Conference Finals

That's it. The season is over for the Rangers and the Sharks. The Sharks lost the Battle of the West in the fourth OT-period last night. We got to see some amazing goaltending throughout the game and especially in OT. Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco tried (at least it looked like they did) to outclass eachother in amazing saves. Togehter they stopped 114 shots (Turco 61 and Nabokov 53). This was the only game in the series where the team who scored the first goal, won the game. It's been a great season for the Sharks but I think they thought they could go all the way after gaining some momentum against the Stars. I know one player who really really wanted it to happen. Jeremy Roenick. "JR" will probably quit playing now and he was hoping to do what Andreychuck and Borque did in their last seasons as players - lift the Cup for the first time. We'll see, maybe JR will give it another go next season. I hope he will, he deserves to lift the Cup as well.

The Rangers but themselves in the situation leading to their termination. Looking back over the series, maybe it was all decided in that first game. The Rangers was up 3-0 in Pittsburgh but relaxed and lost it 5-4. That just gave the Pens some momentum and from that point it all rolled on. Marian Hossa scored twice last night. What a trade that turned out to be. The question still remains, will he stay in Steel City after this season? But if the Pens go all the way and win the Cup, I reckon they will find the deal being worth it - even if Hossa leaves. He has been magnificent since arriving.
Now the Pens will face the Flyers. That ought to be one interesting series. Both teams have lots of confidence and they allways shoot from the hip, so to speak. I expect lots of goals and many great hits and saves. Both teams have fast skaters and players with great stick skills. Will this go to seven games? Maybe. It all depends on wether the Pens will try to set the tone from the start. If they win the first match by some margin, it might be a shorter series. But then again, the Flyers have done the impossible - twice. So I will not coun't them out this time. Lesson learned.

Biron vs. Fleury: Seven rounds. Winner? I'll say the Pens. They should take this. But, once again, I won't, I just won't, count the Flyers out once again.

In the West, the Stars will face the Wings. Probably a seven-round fight as well. I had the Stars as outsiders in the playoffs and they might surprise again. Brenden Morrow has been great for the Stars and The Mule (Johan Franzen) has been outstanding for the Wings. We'll also see two teams with great defense.

The Mule vs. Morrow: Six rounds. Winner? I'll say the Mule. But it would be nice to see the Stars go through. They've really impressed me.

It's alive!

The King has spoken. "We can turn this around"
Well, Henrik. Let's not get carried away. But winning last night sure as hell made things a little better. And Jaromir Jagr? What is going on? In the first match in MSG he scored one, but most importantly: He fought for his team. That time litteraly, when he had a little workout with Gonchar, I belive.

And last night, he scored - twice. Also worth noticing is that Brandon Dubinsky scored one. Last night I was sure that the series would end. But I'm glad they didn't. The only downpart with last nights game is the fact that I couldn't see it myself. Isn't that typical? The one game they win, and I can't see it! Ah, well. A new chance tomorrow....they better win. For me.

Due to the fact that I'm at work right now, I can't write more right now. I, unlike some other very fortunate people, am not getting payed for writing about the NHL

Oh, I almost forgot. The Mule is in the historybooks! He scored his second hat trick and NINTH goal in the series against Colorado last night, when Detroit crushed the Avs. 8-2 was the final score and the Wings are through to the Conference Finals.