Nashville Predators

Deja Vu With A Twist….

Well Bob Gainey….you reap what you sow.  You wanted Carey Price, a rookie, to be your goalie that would lead you to postseason glory…well now you are in a Game 7.  Should you be there?  NO!  Is all the blame on Price?  Most certainly not.  But very suddenly, the Montreal Canadiens look more like an 8th seeded team than the tops of the Eastern Conference…all in just two games.

The reality of it all is this….Montreal let Boston hang around and hang around.  Other than Game 1, Montreal has shown bits and pieces of dominating but has not put it together for whatever reason.  Now Boston has one shot to redeem a season full of losses against Montreal, thereby dealing the Habs the biggest loss of all…the very same comeback from a 3-1 deficit.  Wow would that sting Montreal right in the gonads!

What does Boston have to do?  Simple…stay close till the third period in Game 7.  If Boston can hang in there…they should be able to capitalize on the nerves of Carey Price which was something I didn’t expect to see against Boston of all teams.  Look Tim Thomas may not be the most consistent goalie but he is doing enough and playing hard to keep his team in the game and that kind of effort is needed for the seventh game.

There is a bit of a parallel here..and not just with the Game 5 scores from 2004 and this year…but rookie goalie with stellar season going against a grizzled vet.  Yes Theodore was a hell of a goalie and has made quite the comeback with Colorado this year but there’s no question Raycroft’s nerves got the best of him and that is what Boston is now counting on with Price.  Can Montreal as a team help Price get over his third period nerves?  No one is really sure until the third period of Game 7 hits.  One thing is for sure don’t turn this game off after two periods or you will miss out.  For more on it…head on over to The NHL Arena….because everyone is talking about it.

Now…a playoff predictor update…thanks to Montreal’s unexpected loss yesterday or expected if you were a Boston fan…we went 2-1 for a second day in a row raising our record to a so-so 24-17.  Let’s get to today’s three predictions before the Wings-Preds game starts for crying out loud!!

Detroit over Nashville 3-2 (OT)

Dallas over Anaheim 3-1

Calgary over San Jose 3-2

Enjoy the hockey everyone and by the end of the week…the second round will be upon us.

Playoff Predictor Day 8: We Hit The Crapper!

Apparently sometimes it just doesn’t go according to the script.  Yesterday we went 3-2 but had crushing losses by Washington and then Calgary’s 10 shot clunker in a 3-2 loss.  However some good came out of yesterday as Anaheim struck back with a vengeance despite some quirky officiating as they defeated Dallas 4-2.  Everyone asked where was Chris Pronger?  Well we found Pronger in Dallas as he scored 2 goals and a helper.  Even Ryan Getzlaf made a sighting.  The Ducks only got 15 shots on net but made them count while J.S. Giguere made 31 stops…a big win indeed.

Then there was the debacle in Colorado.  How did Colorado get 14 power play chances last night?  I am sorry but that game smelled more rotten than Denmark.  Yes, Colorado deserved to win but…5-1?? I am not so sure.  The game got out of hand…the refs let it get out of hand…it was chippy and feisty but no way the Avalanche should ever get that many gifts.  For a second, I thought it was the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals all over again.  Pathetic excuse for officiating…hopefully Game 5 is reffed a little better.

Onward to tonight’s games…..I still think the Rangers have a little too much for the Devils right now but I expect this one to go back and forth.  The Devils will keep this very close and I wouldn’t be shocked if they won but for some reason…a funny bounce in OT or late in regulation is going to decide this one.  I can see a scenario where Chris Drury delivers again in clutch fashion.  To think, he was soundly booed throughout much of the first half of the season.  Ah, how times have changed.  Rangers 3  Devils 2

Ottawa will not get swept!  I just can’t see it happening…they will show some pride as they have done this in year’s past.  They will come out tonight with a vigor that hasn’t been seen all series long.  Their backs are against the wall and a young Pittsburgh team will probably be too cocky so its a perfect time to catch them at their most overconfident.  Expect a huge game from Captain Alfredsson….and a Game 5 in Pittsburgh!!       Sens 4  Pens 2

Lastly, there are the Preds and Wings.  The Red Wings have learned their lesson but Nashville will not go down quietly.  This will be a back and forth tilt with a lot of rapid changes.  In the end though, I see Detroit’s offense pulling this one out very late in the third period…and withstanding a late Nashville push in the final minutes and seconds.  The game has all the makings of a classic and it will not disappoint the fans of Nashville…that is a given.   Wings 4  Preds 3

My record is now a so-so 17-10….not so great but not so bad either…hopefully tonight will be another steady sign of improvement.  One can only wish.  Enjoy the hockey!!!!

Humble Pie For The King…..

This apparently is King Henrik’s court…err ice!  Someone forgot to tell the New Jersey Devils.  New Jersey not only scored two power play goals, scored 4 times, and generated quite a few scoring chances…they made King Henrik look like a prince yesterday.  Oh what a birthday present!!

The nicest thing I can say about my job at Walmart was my assistant manager who was nice enough to let me listen to the Overtime in the Electronics department.  They have Sirius and XM radio in there…so it was nice to have a pick.  My heart almost sank when the Devils hit two posts in rapid fire succession early in the extra frame.  I really thought that was the game right then and there.  Then much to my surprise…John Madden does his best trick shot impersonation and BANG!!….there is a series!!

That goal was more than just a goal honestly.  With two days off….the Rangers have that time to dwell and dwell and dwell on it.  It would be the equivalent of icing the goalie….in the grandest form.  I can’t say much about Martin Brodeur because Brodeur got his bell rung and answered the call while Lundqvist did not in this game.  The interesting thing is the Devils looked more like the 2006 Devils in this game.  Now there were some considerable negatives but this definitely has the look of going seven now.

If the Devils can keep playing like this and cover Jagr better (he had 3 assists)….they really may be able to not only stay competitive in this series but they may also win this.  It will not be easy as these two teams are really mirror images of each other.  I am interested to see what happens Wednesday in Game 4.  That will tell a lot as far as where this series is headed.  One thing is for sure….this series is GAME ON!

Playoff Predictor Update……

1-3 yesterday…12-7 overall….

3 Games Today……

Pittsburgh Over Ottawa 4-3

Nashville Over Detroit 3-2

Colorado Over Minnesota 3-2 (OT)

Hopefully today goes better than yesterday….though in theory it wasn’t all that bad….as I did get one hell of a birthday present.  The Pittsburgh game is on yahoo live tv and the other two games are on VS….so enjoy the hockey!!!

Playoff Predictor Update…Day 4

Well let’s see…how did we do yesterday??

Not too bad honestly….a robust 3-1 with only the hometown Devils losing 2-1 to the Rangers.  So that gives us a pretty decent 8-4 record heading into today’s action.  Here is what I got for today.

Detroit over Nashville 3-2

Montreal over Boston 4-1

Dallas over Anaheim 2-1 (OT)

The Detroit game is on in just a couple hours.  Nashville didn’t play a bad Game 1…they just didn’t execute well enough when it counted.  The goaltending was there but the offense was a little lacking.  I think they may have a little more teeth in this game but Detroit is more determined to go up 2-0 in this series.

Then there is Montreal who had one of the most ho-hum 4-1 wins you will ever see.  I am expecting another one tonight as really Montreal has Tim Thomas’ number.  The Habs are too fast and have ample defensemen who can shoot the puck from everywhere.  Thomas will have to be lights out to keep the game close as really the Bruins had immense trouble keeping up.  Boston has to slow the game down and clog everything then hope for a couple lucky breaks.  I just don’t see it happening tonight.

Finally there are the Stars and the Ducks.  Did the Stars expose something in Anaheim’s penalty killing strategy or was this just a one game fluke?  Yes all four goals Dallas scored on Thursday night were on the Power Play.  At least three of them were scored just about the same way….maybe someone should put a hat on Brad Richards because man…can he find an open player on the man advantage just about better than anyone I know.  I expect a much tighter game tonight but the same result.  I think the Ducks may turn this around in Dallas.

It will be interesting to see what happens…that’s for sure.   One thing I do know is expect the unexpected.  Enjoy the hockey everyone!!

Decision Day Part One

Yes it is only Thursday but tonight’s action will go a long way of determining who gets in and who stays home come April 7th. There are still so many scenarios but I believe tonight should start to bring this whole thing into focus just a bit more. First up, the poor teams that are battling for their playoff lives. You can hear the paddles going off in the back of the ambulance right now.

First up is Buffalo who plays at Montreal tonight. Montreal has the #2 seed clinched but they are playing for tops in the East right now….so every game counts. A win for the Habs tonight outright eliminates Buffalo and keeps the Habs tied with Pittsburgh. Even worse for the Sabres…last night’s questionable point (the Zubrus goal that was in but Toronto somehow could not see it) by Boston puts Buffalo’s postseason hopes in the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning of all teams. Yes, the same Lightning that got blown out in Carolina 6-2 last night travel to Washington tonight to face the Washington Capitals. Basically if the Caps win…Buffalo’s hopes are almost over and done because Washington will have 92 points and the at the time be tied for 6th (if Ottawa loses in regulation). All those shootout and OT losses (12 total) will indeed have come back to haunt the Sabres. Needless to say, Ryan Miller will not be sending Martin Brodeur a gift basket at the end of the year.  I said almost for this reason.*

There is even a possibility that the West could be all sewn up except for seeding by tonight. Chicago Blackhawk fans will be doing extensive scoreboard watching in Vancouver and Nashville. The Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville hosts the St. Louis Blues. With Hannu Toivonen (Legace out with hip flexor injury) getting the start for St. Louis….Nashville fans are probably drooling already (Hannu gave up 4 goals on 18 shots the last time out against the Preds). A Nashville win and Vancouver loss in regulation eliminates both Vancouver and Chicago all in one shot. A Nashville loss or even a loss in extra time leaves the door open for both Vancouver and Chicago. There are so many permutations that you may need a scientific calculator and a professor from M.I.T. for this one.

Now for the other teams that could clinch. Simply…the Rangers and Senators can win and they are in. The Rangers have two cracks against the Isles (tonight and tomorrow night). The Sens play at Toronto and Toronto is without Mats Sundin (groin tear). The Rangers could even lose both in extra time and be in with 95 points total. Minnesota simply needs a point and they win the Northwest and the 3 seed. Calgary just needs a point to make the playoffs. Detroit just needs a point at home against Columbus tonight to win not only the West but the overall #1 seed in the league or a Sharks loss (whether it be in OT, SO or regulation don’t matter).

Tonight will go in a big way to tell the playoff fates of more teams…now seeding is a different matter entirely. I did want to thank ESPN for their concise tiebreaking procedures on their page. Now of course they are all chasing one thing and that is the only thing that ultimately matters. There is that nice, shiny, silver thing called the Stanley Cup.

Thank You Wikipedia for the pic.

So with ten big games tonight….may the DVR’s work some OT and so may your eyes as the regular season comes firing all guns a blazing to the end. The end is definitely very near…and for some more near than they hope.

* Editor’s Note:  Thanks to my friend Andrew from The NHL Arena.  If Washington wins tonight, that doesn’t eliminate the Sabres. Buffalo can jump Philly into 9th, and then jump Boston for 8th based on the THIRD tiebreak. They would be tied in wins, tied in head to head record (4-2-2), but Buffalo would actually win the tiebreak based on goal differential.

Trade Deadline Fun!!!

The deed has been done…they day is now over…here is what happened.

TRADES AND SIGNINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY!!

– Mike Comrie resigned 1 year…4 million with the Isles.
– Actual Trade: Bryce Salvador to New Jersey and Cam Janssen goes to St. Louis.
– Wade Belak goes to Florida for a 5th round 08 draft pick.
– Defenseman Brian Campbell to San Jose for Steve Bernier and a 2008 first round pick.
– Brad Richards goes to Dallas…also going with him will be goalie Johan Holmqvist…Tampa gets goalie Mike Smith, center Jeff Halpern and winger Jussi Jokinen and a 4th round pick.
– Goalie Cristobal Huet has been traded to Washington for a second round pick in the 09 draft.
– Andrew Ladd has been traded from the Canes to the Blackhawks for Tuomo Ruutu.
– The Colorado Avalanche have acquired Ruslan Salei from the Panthers for Karlis Skrastins and a third round pick.
– Chicago has moved Martin Lapointe to Ottawa….Chicago return a 6th round 2008 pick.
– Colorado acquires Adam Foote from Columbus…for a first round conditional pick and more.
– Sergei Fedorov has been traded to Washington…..for defenseman Ted Ruth.
– Rob Davison has been traded to the Isles from the Sharks for a 7th round pick in 08.
– Washington traded Matt Pettinger for Vancouver’s Matt Cooke.
– Toronto trades Hall Gill to the Pens….. for a 2nd rounder and 5th rounder in 09.
– Backman to the New York Rangers….Blues get a 4th rounder in return.
– WOW! The big one. Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Pens….for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, and a first round 2008 pick.
– Chris Simon to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th round pick.
– Brad Stuart has been traded to the Detroit Red Wings…Kings get back a 2nd and 4th rounder.
– Chad Kilger has been traded to Florida for a third round draft pick.
– Sjostrom, Leneveau and Josh Gratton going to the New York Rangers for Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa.
– Marc-Andre Bergeron has been traded to the Ducks for a 3rd round pick.
– JS Aubin has been traded for a 7th round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks.
– Joe Motzko has been traded from the Thrashers to the Caps for Alexandre Giroux.
– Jan Hlavac was moved to Nashville for a 7th round pick.
– Brandon Bochenski traded to Nashville for future considerations.

ANALYSIS OF TRADES:

– Devils bolster their defensive depth with stay at home defenseman Salvador while Janssen goes home to St. Louis to add some grit to the Blues lineup.
– Florida finally gets a fighter that they need to add some physicality to the mix.
– Campbell does indeed get dealt and the San Jose blue line gets that much stronger with a QB on the Power Play. Buffalo gets a good forward with upside and a much coveted first rounder in this year’s draft.
– Dallas gets the center of attention they feel they need and a decent backup in Holmqvist…they do give up on Smith and Jokinen though. But you have to give to get something in the trade deadline.
– This is a precursor for bigger things in Montreal but you have to give major points for Washington in securing a #1 netminder with very good upside. And they only gave up a second rounder to boot.
– Carolina wanted more grit well they got it and Ladd provides Chicago with a little punch.
– The Avs get bigger on defense but they do get a little slower while the Panthers make a pretty smart trade in getting a vet like Skrastins.
– Ottawa gets a little stingier with Lapointe and for next to nothing…not bad.
– Colorado gets the old boys together as Foote helps them out on the defensive end….but pays for it with a conditional first rounder. An 08 if Avs make playoffs and an 09 if they don’t…plus Columbus gets another pick if Foote resigns with Avs…not as good of a move as it first looked to be.
– Fedorov provides a bit of veteran leadership to Washington as they try to win the Southeast…and trade not much for him.
– Isles needed defenseman help….and get a bit here. Just some depth to help the injuries mounting on the D side.
– Cooke provides the Caps with a little grit…it makes me wonder why the Canucks would do such a deal.
– The Pens get a big physical d-man but for a couple picks…a curious price to say the least but he will help in his own end.
– Rangers get a pretty good one with some upside….and the Blues get a decent pick.
– The Pens make 2 trades..the second one being an even bigger risk than the first one will be interesting one way or the other for Shero. Hossa will provide them with undeniable offensive punch…but trading away some of these character guys may hurt the Pens in the long run. A very curious move and if you are Montreal, why trade Huet now? But that is second guessing.
– Why Minnesota why? That is all I will say. I do not get it at all.
– Stuart gives the Wings some much needed defensive depth given all the injuries the Wings have sustained.
– A bit of a curious move for a third rounder but Florida does get a pretty good vet.
– Maloney had to give up a bit to get Montoya…hopefully he thinks it is worth it because I think Sjostrom could be pretty darn good.
– Isles did not like Bergeron of late but maybe the Ducks can turn him around…Bergeron will help some on the Power Play.
– I don’t get this one at all Burke….I just don’t.
– Another trade that seemed just a trade for trade’s sake.
– Hlavac will help the Preds just a little bit but the Preds seemed content to stay out of the fray on this trade deadline.
– I guess Bochenski was just interchangeable parts for Burke.