Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Let's Talk Hockey

The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are well under way and I love it. There is nothing like playoff hockey. Ok well there is Oilers playoff hockey but I digress.
Let's start with the Western Conference..


**Stars in 6**

There really aren't a lot of shocking developments so far this playoffs. Really the only shocker is the state of the Anaheim Ducks. They are down 2-0 to the Dallas Stars. Anaheim isn't scoring, they look terribly undisciplined and their D has been suspect. Crazy to say that when their blue line is occupied by guys such as Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. Be interesting to see how that series ends. Game 3 is tonight at 8:30pm ET and all I can say is LET'S GO DALLAS!!


**Avs in 7**

Minnesota vs Colorado has turned out to be a better match up than I think anyone realized. They have gone to overtime in all three games so far. Last night was a heartbreaking loss in front of the home crowd at Pepsi Centre when defenseman Jeff Finger missed played a puck on what should have been an icing call. Game 4 is tonight at 10pm ET. The Avs will be hungry to win this one at home and not have to go back to Minnesota down 3 games to 1.



**Sharks in 7**

The Calgary Flames have a surprising 2-1 lead over the San Jose Sharks. As someone who loves to watch the Flames lose I have to admit I am very disappointed and a little nervous about the outcome of this series. San Jose seems to always be that team who is lights out all season long but just can't get it done in the playoffs. They will be in for a tough fight in Game 4 which is tonight at 10pm ET in the very hostile environment that is the Saddledome in Calgary. And I just have to ask, does everyone in Calgary own a red flames jersey? Seriously?


**Detroit in 6**

It seemed that the Red Wings were well on their way to a commanding 3-0 lead last night in their series against the 8th seeded Nashville Predators. Nashville was down 3-2 with under 5 minutes to go. That was until Jason Arnott and Ryan Suter scored 9 seconds apart to give them a 4-3 lead and leaving the Red Wings stunned. They ended up with the empty netter and winning the game 5-3. Interesting turn of events. Game 4 is Wed night at 9pm ET and Nashville will be fighting tooth and nail to tie this series up before heading back to Detroit for game 5.

On to the Eastern Conference...


**Habs in 6**

Montreal vs Boston seemed like a very unfair match up from the beginning. Boston lost all 8 games it played in the regular season against Montreal so what made anyone think they could beat them 4 games in the playoffs. Montreal took games 1 and 2 in Montreal which in my opinion could have easily been 1-1 coming back to Boston for game 3. Boston really got the short end of the stick when it came to refereeing in game 2. They took game 3 at home in Boston to get themselves back in the series. If they have a shot at all they NEED to win game 4 before heading back to Montreal for game 5. Head back to Montreal down 3-1 and the Bruins can pretty much say goodbye to any hope they have of making it past the first round. Game 4 is tonight at 7pm ET.


**Pens in 4**

Is there really anyone out there who actually believed the Ottawa Senators had a prayer in a 7 game series with the highly talented Pittsburgh Penguins? If you did then you clearly didn't pay attention to the last half of the season when the Senators were one terrible. If they hadn't have gone on such a good run to start the regular season they probably wouldn't have made the playoffs at all. Sidney and company are up 3-0 and have a chance to close this series out with a sweep on Wed night at 7pm ET. I really think the Pens need to just end this one and put the Senators and their fans out of their misery once and for all.


**Caps in 7**

Who doesn't love to watch Alexander Ovechkin play hockey? I love everything about this guy. He has a childlike love and passion for hockey that you just don't see very often anymore. He puts his heart into every shift and it shows. He is easily one of the most talented players we have seen in a long time, so for the Caps to make the playoffs is a treat for all the hockey fans. The series is tied 1-1 going into game 3 tonight in Philly.


**Rangers in 7**

I really have no idea who I think will win this series. Both are very good hockey teams with all star goaltenders. If you like the goalies, watching Brodeur and Lundqvist is about as good as it gets. The Rangers currently lead the series 2-1 and I really have a feeling they will pull this one out. Game 4 tomorrow night at 7pm ET.

Some of these games have been intense and it is only going to get better as the playoffs go along. I can' wait for round 2 to begin.

2 comments:

kristen said...

The answer to your Flames question is pretty much. (during that oh so wonderful playoff run, i'm pretty sure that red jersey became the best selling jersey ever)

I know you are just jealous because you know you would look so much better in red than you do in blue.

(that's the best i can do for the trash talk)

Evey said...

I appreciate the trash talk, even if you could have put a little more effort into it ;)