by John Grigg - May 11, 2009 11:04 PM EDT
Monday night in Pittsburgh was playoff hockey at its best with hitting, scoring and, of course, OT. But what can these teams expect in Game 7?
Hockey fans really couldn’t have asked for more from the Washington-Pittsburgh game Monday night in Steeltown, USA. Big hits, highlight-reel saves, dynamic offensive displays, a rabid crowd and some of the world’s most skilled players added up to what was easily one of the best games of the 2009 post-season to date.
by John Grigg - May 10, 2009 11:37 PM EDT
After losing three in a row to the Hurricanes, the Bruins bounced back big time Sunday to draw within one game of drawing even in the series.
Let’s call it a Mother’s Day Massacre. Too much? OK, then how about total domination?
That’s really the only way to describe Boston’s Game 5 victory over Carolina.
by John Grigg - May 6, 2009 11:31 PM EDT
Pittsburgh proved Varlamov is human, got a wake-up performance from Malkin and fed off home-ice energy to climb back into their series against the Caps.
Heading into Game 3, the questions surrounding Pittsburgh’s ability to make a series of it were threefold: Could Washington goalie Simeon Varlamov continue his stellar play; could Evgeni Malkin and his mates get on track and take some of the offensive heat off Sidney Crosby; and would the Pens be able to build off the energy of a home crowd?
The latter was made largely moot early by a bad-hop, Alex Ovechkin goal courtesy of a Mike Green dump-in off the end boards that bounced straight out in front of the Penguins goal while netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was out to lunch behind the net.
by John Grigg - May 5, 2009 1:52 PM EDT
With Vancouver struggling 5-on-5 and Detroit and Anaheim humming on the PP, it seems the teams that stay out of the box will prevail.
Two important games will be played Tuesday tonight. Not that they aren’t all important in the playoffs; but having wrested home ice advantage from their opponents, Chicago and Anaheim now have a chance to set themselves up for a trip to Round 3.
by John Grigg - April 28, 2009 11:15 PM EDT
Carolina erased a one-goal deficit in the last 1:20 while Washington completed their comeback from down 3-1 in their series.
Heading into New Jersey Tuesday night, the question was which goalie would blink, even once?
Heading into Washington, the questions were could the Rangers withstand the expected early Capitals barrage and would they be able to compose themselves.
by John Grigg - April 21, 2009 11:10 PM EDT
With both teams badly needing a Game 4 win, Philadelphia and Carolina ended up at different ends of the emotional spectrum.
Ugh.
That’s the word that jumped to mind following the first period in Philadelphia Tuesday night. Not all that descriptive, I know.
by John Grigg - April 21, 2009 1:37 PM EDT
Five games on the schedule, including a home debut sure to please and a blood feud that's only going to intensify.
Five, count ’em, five games on the docket Tuesday. Three should be great, one OK and one just a last gasp. I’ll let you figure out which is which.
by John Grigg - April 21, 2009 1:05 AM EDT
A must-win Game 3 went Calgary's way on home ice, but unless Iginla, Jokinen and Cammalleri step up it won't matter.
“Calgary is always one of the hardest places to play in the regular season,” said Chicago winger Adam Burish Sunday. “It's a crazy environment…a big hit or a big penalty kill and the crowd gets into it.
by John Grigg - April 18, 2009 11:46 PM EDT
Chris Osgood is answering the bell yet again and the Bruins are running roughshod over the Habs as the favorites take charge.
Isn’t it funny how fate works? San Jose spends the entire season at the top of the standings, the Stanley Cup favorite; Detroit, the hands-down pre-season favorite, is dogged by goaltending questions and finishes third, the West’s second seed.
by John Grigg - April 16, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Goaltending problems in Detroit? Not so much... and a physical affair in Beantown goes Boston's way.
The NHL goes to the movies: Grumpy Old Men
Would anyone have thought the Detroit-Columbus series would be about 15-year veteran Chris Osgood vs.
by John Grigg - April 14, 2009 12:51 PM EDT
There's a wide variety of opinions around the THN offices on who's going to go on to glory and who's headed home.
Well, it's that time of year again. Playoff time. The best time of year.
Not only is it Round 1 – 14 days of playoff craziness; at least two games a night of amped up, hot team-on-team action – it's prediction time.
by John Grigg - April 7, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
There seem to be more Jack Adams Award candidates than normal this season and the decision may come down to two coaches fighting for a playoff spot.
With the NHL season winding down, awards banter has started to take up more airtime, print space and, as one THNer calls it, the infinite space that is the Internet.
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This Week - Subscribe NowAll things considered, how would you rate this NHL season?
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“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”
- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.
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