6/06/2014

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

Justin Williams has 20 points in 22 games so far.

The New York Rangers had Game 1 in their grasp but let it slip away in the third period against the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings has a habit of coming back in games and they disappointed no one as they erased a 2-0 deficit in the first period to tie the game in the second frame and then win it in OT.

So what or rather who is the difference maker in this series? The two goalies cancel each other out as they were both stellar in Game 1. Drew Doughty was a force both defensively and offensively for the Kings. McDonaugh and Girardi, except for his mistake in OT, were really good for the Rangers. I would make a case for Justin Williams as the real difference maker. Mr Game 7 showed up in Game 1 and scored the deciding goal in OT for the Kings. He is the kind of player you can only hope to have in the playoffs. He is as clutch as they come and I doubt coach Darryl Sutter would trade him for any forward in the league. It's like Drew Doughty said in the post game press conference, "There are two players I want to give the puck to, Anze Kopitar and Justin Willams. The New York Rangers will have to find a way to stop Williams if are to have any chance of turning this finals around.

Also, Justin Williams is hilarious to watch in the post game press conference. He is so uncomfortable answering questions and he keeps pushing the microphone away in an attempt to let someone else answer the questions. He is even more fun than Darryl Sutter. However, if he keeps playing the way he has, he better get used to sitting there.

6/05/2014

RANGERS UNDER PRESSURE (Game 1:3)

How a game can change… With a period left to play, the LA Kings took over completely and it was Henrik Lundquist's turn to keep the Rangers in the game. With five minutes to go of the period New York had just recorded three shots on goal while Lundqvist had turned away sixteen.

With less than a minute to go, Carl Hagelin had the game on his stick on a breakaway but couldn't quite get the puck to settle and put the shot wide. With just a few seconds left, Lundqvist again had to show his skills on a couple of chances and with a 2-2 score Game 1 went to OT. 

I have a feeling the Rangers will steal this one…




COMEBACK KINGS (Game 1:2)

The LA Kings did what they have done so many times before in these playoffs, they came back to tie the game. Drew Doughty keeps making a case for being a Conn Smythe favorite as he got the equalizer on a beautiful play. 

So far Game 1 hasn't disappointed. Though I have to say that, after forty minutes, the Rangers are looking slightly better, but Jonathan Quick has kept his Kings in the game. 

RANGERS JUMP OUT (Game 1:1)

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is on the way and the New York Rangers stormed out of the gates in the first period against the LA Kings.

The Rangers most leathal weapon is their speed and they have shown it twice already. Two of their fastest forwards, Zucarello and Hagelin, both have breakaway goals and they lead the Kings 2-1.

Before the game, Don Cherry predicted the Kings would win the series in 6 games. What's more important is, he called Henrik Lundqvist the world's best goalie. And so far he has been pretty solid. 

6/02/2014

LAST FIGHT IN THE WEST


The LA Kings had the series in their hands but were unable to put away the Chicago Blackhawks, who clawed their way back to force a Game 7 at the United Center. It has been a great series between two mighty teams, and it is only fitting it goes the distance.

Before the game, my money was on LA. This is their third straight Game 7. The Kings went to San Jose and won, they went to Anaheim and won. No team has ever won three straight Game 7s on the road. However,  Jonathan Quick has never lost a Game 7.

Halfway through the first frame the score is 2-0 Chicago and man, do I hate the song they play when the Blackhawks score.

LA fought back and tied it with less than 3 minutes left of the first period. I was more confident than before.

And now it's 3-2 Chicago after a crazy first period. I'm not so sure I want to predict this game anymore.

5/30/2014

RETURN OF THE RANGERS

The New York Rangers celebrate their return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The New York Rangers are back in the Stanley Cup Finals and King Henrik reigns supreme.

Down 3-1 in the series, desperation prevailed in Game 5 as the Montreal Canadiens staved off elimination to live another game. In that next game they weren't so lucky. Although Henrik Lundqvist only had to make 18 saves, of which one was a spectacular blocker save, in Game 6, he was stellar when his team needed him to be. Dominic Moore score the lone goal and the Rangers played a near perfect game defensively to advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals after winning it twenty years ago. Also noteworthy, this was their first series win in less than seven games since 2008.

Most people probably assumed the Habs stood little chance against the Rangers after losing Carey Price to a knee injury in Game 1, but rookie goalie, Dustin Tokarski, surprised them all as he really gave Lundqvist a run for his money. Tokarski was great and he gave his team a chance to win in every game. In the end though, it wasn't enough. The Canadiens defensive play from the first two series was nowhere to be found against New York and too many of the forwards underachieved. When you face the best goalie in the playoffs at the moment, that simply won't do.

So what chances do the New York Rangers have in the finals, either against Chicago or Los Angeles? I would say, based on what they have achieved so far, they have a very good chance. Having Lundqvist in the net is reason enough to think they can beat any of those powerhouses from the west.

5/27/2014

RANGERS LOOKING TO CLOSE

The New York Rangers celebrate the OT win in Game 7 against 
the New Jersey Devils in 1994.

It has been exactly twenty years since Stephane Matteau scored his game-winner in OT against the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 of the 1994 Conference Final. Tonight the New York Rangers will try to repeat that effort in Game 5 against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Rangers have made life very difficult for the Habs so far. They have scored first in most of the games and made Montreal chase the game throughout the series. Even though Dustin Tokarski is not to blame for any of the losses, he has been pretty solid, he has still been outplayed by Henrik Lundqvist, who has been nothing short of spectacular. The Rangers are also firing on all cylinders offensively now that Rich Nash seems to have regained his scoring touch.

The Habs, on the other hand, are desperately looking for more contribution from, first and foremost, Max Pacioretty who has only 9 points so far in the playoffs. Getting points from the slumbering Thomas Vanek would also be welcomed by the desperate Canadiens. There isn't much that would indicate this season will continue for Montreal past Game 5. Other than just desperation that is. Being on the brink of elimination makes for a dangerous team and the Rangers are well aware of this, having come back from being down 3-1 against the Penguins. They know how tough it is to get that elusive forth win.

I think we will see a faster and more urgent Montreal team. But I also think it won't be enough. Henrik Lundqvist will once again give his team a chance to win and I think they will take it.

5/15/2014

MR CLUTCH

Daniel Briere shows what a clutch player he still is.

He was a healthy scratch for Montreal in Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and I did voice my opinion as I thought that was a more stupid than bold move from coach Michel Therrien. In Game 7, Daniel Briere showed why he is considered one of the best players in the NHL come the playoffs. With a goal and a helper he made sure the Montreal Canadiens could clinch the second round series against their arch rivals, the Boston Bruins.

The big bad Bruins had problems solving a fast, skilled and organized Montreal from Game 1, and over a series of seven games, their undisciplined game became their undoing. Coach Claude Julien talked about "all the crap" they had to deal with, but as I see it most of this crap came from the Bruins themselves. The Habs played a focused game and never gave in to Boston's efforts to put them off balance. In the end, the Bruins' own game got away from them and so did the series.

ALL HAIL THE KING

This post comes a little late, but still.. King Henrik of Manhattan proved me wrong. He was not about to go down in five. Instead he showed us how great he is under pressure and what a clutch goalie he is when it matters the most. He carried his team for the remaining three games against Pittsburgh and he was spectacular in Game 7.

Lundqvist earns his fifth straight Game 7 win. 


After Game 4 I thought the New York Rangers were done. The Penguins really looked like they were in control of the series after having won three straight since losing Game 1. I still don't think I was way off doubting the Blueshirts after what really was a poor performance through those three losses. But this is what is so great about hockey. Anything can happen and momentum is hard to predict. It can shift from game to game or, as in this series, in sets of three games. What is clear is that while the Rangers seemed to rally together and lift their game to a higher level while the Pittsburgh Penguins fell apart completely. And, although Sidney Crosby stated after Game 7 that he was healthy, something clearly wasn't right with the Pittsburgh star player. Except for a game or two, he was a non factor in this series.

So what will happen in Pittsburgh? Was this Dan Bylsma's last game as a Penguins coach? Likely, yes. Crosby's leadership has been questioned. Will that have further consequences? We'll see.


5/11/2014

NO DANNY BOY

When the Montreal Canadiens take on the Boston Bruins tonight, they will do so without Daniel Briere. He is a healthy scratch for the Habs as coach Michel Therrien favors Brandon Prust in Game 5. Briere has one goal and three assists in eight games so far in the playoffs while playing on the forth line. The fact is that Daniel Briere is as good a clutch player as they come and I think Therrien has wasted his clutch abilities putting him on the forth line against Boston. 113 points in 116 playoff games speaks volumes. If Game 5 goes to Boston, I'm pretty sure he will be back in the lineup for Game 6 in Montreal.


5/08/2014

RANGERS DONE?

I really try never to say it's over until it's over, and in the Stanley Cup playoffs that is almost a given. However, in the case of the New York Rangers, and the way they are playing against the Pittsburgh penguins right now, I am ready to say they are done. Down 3-1 in the series, they show no signs that they are about to turn this around.

TSN panelist, Mike Johnson, stated earlier this season that, "No player has ever gone to The New York Rangers and become a better player or even remained as good." This is painfully true when one looks at Martin St. Louis. Even though Rick Nash has been pretty awful so far in the post season, Marty hasn't been much better. If the Rangers are to have any chance in this series, they both have to find their game real soon.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

Henrik Lundqvist looks on as Chris Kunitz celebrates his 4-2 goal.



5/04/2014

HABS COLLAPSE



The Boston Bruins completed a third period comeback in Game 2 to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. Down 3-2 late in the third frame, the Bruins once again got goals from their youngsters, Dougie Hamilton and Reilly Smith to turn it around to even the series at 1-1. Considering the way the Habs defense collapsed I would file it under lucky escapes. As the series continues in Montreal I am sure the Canadiens will be quite content with splitting the two first games in Boston. My prediction for this series is Montreal. This may go against most predictions but there is something about this team that makes me think they can actually go all the way. One thing they will definitely take away from this one is that they can't sit back and relax for a second. The Bruins are way to good to be given chances like that late in a game. The Habs have to play a full 60 minutes to have a chance to get past Boston.

On a second note; I'm not a fan of Milan Lucic's empty net goal celebration. Empty net goals are almost always fairly effortless and to celebrate it the way he did is just classless.

Prediction: Montreal in 6 games.

5/01/2014

GAME 7 PREDICTIONS

The first round of the 2014 playoffs ends with quite a bang. Three Game 7 and here are my predictions. 

San Jose were up 3-0 but were unable to put away the LA Kings, who suddenly found new life and now has pushed the series to a 3-3 tie. I'm not a big believer in history's impact, but the Sharks do have a way of choking in the playoffs. LA clearly has the momentum and are rolling after their poor start so I'm going with the Kings here. 

New York vs Philadelphia is a tough one. The Rangers have won their last three Game 7 but the Flyers are a typical comeback team. Wayne Simmons was great in Game 6 while most of the Rangers were not. I think this one comes down to which of the two goalies can steal the game, Mason or Lundquist. I'm going with King Henrik and his Blueshirts. 

The Colorado Avalanche will host Minnestota in a series which has seen only home wins. The Avs, and especially Nathan McKinnon, have been spectacular at home and I have a feeling they will be again. My guess is this Avalanche will roll to at least the next round. 

4/27/2014

SEASON'S END


The Boston Bruins beat Detroit 4-2 in Game 5 to win the series 4-1

Detroit weren't able to fend off the Bruins in Game 5 and the season is over.

However...

"The sated day is never first.
The best day is a day of thirst.
Yes, there is goal and meaning in our path -
but it's the way that is the labour's worth.
The best goal is a night-long rest,
fire lit, and bread broken in haste.
In places where one sleeps but once,
sleep is secure, dreams full of songs.
Strike camp, strike camp! The new day shows its light.
Our great adventure has no end in sight."

- Karin Boye (translated by David McDuff)

...I am already looking forward to next season and a chance at a 24th straight playoff.

4/24/2014

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

The Detroit Red Wings hope to get a welcome boost tonight against Boston when their captain, Henrik Zetterberg, returns to action after missing the last two months due to back surgery. The Wings are down 2-1 to the President's Trophy winners and can sure use the help. The Detroit youngsters have been excellent down the stretch of the regular season but, in the last two games they have struggled against the juggernaut that is the Boston Bruins. It remains to be seen if Zetterberg is fit to play. His playoff beard certainly is.


4/17/2014

34 YEARS OF BEARD

During the 1980 Stanley Cup playoffs, Ken Morrow, Clark Gillies and a few other of the New York Islanders let their beards grow and wouldn't shave until their cup run had ended. That year, and for the next four seasons, they would be Stanley Cup champions. During that span they won an incomprehensible 19 straight playoff rounds (still a record today).

Though their decision to let the fuzz grow didn't create much reaction at the time, it has since become a tradition. So let's make this Throwback Thursday with a picture from the Islanders glory days...


4/15/2014

BEST OF THE YEAR

Some season highlights...


With all the injuries the Red Wings suffered this season it's nothing short of spectacular what the team pulled off. Making the playoffs for the 23rd straight year with a roster consisting mostly of young players from The Grand Rapid Griffins.

“We have a lot of young kids, and they just play,” Holland said. “They make some mistakes. They don’t really look at the scoreboard, which is a good thing and a bad thing. When you are up by a couple, you wish we would play a little safer. But the reason that they are fun to watch is, they just play.”

I also think Mike Babcock deserves to win the Jack Adams award for coach of the year. He was forced to completely reshape the way Detroit plays the game to suit this young and inexperienced team. And the result speaks for it self.


4/14/2014

4/12/2014

23RD STRAIGHT

Just a bunch of kids, but they pulled it off.

Even though the Detroit Red Wings lost in a shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the point they earned was all they needed to secure a playoff berth. The 23rd straight. The Wings haven't missed the playoffs since the 1989-90 season. It is the longest active playoff streak of any of the four North American major professional sports leagues (NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB).
The Boston Bruins hold the record for the longest playoff streak in franchise history making the cut from 1967-68 through to 1995-96 (29 seasons). So only six more seasons to go...






4/10/2014

TREVOR'S BACK

Will the first order of business be to bring back the jersey? Let's hope so.