Here's hoping that BOS-CAR doesn't end their game seven like yesterday. But like WAS, this is their second consecutive series ending up with a game 7, so will C. Ward be able to regain his magic and will E. Staal be able to steer away from Z. Chara. Those were the key points why BOS forced this series to prolong. If the Bruins end up on the wrong side, someone will take care of #24.
Washington's defense was terrible and their propensity to make too many turnovers finally caught up with them. The Pens are getting good play from a wide range of players now and will be tough to beat in the Eastern Finals. I thought AO lost with class last night, as evidenced in the handshake line after the game and his post-game comments. Other than a blowout in game 7 the fans couldn't have asked for much more in a series starring three of the biggest names in hockey.
Out of all the Wings, D. Cleary jams the puck past Hiller for the go ahead goal. What a finish. Ducks put in a good fight, a very close series. DET-CHI for the Western conference final, two original teams for the road to Lord Stanley.
C. Ward is standing on his head so far against BOS.
Unbelievable OT in BOS. S. Walker never scored a goal in a playoff and he becomes CAR's hero. Lot of credit to P. Maurice for keeping his guys competitive, at one point they were down to just two forwards in OT.
Yep, Hawks played Ice Dragons' hockey as they turned the puck too often to the feasting Wings. Amazing how A. Burish could play after that freaky skate catching his throat. That was close, if it gets to his Adam apple he's gone. Fortunately for Eager and Burish, they're both OK.
Which of the Staal brothers will prevail tonight? Pens have all the Stars but this Canes group continues to surprise and we know how far they went back in 06 when nobody gave them a chance.
I like Detroit in 6 over the Hawks, but this Canes-Pens series could be very interesting and is tough to predict. I'm leaning towards Canes in 6 but who knows.
Here are the keys to watch for from what I can tell:
1) Can MAF step up big? We all know Ward will have big games, but can MAF do the same this series?
2) Geno has to show up more than a couple games. Ward is stingy and Pitt will not be facing the crap defense of Wash this series, meaning Sid cannot just camp out near the net for easy putbacks.
3) Officiating. Will Carolina be allowed to continue clutching and grabbing as much as the first couple series? If the answer is yes then that gives them a nice advantage since their style of play is much more effective the looser a game is called. If the games are called tight then Pitt may see a lot of PP opportunities. I guess we'll see whether or not Sid gets all the calls and is the league darling, as the conspiracy theorists claim.
4) Staal is money in the playoffs. If he and Jokinen keep the heat turned up then Carolina is right in this thing.
I keep doubting Carolina, but they keep proving me wrong. They are about as much fun to watch as staring at paint drying, yet they are a very effective team that is well-coached.
Depth and veterans took over game one in DET. Hawks will need their young guns to show up tonight and they better not cough up the puck as often they did in game one. These guys haven't lost two games in a row for awhile as they do seem to adapt well according to the pressure put on them.
Geez, why didn't B. Campbell cough up the puck like that against VAN? It was a much better effort for the Hawks tonight but this Wings team can match their speed no problem. All those things that CHI did so well against the Canucks, I haven't seen it yet in this series. Like Byfuglien parking himself in front of the crease, B. Eager throwing late hits or P. Kane doing his dangling.
Dan Cleary the hot Wings scoring machine, is on a tear.
Great game two between Pens and Canes. Malkin was superb, he was all over the ice and his third goal was a thing of beauty. C. Ward is starting to show some holes.
They looked to be in serious trouble when they gave up the 3-0 lead in the 2nd...but...They controlled the play in the 3rd and thru the quick OT.
As I posted before, they're a cocky bunch. Sometimes they can get away with it, but be careful what you wish for, you're playing DET after all. Tonight they did those little things that got them this far. Wonder what happened to the Bulin-Wall. Good win for them.
