy in 2001.

Sakic retires as number eight in scoring. He is one of only seven players with both 600 goals and 1,000 assists (1,640)

The Vancouver native is considered one of the greatest leaders in NHL history. He was a gentleman, both on and off the ice and he will be greatly missed.

The game won't be the same without you, Joe.

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Bitter Wings and Disrespecting Penguins

Despite being up 2-0 and 3-2, the Detroit Red Wings couldn't finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just like they did against the Washington Capitals, the Pens came back to win the series after being down 2-0.

No one is debating the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins are the 2009 Stanley Cup Champions, however, there has been a lot of talk about Sidney Crosby being disrespectful and of the Wings being sore losers.

Here is what I think.

Sidney Crosby gets away with a lot of stuff simply because he is young and inexperienced and most people seem to think he deserves to be protected like he's the new Wayne Gretzky. Don't get me wrong, I think Crosby is a great hockey player and he has a lot in common with the Great One, not just the fact that they both wine a lot. But as a captain he has a lot to learn.

Those who call the Detroit players sore losers fail to recognize that there is such a thing as a bad winner. Treating your opponent with respect comes with the title and Crosby failed to do that. At 22, he should have watched enough cup finals to know that you always shake hands with the losing team before you start doing interviews and going nuts celebrating. That is just how it's done, and noty just in hockey but in most other sports as well. There are no special circumstances because you're Sidney Crosby.

Another question that has been raised after Detroit's loss in Game 7, is whether the Red Wing dynasty is over because of it. Why would it be?

Not only was Detroit the first reigning champion to get past the first round of the playoffs in years, but they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and Game 7. Except the fact that Nicklas Lidstrom has one more year left on his contract, they have players like Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk, Kronwall, Filppula, Helm, Ericsson who will be around a lot longer, making the Wings a contender for years to come. And even after that, there are new players ready to take their place. Detroit does not rely on one or two stars, but on the organization's ability to mold players to fit their system. Old players show new players how defense comes first and back checking hard is a must or you're gone. I honestly think both Datsyuk and Zetterberg would have been different players on any other team. They would have been great, but perhaps not the two best two-way players in the league.

Last but not least, I would like to say that I think Marc-Andre Fleury should have been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. In the end, he made the difference.

So, congrats Penguins! I can't wait for October to come around.

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Wheels Come Off Penguins

Still think Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world? Give me a break! The kid and his superstar side-kick are being schooled out there by the best.

The Red Wings are defending champions for a reason and they have the strength, depth and experience to win when it matters the most. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have a lot to learn, and you'd think they would have by now. No they have not. The two "superstars" acted like upset and frustrated babies. Whenever things go against Malkin, he loses his head and starts acting stupid. He thinks he is some how inspiring his teammates by elbowing John Franzen, when all he is really doing is showing his lack of mental toughness.

I can understand how frustrating it must be for Sidney Crosby to always (and by always I really mean all the time) have Henrik Zetterberg in his face, constantly tearing his game to shreads. But seriously, if this is the best player in the world, he certainly isn't showing it in these finals.

Throughout the series, Crosby has been totally anihilated by Zetterberg. To be called the best in the world, in my book, you have to be a great two-way player, like Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Crosby is no way near those two, neither is Malkin, and it is made painfully clear in these finals.

The Penguins came out really strong early in the first period, only to totally lose it after going down 0-1 on a Detroit break-away orchestrated by the returning Pavel Datsyuk.

After that, the Pens were done. The defleated completely after one goal! In a post-game interview, the Penguin's captain said they had not played their best yada, yada... why didn't they try their very best in a Game 5 of a Stanley Cup Final? Beats me.

By the way, anyone still doubting the ability of Chris Osgood? No? Didn't think so.

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Best When It Counts

It is very familiar. Two games into the Stanley Cup Final, it's Red Wings two Pittsburgh zip. Clearly, the Penguins have finally found their match. Again. 

Henrik Zetterberg is proving how good he is when it really matters. The thicker his beard grows, the more he elevates his game. and by now, he is really amped up. Like the Anaheim Ducks, the Penguins have no answer for Hank's line that has shut down Sid the Kid. Who cares about the Art Ross Trophy?

Also, the Red Wings are getting goals from their ever so impressive supporting cast. Just like in Game 1, Justin Abdelkader provided that important 3-1 goal that sealed the win again for the red machine. And who would have guessed that Jonathan Ericsson completely shut down Evgeni Malkin? Boy, are the Red Wings glad they have the big Swede. As hard as it it may be to picture Detroit without Niclas Lidstrom, he won't be around forever. 

I have to admit, before this series started, I had some doubt about the Red Wings beating the Penguins. Just like last year, the Pens looked so good. They were so solid. And just like last year, I feel a little stupid when realizing just how good this Detroit team is. Marc-André Fleury was great last night and he kept his team in the game until Abdelkader's goal, but they still couldn't find a way to outsmart, outmuscle or outplay the Wings. 

I won't be surprised if Pittsburgh finds a way to beat Detroit once the series returns to Pennsylvania. I will be surprised if the Wings don't steal serve from the Pens and heads back to the Motor City with a 3-1 lead.

Big Red Machine Rolls over Ducks

What a game! It was everything you want a Game 7 to be. I admit, it was a little too close for comfort toward the end but the Red Wings prevailed and were able to push back a very good Ducks team. As usual, Henrik Zetterberg was nothing short of a giant on the ice when it mattered the most. Pavel Datsyuk, who's been a no show up until Game 7, worked hard, and, altough he didn't score, he did contribute a lot more than he did earlier on in the series.

Except for the fans down in Disneyland, I think pretty much everyone else was hoping for a Detroit - Chicago Conference Final. It really has the making of a classic. Now, there will be at least one original six team in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Should the Bruins win Game 7, it will be the first time since 1978-79, when Montreal beat the Rangers 4-1, that two original six teams meet in the final.

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This Year's Mule

We're into the second round of the playoffs and I am trying to see some early, or semi-early, signs of a playoff winner. Almost without any exceptions, a Stanley Cup winner will include one or more players who will rise well above their normal game providing that neccesary push on the way to cup fame.

This year, several contenders show no signs of this, including Detroit, Boston, and Pittsburgh.

Sure, Sidney Crosby leads all skaters in goals after his hat trick last night against Washington, but that's him playing on his normal level. Had it been Maxim Talbot or Petr Sykora scoring eight or nine tallies with Crosby and Malkin producing at their normal rate, it would have been a different ball game. But the supporting cast in Pittsburgh is not up to snuff and that's why they are being beaten by the Caps.

Last year, the Mule, or Johan Franzen as he is also known, was the the talk of the town. His scoring frenzy was a major factor the Red Wings went all the way. This year, there is no one, at least not yet. Detroit, however, have more problems than their secondary scoring. Their best players, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Hossa haven't been their best players so far, and they really need to be.

For Boston, Tim Thomas has been great, but then again, he was all season long. The Bruins as a team are about even with Carolina and Thomas is matched by Cam Ward, who seems to be back in his 2006 form, which is a sign as good as any.

For the teams that do have players who have stepped up, those players have all been goalies. Jonas Hiller is turning in one solid performance after another, the last included turning away no less than 59 shots against the Wings.

Semyon Varlamov (he says he will change the spelling of his name to this because no one can get it right anyway) has people talking about Ken Dryden's breakthrough playoffs and that pretty much says it all.

So what about Vancouver and Chicago? Well, there are no real standouts in either of these two teams. It remains to be seen who will take the chance and seize the oppurtunity. One interesting fact is that the Canucks (1994) and the Blackhawks (1992) have waited almost as many years to revisit the Stanley Cup Finals. Also, Vancouver is the only team still in the playoffs without any previous cup winners on the roster. The Hawks have three.

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The Hart goes to...

The finalists for the Hart Trophy have been annonced. To no one's surprise, two of them are Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin. The trio is rounded out by Detroit's puck wiz, Pavel Datsyuk.

Like always this award is misintepeded. The Hart is constantly refered to as "given to the league's MVP", when it actually is supposed to be given to the player most valuable to his team. The team MVPs have always been overlooked, most notably during the 80's when Wayne Gretzky held on to it for eight straight seasons during 1980 to 1987.

Malkin gets the Art Ross Trophy for having the most points, Ovechkin recives the Rocket Richard Trophy for his 56 goals this season, and Datsyuk is arguably the best allround player in the NHL, but neither would get the Hart, not if I'm handing out the trophies.

My Hart Trophy goes to Zach Parise for being the most valuable player on a New Jersey Devils team playing most of this season without their star goalie, Martin Brodeur.

Special mentioning goes to Steve Mason for backstopping the Columbus Blue Jackets to their first ever Stanley Cup playoffs.

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Sharks blown out of water by Ducks

"The President's Trophy winners will make the process short with the some what struggling Ducks. Who ever the Ducks put in net, likely Jonas Hiller, will find it hard to match Evgenij Nabokov. Thornton, Boyle, Marleau, Setoguchi, Blake, Moen... there is no running out of resons why these Sharks couldn't go all the way to cup final this year. Sharks in five."

This is why I love this game. Not the fact that I was completely off the mark on this one, but because anything can happen in playoff hockey and there are no sure bets. While the Sharks deflated completely and collectively as a team, the Ducks rose to the occasion and stepped up, Jonas Hiller most of all.


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Replacing the King?

As many expected, the New York Rangers, altough leading the Capitals 3-1, were unable to put away the Washington Capitals, and now find themselves facing a Game 7 in Washington. While momentum is clearly with the Caps heading in to the deciding game, this is by no means over. However, I see two major problems that the Blueshirts will have to solve if they are going to have any chance of advancing to the next round.

The first is Henrik Lundqvist. Though he was the biggest reason the Rangers were up 3-1 in the series to begin with, he is now a major factor why the series is tied. Most experts agree, the King will have to find his groove or the Rangers' season will be over faster than Sean Avery can dish out an offensive slur.

The second problem also involves Lundqvist. For two straight games he has been replaced by Stephen Valiquette, who has been nothing but solid between the same pipes. Should Ludqvist be given a third chance in this, what could be, final game? I don't think so. Since the Rangers can't score, the only way they will win this is if they score just one goal (I'm sure they can muster that in a desperate situation like a Game 7) and Lundqvist stands on his head, and I honestly can't see that happen. So, if Lundqvist is given the start, gives up three or four goals before being replaced again there is no way back for the Blueshirts. Can they afford to take that chance or will they give Valiquette the chance to win the series for them and perhaps take them even further in the playoffs? I don't think John Tortorella has the guts to do that.

This leads me to another thing...

Bruce Budreau moved his number one goaltender after just one loss against the Rangers. Ok, Jose Theodore isn't, by any messure, the goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is even on a good day (he used to be), but still. Since then, Simeon Varlamov has been terrific while shutting out the Rangers on two occasions.

TSN's Dave Hodge gave the Capitals a thumbs down for the way they used, or didn't use Theodore. I would like to give Mr Hodge a thumbs down. What Budreau did was have the guts to do something drastic before it was too late, and it paid off, at least so far. I'm sure Jose Theodore knows how it works.

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Bunyan, Osgood and humilated Habs

Some first round thoughts...

What kind of fertilizer is Paul Mara using on his face? We're only four games into the first round and the Ranger defenseman already looks like Paul Bunyan! Perhaps Mara's head start on his playoff-beard is what tips the scale in favor of the Rangers, who knows, but they are one win away from eliminating the high-scoring Caps.

Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green were two major reasons why the Caps were favorites to move past the New York Rangers. Instead, they, along with Jose Theodore, are major factors why the Caps are facing elimination when the series return to D.C. for Game 5.

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The Detroit Red Wings are up 3-0 against playoff debutants Columbus. No long trips to Disneyland must feel pretty good right about now.

Chris Osgood has been as solid as he said he would be. Big surprise!

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Being eliminated and humiliated by the Boston Bruins (I just have to point out that I had the Bruins in 4), of all teams, and in the first round was probably not what the Montreal Canadiens had in mind for their big centennial year. I say they have no one but them selves to blame for it. The whole centennial circus has gotten way out of hand and it has added unnecessary pressure on the team. I understand one hundred years as a club must be celebrated, but the way the Canadiens thought it should be commemorated is just rediculous. They have milked this thing througout the season by having countless different celebrations on game nights and, personally, I am not surprised it ended the way it did.


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PREDICTION FOR THE FIRST ROUND

The Stanley Cup playoffs are just around the corner so here is my firt blog post since Febuary 19. I figure, what way to better cement my playoff picks than to post them here on the blog. Can't go back on it if it's in writing, so here they are. I just hope my predictions come closer than Maggie the monkey's picks over at TSN.


Boston vs. Montreal (Bruins in 4)

Like everybody else, I will have to go with the outstanding Bruins simply because they are offensively better as well as defensively. However, the biggest difference between these two teams is solid goaltending. The Bruins have it, the Habs don't. This will also be my only sweep (there has to be at least one sweep in a first round, right?)


Washington vs. NY Rangers (Rangers in 6)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and pick the Rangers, but I will admit this match-up is perhaps the most difficult one to predict (like it's any easier predicting any of the other seven series). While the Blueshirts can't score, the Caps can't keep the puck out of their own net. In the playoffs, however, the latter one is usually a bigger problem. Lundqvist will have to stand on his head against Washington's amped up offense.


New Jersey vs. Carolina (Devils in 7)

Yes, the Hurricanes have shown crazy form lately, but I think Martin Brodeur, along with scoring machine Zach Parise, will be the one tipping this series in favour of the Devils.


Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia (Flyers in 7)

This has certainly has the promise of an awesome series. Even though the Penguins really picked up the pace down the stretch, I don't see any clear favorite here. Mike Richards is just as good as last year and Jeff Carter is much better. Like always, it will come down to who has the hottest goaltender. Philadelphia will have their revenge.


San Jose vs. Anaheim (Sharks in 5)

The President's Trophy winners will make the process short with the some what struggling Ducks. Who ever the Ducks put in net, likely Jonas Hiller, will find it hard to match Evgenij Nabokov. Thornton, Boyle, Marleau, Setoguchi, Blake, Moen... there is no running out of resons why these Sharks couldn't go all the way to cup finale this year.


Detroit vs. Columbus (Red Wings in 5)

It must be said, Steve Mason or not, the Wings couldn't be happier about the fact that they don't have to travel to west coast to face Anaheim. But then again, not only is the terrific rookie goalie a threat, he is by far the biggest obstacle the Wings will have to overcome. Playoff experience will favor Detroit. Question is: Where does Osgood stand?


Vancouver vs. St. Louis (Canucks in 6)

In recent playoffs I have always gone against the Canucks, simply because they haven't been a very good team in the post season. Against the Blues, however, I will have to predict in favor of the Canucks. Chris Mason is a good goalie, and without him the Blues wouldn't be here in the first place, but Roberto Luongo is better. The pressure is on the Sedin twins to show they can deliver in the playoffs as well.


Chicago vs. Calgary (Hawks in 6)

The injury-plagued Flames will have their hands full trying to control the young guns leading the Chicago offense. Like always, the hopes of the Calgary fans weigh heavlily on the shoulders of Miikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla. Khabibulin or Huet in net for Chicago?


Let the show begin!

RANGERS SLIPPING

Earlier this season, the New York Rangers looked solid on top of the eastern conference, now they have slipped to number eight and are dangerously close to missing the playoffs. Anyone surprised? I didn't think so. The blueshirts have returned to their all too familiar inconsistant ways.

When scored upon, they get nervous and lose. When they win, they fail to generate momentum from the success and ultimately lose again. At their best they are a good team, not a great team, but at their worst they are awful. To be a great team, your worst has to be a lot better. When you can still win while performing at you lowest level you're on the right way.

So what is it about the Rangers that make them so inconsistant?

In my opinion, it's the organization. Over the years they have failed to create a solid foundation for the team to lean on. Take one look at a team like the Detroit Red Wings and you realize their success comes from years of solid draft choices, wise transfers, and a commitment to keep and maintaining the core of players that form the team in the long run. The Rangers don't have a Nicklas Lidstrom or a Pavel Datsyuk. But those two aren't just great individual players, they are also products of the Detroit system, they have been shaped, like all other skater who joins the red machine, to fit the program. The Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist, but that's not enough when the entire team and the organization lack direction. There is no Ranger system for players to fit into. Players come and go. In the early 90's, those who did, the core of the Edmonton Oilers' golden era, were good enough to win the Stanley Cup. That sure seems like a lifetima ago now.

Shanahan's Back!

After being away from hockey for more than eight months, Brendan Shanahan returned last night when his New Jersey Devils visited the Nashville Predators. In his long awaited comeback game with the Devils, the team that picked Shanahan second overall in the 1987 draft (behind only Pierre Turgeon), he wasted no time scoring his first goal. The Devils had no problem rolling past the Preds 3-1 and Shanahan could have notched at least one more goal.

One can't help compare his successful return to the less triuphant comeback of Mats Sundin. They have both spent more than eight months off the ice, but Sundin is still, after a handful of games, searching for his old touch. And, while Sundin joined a losing Canucks team that just keeps on losing, Shanahan came aboard a team that had five straight wins.

The thing that baffles me is the fact that Brendan Shanahan played last night's game without have practiced much with the team. I can't wait to see how the season turns out for this future Hall of famer.