Battle Of Hudson

Yes, that’s right. I wrote it in the second period.

So I may as well link it for you to read:

Rangers vs Sabres

Here is my Top 10, starting with the best, going to 10 by the next week. I’ll do it once a day. Enjoy:

1. Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh, December 13, 2006 vs. Philadelphia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmul9Vgo26o<param name="movie" value="

We all know the keys to this one, just gotta finish it off this afternoon!

Go Devils!

The Canucks worst fear has been realized. No. They haven’t blow the entire series yet against their similar defensive-minded opponents in Dallas. But now after Marty Turco’s second straight shutout and remarkable third of this series (so much for him not performing), Vancouver will host an all or nothing Game Seven Monday night to see who advances to the 2nd Round.

The Stars used a five-on-three PPG by Mike Modano in the opening period and a Stu Barnes insurancy tally halfway through the third.

So what’s happened to the Vancouver offense? They haven’t scored once against Turco in the last seven periods. In fact, their last tally came from experienced warrior Trevor Linden which proved to be the winner in Game Four. At the time, it put the Canucks in the driver’s seat up 3-1.

But much like 2004 against Calgary, they haven’t put Dallas away. So can they possibly choke in a similar fashion to that first round when they fell twice on home ice? Anything can happen in a final game. The bad news for the Canucks is that the Sedins haven’t found offense and there’s been little support.

Roberto Luongo has performed extremely well in his first playoff series. But without offense, the Quebec native can’t do it by himself.

Though Dallas controlled the final 20, it wasn’t without possible concerns for Game 7. Sergei Zubov didn’t return and captain Brenden Morrow was banged up by Alex Burrows which drew the ire from the fearless leader before he limped off and some of his teammates as well. If either isn’t available, that could hurt the Stars’ chances to pull this off big time. But you just know those guys will suck it up and play.

It’s the playoffs!

http://video.nbcsports.com/player/?id=93835

About 3 minutes in, it gets ugly.

I caught the first two periods before taking advantage of this wonderful almost summer-like day before. From what I saw, I thought the Flames had a pretty solid opening period and very easily could’ve been ahead if not for some big stops by the Dominator.

In the second stanza, they were unable to carry that momentum forward and self destructed literally on special teams to hand the Wings the game. Any time you allow two shorthanded goals including a nifty backhand deke by Daniel Cleary on a penalty shot which got Detroit on the board, you aren’t going to win at this time of year. Hell. It’s hard to win like that in any game.

I thought the Flames were careless with the puck and also didn’t continue to get shots on Hasek. While that was taking place, the Wings continued to test Kipper and eventually got to him even though his goaltending was spectacular in that period despite giving up three. It could’ve been much worse and reminded me of how Calgary imploded in the first two games at Hockey Town.

The Chelios shorty was nice. Not bad for a 45 year-old 22-year vet. That guy is remarkable. And Lidstrom as predicted had a much better game than the last two. That pass he made to Zetterberg was something for that PP tally which made it 2-0. And no Pierre McGuire. Holmstrom didn’t hit Stuart from behind. Try watching more closely mad scientist. It was from the side and just a good takeout by the game’s grittiest player in front of the net.

It makes one wonder if the home ice is that intimidating in this series. When you see how these teams have played at home so far, it sure seems that way.

Obviously, tomorrow night in Alberta, the pressure shifts to the Flames. It’s a quick turnaround. So they’re going to have forget this debacle.

In terms of what happened at the end, I can’t really comment much other than to say that’s just frustration. You will see that in these playoffs. They’re trying to send a message that they’re not done. You saw it the other night with the Lightning and Tortorella. Hell. Even the Thrashers down two games sent the same message with some of that chippy play.

When it comes to the playoffs, teams who are almost on the brink aren’t going to back down. And sometimes that does lead to borderline dirty play and confrontations. But the team who prevails has to understand why. They want to get payback. Do it by taking care of business on the scoreboard next game and eliminating their opponent(s).

I think that’s what makes the NHL postseason so amazing. These guys battle so hard in these series. And sometimes it gets really intense. But at the end of those same series, you see these guys shake hands and show respect after it’s all over.

The Canucks have some pressure on them at the top of the hour because they don’t want to go to a Game Seven. Even if it’s at home, anything can happen. The Stars are playing with house money. You know this game will be close. They all have been.

What the Flames pulled off in the last few minutes. Islander draft pick Jamie McClennan going Chris Simon on Johan Franzen. Not Tomas Holmstrom, Johan Franzen. Readers of “The Code” take note. We’ll get a clip up as soon as we can.

Then Iginla butt-ends and cross-checks Matheiu Schnieder on the same rush. Nilsson butt-ends Draper after that.

Just disgusting from Calgary. I am so ashamed of my sport for that.

25 games for McClennan.
5 games for Iginla.
3 games for Nilsson.
1 game for Jim Playfair
$50,000 fine to the Flames for embarassing our game.

It’s really on the Red Wings later today when they host Calgary for a pivotal Game Five at the Joe. They looked like they’d skate the eighth seeded Flames off the ice in four straight after how much they dominated the first two games of the series. But Calgary utilized its home ice which produced 30 regular season wins to take the next two and even this series.

Is deja vu about to occur to the top seeded Wings yet again by another Alberta team? Find out later today on NBC as they try to hold serve in this home ice battle against their pesky opponents from Western Canada at 3 ET/12 PT.

The pressure is on!

Bro, you are being really unfair with your assessment of Holmqvist. He gave up one bad goal and it was off a two-on-one. The first goal went off someone. It also was a blown assignment by Tampa. Why would two defenders go to Rupp? He’s not exactly a big threat. But he made a good play there.

Also, the Gionta tally was an end result of a horrible read by Pratt, giving away the puck while his team was late changing. The Devils took advantage of two costly Bolts’ mistakes. You’ll need more of an attack on Sunday to put that team away.

Brodeur was good but Matvichuk was the best player on the ice. Amazingly enough, he’s your best defenseman. Go figure.

If you want to put Game One on Holmqvist, go right ahead. He was dreadful in that one. I think he’s played fairly well since.

For more analysis on this game and the Sabres’ elimination of the Islanders, please check out what we had to say last night:

Hard Hits 4-20-07

Yay. Devils hockey is back.

Yeah, some shots went wide, but most of the shot’s were from well out. Brodeur did a great job stopping the first shot and preventing the rebounds from happening.

The 2 key differences in this game were Richard Matvichuk and Johan Holmqvist. Matvichuk was spectacular tonight, blocking shots left and right, and never really going down to the ice to have to do it.

As for Holmqvist, he should’ve stopped both of those first two goals. So much for Marty’s stock falling and Holmqvist “Out-playing” Brodeur. Count it as now 2 games that Holmqvist has lost by himself. Brodeur wasn’t the sole reason the Devs lost Game 2 & 3, Holmqvist very well may have been the reason Tampa lost Game 1 as well as tonight.

We’re in good position right now. With Sunday’s game moved to 1:00 P.M. (NBC), this one will come quick and there’ll be little chance for the Lightning to pick up the pieces. I think the Devils come out and win Game 6.

NOTES:

… For the 5th consecutive game, the team that scores first, wins.

…18,096 at the Meadowlands tonight. They’re drawing at the level that they’ve drawn for non-division rival playoff series.

02-03 vs. Boston: 16,718 in 3 Home Games in Rd 1.
02-03 vs. Tampa: 17,304 in 3 Home Games in Rd 2.
05-06 vs. Carolina: 17,223 in 2 Home Games in Rd 2.
06-07 vs. Tampa: 16,940 in 3 Home Games in Rd 2.

This may not look like much, but Game 1 hurt us. Those previous 3 series did not draw an audience as high as Games 2 & 5 have this time, so the Devs are OK. I wouldn’t be shocked if we sold out a Game 7.

…David Clarkson was on the roster, but didn’t dress tonight.

…Cam Janssen was again a healthy scratch.

…Game 6 in Tampa Bay will be on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM. NBC will televise the game to a national audience. Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Pierre McGuire will call the game. If necesary, Game 7 will be Tuesday night in New Jersey and air on FSNY.