You can say that about Kiprusoff now, but not about Bryzgalov at this point in time.
Not a Tame Lion, there haven’t been enough “tonights” for you to prove Bryzgalov is the real deal? This Kings fan is convinced.
I’m just saying relax, guys. A guy on a streak is not the same as a guy who’s doing it night in, night out, over a long period of time. If Bryzgalov goes the rest of the way and doesn’t give up another goal, hey, good for him. But he’s still 10 (ten) wins away from the Cup, so I’m still taking a wait and see approach.
And, sorry to say it fetus, but I saw the Kings late in the season. The way they laid down like dogs down the stretch, it’s a wonder you can recognize good hockey at all. I’d think you’re still too traumatized from watching that bailout.
Bryzgalov…maybe the Avs should try to trick him into saying his name backwards. 
Jesus Christ, I can’t believe this. The Sabres play 2 atrocious games and come up with victory twice because of ridiculously stupid Ottawa turnovers. We need to play two perfect games in Buffalo to stay in this series.
Ottawa needs more Havlat - Spezza - Heatley on the same line.
Just checking in to say that I love playoff hockey! The third period of the Canes-Devils game was ridiculous!
Carolina dominates the period (something ridiculous like 15-3 in shots), but with 20.7 seconds left, Jersey scores after the puck deflects off two sticks in the air, then both side posts of the net before dropping in.
Carolina pulls Ward (the goalie) before the faceoff, and with 3 seconds left, Eric Staal ties it up! Woo! Then the Canes score in OT to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! What a game!
I wish there were any logical way to disagree with you.
Don’t think I’m ragging on you. You do have my sympathy. I watched those last two games the Sharks played against the Kings. They just slapped them around like they were little girls, and the Kings just sat there and took it. Sad.
All the arguments about whether or not the Ducks and Bryzgalov are for real may be moot, because I watched most of that Carolina/New Jersey game last night, and I can’t possibly believe that one of those teams won’t win the Cup. The skill level for both is outrageous. They’re both so good that when Carolina tied it at the end I almost wasn’t surprised. And even at 0-2 I am not counting the Devils out. (Having been born in Philadelphia, I’m constitutionally incapable of rooting for the Devils, but only a fool would watch that team and deny the skill they show.) The Sharks and whoever else in the West are probably battling for second place.
The announcers on last night’s game kept saying that the Sharks and Oilers were so evenly matched, but I think they were fooled by the close score. It seemed to me like it was all the Oilers could do just to stay one goal behind San Jose. I think the Sharks take at least one game in Edmonton, probably close out the series in 5.
Don’t even know what to think of Buffalo/Ottawa. Except that the Sens seem to being performing their Spring Fold It Up Dance once more.
The Avs better put up tonight, or they’ll be shutting up very very soon.
Mike & Mike went over the weekend ratings for sporting events. The horses were #1, and the Avs were dead last at 0.9. Zero point nine? Ouch.
I’ve shaken off my Rangers funk, so I think I’ll try to watch a game or two. Carolina is my secondary team, and it sounds like that series has some good action.
Go 'Canes!
The Devil defense was scrambling on that tying goal with 3 seconds left…that’s not the New Jersey of a few years ago. The Canes are definitely the better of the two teams, but I don’t see them as outright frontrunners of the Cup.
You are right about Edmonton…their tempo is totally interrupted by their bad (behind) or missed passes…they can’t even get a good rush going. But why the Sharks haven’t opened the game up by more than a goal should also be questioned.
I haven’t watched this series yet…so no comment.
How right you are. Putting up as well, too.
New Jersey actually screwed themselves on that play because they won the faceoff so cleanly that Carolina didn’t even need to work to get deep in the zone. They just crashed into the corners and were almost immediately set up for the scoring chance.
Still, like I said, NJ is still going to be tough. Watching the Devils come down the ice on a 3 on 2 reminds me of watching the old Soviet teams from the 70s and 80s. Hard rush, pinpoint passing, always seem to generate a scoring chance. It says something about Carolina’s defense that they’ve been able to break up those rushes enough to win two games.
San Jose has been beating up the Oilers, really taking the physical game to them. But the problem for Edmonton is, they can’t simply try to avoid the boards and play the speed game, because SJ has plenty of speed, too. The Sharks are simply doing just what they need to control the game. Even last night, when it was only a one goal game late in the 3rd, I wasn’t worried–I was sure that if Edmonton scored and tied the game, the Sharks would just come right back and take the lead a minute later. The Sharks aren’t operating all out; Edmonton is in frantic mode, and it’s still not enough.
If Edmonton doesn’t win that first game at home I think the Sharks sweep this series. Watching the last 2 games where nothing that Edmonton could throw at them worked.
That 1:40 that Edmonton had with 5 on 3 (and for a while 2 of those three didn’t have sticks!) and couldn’t get a score was some of the most thrilling hockey I’ve ever personally watched. The place went aboslutely bonkers after that (until the oilers scored about a minute later).
F*CK!!!
[sub]Avs lost again.[/sub]
Some comments on the playoffs:
How can one man make so many errors in a game and still take a regular shift? Jaroslov Spacek of the Oilers has to have the worst gap control of any defenseman in the playoffs, maybe the league. If the other team is on the rush, he’s the one in no man’s land; too far away to pressure the puck and too close to contain the puck carrier.
Speaking of poor defense, how did the Avs make it to the second round? You’d think the Ducks had the flu.
I know that the game is trying to distance itself from its history but why must announcers insist on saying the “S” word when a goalie is working on a goose egg. Bryzgalov was approaching the record for longest shutout streak and the announcers insisted on mentioning that at least a dozen times. The idea of a baseball announcer mentioning a “perfect game” in the seventh inning is ridiculous. I like the mystique it adds.
I wrote an email that Buffalo was the most dangerous team going in to the playoffs and they’re proving it. They have blazing speed, talent, goaltending and they may be too young to know they are not supposed to go all the way.
Greenback, it’s not just hockey. Baseball commentators indeed talk about pitchers working on no-hitters all the time on ESPN. It really bugs me, but I guess nobody else notices. Both examples are pretty silly–a goal or a hit can happen in any instant. They’re not paying us, though.
I’m a goalie myself so I guess the ‘s’ word hits me a little harder 
I caught the third period of the Avs/Ducks game, and I thought the same thing. Both teams looked lazy in their own end. I thought the Ducks were probably the guiltiest there. Colorado made some boneheaded plays, but the Ducks just seemed to be coasting. You knew that shorthanded goal was going to be scored after two ducks skated past one Av behind their own net. Less than a minute later, a shorty. They weren’t doing a lot of work on the boards either. The way both teams played last night, you wouldn’t think that was a playoff game.
You do have to respect the fact that the Ducks are getting players to step up and win the game for them. Bryzgalov in games 1 and 2. Lupul last night, and damn his second goal was a sweet shot.
Yep. The Ducks are looking pretty good. And Bryzgalov, according to teammates and reporters, is nearly oblivious to the pressure he is supposed to be under. In one interview, a teammate (forget which one), said that after the morning skate, Bryzgalov had asked what time the game was that night. The game? It was game 7 v. Calgary in which he was starting. I love goalies.
My comment regarding Colorado’s defense was made in light of the first three games inclusive. I mean, Foote can’t have been the only one on the blueline that could keep players from driving the net at will.
Well, Lupul did have to take a few hits off of the oxygen cannister after that 3rd goal…maybe he and rookie Dustin Penner (who earned a playmaker with 3 first assists on Lupul’s goals) probably were the only two out there hustling, along with the PK’ers, who kept the Avs to 0 shots on that 5 on 3. Awesome.
Sweet indeed. I actually thought this would be the game the Ducks would lose, and they would get the split in game 4. Even sweeter.