Okay, so these should have been posted yesterday before the second round of the NHL playoffs actually started. And if the Capitals had a power play, they'd still be playing.
Without additional delay, then . . .
Detroit Red Wings over San Jose Sharks in six games. I like the Wings despite their opening loss in this series. This veteran group rarely gets rattled and it looks to this observer as though Jimmy Howard is just fine in goal. If the Wings are going to get to the Cup final, they will need to pick up a short series because their travel itinerary will eventually catch up with them. The Sharks, on the other hand, never seem completely settled and you wonder how long they can last when Joe Pavelski is their top sniper. Nothing against that Joe but it's Jumbo Joe Thornton who needs to shine more for San Jose, a sentence often typed at this time of year.
Chicago Blackhawks over Vancouver Canucks in seven games. This should be the best of the second-round series, a repeat of last year's matchup, giving each side plenty of old scores to settle. It may come down to something as simple as the home-ice advantage, although this viewer will be looking to see how Vancouver's defense fares against Chicago's speedy and crafty forwards.
Boston Bruins over Philadelphia Flyers in six games. This could be the mucker's special and if that is the case, that favors Boston, which doesn't ooze with offensive ability but seems to get the goals when they need them. At this point, too, Tuukka Rask instills more confidence than Brian Boucher, whose job was made easier in the first round by a wishy-washy Devils attack.
Pittsburgh Penguins over Montreal Canadiens in four games. The Penguins won't mount the doughnut attack that the Capitals did against Montreal, preferring to keep their forays in the middle rather than the outside. The Habs remind one of the Colorado Avalanche, riding a hot goalie with timely scoring. Either -- or both -- of those commodities can disappear overnight. Expect that to happen. And, my, oh my, hasn't the Eastern draw opened up nicely for the Penguins?
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Friday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At San Jose 4, Detroit 3
(San Jose leads, 1-0)
Recap is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Hershey 5, at Albany 4 OT
(Hershey wins, 4-0)
Abbotsford 3, at Hamilton 2
(Abbotsford leads, 1-0)
Recaps are here and here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Robertson Cup Finals
Best of 7
Windsor 5, at Barrie 4
(Windsor leads, 2-0)
Recap is here.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
My Second Round Picks to Click
First off, lets just say that calling five of the eight series correctly counts for something. Is it worth anything? That's another issue for another time.
When it comes to looking at the second round, it's much like a trip to a discount produce stand. Sure there are a lot of bruised peaches in the bin. Your job is to select the best ones that can hang around a little longer. They ain't perfect, the vendor will tell you, just pick something.
O.K., given that, the fruit with the least amount of flies circling the runway are the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Again, they ain't perfect, but they are the ones I am picking this time around.
Detroit Red Wings over San Jose Sharks in six games: Do you believe in the Sharks? I don't, and it isn't because they have disappointed me in years past. I believe that San Jose has a talented team built for the regular season. I need to see Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley be leaders, be the focus of the nightly video highlights. That's not really the case now, and can Joe Pavelski do more? I know he will try. But he needs more help. And as for Evgeny Nabokov, his expiration date has arrived. The Red Wings looked refreshed in the final stages of their series with the Phoenix Coyotes. I had them winning that round and I have them getting into the next round.
Chicago Blackhawks over Vancouver Canucks in seven games: Will Roberto Luongo break down? Who finishes this series in net for the Blackhawks? This series should be a lot of fun. There's a lot of speed and skill to burn. But I tend to look at the goaltenders and Luongo did not impress me in the series with the Kings as much as his defense did in the final games. There was some strong team defense that went into knocking that cocky smile off the faces of the Kings. Antti Niemi has the challenge of stopping the Sedin twins and any other of the Canucks who came alive in the late stages of the previous series. If he cannot, then it's Cristobal Huet. Hmm, he's a former King. That's a minus on my scorecard. This dance will take a full seven frames before we have a winner. I say Chicago.
Pittsburgh Penguins over Montreal Canadiens in four games: The Penguins, by reaching the Cup finals in two consecutive springs and by winning once, have the experience to overcome any number of setbacks or cold spells. And as long as Sidney Crosby is healthy, I see this one going quickly. Good on Montreal for getting this far. But those little guys up front are going to take a BIG BEATING in this series. Washington's Mike Green was saying "Ole" on any number of occasions, but the Penguins will punish the mite-sized Canadiens forwards. Jaroslav Halak played a man's game against the Capitals. It's going to take a Superman's game from him to beat Pittsburgh. Not happening. Pittsburgh advances.
Boston Bruins over Philadelphia Flyers in five games: Tuukka Rask has the tools, and he has more healthy teammates than does the Flyers' Brian Boucher. This series should be physical, which means some deliberate attempts to disable being performed by the Flyers' Chris Pronger or maybe Daniel Carcillo. When those two do what they do best, the Bruins had better make quick work of them on the power play. In this corner of the Lounge, I say the Bruins do this and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
In short, it's Howard over Nabokov, Niemi over Luongo, Fleury over Halak and Rask over Boucher. That's my call. What are you having?
When it comes to looking at the second round, it's much like a trip to a discount produce stand. Sure there are a lot of bruised peaches in the bin. Your job is to select the best ones that can hang around a little longer. They ain't perfect, the vendor will tell you, just pick something.
O.K., given that, the fruit with the least amount of flies circling the runway are the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Again, they ain't perfect, but they are the ones I am picking this time around.
Detroit Red Wings over San Jose Sharks in six games: Do you believe in the Sharks? I don't, and it isn't because they have disappointed me in years past. I believe that San Jose has a talented team built for the regular season. I need to see Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley be leaders, be the focus of the nightly video highlights. That's not really the case now, and can Joe Pavelski do more? I know he will try. But he needs more help. And as for Evgeny Nabokov, his expiration date has arrived. The Red Wings looked refreshed in the final stages of their series with the Phoenix Coyotes. I had them winning that round and I have them getting into the next round.
Chicago Blackhawks over Vancouver Canucks in seven games: Will Roberto Luongo break down? Who finishes this series in net for the Blackhawks? This series should be a lot of fun. There's a lot of speed and skill to burn. But I tend to look at the goaltenders and Luongo did not impress me in the series with the Kings as much as his defense did in the final games. There was some strong team defense that went into knocking that cocky smile off the faces of the Kings. Antti Niemi has the challenge of stopping the Sedin twins and any other of the Canucks who came alive in the late stages of the previous series. If he cannot, then it's Cristobal Huet. Hmm, he's a former King. That's a minus on my scorecard. This dance will take a full seven frames before we have a winner. I say Chicago.
Pittsburgh Penguins over Montreal Canadiens in four games: The Penguins, by reaching the Cup finals in two consecutive springs and by winning once, have the experience to overcome any number of setbacks or cold spells. And as long as Sidney Crosby is healthy, I see this one going quickly. Good on Montreal for getting this far. But those little guys up front are going to take a BIG BEATING in this series. Washington's Mike Green was saying "Ole" on any number of occasions, but the Penguins will punish the mite-sized Canadiens forwards. Jaroslav Halak played a man's game against the Capitals. It's going to take a Superman's game from him to beat Pittsburgh. Not happening. Pittsburgh advances.
Boston Bruins over Philadelphia Flyers in five games: Tuukka Rask has the tools, and he has more healthy teammates than does the Flyers' Brian Boucher. This series should be physical, which means some deliberate attempts to disable being performed by the Flyers' Chris Pronger or maybe Daniel Carcillo. When those two do what they do best, the Bruins had better make quick work of them on the power play. In this corner of the Lounge, I say the Bruins do this and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
In short, it's Howard over Nabokov, Niemi over Luongo, Fleury over Halak and Rask over Boucher. That's my call. What are you having?
Round 2 Set in NHL Playoffs
The time to hesitate is through. No time to wallow in the mire.
Show the fallen Washington Capitals the doors. Time to back up the truck. (Just wondering. Who is going to be tossed under that truck? Somebody's going to be fitted with goat horns for that debacle.)
And for the remaining eight teams, it's time for the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin tonight in San Jose, where the Sharks will play host to the Detroit Red Wings.
The pairings are as follows; all series are best of seven.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Friday: Montreal at Pittsburgh
Sunday: Montreal at Pittsburgh
Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Montreal
May 6: Pittsburgh at Montreal
May 8: Montreal at Pittsburgh, if needed
May 10: Pittsburgh at Montreal, if needed
May 12: Montreal at Pittsburgh, if needed
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday: Philadelphia at Boston
Monday: Philadelphia at Boston
Wednesday: Boston at Philadelphia
May 7: Boston at Philadelphia
May 10: Philadelphia at Boston, if needed
May 12: Boston at Philadelphia, if needed
May 14: Philadelphia at Boston, if needed
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings
Today: Detroit at San Jose
Sunday: Detroit at San Jose
Tuesday: San Jose at Detroit
May 6: San Jose at Detroit
May 8: Detroit at San Jose, if needed
May 10: San Jose at Detroit, if needed
May 12: Detroit at San Jose, if needed
Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks
Saturday: Vancouver at Chicago
Monday: Vancouver at Chicago
Wednesday: Chicago at Vancouver
May 7: Chicago at Vancouver
May 9: Vancouver at Chicago, if needed
May 11: Chicago at Vancouver, if needed
May 13: Vancouver at Chicago, if needed
Show the fallen Washington Capitals the doors. Time to back up the truck. (Just wondering. Who is going to be tossed under that truck? Somebody's going to be fitted with goat horns for that debacle.)
And for the remaining eight teams, it's time for the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin tonight in San Jose, where the Sharks will play host to the Detroit Red Wings.
The pairings are as follows; all series are best of seven.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Friday: Montreal at Pittsburgh
Sunday: Montreal at Pittsburgh
Tuesday: Pittsburgh at Montreal
May 6: Pittsburgh at Montreal
May 8: Montreal at Pittsburgh, if needed
May 10: Pittsburgh at Montreal, if needed
May 12: Montreal at Pittsburgh, if needed
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday: Philadelphia at Boston
Monday: Philadelphia at Boston
Wednesday: Boston at Philadelphia
May 7: Boston at Philadelphia
May 10: Philadelphia at Boston, if needed
May 12: Boston at Philadelphia, if needed
May 14: Philadelphia at Boston, if needed
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings
Today: Detroit at San Jose
Sunday: Detroit at San Jose
Tuesday: San Jose at Detroit
May 6: San Jose at Detroit
May 8: Detroit at San Jose, if needed
May 10: San Jose at Detroit, if needed
May 12: Detroit at San Jose, if needed
Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks
Saturday: Vancouver at Chicago
Monday: Vancouver at Chicago
Wednesday: Chicago at Vancouver
May 7: Chicago at Vancouver
May 9: Vancouver at Chicago, if needed
May 11: Chicago at Vancouver, if needed
May 13: Vancouver at Chicago, if needed
ECHL Sets Eastern Pairing
Cincinnati needed seven games to eliminate Charlotte and earn a berth in the East Coast Hockey League's conference-final round against the Reading Royals.
That series, which is best of seven, begins Friday night in Cincinnati. The winner of the Cincinnati-Reading series will face the winner of the Stockton-Idaho series in the Kelly Cup finals.
Reading Royals vs. Cincinnati Cyclones
Friday: Reading at Cincinnati
Saturday: Reading at Cincinnati
Tuesday: Cincinnati at Reading
May 8: Cincinnati at Reading
May 9: Cincinnati at Reading, if needed
May 11: Reading at Cincinnati, if needed
May 12: Reading at Cincinnati, if needed
That series, which is best of seven, begins Friday night in Cincinnati. The winner of the Cincinnati-Reading series will face the winner of the Stockton-Idaho series in the Kelly Cup finals.
Reading Royals vs. Cincinnati Cyclones
Friday: Reading at Cincinnati
Saturday: Reading at Cincinnati
Tuesday: Cincinnati at Reading
May 8: Cincinnati at Reading
May 9: Cincinnati at Reading, if needed
May 11: Reading at Cincinnati, if needed
May 12: Reading at Cincinnati, if needed
The Wednesday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Montreal 2, at Washington 1
(Montreal wins, 4-3)
Recap is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Manchester 3, at Worcester 2 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
Recap is here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Cincinnati 2, at Charlotte 1
(Cincinnati wins, 4-3)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
AHL, ECHL and QMJHL Set Pairings
The Abbotsford Heat needed a seventh game to overtake the Rochester Americans in the first round of the American Hockey League's playoffs, completing the roster of teams for the second round.
The Hamilton Bulldogs will face Abbotsford, with Hamilton holding the higher seeding in this best-of-seven series, which begins Thursday. The other second-round matchup in the Western Conference has the Chicago Wolves facing the Texas Stars. That series starts Friday.
In the East Coast Hockey League playoffs, Stockton will play Idaho in the third round, with that series beginning Friday. Reading awaits the winner of the Cincinnati/Charlotte series, which will be settled tonight.
And finally, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship round will begin Friday, and it will be the first all-Maritime final in the league's history. The Saint John Sea Dogs are the higher seed against the Moncton Wildcats in the battle to represent the league in the Memorial Cup tournament. And not to be forgotten, there is the matter of bragging rights for all of New Brunswick.
The pairings are as follows
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 7
Hamilton Bulldogs vs. Abbotsford Heat
Thursday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
Sunday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
May 4: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 6: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 8: Hamilton at Abbotsford, if needed
May 10: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed
May 11: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed
Chicago Wolves vs. Texas Stars
Friday: Texas at Chicago
Sunday: Texas at Chicago
May 4: Chicago at Texas
May 5: Chicago at Texas
May 7: Chicago at Texas, if needed
May 9: Texas at Chicago, if needed
May 11: Texas at Chicago, if needed
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Stockton Thunder vs. Idaho Steelheads
Friday: Stockton at Idaho
Saturday: Stockton at Idaho
May 5: Idaho at Stockton
May 7: Idaho at Stockton
May 8: Idaho at Stockton, if needed
May 11: Stockton at Idaho, if needed
May 12: Stockton at Idaho, if needed
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
President Cup Finals
Best of 7
Moncton Wildcats vs. Saint John Sea Dogs
Friday: Moncton at Saint John
Sunday: Saint John at Moncton
May 4: Moncton at Saint John
May 7: Saint John at Moncton
May 8: Moncton at Saint John, if needed
May 10: Saint John at Moncton, if needed
May 11: Moncton at Saint John, if needed
The Hamilton Bulldogs will face Abbotsford, with Hamilton holding the higher seeding in this best-of-seven series, which begins Thursday. The other second-round matchup in the Western Conference has the Chicago Wolves facing the Texas Stars. That series starts Friday.
In the East Coast Hockey League playoffs, Stockton will play Idaho in the third round, with that series beginning Friday. Reading awaits the winner of the Cincinnati/Charlotte series, which will be settled tonight.
And finally, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's championship round will begin Friday, and it will be the first all-Maritime final in the league's history. The Saint John Sea Dogs are the higher seed against the Moncton Wildcats in the battle to represent the league in the Memorial Cup tournament. And not to be forgotten, there is the matter of bragging rights for all of New Brunswick.
The pairings are as follows
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 7
Hamilton Bulldogs vs. Abbotsford Heat
Thursday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
Sunday: Abbotsford at Hamilton
May 4: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 6: Hamilton at Abbotsford
May 8: Hamilton at Abbotsford, if needed
May 10: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed
May 11: Abbotsford at Hamilton, if needed
Chicago Wolves vs. Texas Stars
Friday: Texas at Chicago
Sunday: Texas at Chicago
May 4: Chicago at Texas
May 5: Chicago at Texas
May 7: Chicago at Texas, if needed
May 9: Texas at Chicago, if needed
May 11: Texas at Chicago, if needed
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Stockton Thunder vs. Idaho Steelheads
Friday: Stockton at Idaho
Saturday: Stockton at Idaho
May 5: Idaho at Stockton
May 7: Idaho at Stockton
May 8: Idaho at Stockton, if needed
May 11: Stockton at Idaho, if needed
May 12: Stockton at Idaho, if needed
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
President Cup Finals
Best of 7
Moncton Wildcats vs. Saint John Sea Dogs
Friday: Moncton at Saint John
Sunday: Saint John at Moncton
May 4: Moncton at Saint John
May 7: Saint John at Moncton
May 8: Moncton at Saint John, if needed
May 10: Saint John at Moncton, if needed
May 11: Moncton at Saint John, if needed
The Wednesday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Detroit 6, at Phoenix 1
(Detroit wins, 4-3)
Recap is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Hershey 6, at Albany 5 OT
(Hershey leads, 3-0)
First Round
Best of 7
Abbotsford 2, at Rochester 0
(Abbotsford wins, 4-3)
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Charlotte 3, Cincinnati 0
(Series tied, 3-3)
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Robertson Cup Finals
Best of 7
Windsor 4, at Barrie 3 OT
(Windsor leads, 1-0)
Recap is here.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Tuesday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Montreal 4, Washington 1
(Series tied, 3-3)
At Boston 4, Buffalo 3
(Boston wins, 4-2)
Chicago 5, at Nashville 3
(Chicago wins, 4-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Chicago 2, Milwaukee 1
(Chicago wins, 4-3)
Recap is here.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Saint John 7, Victoriaville 1
(Saint John wins, 4-2)
Recap is here.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Pairings for WHL Finals Set
The Tri-City Americans and the Calgary Hitmen will battle for the league's main berth in the Memorial Cup tournament in mid-May in Brandon, Manitoba.
The Hitmen defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings in the third round, but Brandon will be a part of the Memorial Cup tournament as the host team. There will be no consolation prize for losing in the final series, which is a best of seven and will begin Friday.
Tri-City Americans vs. Calgary Hitmen
Friday: Tri-City at Calgary
Saturday: Tri-City at Calgary
May 4: Calgary at Tri-City
May 5: Calgary at Tri-City
May 7: Tri-City at Calgary, if needed
May 9: Calgary at Tri-City, if needed
May 10: Tri-City at Calgary, if needed
The Hitmen defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings in the third round, but Brandon will be a part of the Memorial Cup tournament as the host team. There will be no consolation prize for losing in the final series, which is a best of seven and will begin Friday.
Tri-City Americans vs. Calgary Hitmen
Friday: Tri-City at Calgary
Saturday: Tri-City at Calgary
May 4: Calgary at Tri-City
May 5: Calgary at Tri-City
May 7: Tri-City at Calgary, if needed
May 9: Calgary at Tri-City, if needed
May 10: Tri-City at Calgary, if needed
Finals Are Set in USHL and OHL
Green Bay will face Fargo in the championship round of the United States Hockey League playoffs, which begin Friday at Green Bay.
In the Ontario Hockey League, Barrie will play Windsor, who rallied from three games down to eliminate Kitchener in that third-round playoff series. The Spitfires are no strangers to that kind of climb, having made a similar move from the back of the pack to claim the Memorial Cup last spring.
The USHL finals are the best of five. The OHL finals are the best of seven, with the winner advancing to the Memorial Cup tournament in Brandon, Manitoba.
Green Bay Gamblers vs. Fargo Force
Friday: Fargo at Green Bay
Saturday: Fargo at Green Bay
May 7: Green Bay at Fargo
May 8: Green Bay at Fargo, if needed
May 12: Fargo at Green Bay, if needed
Barrie Colts vs. Windsor Spitfires
Tuesday: Windsor at Barrie
Thursday: Windsor at Barrie
May 2: Barrie at Windsor
May 4: Barrie at Windsor
May 6: Windsor at Barrie, if needed
May 8: Barrie at Windsor, if needed
May 10: Windsor at Barrie, if needed
In the Ontario Hockey League, Barrie will play Windsor, who rallied from three games down to eliminate Kitchener in that third-round playoff series. The Spitfires are no strangers to that kind of climb, having made a similar move from the back of the pack to claim the Memorial Cup last spring.
The USHL finals are the best of five. The OHL finals are the best of seven, with the winner advancing to the Memorial Cup tournament in Brandon, Manitoba.
Green Bay Gamblers vs. Fargo Force
Friday: Fargo at Green Bay
Saturday: Fargo at Green Bay
May 7: Green Bay at Fargo
May 8: Green Bay at Fargo, if needed
May 12: Fargo at Green Bay, if needed
Barrie Colts vs. Windsor Spitfires
Tuesday: Windsor at Barrie
Thursday: Windsor at Barrie
May 2: Barrie at Windsor
May 4: Barrie at Windsor
May 6: Windsor at Barrie, if needed
May 8: Barrie at Windsor, if needed
May 10: Windsor at Barrie, if needed
The Monday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
First Round
Best of 7
Phoenix 5, at Detroit 2
(Series tied, 3-3)
Vancouver 4, at Los Angeles 2
(Vancouver wins, 4-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Abbotsford 5, at Rochester 1
(Series tied, 3-3)
At Hamilton 3, Manitoba 2 OT
(Hamilton wins, 4-2)
Second Round
Best of 7
At Worcester 4, Manchester 3
(Worcester leads, 1-0)
At Hershey 6, Albany 3
(Hershey leads, 2-0)
Recaps are here, here and here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Windsor 4, Kitchener 1
(Windsor wins, 4-3)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Tri-City 5, at Vancouver 2
(Tri-City wins, 4-2)
Recap is here.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Sunday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Chicago 5, Nashville 4 OT
(Chicago leads, 3-2)
Pittsburgh 4, at Ottawa 3 OT
(Pittsburgh wins, 4-2)
San Jose 5, at Colorado 2
(San Jose wins, 4-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Hershey 4, Albany 3 OT
(Hershey leads, 1-0)
Recap is here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 7
At Cincinnati 2, Charlotte 1
(Cincinnati leads, 3-2)
At Stockton 7, Bakersfield 4
(Stockton wins, 4-1)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Third Round
Best of 7
At Victoriaville 4, Saint John 2
(Saint John leads, 3-2)
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 5
Green Bay 4, at Indiana 2
(Green Bay wins, 3-1)
Fargo 5, at Omaha 2
(Fargo wins, 3-2)
Roundup is here.
First Round
Best of 7
At Chicago 5, Nashville 4 OT
(Chicago leads, 3-2)
Pittsburgh 4, at Ottawa 3 OT
(Pittsburgh wins, 4-2)
San Jose 5, at Colorado 2
(San Jose wins, 4-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Hershey 4, Albany 3 OT
(Hershey leads, 1-0)
Recap is here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 7
At Cincinnati 2, Charlotte 1
(Cincinnati leads, 3-2)
At Stockton 7, Bakersfield 4
(Stockton wins, 4-1)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Third Round
Best of 7
At Victoriaville 4, Saint John 2
(Saint John leads, 3-2)
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE
Second Round
Best of 5
Green Bay 4, at Indiana 2
(Green Bay wins, 3-1)
Fargo 5, at Omaha 2
(Fargo wins, 3-2)
Roundup is here.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
AHL East to Begin Second Round
While the first round of the American Hockey League playoffs have a few issues to settle in the Western Conference, the Eastern Conference is ready for the second round of the playoffs, starting tonight in Hershey.
The pairings and dates of these two series are as follows.
Worcester Sharks vs. Manchester Monarchs
Sunday: Manchester at Worcester
Wednesday: Manchester at Worcester
April 30: Worcester at Manchester
May 1: Worcester at Manchester
May 5: Manchester at Worcester, if needed
May 7: Worcester at Manchester, if needed
May 8: Manchester at Worcester, if needed
Hershey Bears vs. Albany River Rats
Today: Albany at Hershey
Sunday: Albany at Hershey
Tuesday: Hershey at Albany
April 29: Hershey at Albany
May 1: Albany at Hershey, if needed
May 3: Hershey at Albany, if needed
May 5: Albany at Hershey, if needed
The pairings and dates of these two series are as follows.
Worcester Sharks vs. Manchester Monarchs
Sunday: Manchester at Worcester
Wednesday: Manchester at Worcester
April 30: Worcester at Manchester
May 1: Worcester at Manchester
May 5: Manchester at Worcester, if needed
May 7: Worcester at Manchester, if needed
May 8: Manchester at Worcester, if needed
Hershey Bears vs. Albany River Rats
Today: Albany at Hershey
Sunday: Albany at Hershey
Tuesday: Hershey at Albany
April 29: Hershey at Albany
May 1: Albany at Hershey, if needed
May 3: Hershey at Albany, if needed
May 5: Albany at Hershey, if needed
The Saturday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Montreal 2, at Washington 1
(Washington leads, 3-2)
At Buffalo 4, Boston 1
(Boston leads, 3-2)
At Vancouver 7, Los Angeles 2
(Vancouver leads, 3-2)
Detroit 4, at Phoenix 1
(Detroit leads 3-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Milwaukee 5, Chicago 4 OT
(Series tied, 3-3)
Texas 4, at Rockford 2
(Texas wins, 4-0)
At Manitoba 5, Hamilton 2
(Hamilton leads, 3-2)
At Abbotsford 3, Rochester 1
(Rochester leads, 3-2)
Recaps are here, here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Charlotte 4, at Cincinnati 1
(Series tied, 2-2)
Idaho 4, at Utah 1
(Idaho wins, 4-0)
At Stockton 6, Bakersfield 2
(Stockton leads, 3-1)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Saint John 6, at Victoriaville 1
(Saint John leads, 3-1)
Moncton 4, at Drummondville 2
(Moncton wins, 4-1)
Roundup is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Windsor 6, Kitchener 4
(Series tied 3-3)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Calgary 6, Brandon 1
(Calgary wins, 4-1)
At Tri-City 4, Vancouver 1
(Tri-City leads, 3-2)
Roundup is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Round 2
Best of 5
Green Bay 4, at Indiana 2
(Green Bay leads, 2-1)
Recap is here.
First Round
Best of 7
Montreal 2, at Washington 1
(Washington leads, 3-2)
At Buffalo 4, Boston 1
(Boston leads, 3-2)
At Vancouver 7, Los Angeles 2
(Vancouver leads, 3-2)
Detroit 4, at Phoenix 1
(Detroit leads 3-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Milwaukee 5, Chicago 4 OT
(Series tied, 3-3)
Texas 4, at Rockford 2
(Texas wins, 4-0)
At Manitoba 5, Hamilton 2
(Hamilton leads, 3-2)
At Abbotsford 3, Rochester 1
(Rochester leads, 3-2)
Recaps are here, here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Charlotte 4, at Cincinnati 1
(Series tied, 2-2)
Idaho 4, at Utah 1
(Idaho wins, 4-0)
At Stockton 6, Bakersfield 2
(Stockton leads, 3-1)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Saint John 6, at Victoriaville 1
(Saint John leads, 3-1)
Moncton 4, at Drummondville 2
(Moncton wins, 4-1)
Roundup is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Windsor 6, Kitchener 4
(Series tied 3-3)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Calgary 6, Brandon 1
(Calgary wins, 4-1)
At Tri-City 4, Vancouver 1
(Tri-City leads, 3-2)
Roundup is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Round 2
Best of 5
Green Bay 4, at Indiana 2
(Green Bay leads, 2-1)
Recap is here.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Friday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Philadelphia 3, at New Jersey 0
(Philadelphia wins, 4-1)
Ottawa 4, at Pittsburgh 3 OT(3)
(Pittsburgh leads, 3-2)
Chicago 3, at Nashville 0
(Series tied, 2-2)
At San Jose 5, Colorado 0
(San Jose leads, 3-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Windsor 3, Kitchener 0
(Kitchener leads, 3-2)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Tri-City 5, at Vancouver 2
(Series tied, 2-2)
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 5
Omaha 5, at Fargo 2
(Series tied, 2-2)
Recap is here.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Thursday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Washington 6, at Montreal 3
(Washington leads, 3-1)
At Boston 3, Buffalo 2 OT(2)
(Boston leads, 3-1)
Vancouver 6, at Los Angeles 4
(Series tied, 2-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Worcester 5, at Lowell 1
(Worcester wins, 4-1)
At Hershey 4, Bridgeport 1
(Hershey wins, 4-1)
Milwaukee 5, at Chicago 4
(Chicago leads, 3-2)
Texas 6, at Rockford 1
(Texas leads, 3-0)
Hamilton 5, at Manitoba 4 OT(2)
(Hamilton leads, 3-1)
Rochester 6, at Abbotsford 1
(Rochester leads, 3-1)
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Cincinnati 9, Charlotte 5
(Cincinnati leads, 2-1)
Bakersfield 3, at Stockton 0
(Stockton leads, 2-1)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Moncton 4, Drummondville 0
(Moncton leads, 3-1)
Recap is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Barrie 4, Mississauga 2
(Barrie wins, 4-1)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Calgary 4, at Brandon 3
(Calgary leads, 3-1)
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Fargo 4, Omaha 3
(Fargo leads, 2-1)
Recap is here.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Wednesday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Detroit 3, Phoenix 0
(Series tied, 2-2)
Pittsburgh 7, at Ottawa 4
(Pittsburgh leads, 3-1)
At Philadelphia 4, New Jersey 1
(Philadelphia leads, 3-1)
At Nashville 4, Chicago 1
(Nashville leads, 2-1)
San Jose 2, at Colorado 1 OT
(Series tied, 2-2)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Manchester 7, Portland 2
(Manchester wins, 4-0)
Worcester 4, at Lowell 2
(Worcester leads, 3-1)
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Reading 2, at Florida 1
(Reading wins, 4-0)
Idaho 6, at Utah 1
(Idaho leads, 3-0)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Victoriaville 6, Saint John 3
(Saint John leads, 2-1)
Drummondville 2, at Moncton 1 OT
(Moncton leads, 2-1)
Roundup is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Windsor 7, at Kitchener 5
(Kitchener leads, 3-1)
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Calgary 6, at Brandon 3
(Calgary leads, 2-1)
At Vancouver 3, Tri-City 2 OT
(Vancouver leads, 2-1)
Roundup is here.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Tuesday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Washington 5, at Montreal 1
(Washington leads, 2-1)
At Boston 2, Buffalo 1
(Boston leads, 2-1)
At Los Angeles 5, Vancouver 3
(Los Angeles leads, 2-1)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Manchester 2, Portland 1 OT
(Manchester leads, 3-0)
Albany 5, at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3
(Albany wins, 4-0)
Chicago 1, at Milwaukee 0
(Chicago leads, 3-1)
At Manitoba 7, Hamilton 2
(Hamilton leads, 2-1)
Rochester 8, at Abbotsford 4
(Rochester leads, 2-1)
Recaps are here and here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Barrie 3, at Mississauga 1
(Barrie leads, 3-1)
Roundup is here.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Monday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Phoenix 4, at Detroit 2
(Phoenix leads, 2-1)
At Philadelphia 3, New Jersey 2 OT
(Philadelphia leads, 2-1)
Pittsburgh 4, at Ottawa 2
(Pittsburgh leads, 2-1)
At Chicago 2, Nashville 0
(Series tied, 1-1)
At Colorado 1, San Jose 0 OT
(Colorado leads, 2-1)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Bridgeport 4, Hershey 1
(Hershey leads, 3-1)
Albany 2, at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 1
(Albany leads, 3-0)
Recaps are here and here.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Moncton 5, at Drummondville 2
(Moncton leads, 2-0)
Recap is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Kitchener 5, at Windsor 3
(Kitchener leads, 3-0)
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 5
At Green Bay 9, Indiana 4
(Series tied, 1-1)
Recap is here.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Sunday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Boston 5, at Buffalo 3
(Series tied, 1-1)
At Washington 6, Montreal 5 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
Los Angeles 3, at Vancouver 2 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Hamilton 8, Manitoba 2
(Hamilton leads, 2-0)
Manchester 3, at Portland 1
(Manchester leads, 2-0)
Worcester 3, at Lowell 2
(Worcester leads, 2-1)
Hershey 7, at Bridgeport 2
(Hershey leads, 3-0)
At Rochester 4, Abbotsford 1
(Series tied, 1-1)
At Milwaukee 6, Chicago 0
(Chicago leads, 2-1)
At Texas 3, Rockford 1
(Texas leads, 2-0)
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Charlotte 5, Cincinnati 0
(Series tied, 1-1)
Reading 2, at Florida 1
(Reading leads, 3-0)
At Idaho 4, Utah 3
(Idaho leads, 2-0)
Stockton 4, at Bakersfield 3 OT
(Stockton leads, 2-0)
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Saint John 5, Victoriaville 1
(Saint John leads, 2-0)
Recap is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Kitchener 5, Windsor 2
(Kitchener leads, 2-0)
At Barrie 3, Mississauga 1
(Barrie leads, 2-1)
Roundup is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Calgary 3, Brandon 2 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
At Tri-City 4, Vancouver 0
(Series tied, 1-1)
Roundup is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 5
Fargo 4, at Omaha 2
(Series tied, 1-1)
Recap is here.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Saturday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Pittsburgh 2, Ottawa 1
(Series tied, 1-1)
At New Jersey 5, Philadelphia 3
(Series tied, 1-1)
Nashville 4, at Chicago 1
(Nashville leads, 1-0)
Detroit 7, at Phoenix 4
(Series tied, 1-1)
At San Jose 6, Colorado 5 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Manchester 2, at Portland 1
(Manchester leads, 1-0)
At Albany 3, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 2
(Albany leads, 2-0)
At Hershey 3, Bridgeport 2
(Hershey leads, 2-0)
At Chicago 3, Milwaukee 0
(Chicago leads, 2-0)
At Texas 2, Rockford 1
(Texas leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Cincinnati 4, at Charlotte 3
(Cincinnati leads, 1-0)
At Idaho 7, Utah 4
(Idaho leads, 1-0)
Stockton 3, at Bakersfield 2 OT
(Stockton leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Moncton 5, at Drummondville 3
(Moncton leads, 1-0)
At Saint John 4, Victoriaville 2
(Saint John leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Mississauga 5, Barrie 2
(Series tied, 1-1)
Summary is here.
Recap is here.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Brandon 4, at Calgary 2
(Brandon leads, 1-0)
Vancouver 4, at Tri-City 2
(Vancouver leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
Indiana 2, at Green Bay 1
(Indiana leads, 1-0)
At Omaha 2, Fargo 0
(Omaha leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Eye Check, and It's Back to Hockey
It's time to welcome the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators to the 2010 playoff party. That series begins tonight, giving us a chance to admire the musical stylings of both cities.
And isn't it nice to hear the organ at the end of the Blackhawks' song.
After two nights of action, my eyes are beginning to turn a permanent shade of red, which means I am in postseason form. Picks to click tonight include Ottawa/Pittsburgh on Versus (7 Eastern) and Philadelphia/New Jersey (7:30 Eastern) locally on MSG-Plus. I will swap the Hawks/Predlies game, via Center Ice, at 8:30 Eastern, with the Sens/Pens, which I will put on Internet radio.
At 10 Eastern, one screen in the lounge gets the Detroit/San Jose game, via Center Ice. It's Internet radio for Colorado/San Jose (10:30 Eastern) until the action ends in Chicago. Then we'll catch up with the Avs/Sharks on Center Ice.
Not that I'm a glutton for punishment, but the Lounge will be working the laptop hard to keep an eye on all the Stanley Cup playoff games via the CBSSports.com scoreboard, and also all playoff action in the AHL (five games), ECHL (three games), QMJHL (two games), OHL (one game), WHL (two games) and USHL (two games).
Each league has a scoreboard that you can update to follow the action. Someday my laptop is just going to say goodnight. Until then, it's wise to refresh the boards early and often.
Now, to be fair, here's the official goal song for the Nashville Predators as sung by Tim McGraw.
The Friday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Montreal 3, at Washington 2 OT
(Montreal leads, 1-0)
At Buffalo 2, Boston 1
(Buffalo leads, 1-0)
At Vancouver 2, Los Angeles 1 OT
(Vancouver leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Abbotsford 3, at Rochester 2
(Abbotsford leads, 1-0)
At Worcester 3, Lowell 2 OT
(Series tied, 1-1)
At Hamilton 2, Manitoba 0
(Hamilton leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Recaps are here and here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Reading 5, Florida 4
(Reading leads, 2-0)
Summary is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
Kitchener 7, at Windsor 6 OT
(Kitchener leads, 1-0)
Summary is here.
Recap is here.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Division Finals Set in USHL
There's playoff hockey everywhere you turn, and the Lounge likes it that way.
Indiana outlasted Cedar Rapids on Wednesday night to reach the East Division finals of the United States Hockey League playoffs. The action resumes Friday with games in Omaha and Green Bay.
The pairings and dates are as follows. All series are best of 5:
Omaha Lancers vs. Fargo Force
Friday: Fargo at Omaha
Saturday: Fargo at Omaha
April 21: Omaha at Fargo
April 22: Omaha at Fargo, if needed
April 24: Fargo at Omaha, if needed
Green Bay Gamblers vs. Indiana Ice
Friday: Indiana at Green Bay
Sunday: Indiana at Green Bay
April 23: Green Bay at Indiana
April 24: Green Bay at Indiana, if needed
April 27: Indiana at Green Bay, if needed
Indiana outlasted Cedar Rapids on Wednesday night to reach the East Division finals of the United States Hockey League playoffs. The action resumes Friday with games in Omaha and Green Bay.
The pairings and dates are as follows. All series are best of 5:
Omaha Lancers vs. Fargo Force
Friday: Fargo at Omaha
Saturday: Fargo at Omaha
April 21: Omaha at Fargo
April 22: Omaha at Fargo, if needed
April 24: Fargo at Omaha, if needed
Green Bay Gamblers vs. Indiana Ice
Friday: Indiana at Green Bay
Sunday: Indiana at Green Bay
April 23: Green Bay at Indiana
April 24: Green Bay at Indiana, if needed
April 27: Indiana at Green Bay, if needed
Kovalchuk Looks for His Moment
One day into the Stanley Cup playoffs and you can see players who quietly lead, and also those who are filled with passion, trying to do everything but pull the team bus into the lot before games.
Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils belongs in that last group. In a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night in Newark, Kovalchuk's desire was evident in his skating, as he hopped between forwards and changed gears, trying to find some space to play his game.
The rush above was the most vivid example of that effort. And if you caught a look at his facial expressions at any point of this game, you could see someone playing to prove something, if perhaps only to himself.
Two of his fellow countrymen play with this kind of style, that of a 3-year-old on belly full of Sugar Smacks and a full night of sleep. Alexander Ovechkin can and will try everything. He will shoot, pass, score and hit some more. Full of jump that guy.
Another is Alexander Radulov, who used to play for the Nashville Predators before skipping Tennessee to play in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. When Radulov was playing with the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, you could count on him to play on the edge. Sometimes over that edge.
The downside of all this is when nothing is working. The energy is there, but the magic isn't. And they don't measure energy on the scoreboard, only production. And that is where Kovalchuk is coming up short so far.
Prior to Wednesday night, he had had four playoff games with the Atlanta Thrashers (and those might be the last four that franchise has if nobody gets that house in order). That's it.
But Kovalchuk gets what this spring means to him, in terms of status if not money as a free agent this summer. That energy is building.
The Thursday Spreadsheet
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
Ottawa 5, at Pittsburgh 4
(Ottawa leads, 1-0)
Philadelphia 2, at New Jersey 1
(Philadelphia leads, 1-0)
At Phoenix 3, Detroit 2
(Phoenix leads, 1-0)
Colorado 2, at San Jose 1
(Colorado leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
Three stars by Puck Daddy.
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 7
At Albany 4, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3
(Albany leads, 1-0)
At Hershey 4, Bridgeport 3 OT
(Hershey leads, 1-0)
Lowell 3, at Worcester 2
(Lowell leads, 1-0)
At Chicago 6, Milwaukee 5
(Chicago leads, 1-0)
Summaries are here.
Roundup is here.
EAST COAST HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Second Round
Best of 7
At Reading 7, Florida 6
(Reading leads, 1-0)
Summary is here.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Third Round
Best of 7
At Barrie 3, Mississauga 0
(Barrie leads, 1-0)
Summary is here.
Recap is here.
UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
First Round
Best of 5
Indiana 3, at Cedar Rapids 2 OT
(Indiana wins, 3-2)
Summary is here.
Recap is here.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Songs? It Must Be Time for Hockey
It's time to bring back Nikki Yanofsky, circa 2008, to signal that it's time for Stanley Cup playoff action once again. She helped us introduce the jukebox in the Lounge, and I'm hitting this particular selection again.
Four National Hockey League games tonight. More along the way until early June. It does not get any better than this.
Stand up. Tap your toes. Get ready to hit somebody.
Let's play hockey.
Four National Hockey League games tonight. More along the way until early June. It does not get any better than this.
Stand up. Tap your toes. Get ready to hit somebody.
Let's play hockey.
A Quick TV Advisory
You want to know where your game is on during the playoffs? Between the various cable outlets out there, it's pretty tough to get a true reading on who is showing what, and is it available in your area.
And when it comes to the Center Ice package, the In Demand site and its daily mailings are pretty much worthless during the playoffs. Instead, turn to Zap2It.com. There, you can plug in your ZIP or Postal Code, indentify your cable or satellite service and then plug in all the channels you expect your team or your favorite game to be shown.
Pretty much it boils down all the channel surfing one might do during the playoffs. For example, the In Demand site told me this morning that there were no playoff games on Center Ice.
Not acceptable. In New York, Versus is showing the Ottawa-Pittsburgh game at 7 Eastern, followed by the Detroit-Phoenix game at 10 Eastern. In addition, Versus says it will join the Colorado-San Jose game in progress. What does that mean? The last 10 minutes. Instead, thanks to Zap2It, I can see that Center Ice will have the game on, in full, at 10:30 Eastern. The Philadelphia-New Jersey game, 7:30 Eastern start, will be on MSG-Plus in New York. Center Ice will have the game in full for those not in the greater Philadelphia-Newark-New York tangled web of confusion.
Know what satellite service your favorite bar has? Plug the info and its ZIP Code and you will be able to tell the person behind the counter exactly what channel to search for. It's helpful to know the right channel when your team is playing on Channel 1904 and the bartender wants to bail on the search at around Channel 701 due to the attractive young women at the bar who want a drink. NOW.
Help your bartender out. And get your game. That's your tip. Where's mine?
And when it comes to the Center Ice package, the In Demand site and its daily mailings are pretty much worthless during the playoffs. Instead, turn to Zap2It.com. There, you can plug in your ZIP or Postal Code, indentify your cable or satellite service and then plug in all the channels you expect your team or your favorite game to be shown.
Pretty much it boils down all the channel surfing one might do during the playoffs. For example, the In Demand site told me this morning that there were no playoff games on Center Ice.
Not acceptable. In New York, Versus is showing the Ottawa-Pittsburgh game at 7 Eastern, followed by the Detroit-Phoenix game at 10 Eastern. In addition, Versus says it will join the Colorado-San Jose game in progress. What does that mean? The last 10 minutes. Instead, thanks to Zap2It, I can see that Center Ice will have the game on, in full, at 10:30 Eastern. The Philadelphia-New Jersey game, 7:30 Eastern start, will be on MSG-Plus in New York. Center Ice will have the game in full for those not in the greater Philadelphia-Newark-New York tangled web of confusion.
Know what satellite service your favorite bar has? Plug the info and its ZIP Code and you will be able to tell the person behind the counter exactly what channel to search for. It's helpful to know the right channel when your team is playing on Channel 1904 and the bartender wants to bail on the search at around Channel 701 due to the attractive young women at the bar who want a drink. NOW.
Help your bartender out. And get your game. That's your tip. Where's mine?
Thrashers Pin Tale of Woe on Anderson
John Anderson is out of a job this morning and Don Waddell, kicked upstairs, has a better office, albeit one further removed from the day-to-day disaster he directed the last decade as general manager. The Atlanta Thrashers are a mess. What a sad story.
Who was there from the beginning up to now? Mr. Waddell take a step forward. John Anderson, plucked from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and given a bag full of goldfish and Ilya Kovalchuk to work with, could not turn his tender charges into a school of piranha.
And now he is out as coach. Goodbye John. Sorry to see you go. Next time, ask for Waddell's job first. The bar is pretty low. Relieving Waddell of the wheel is Rick Dudley, who will have his work cut out for him. First off, this franchise may have been working toward a disaster in the long run, but Dany Heatley's poor decisions behind the wheel made the long run a short run in short order.
Heatley crashes car and his teammate dies. Heatley asks out. Heatley moved to Ottawa for Marian Hossa. Hossa wants out. Hossa moved to Pittsburgh for more goldfish and Colby Armstrong. Kovalchuk says he wants to stay/acts like he wants to leave. This plays out like a bad root canal until the Devils extract Kovalchuk with an offer of more goldfish.
Take the keys from Waddell already.
I feel for hockey fans in Atlanta. You have a disaster on ice and yet people in Canada expect you and your family to get on that insanely clogged highway system/parking lot and battle your way to the arena to see mediocre hockey. Sure, the fans in Toronto do it, but what else is there to do in Toronto. They either don't know any better or they are just plain doorknob dumb in Toronto.
I'll be generous and say they don't know any better.
Maybe Dudley gets the Thrashers going in the right direction. Maybe the franchise and its fans grow old together in Atlanta. I hope so. But flipping through the sorry pages of NHL history, one can see the years littered with flim-flam owners, team executives with no clue, coaches with no clue, league executives with no clue.
So will the Thrashers ever become a success story in Atlanta. Like I said, I hope so. But at this point, I have no clue.
Who was there from the beginning up to now? Mr. Waddell take a step forward. John Anderson, plucked from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and given a bag full of goldfish and Ilya Kovalchuk to work with, could not turn his tender charges into a school of piranha.
And now he is out as coach. Goodbye John. Sorry to see you go. Next time, ask for Waddell's job first. The bar is pretty low. Relieving Waddell of the wheel is Rick Dudley, who will have his work cut out for him. First off, this franchise may have been working toward a disaster in the long run, but Dany Heatley's poor decisions behind the wheel made the long run a short run in short order.
Heatley crashes car and his teammate dies. Heatley asks out. Heatley moved to Ottawa for Marian Hossa. Hossa wants out. Hossa moved to Pittsburgh for more goldfish and Colby Armstrong. Kovalchuk says he wants to stay/acts like he wants to leave. This plays out like a bad root canal until the Devils extract Kovalchuk with an offer of more goldfish.
Take the keys from Waddell already.
I feel for hockey fans in Atlanta. You have a disaster on ice and yet people in Canada expect you and your family to get on that insanely clogged highway system/parking lot and battle your way to the arena to see mediocre hockey. Sure, the fans in Toronto do it, but what else is there to do in Toronto. They either don't know any better or they are just plain doorknob dumb in Toronto.
I'll be generous and say they don't know any better.
Maybe Dudley gets the Thrashers going in the right direction. Maybe the franchise and its fans grow old together in Atlanta. I hope so. But flipping through the sorry pages of NHL history, one can see the years littered with flim-flam owners, team executives with no clue, coaches with no clue, league executives with no clue.
So will the Thrashers ever become a success story in Atlanta. Like I said, I hope so. But at this point, I have no clue.
On to the Third Round in the WHL
The Vancouver Giants dispatched the Portland Winterhawks in six games setting up the conference finals in the Western Hockey League.
Just a little geography refresher for those who might be wondering where Tri-City is. The Tri-City franchise is in the desert of Washington State. Kennewick, Pasco and Richland make up the Tri-City area. The rink is in Kennewick. Which means you are getting closer to Walla Walla, and you're still a loooooooong way off from any where else.
All series are best of seven, and the pairings and dates are as follows:
Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Calgary Hitmen
Friday: Brandon at Calgary
Saturday: Brandon at Calgary
April 20: Calgary at Brandon
April 21: Calgary at Brandon
April 23: Brandon at Calgary, if needed
April 25: Calgary at Brandon, if needed
April 27: Brandon at Calgary, if needed
Vancouver Giants vs. Tri-City Americans
Friday: Vancouver at Tri-City
Saturday: Vancouver at Tri-City
April 20: Tri-City at Vancouver
April 22: Tri-City at Vancouver
April 24: Vancouver at Tri-City, if needed
April 26: Tri-City at Vancouver, if needed
April 27: Vancouver at Tri-City, if needed
Just a little geography refresher for those who might be wondering where Tri-City is. The Tri-City franchise is in the desert of Washington State. Kennewick, Pasco and Richland make up the Tri-City area. The rink is in Kennewick. Which means you are getting closer to Walla Walla, and you're still a loooooooong way off from any where else.
All series are best of seven, and the pairings and dates are as follows:
Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Calgary Hitmen
Friday: Brandon at Calgary
Saturday: Brandon at Calgary
April 20: Calgary at Brandon
April 21: Calgary at Brandon
April 23: Brandon at Calgary, if needed
April 25: Calgary at Brandon, if needed
April 27: Brandon at Calgary, if needed
Vancouver Giants vs. Tri-City Americans
Friday: Vancouver at Tri-City
Saturday: Vancouver at Tri-City
April 20: Tri-City at Vancouver
April 22: Tri-City at Vancouver
April 24: Vancouver at Tri-City, if needed
April 26: Tri-City at Vancouver, if needed
April 27: Vancouver at Tri-City, if needed
ECHL Playoffs Reach Second Round
The Utah Grizzlies closed the book on the first round of the ECHL playoffs with a 5-1 victory last night over the Las Vegas Wranglers. The best-of-5 format gives way to a best-of-7 format for the second round.
The ECHL. Shot and a beer. Country jukebox. Here's a little Buck Owens, singing with Dwight Yoakam for your pleasure. And after the song, the playoff pairings for the next round will see you to the door.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones
Friday: Cincinnati at Charlotte
Saturday: Cincinnati at Charlotte
April 21: Charlotte at Cincinnati
April 23: Charlotte at Cincinnati
April 24: Charlotte at Cincinnati, if needed
April 26: Cincinnati at Charlotte, if needed
April 28: Cincinnati at Charlotte, if needed
Florida Everblades vs. Reading Royals
Today: Florida at Reading
Thursday: Florida at Reading
Saturday: Reading at Florida
April 20: Reading at Florida
April 23: Reading at Florida, if needed
April 24: Reading at Florida, if needed
April 27: Florida at Reading, if needed
Stockton Thunder vs. Bakersfield Condors
Friday: Stockton at Bakersfield
Saturday: Stockton at Bakersfield
April 21: Bakersfield at Stockton
April 23: Bakersfield at Stockton
April 24: Bakersfield at Stockton, if needed
April 27: Stockton at Bakersfield, if needed
April 28: Stockton at Bakersfield, if needed
Utah Grizzlies vs. Idaho Steelheads
Friday: Utah at Idaho
Saturday: Utah at Idaho
April 20: Idaho at Utah
April 23: Idaho at Utah
April 24: Idaho at Utah, if needed
April 27: Utah at Idaho, if needed
April 28: Utah at Idaho, if needed
The ECHL. Shot and a beer. Country jukebox. Here's a little Buck Owens, singing with Dwight Yoakam for your pleasure. And after the song, the playoff pairings for the next round will see you to the door.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones
Friday: Cincinnati at Charlotte
Saturday: Cincinnati at Charlotte
April 21: Charlotte at Cincinnati
April 23: Charlotte at Cincinnati
April 24: Charlotte at Cincinnati, if needed
April 26: Cincinnati at Charlotte, if needed
April 28: Cincinnati at Charlotte, if needed
Florida Everblades vs. Reading Royals
Today: Florida at Reading
Thursday: Florida at Reading
Saturday: Reading at Florida
April 20: Reading at Florida
April 23: Reading at Florida, if needed
April 24: Reading at Florida, if needed
April 27: Florida at Reading, if needed
Stockton Thunder vs. Bakersfield Condors
Friday: Stockton at Bakersfield
Saturday: Stockton at Bakersfield
April 21: Bakersfield at Stockton
April 23: Bakersfield at Stockton
April 24: Bakersfield at Stockton, if needed
April 27: Stockton at Bakersfield, if needed
April 28: Stockton at Bakersfield, if needed
Utah Grizzlies vs. Idaho Steelheads
Friday: Utah at Idaho
Saturday: Utah at Idaho
April 20: Idaho at Utah
April 23: Idaho at Utah
April 24: Idaho at Utah, if needed
April 27: Utah at Idaho, if needed
April 28: Utah at Idaho, if needed
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