Sweet merciful crap…what a game.
I’ve got all of my fingers crossed that Brodeur is going to start tomorrow.
Yeesh. Harry Neale said it best. If Toronto plays against Buffalo like that, they won’t last 3 games. Awful defence all around. And that first Ryder goal was absolutely Lalime-esque.
I completely agree. Buffalo will be putting up double-digit goals if the Leafs play like this in the playoffs.
Ottawa/Pittsburgh is going to be a great first round series. I can’t wait.
I thank the hockey gods every day that Jersey managed to lock up the division. At least I’m guaranteed to see my Sens in one exciting series.
I got satellite 'cause it’s cheaper.
But now I don’t have CBC. 
Guess I’ll play it old school and listen to the games on the radio.
GO SENS!
And Toronto misses the playoffs due to the shootout. I can’t wait to hear all of the whining out of Toronto about that – as if the Leafs weren’t the authors of their own demise.
Here are the upcoming match-ups(and some predictions):
Eastern Conference
1. Sabres vs 8. Islanders
This one is going to be ugly. The Islanders’ defence is slow and giveaway-prone. Their captain is Alexei Yashin. They’re likely to have a career AHLer in net. This one is all Sabres.
Buffalo in 4
2. Devils vs 7. Lightning
The Lightning are absolutely hopeless in their own zone. They’re goaltending isn’t terrible, although their porous defence often makes both goalies look bad. They have a pretty good offence, but balance is a problem. All of this points to trouble against a veteran New Jersey team. I can’t see an upset here.
New Jersey in 5
3. Thrashers vs 6. Rangers
The Rangers went on one heck of a run to make the playoffs after many had given them up for dead. Lundqvist has been hot down the stretch. They have a lot more grit this time around, with a pretty underrated defence corps. Atlanta has some awesome offensive players, but depth is a problem. Their defence is slow and not particularily talented(Zhitnik aside). Lehtonen has shown the ups-and-downs expects from a young starting goalie. This will be a good series, but I expect the Rangers will gut out a tough one.
New York in 7
4. Senators vs 5. Penguins
This is going to be a fun one. Two of the top three offences in the league meet. Pittsburgh has the supremely talented duo of Crosby and Malkin. Ottawa counters with Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson and an excellent supporting cast. The biggest edge in this series is on defence, where Pittsburgh can’t hope to match Ottawa’s top 3 of Phillips, Volchenkov and Redden. Despite Ottawa’s offseason losses, their defence still has decent depth, as well. In goal, Fleury has the edge in talent while Emery has more polish on his game, and consequently, is more consistent. Ottawa has to stay out the box, though, as Pittsburgh’s PP has been deadly, while Ottawa’s PP is woefully inconsistent(which has been a hallmark of Ottawa’s PP for as long as I can remember). As I’ve said before, Ottawa has beaten teams like Pittsburgh handily before, and I believe that they’ll finish off the Penguins as well.
Ottawa in 6
Western Conference
1. Detroit vs 8. Calgary
Calgary, who is past years has been noted for its defence, seemingly forgot how to play in their own end this season, finishing 8th in the West in goals allowed. Kiprusoff was not his normal consistent self, although he had a good stretch run. Fortunately for Calgary, they found offence in the strangest places(Daymond Langkow? Kristian Huselius?) Most damning of all, Calgary backed into the playoffs. If Colorado hadn’t blown their lead against Nashville last night, Calgary would be playing for their playoff lives as we speak. On the other end of the rink, Dominik Hasek is healthy, Lidstrom is incredible as ever and Todd Bertuzzi has brought some grit the the forward corps. Calgary will make a series of it, but Kiprusoff will have to completely outplay Hasek to pull out a series victory – and I’d never bet on Hasek being outgoaltended in any series.
Detroit in 6
2. Anaheim vs. 7. Wild
This is an interesting one. Anaheim had a superlative start but weren’t so great in the second half of the year. The Wild had a terrible start but were incredible down the stretch with Marian Gaborik. On the other hand, both Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermeyer are 2 of the best shut-down defencemen in the game. If Gaborik and Demitra are taken out of the game, who on earth is going to score for Minnesota? At the other end of the rink, the Wild have a solid, if unspectacular defence corps. Selanne still looks great, and the Ducks have a lot of young offensive talent. It seems like every year we see a second seed upset in the first round, but I’m not seeing it this year.
Anaheim in 7
3. Canucks vs 6. Stars
This one comes down to goaltending. Luongo might be getting his first taste of the playoffs, but don’t count on him faltering. He’s played excellently for Canada in international tournaments, and he’s too good a goaltender to blow it. On the other hand, Turco’s career has been defined by playoff disappointment, and don’t think that he doesn’t know it. I think that Turco’s going to come out strong and prove something to his doubters.
Dallas in 7
4. Predators vs 5. Sharks
Speaking of playoff disappointments, how about Joe Thornton? He has a terrible record in the playoffs, and faces a tough test right off the mark. Joe gets to go up against one of the best playoff performers of his generation, Peter Forsberg. This is going to be another fun series. Scott Hannan will likely draw duty against Forsberg. Hannan has shut him down before, and he’ll need to do it again. The series rests of Thornton’s shoulders. Marleau has proven before that he can keep a team in a playoff series, but he’ll need help to pull out a win. If Thornton plays his typical perimeter game, the Sharks are dead in the water.
Nashville in 6
Rick’s Picks:
East:
Buffalo (1) vs New York Islanders (8)
The Islanders are my new favourite team for eliminating the minions of Satan, the Maple Leafs. It’s a damned good day for hockey fans with the Leafs out. Unfortunately, they’re hopelessly outclassed by the Sabres, so it’ll be a short lived celebration. Buffalo in 5.
New Jersey (2) vs Tampa Bay (7)
New Jersey really isn’t as good as their #2 seeding suggests, but Tampa Bay is legitimately not all that good right now. Tampa Bay had the 11th-worst defense in the East and allowed more goals than they scored, while playing in a weak division. Marty Brodeur will choke them to death. Devils in 5.
Atlanta (3) vs New York Rangers (6)
Atlanta finished third and won the Southeast despite allowing almost as many goals (245) as they scored (246). They’re one of the worst division champions in recent NHL history. The Rangers have a significantly better blue line, and will likely hold the Thrashers to two goals or less in most games, if not all. Rangers in 6.
Ottawa (4) vs Pittsburgh (5)
This series is already the consensus pick for Best Series of the Playoffs, and why not? Two teams that like to skate and score. Ottawa’s defense is significantly better, so they’re the smart pick here, and I think Pittsburgh needs a year of playoff seasoning to really be ready for April hockey. Ottawa tends to play better against similar teams, rather than grinders, and Pittsburgh is very similar. Senators in 5.
West:
Detroit (1) vs Calgary (8)
Calgary has the best player on the ice, Jarome Iginla, but is otherwise very much inferior to the Red Wings. Frankly, a lot of this series is dependent on goalies - that’s always true, but even more so here with Dominik Hasek, who is sometimes amazing, sometimes hurt, and sometimes just flakes out on you. Assuming he’s on his game, Red Wings in 5. If he acts all weird or suddenly pulls something, Flames in 7.
Anaheim (2) vs Minnesota (7)
My choice for biggest first round upset. Anaheim’s season was stronger at the beginning than the end, and the Wild are extremely underrated. Minnesota allowed fewer goals than any other team in the NHL. When in doubt, always pick the better defensive team. That’s a damned tough nut to crack. Wild in 6.
Vancouver (3) vs Dallas (6)
Quite frankly these two teams look dead even to me. It’s possible Roberto Luongo will collapse in exhaustion, but until he does I’m riding that horse. Canucks in 7.
Nashville (4) vs San Jose (5)
I mean no disrespect to the fans of the Predators and Sharks, but there’s something wrong with a league financial system that allows “Nashville versus San Jose” to be an actual NHL playoff matchup while Winnipeg, Hamilton and Quebec City can’t have teams.
Anyway, again, we have an evenly matched series. I’m going for San Jose because I like San Jose as a city more than I do Nashville. Sharks in 6.
My picks. Pity the teams I pick to win.
Western Conference
Detroit(1) vs Calgary(8): As a wings fan, this was the matchup that I was not looking forward too. Calgary has a goalie prone to hot streaks. They can play a tight checking defensive game. They are just as capable offensively, scoring more goals over the season than Detroit. Does that mean the wings should start calling for tee times? Not necessarily. These aren’t the wings that the flames stomped out of the playoffs. They’ve actually added players that can be considered gritty. Even if he can’t find his scoring touch, Bertuzzi is a big mean brute who is hard to knock off the puck when he gets it and isn’t afraid of the corners. Likewise Calder and Cleary can tough their way to a loose puck. My call? Not going to make one. I’m not jinxing anyone here. 
Anaheim(2) vs Minnesota(7): I’ve shared my feelings on Anaheim. Even pushing the wings for first place until the last weekend of the season, I’m just not sold on them. It doesn’t help that they are playing the NHL equivalent of the borg in the Minnesota Wild. Everyone plays the system. Nobody slacks. For Anaheim to win, their goaltending and defense are going to have to be tight. They’ll also have to avoid the penalty box. I’ll go with Minnesota in 6.
Vancouver(3) vs Dallas(6): It’s unproven playoff commodity vs. proven playoff choker in the pipes as Luongo squares off against Turco. Not much to discuss here. Dallas lacks leadership, goaltending, and most of all swagger. Vancouver in 5.
Nashville(4) vs San Jose(5): I hate Nashville. I really really really hate Nashville. Before the lockout they were the worst team with regards to clutching, grabbing, icing, and all around reducing the game to its most boring level. Since the lockout they’ve just become nasty and prone to cheap shotting. I’m betting they watch most of the series from the box and the Sharks power play eats them alive. Sharks in 4.
Eastern Conference
Buffalo(1) vs New York Islanders (8): The Islanders pulled a miracle out of somewhere and clinched a playoff spot on the last day of the season. Buffalo spent the end of the season winning games and getting healthier. Buffalo was a team that would’ve won the cup if they would’ve had any healthy defensemen by the time they reached Carolina. The Islanders would stand a chance if Smyth could somehow transfer some of his gutsy play into Yashin, but Yashin and guts are incompatible. Buffalo in 4.
New Jersey(2) vs Tampa Bay(7): Martin Brodeur. Nuff said. Devils in 5.
Atlanta (3) vs New York Rangers (6): Atlanta is more of a Cinderella team than their 3 seed lets on. The Rangers are burdened by having both Jagr and Avery on the team. I think the Thrashers will please all eight of their fans. Thrashers in 6.
Ottawa(4) vs Pittsburgh(5): Same thing as the Vancouver/Dallas goalie battle. The Penguins are crazy talented but not battle tested. Ottawa has been tested and has come up short. I’m thinking this series is going to go back and forth with Pittsburghs young guns coming up on top. Pittsburgh in 7.
Ottawa just smacked Pittsburgh around tonight. 6-3 final, and it was 6-1 before the Penguins picked up a pair of PP goals on garbage penalties when the game was already over. Pittsburgh’s defence, as I predicted, couldn’t deal with Ottawa’s pressure, while Ottawa’s defence handled the Penguins.
My only complaints are that Emery let out too many rebounds, our power play was terrible, and the refs were absolute crap.
The refs were crap in that game. So many crap calls on both teams. Ottawa did look good, but please do remember this isn’t the Superbowl. 1 win means jack.
Sharks just won in the second OT, 5-4
Damn right they did!
I really, *really * hope Cheechoo isn’t out for the whole playoffs, though.
That was an ugly hit on Cheechoo. I hope that he’s all right. I’m really afraid that the verdict is going to end in “CL”, though.
Vancouver and Dallas are just starting quadruple OT. I need to go to sleep at some point…
Stars lost…
Dear god. Seven periods of hockey. I’m guessing todays practice will be optional for both teams. And lucky Anaheim. If not for Jonsson crashing his own crease, they might have seen a similar fate as Vancouver and San Jose.
Does anyone have a video link to the hit on Cheechoo? Nashvilles coach said he didn’t think it was dirty, so I’m pretty sure it was. I don’t think losing Cheechoo will affect San Jose much though. You could put a fan on a line with Thornton and he’d score goals by the ton.
I’m a little disappointed. I wanted to watch some hockey last night but I wound up watching Ottawa/Pittsburgh instead. I’d hate to see the rest of the series go like that.
Never mind about the video. I saw it on the ESPN site. Cheap friggin’ hit. There likely won’t be any disciplinary actions, but I think there should be. Even if the knee on knee hit wasn’t intentional (looked pretty damned intentional to me, but I’m trying to be diplomatic), it still came about because Hartnell decided to put an elbow in Cheechoos face. To me that says intent to injure. Barry Trotz blowing this off is exactly the reason why I hate Nashville. The cheap shot attitude comes from the top.
I hope the Preds get swept.
That hit is suspiciously absent from the NHL’s web video highlights of the game. :dubious:
I have seen the hit a few times, both in game replays, during the game and on highlight shows. I do not think it was cheap. He did not stick his knee out (to the side) a la Ulf, or did he low bridge the guy. I thought the 5 minute major was appropriate. It doesn’t matter if it was intentional it is still a penalty. You high stick a guy and he bleeds its 4. Same sort of thing. I doubt, and don’t think there should be, any supplementary disciplinary action from Colin Campbell.
I do hope Cheecho is ok though. I think his loss will hurt the Sharks a lot. While Thornton is a great regular season player he is Canada’s answer to Yashin.
I disagree. Hartnell went into Cheechoo leading with his elbow and his knee. I paused the video right before the hit and the elbow was out and aimed at Cheechoos head. That’s a dirty hit.
Garygnu, try ESPN.com. They have the hit on their highlights of the game.