The Sens at least look like they are trying tonight. It's amazing how different this team is with Alfredsson in the lineup. Shots are about even, as are scoring chances, after two periods. If Ottawa doesn't win this evening this series will likley be over.

It's hard enough stopping Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom and Franzen. What the Preds don't need is goals against by the likes of Draper. If Hasek stones Nashville for the second half of the game, this series could also be over by the weekend.

Posted by Brian Rosenbaum at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Wild are peppering Jose Theodore in the third and have just take the lead on Mikko Koivu's goal with 1:49 left in the contest. Colorado was one period away from going home up 2-0 in the series.

That is the kind of goal that can change a series.

Posted by Brian Rosenbaum at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alexander the Great has had over 13 minutes of ice time and has yet to register a shot on goal. Great overall defensive effort by the Flyers.

Can't blame Gerber for the 3-2 deficit against the Pens after two periods. He's kicked out 38 of 40 Pittsburgh shots.

The snore in New Jersey continues. 27 shots between the teams. No goals

Posted by Brian Rosenbaum at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three out of the four home teams lost Game 1 on Wednesday, but it is no time to panic. The only time that home ice really matters is Game 7 and that is still far away.

Pittsburgh was the only home team to win and they did it in convincing fashion with a 4-0 shutout. They peppered Ottawa's Martin Gerber with 35 shots, while Marc-Andre Fleury was perfect in stopping all 26 shots headed his way.

The Rangers are starting to look very good in the drive to the Cup. The Rangers were 7-0-1 against the Devils this season, but four of the games were tied in regulation. Martin Brodeur will have to be his usual outstanding self in order for the Devils to win this series.

Out West, the Avs knocked off the Wild in overtime, but this series could go the distance. It would be no surprise for Game 2 to be a wild one (pardon the pun) as Minnesota was not too happy about the hit that Mark Parrish received. Don't be surprised to see at least three of Derek Boogaard, Chris Simon, Aaron Voros and Todd Fedoruk in the lineup. It shall be interesting to see who Colorado puts in their lineup for Game 2.

Miikka Kiprusoff absolutely stole Game 1 for Calgary. He stopped 37 shots as the Flames were outshot 39-23. There are two ways to look at Game 1. What chance do San Jose have if Stephane Yelle scores twice in a game. The other way to look at it is that the Flames needed Stephane Yelle to score twice to win. They won't get that again this season. This is another series that looks like it could go the distance.

Don't fret if your team lost Game 1. There is still a lot of hockey to be played.

Posted by Michael Finewax at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been ten years since an NHL team has gone back-to-back to win the Stanley Cup. The Detroit Red Wings won the Cup in 1996/97 and again the following year.

Can the Anaheim Ducks do the same this season?

Continue reading "Can the Ducks repeat?" »

Posted by Michael Finewax at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well they made it. Not that they deserved it. The Ottawa Senators backed into the playoffs Friday night thanks to the Panthers who defeated the Hurricanes 4-3.

With their loss to the Bruins Friday, the Sens have recorded only five out of a possible 16 points over their last eight games. The team's record over its last 20 games is 7-11-2.

To top things off, captain Daniel Alfredsson and inspirational forward Mike Fisher were both significantly injured in Thursday's 8-2 drubbing of Toronto.

Last year Ottawa seemed on the verge of becoming Stanley Cup champions. They might have won the cup last season had they been better equipped to handle the Ducks' physical wingers.

It now seems that the window for ultimate success has closed. Where has that talented Senators team gone?

I don't know. But it is clear it has left the building.

Posted by Brian Rosenbaum at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)