All they were quacked up to be

Congrats to the Ducks, who blew past the Senators to win the 2007 Cup last night.

I was a bit disappointed that the Cup finals were so non-competitive. Just as San Jose could be disappointed that they 'blew' the series to Detroit. Just as Detroit could be disappointed that they 'blew' the series to the Ducks.

Fact is, the Ducks got the job done. They had the goaltending when it counted, the size and speed to counteract Ottawa's offense. Just as Ottawa had the answers for Buffalo in the East conference final.

I thought Niedermayer's Conn Smythe was well deserved, more so than it would have been if it had gone to Giguere.

With that, I'm going to sign off for now. Thanks to those of you who read the blog and those who commented. Not sure if we'll be back in any manner next season, but feel free to keep looking or make suggestions.

Les

Game 3

Well, Ottawa at least is going to make a series of this. Key game will now be Monday. If Ottawa can tie things up, at least my faith will be rewarded in the East conference.

I thought Ottawa played much better, obviously, converting their opportunities last night. They got a huge break when the tying goal at 3-3 was ruled a tying goal on video replay. Everything I saw on the replay said the referee got it right, that Alfredsson had kicked in the puck. I don't see how they saw enough on the replay to justify overturning the call.

In any event, that certain turned the game around, and if the series turns, that will be looked at as a key moment, much like when Detroit scored late in Game 4 against San Jose to tie the game (and eventually win that game in OT to tie the series) and it completely changed the series.

One caution: Ray Emery may have played OK last night, but he gives an awful lot of 'big' rebounds. You watch Giguere, and even though he gave up 5 goals, most were not his fault. He covers his rebounds. I'm not convinced Emery can keep Ottawa alive just by his play, and a Cup aspiring goalie has to be able to do that.

Ducks get halfway home

Another great game to watch. Tense and hard fought.

What impresses me about Anaheim is how fast their big guys are. Sure, they're bigger than Ottawa and they can use their size. But size without speed is, well, the Flyers.

These Anaheim guys are big and fast. Tough combo to beat when you also have a goalie on his game, as they do in Giguere.

The Senators have a problem. They better solve it at home. 'Cause I think they have to get even at home. If they don't even it up, it's all over. And even if the Sens do hold serve at home, it STILL won't be easy for them to take 2 of the last 3.

I'm ticked, though, at the late goal. I was really looking forward to watching a Finals series overtime at 0-0.

Game 1

Well, that was a great Game 1. You have to give Anaheim credit for staying in it and not letting Ottawa's speed and power play get to them too much. Although both Ottawa goals were on the power play, Anaheim came through with defense when it counted.

I also thought that Anaheim's size seemed to wear down the Senators in the second half of the game. Which is not to say the Senators didn't have their chances for a go-ahead goal, or after Anaheim finally grabbed the lead with 3 minutes left, for the tying goal.

Only a great glove save by Giguere with about 5 seconds left sealed the deal.

But this is what two good skating teams can accomplish in a Stanley Cup final. High tempo, high skills hockey. Can't wait for Game 2.

What did y'all see out there tonite?

More on the marketing nightmare

So with the Stanley Cup finals delayed until Monday, a week's wait from the end of the semi-finals, I got to thinking about the marketing issues confronting the NHL.

The last few years, here's what the marquee NHL finals matchups looked like:

2003: Anaheim vs. New Jersey
2004: Tampa Bay vs. Calgary
2005: Strike season, no hockey
2006: Carolina vs. Edmonton
2007: Anaheim vs. Ottawa

Not exactly the kind of scenarios that would entice a non-hockey fan to the sport's pre-eminent confrontation, eh?

I'm not sure what could be done about that. At least we know the league isn't in cahoots to fix the playoffs. But with Nashville about to be sold and likely moved, it does beg the issue: Why does the NHL continue to have so many teams. If some of the underachievers were removed from the league, it would greatly improve the rosters of each, making for better games and matchups.

There would be fewer mediocre third and fourth lines, and even less clutching and grabbing by players who get by only because they need to clutch and grab to hang on in the league. There would be fewer mediocre goalies between the pipes.

Think about a league without a Nashville, Phoenix, Florida, Columbus. Are all these markets really necessary? Florida hasn't yet proved it can support two hockey teams. Heck, even Los Angeles isn't a great hockey market.

Contraction would make the game better. Of course, the players wouldn't support it because it would mean fewer jobs, and the owners love their expansion fees. But it's been clear for years that hockey has oversold itself. At what point do the smart owners, the ones who love and understand the game, realize it's time to toss the remarkably inept Gary Bettman and install a powerful commissioner who would do right by the sport?

Ottawa-Anaheim

So it has come to pass, the Stanley Cup finals that television and league officials fears: Ducks vs. Senators.

At least we know the NHL ain't fixed.

Actually, though, the long playoff grind has shown us that offense is indeed important, and the final shapes up as a pretty interesting, skating series.

Game 6 of Detroit-Anaheim last night was the first time I watched the Ducks this post-season and actually was impressed. They skated hard and played well, using their size to advantage.

The finals might be a really good, trapless show. And though EVERYONE seems to be picking the Ducks, who were #2 in the West, I am leaning toward the Senators. I think though they were the #4 seed, the Sens actually had the 2nd highest point total in the East to Buffalo, and they also, since December, have compiled the best record in the league, by far.

They've also blitzed through the postseason, winning three straight series in 5 games. That is no easy feat. I think you'd have to go back to the dynasties of the Oilers and Islanders and Canadiens to see more playoff dominance. Of course, the Ducks are right behind, having won their first two series in 5 games and the next in 6.

But Ottawa feels, to me, like they're playing at a different level than Anaheim, which was outplayed by Detroit yet managed to take the series.

So I'm predicting Ottawa in 6. What do you say?

Shows why they play the games

So I did well through the first two rounds of playoff predictions, but these semifinals are KILLING me.

Ottawa just plowed through Buffalo, the team I had pegged to win the Cup. And Anaheim, despite being totally outplayed in four out of five games, is on the verge of clinching the right to play Ottawa for the Cup.

Go figure.

The game yesterday was remarkable only because Detroit dominated for so long. But they couldn't score an insurance goal, Anaheim was able to convert with empty net and then took advantage of defensive meltdown and - boom! (to quote John Madden), 3-2 series lead.

The one thing I can predict now about an Ottawa-Anaheim final if that comes to pass? It ain't going to be a ratings bonanza for NBC, lemme tell ya.