And, once again I've been slipping with posting here. My weeks are just flying by and I can't really do everything I want to do.
Surprise, surprise! The Stars are still in it. Courtesy of Marty Turco. In his first carreer win in the Joe, Marty Turco was OUTSTANDING. Some of the saves he made aren't from this planet. Add to that that he got the only assist on Joel Lundqvist game winning goal.
Next round will be in Dallas. For the sake of some nice hockey, I hope the Stars win that one. Personally, I'm just enjoying the playoffs now. No nerves anymore. The Pens killed'em all by knocking out the Rangers.
Tonight we can see the fifth round between the Pens and the Flyers. I belive it all ends here, for the Flyers. Hopefully it doesn't. Because it has been a nice series to follow. Will Martin Biron stand against the mighty attacks of the Pens tonight? And will the Flyers boxplay manage to keep the hungry power play line of Pittsburgh at bay?
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5/18/2008
5/11/2008
I know, I know
Yes, it has been a while again. Been a busy week for me, but I've managed to watch some hockey anyways. Although, I haven't had the time to write anything.
What is there to say about the Conference Finals so far?
First of all: Evgeni Malkin. What a player? Did you see his goals?! The last one really made me laugh. I don't know why, but that was a bit funny. Instead of trying to deke Biron in his breakaway he simply loaded the big gun and let the slapshot do the talking. That's business, for you. Will Malkin be the MVP of the playoffs? Maybe, if the Pens go to the Finals. But that series is far from over.
O-s(o)-good it must be to be a Red Wings fan right now. With Chris Osgood in net and the always alterning attacks of four amazing lines in offence, it's really hard to see anything stand in the way of the Wings machine. Up 2-0 against Dallas. Now they're going to the Lone Star State for two games. I reckon the Stars need to win both to stand a chance. I don't think they will, though. The Wings will take at least one of the games there and then finish it off back home. I know, I thought the series would go to six or seven games but I can hardly see anything pointing in that direction right now. Maybe if the Stars win the first match in Dallas.
What is there to say about the Conference Finals so far?
First of all: Evgeni Malkin. What a player? Did you see his goals?! The last one really made me laugh. I don't know why, but that was a bit funny. Instead of trying to deke Biron in his breakaway he simply loaded the big gun and let the slapshot do the talking. That's business, for you. Will Malkin be the MVP of the playoffs? Maybe, if the Pens go to the Finals. But that series is far from over.
O-s(o)-good it must be to be a Red Wings fan right now. With Chris Osgood in net and the always alterning attacks of four amazing lines in offence, it's really hard to see anything stand in the way of the Wings machine. Up 2-0 against Dallas. Now they're going to the Lone Star State for two games. I reckon the Stars need to win both to stand a chance. I don't think they will, though. The Wings will take at least one of the games there and then finish it off back home. I know, I thought the series would go to six or seven games but I can hardly see anything pointing in that direction right now. Maybe if the Stars win the first match in Dallas.
4/27/2008
Somewhat live #2
Ok. 2-0 to the Pens at the end of the third. Empty net goal.
My questions are a two:
1. Why on earth didn't Renney [Rangers Coach] call the timeout when the Pens got the 2 minute minor with over two minutes to go?
2. Why did Jagr get that amount of ice time in the end? He took down the tempo of their play instead of increased it.
Sure, now there will be two games in New York. If the Rangers doesn't win the first one, this will be over before the upcoming week is.
Henrik Lundqvist was phenomenal in net. But the Rangers defense was horrible. The offense was even worse with slow anticipated attacks. There's no spark in the Rangers there and that will cost them dearly, unless they change alot until Tuesday.
No, Renney. Back to basic. Get a lot of people in front of goal, shoot like madmen and go for the rebounds. In defense, players like Roszival, Backman and Mara need to step up. Don't let the Pens offensive guys get anywhere near Lundqvist. It should just be one attempt of that and one attempt only. Then Pens forwards should be lying there on the ice.
Look at Gill, Gonchar and Whitney. They're not letting anyone near Fleury (who was amazing this night). Try, and you will face the consequences before you know it.
Like they say on Broadway: "It ain't over until the fat lady sings." Unless Renney, Avery, Jagr, Shanahan and all the other Blueshirts get their act together, that lady will be warming up her throat on Thursday.
My questions are a two:
1. Why on earth didn't Renney [Rangers Coach] call the timeout when the Pens got the 2 minute minor with over two minutes to go?
2. Why did Jagr get that amount of ice time in the end? He took down the tempo of their play instead of increased it.
Sure, now there will be two games in New York. If the Rangers doesn't win the first one, this will be over before the upcoming week is.
Henrik Lundqvist was phenomenal in net. But the Rangers defense was horrible. The offense was even worse with slow anticipated attacks. There's no spark in the Rangers there and that will cost them dearly, unless they change alot until Tuesday.
No, Renney. Back to basic. Get a lot of people in front of goal, shoot like madmen and go for the rebounds. In defense, players like Roszival, Backman and Mara need to step up. Don't let the Pens offensive guys get anywhere near Lundqvist. It should just be one attempt of that and one attempt only. Then Pens forwards should be lying there on the ice.
Look at Gill, Gonchar and Whitney. They're not letting anyone near Fleury (who was amazing this night). Try, and you will face the consequences before you know it.
Like they say on Broadway: "It ain't over until the fat lady sings." Unless Renney, Avery, Jagr, Shanahan and all the other Blueshirts get their act together, that lady will be warming up her throat on Thursday.
4/26/2008
Losing grip?
It is said that being up 3-0 in hockey is the worst lead you can have. Ask the Rangers today, they'd probably agree. When "Brodway Sean" Avery scored the 3-0-goal in the beginning of the second period no-one could have thought of an ending like this. But, 08:13 into the same period, Jarkko Ruutu scored, 3-1. And just 14(!) seconds later, Pascal Dupuis scored 3-2.
And things got worse. Much worse. 04:40 into the third, Marian Hossa made it 3-3 and just 20 seconds later, Petr Sykora scored the 4-3 goal. At that point I thought (and probably numerous Rangers fans with me) the game was over. But, having just passed the half period mark, Scott Gomez tied things up. With just about two minutes to go, I began to wonder. Could the Rangers turn things around? Would they have the energy to kill the game? And all of a sudden, the game was dead. Killer? Sidney Crosby. 5-4, Penguins.
I'd never thought that there would be that many goals. It was a great match, speed and skill in the attacks. Add to that solid hits and good refereeing. Next round, tomorrow @ The Garden. If things go my way, there will be some live blogging that time.
There was one more Conference Semi Final being played last night, out in the West. The Shars vs. The Stars. In The Shark Tank, it was the Stars who put themselves in the drivers seat. Being outshot 18-27, their victory was somewhat unfair. But if you don't score goals, you don't win matches. After two, the Stars were in the lead, 2-1, after goals from Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow (Sharks goal by Milan Michalek). In the third, Jonathan Cheecho tied things up and the match went into OT. There, Brenden Morrow scored his second of the night, giving the victory to the Texas team.
Tough luck for the Sharks, who needed that victory. You don't want to loose a playoff game at home, and the Stars should have gained a lot of momentum from this. However, "all" it takes from the Sharks is a victory in Dallas. Impossible? I think not.
Tonights games might not be that well covered, we'll see. But tomorrow I'll be back with the Rangers again. If everything goes as planned.
"The Cup Changes Everything"
And things got worse. Much worse. 04:40 into the third, Marian Hossa made it 3-3 and just 20 seconds later, Petr Sykora scored the 4-3 goal. At that point I thought (and probably numerous Rangers fans with me) the game was over. But, having just passed the half period mark, Scott Gomez tied things up. With just about two minutes to go, I began to wonder. Could the Rangers turn things around? Would they have the energy to kill the game? And all of a sudden, the game was dead. Killer? Sidney Crosby. 5-4, Penguins.
I'd never thought that there would be that many goals. It was a great match, speed and skill in the attacks. Add to that solid hits and good refereeing. Next round, tomorrow @ The Garden. If things go my way, there will be some live blogging that time.
There was one more Conference Semi Final being played last night, out in the West. The Shars vs. The Stars. In The Shark Tank, it was the Stars who put themselves in the drivers seat. Being outshot 18-27, their victory was somewhat unfair. But if you don't score goals, you don't win matches. After two, the Stars were in the lead, 2-1, after goals from Mike Modano and Brenden Morrow (Sharks goal by Milan Michalek). In the third, Jonathan Cheecho tied things up and the match went into OT. There, Brenden Morrow scored his second of the night, giving the victory to the Texas team.
Tough luck for the Sharks, who needed that victory. You don't want to loose a playoff game at home, and the Stars should have gained a lot of momentum from this. However, "all" it takes from the Sharks is a victory in Dallas. Impossible? I think not.
Tonights games might not be that well covered, we'll see. But tomorrow I'll be back with the Rangers again. If everything goes as planned.
"The Cup Changes Everything"
4/15/2008
The Avery-rule....
or Rule 75.
That's the newest of rules in the NHL. A player is not allowed to disturb the goalkeeper with his hands or stick. This is something we've seen between the Rangers and the Devils. Mr. Avery did sort of a "not touching - can't get mad"-thing in front of Marty Brodeur, preventing the Devils man to see just about anything. The ref couldn't do anything. Now he can.
This kind of behaviour is now under the name of "Unsportsmanship conduct" and will render a two minute minor.
Rangers up, 2-1 in matches.
I know I haven't been fair to you. No predictions has yet been made. I will now do them, a bit late. But better late than never. I will name the teams in the conference finals with one outsider on each coast.
West: Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars
Outsider: San José Sharks
Why? The Wings is an awesome team, although they lost last night. The Stars made exactly the right moves at deadline and will be there. Look out for Thornton and co, though.
East: Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Outsider: New York Rangers
Why? Just look at the final table of the conference. Two outstanding teams. I really can't find a contender besides those two. The only thing stopping these team will be themselves. The Rangers is an outsider named mostly because I had to find one.
That's the newest of rules in the NHL. A player is not allowed to disturb the goalkeeper with his hands or stick. This is something we've seen between the Rangers and the Devils. Mr. Avery did sort of a "not touching - can't get mad"-thing in front of Marty Brodeur, preventing the Devils man to see just about anything. The ref couldn't do anything. Now he can.
This kind of behaviour is now under the name of "Unsportsmanship conduct" and will render a two minute minor.
Rangers up, 2-1 in matches.
I know I haven't been fair to you. No predictions has yet been made. I will now do them, a bit late. But better late than never. I will name the teams in the conference finals with one outsider on each coast.
West: Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars
Outsider: San José Sharks
Why? The Wings is an awesome team, although they lost last night. The Stars made exactly the right moves at deadline and will be there. Look out for Thornton and co, though.
East: Montreal Canadiens vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Outsider: New York Rangers
Why? Just look at the final table of the conference. Two outstanding teams. I really can't find a contender besides those two. The only thing stopping these team will be themselves. The Rangers is an outsider named mostly because I had to find one.
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