Wednesday, May 07, 2014
(Video) Bruins Milan Lucic cup checks the Habs Alexei Emelin, again
Apparently, the Montreal Canadiens are unhappy with another cup checking incident involving Bruins forward Milan Lucic and Canadiens forward Alexei Emelin. (Click to read the link) No clue, if the National Hockey League is going to do anything about it. I guess they could fine him again.
So, where are the Boston Bruins?
Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe asks some really good questions in his article. So, where are the Boston Bruins? I think if they lose on Thursday night, this series is over. Some of the top players of the Bruins have been missing in action, so far during this series.
MONTREAL — The Bruins are the better team. This is what the hockey folks keep saying. This is what the regular-season record shows. The Bruins won the Presidents’ Trophy, earning home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Bruins are better than the Canadiens at the five-on-five game. The Bruins play a heavy game. They will overwhelm Montreal with Maximum Heaviosity.
Hmmm. This sounds like what folks in Detroit were saying last October when they played the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. The Tigers were clearly better. Just like the 2007 Patriots were clearly better than the New York Giants. Just like the ’84 Lakers were better than the Celtics.
So why did Montreal win, 4-2, Tuesday night? Why are the Bruins trailing this series, 2-1? In three playoff games, why have the Canadiens led for 107 minutes, while the Bruins have led for only 11½ minutes? When do the Hub’s Heavy Hitters take control of this series? Where is the Bruins first line? Where in the world is David Krejci?
Sorry for asking. I guess this is the time to have faith in the battle-tested Bruins. They trailed the Canadiens in the first round of the magical Cup run in 2011. They trailed Toronto by a couple of goals late in the third in Game 7 last year. They know how to handle this situation.
Still, there is something nagging about this series. If not for three goals in six minutes of the third period Saturday, the Bruins would be staring down the barrel of a 0-3 deficit going into Thursday night’s game at the Bell Centre.
There's plenty of blame to go around, too. Hockey is a team game and the players need to put them on the table, if they want to win this series. Time to sack up, or go home. The Bruins have spent a lot of time fooling around with some of the Canadiens players instead of playing hockey. The Bruins have spent too much time jawing with P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher. They need to shut up and just play some hockey.
Two Former UND Hockey players among 2014 Playoffs Points Leaders
You can check out all of the stats at the hockey-reference. It's a wonderful site.
Wild F Zach Parise (Bloomington, MN/@UNDMHockey) is second in points (13) and in assists (9) in the NHL Playoffs.
— Let's Play Hockey (@LetsPlay_Hockey) May 7, 2014
(Video) Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores against the Blackhawks (Game 3)
Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise scores his fourth goal of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks. With the win, the Blackhawks lead the series 2-1.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Ryan Suter Injuiry (GIF)
Hopefully, it's only a stinger and not a separated shoulder. But Wild defenseman Ryan Suter seemed to land awkwardly on his shoulder. Suter went to the locker room after the play.
(Video) P.K. Subban hits Reilly Smith and takes out Thomas Vanek
Montreal Candiens defenseman P.K. Subban hits Boston Bruins forward Reilly Smith in the chest and also takes out his teammate Thomas Vanek. Subban was given a two-minute minor for roughing.
12:38 MTL P.K. Subban Roughing - 2 min against Reilly Smith
Dobber Hockey on Corban Knight
Here's what Brad Wilson from Dobber Hockey had to say about former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight. Check it out.
Observations:
May 2014 - Knight is a spark-plug. He is skating from the time he steps on the ice till he hits the bench. A work-horse some would say. He turned in 45 points in 70 games and was a plus-11 for the Heat in his first season as a pro. He also suited up for seven games for the Flames scoring his first NHL goal in the stint. Knight will battle for a third line center spot on the big club when camp starts up and depending where the chips fall he could see some time in the NHL. I feel it is a little early yet to say he will stick full time but once he has another season under his belt the picture should be a lot clearer. Knight needs to concentrate on making an impact right away as there are plenty of other options to scoop up his spot. One thing he has going for him is he is above average in the face-off circle. If he can translate that into the NHL his stock will rise considerably. Brad Wilson
Are the Wild Getting a Stadium Series Game?
Looks like there's a chance that Minnesota Wild could get a Stadium Series game against the Dallas Stars, as early as next season.
Michael Russo, Minneapolis Tribune -- Still waitingAt this point, the Minnesota Wild need to take what they can get in regards to an outdoor game whether it's a Winter Classic or a Stadium Series game. Eventually, they'll get a Winter Classic.
The Wild continues its quest to host a Winter Classic. But there are plans to bring a stadium-series game to Minnesota as soon as next season.
The Wild wants the opponent to be the Blackhawks, but the NHL is pushing the Dallas Stars as the opponent. If the game happens, it looks as if it will be played at Target Field.
Monday, May 05, 2014
Vote for T.J. Oshie for the EA Sports NHL 2015 Cover
You can vote for former Fighting Sioux and current St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie by going to this link. I would have to think that there hasn't been too many UND hockey players on the cover of EA Sports NHL Hockey.
Note to the NHL Officials, Cross-Checking is a Penalty
#becauseitsthecup ... Even thought it's the playoffs, cross-checking your opponent in the head is still a penalty, right? It should be. This should be called, this is a dirty hit and should be a five-minute major in my opinion. Thoughts?
Let me clear, I am not a dove by any stretch of the imagination, and this is coming from a guy that has the nickname Goon, but this could be classified a deliberate attempt to injure your opponent. This is why the NHL players are suffering from concussions in high numbers.
Henrik Lundqvist: Rangers Consistent Star when Struggling to Score
Well the New York Rangers will have their work cut out for them if they are able to surpass the offensive talented Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, especially after the grinding seven game series against the Flyers. However, the Rangers do have one trump card in their hands, and that is goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
With the New York Ranger power play being terrible in these playoffs, not getting many scoring chances and giving up shorthanded rushes, Lundqvist has always been there to save the day. Hank is posting a 2.07 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, which are outstanding numbers in any league, but has a playoff record of 5-4 because the lack of offensive support for the annual Vezina Trophy worthy goaltender.
So far in the series against Pittsburgh, two games, "King" Henrik has made 36 and 34 saves respectively only allowing two goals in each of those contests. The Rangers need to start to find ways to put pucks in the net to support their goalie, who is giving the Rangers chances to finish games in the win column every single night.
As addressed briefly earlier, the Rangers are struggling putting pucks in the net, especially from their power play and big gun Rick Nash. Their power play has hit just three times out of 37 attempts, or at a 8.1% success rate. You can't get very far in the playoffs if you aren't scoring with the extra man.
Now for the struggles of superstar power forward Rick Nash not being able to find the net. Going into tonight, Nash lead the NHL during the playoffs in shots on goal with 37, but has yet to find the twine. One can only think that he will break through soon and open the floodgates, but will it be too little too late against the offensive powerhouse Penguins? Maybe, but if Sidney Crosby ends his goal scoring troubles before Nash, and the rest of the Rangers are able to find the net more, this series doesn't go more than five games unless Hank is able to steal the Rangers some victories.
Ducks Kings Series 20 Years in the Making
Well they are separated by 30 miles and have been division rivals for the last 20 years, but this would be the first time that the Anaheim Ducks and the LA Kings would ever meet in the playoffs.
LA, who came into the series rattling off four straight wins to eliminate the San Jose Sharks, came into the series on a mission to keep on rolling. A big part of that success was goaltender Jonathan Quick. Quick struggled in the first game of the first round, but would improve his numbers in every single game of the series against San Jose. In the Kings five game winning streak they are currently on, Quick has looked like the Quick of the 2012 Stanley Cup team. If this trend continues, I'd expect the Kings to sneak their way into the Cup finals.
As for the quack attack, they came into game one off of a very hard fought six game series against the Dallas Stars. However, they are starting to turn into the Vancouver Canucks in these playoffs with all of their goalie drama that is occurring as of late. With Fredrick Anderson getting pretty much all the game play in the first round, usual number one, Jonas Hiller, is left on the sidelines leaving the fans scratching their heads. One would assume that Hiller would be the guy for the Ducks in the playoffs, especially since he has the most experience. That was not the case in round one, but he would get the call for game one in round two. Hiller would play decent in this game stopping 33 out of 36 shots faced, but the Ducks would lose on home ice and look for revenge tonight in game two.
Both of these teams have big bodies who like to be physical, a good amount of skillful players, and excellent puck moving defensemen, but the key difference in this freeway series is the goalies. Quick is on a different level than both Anaheim tenders and will be the deciding factor in LA taking this series.
I expect the rest of this series to be very fast, very physical, and no love lost between these longtime rivals. It is still very hard to believe that this is still the two franchises first ever playoff match-up in the 20 year existence of the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks. It's playoff series like this that make already existing rivalries that much greater, the hate between players much stronger and the same can be said between these two very passionate fan bases as well.
War of words in Boston
It only took two games for this to begin. Claude Julien has been known to be a "bit" hard on the officials.
Michael Hurley, BOSTON (CBS) —“It’s the same thing with Claude. He’s not happy with all that ‘crap,’” Therrien said, regarding Julien’s colorful reference to the officiating in Game 2. “They try to influence referees. That’s the way they are. That’s not going to change. That’s the way that they like to do their things. … But we all know what they try to do.”
With those comments, the gloves are officially off.
To be fair, Julien did say before the series began that he hated Boston when he coached Montreal, and now that he’s coaching Boston, he hates Montreal. Still, even during his mid-game tirade that drew a penalty, Julien never expressed any issue with the Canadiens or their organization.
“The referee — I kind of told him that I didn’t agree with his calls,” was all that a wryly smiling Julien told the media after the Game 2 win.
My ballot for the THW NHL awards.
Here’s my ballot for the 3rd Annual THW NHL Awards. We had to pick three players in each category.
Most Outstanding Player
1. Sidney Crosby, Forward Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Ryan Getzlaf, Forward Anaheim Ducks
3. Claude Giroux Forward, Philadelphia Flyers
Most Outstanding Rookie
1. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
2. Torey Krug, Defense Boston Bruins
3. Darcy Kuemper, Goaltender Minnesota Wild
Most Outstanding Goaltender
1. Henrick Lundqvist, New York Rangers
2. Tukaa Rask, Boston Bruins
3. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Most Outstanding Defenseman
1. Zedno Chara, Boston Bruins
2. Matt Niskanen, Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Most Outstanding Defensive Defenseman
1. Matt Niskanen, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose
3. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Most Outstanding Defensive Forward
1. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
2. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
3. David Krejci, Boston Bruins
Most Outstanding Coach
1. Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche
2. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Claude Julien, Boston Bruins
Most Outstanding General Manager
1. Greg Sherman, Colorado Avalanche
2. Steve Yzerman, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Jarmo Kekalainen, Columbus Blue Jackets
Biggest Surprise of the Season
1. Minnesota Wild
2. Colorado Avalanche
3. Columbus Blue Jackets
Biggest Disappointment of the Season
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
2. Vancouver Canucks
3. Washington Capitals
Trib: Leave the hockey coverage to Russo
This was in yesterday's newspaper. Jim Souhan has this goody...
Jim Souhan, Star Tribune --- By now you should be stuffed to the gills with facts and quotes. So let's take a shot at a wild Wild prediction:If you read beat writer Michael Russo, and most Wild fans do on a regular basis you would have seen this.
I see Josh Harding playing today. And if not today, then someday soon.
Mike Yeo has not said Harding will play. He probably doesn't want to put any more thoughts in Ilya Bryzgalov's overflowing cranium. But it is always instructive to judge people not by what they say but by what they do.
Here's what they did: Shipping Harding's equipment to him in Chicago and had him practice after not doing either of those things in Colorado.
In other words, Harding is capable of playing. If Bryzgalov is lousy again today, I don't know why the Wild wouldn't give Harding a shot today or in Game 3.
On Harding skating, Yeo said, “Just more than anything else, let's just get him on the ice. This is an extreme longshot to think he would have a chance to play in this series. Get him on the ice and get him back to being part of the group and helping out a little bit with practice. Obviously this time of year, the goalie playing a lot of games isn't going to see a lot of time in practice. It's nice to have three goalies.And this one from Russo as well.
“For me I'm not even considering it right now. If there's an absolute emergency or there's a desperate situation we find ourselves in we'll be prepared for that. We're not getting him on the ice to get ready to play a game, let's put it that way.”
One adjustment Yeo won’t make is in goal. Darcy Kuemper is injured, so Ilya Bryzgalov, 1-5 in his past six starts dating to the regular season, must remain the man between the pipes.I haven't been a fan of Bryz the last six games that he played in. It's like he's reverted back to the Philly Bryz that couldn't stop a beach ball. While a couple of the goals against have been his fault, many of the Blackhawks goals have been a result of good hockey players making great plays. Also, defensive support from his teammates has been poor as well. This includes the forward position, too. A lot of defensive break down have been a result of forwards not getting the puck deep and turning the puck over in their own end. That will bury a hockey players every time. The Wild as a team, need to be better on pucks, in all three zones.
Just for the record, Chad Graff from the Pioneer Press is very good as well.
Penguins Keep Finding Ways Without Crosby Scoring Goals
Tonight was the eighth game of the playoffs for the Pittsburgh Penguins and they notched victory five of the 16 needed to win the Stanley Cup tonight. Nothing too strange about this right? Wrong. Sidney Crosby has yet to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it's driving Pittsburgh fans nuts.
I am seeing all over social media of Pittsburgh fans ripping on their captain, saying he isn't playing well because he is not scoring goals for the black and gold. What they fail to realize is that Crosby has been almost a point per game clip in assists for the Penguins in the playoffs thus far.
Tonight's game was a prime example of that. Crosby was creating scoring chances whenever he was on the ice and the only thing keeping him off the score sheet was Henrik Lundqvist. So for all you Crosby "haters," have faith in your captain. He is the best offensive player in the entire world. Even Wayne Gretzky had a streak of 12 playoff games where he would not net a goal. So even the best have slumps.
Switching to the defensive side of the puck, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has also been getting a lot of grief from the Penguins faithful as of late. Yes he isn't the Flower of the Stanley Cup 2009 team, but he still is a very solid goaltender. Tonight was a prime example of that.
Personally I am a Marc-Andre fleury fan. He plays a real solid butterfly and generally is not out of position. He had a real solid season this year, but wasn't spectacular by NHL fans standards.
None the less, the Penguins are finding ways to win games in the playoffs and keep pushing for Stanley Cup number four. Fans just need to keep being fans and support your team. No player is perfect and will go through "slumps," and let in bad goals every now and then.
Sunday, May 04, 2014
Do Wild Fans Need to Worry?
Once again, the Minnesota Wild find themselves down in a 2-0 hole, but the only difference is that it is to a much more experienced Chicago Blackhawks team.
First thing is first, one must address the horrible starts to game one and two for Minnesota. They would fall into 2-0 holes in both games, but would surge late to make things interesting before Chicago would ice the games with empty net goals. Their flat footed starts reminded me much of the series last year against the Blackhawks. It looked like a lot of puck envy and the Wild had no pressure on the puck carrier what so ever.
Another issue to address is the goalie situation. Ilya Bryzgalov has shown signs of the Bryz of 2007, but seems to be getting caught too deep into his net, look at Brandon Saad's first goal of the game. Yes I know it was deflected off the stick of Zach Parise, however, if Bryzgalov comes out another eight inches to a foot, I believe the puck hits him in the shoulder.
The goaltending situation is one that they have dealt with all season long, but it's time for Bryzgalov to take the reigns and find his game from the regular season. However, all can't be put on Bryz. When the Wild have had their prime scoring chances, is when they are strong on the forecheck. The only line I saw that consistently from today was the line with Nino, Haula, and Fontaine. These three took the body, created chances and got pucks to the net consistently. The rest of the team should take notes off of how these three played today because their games were nearly flawless.
Turnovers were also another story on today's game. Giving the puck up in key areas costed Minnesota at least two goals today. They would make a third period push today and in game one, but would turn out to be too little too late .
Finally, the big guns need to start being more active like they were at the end of the Colorado series. In today's game, Parise and Suter were both -3, Pommer, Granny, and Koivu were all a -2, and the only plus players were our grinders, Haula, Heatley, and McCormick all at +1. This picture is something that needs to be changed, or you can kiss this season goodbye.
As for if fans need to be concerned? I say yes. This Blackhawks team isn't like the Avalanche. They are much better and more experienced in the playoffs. 2-0 holes against them are generally impossible to overcome. However, it is the playoffs and the Blue Jackets almost upset the Penguins in the first round.
The only way I see Minnesota being back in this series is they must win both games at the Xcel Energy Center. If this doesn't happen, the season is over. The Madhouse on Madison is not an easy building to win in and have to grab at least one victory there to head to the West Final.
Toews goal against the Wild
Exhibit A: This is what they mean by going hard to the net. Getting to the blue pain. I thought this goal was a back breaker. The much maligned, and rightfully so, Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov makes a beautiful initial save on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. That play would have been great, but the poor defensive effort by the Wild defenders allowed Jonathan Toews to crash the net and cash in on the rebound at the side of the net.
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