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.

Ducks eek out a win

You still have to like Detroit in this series. The Ducks have not yet figured out how to mount an offense. Until they do, Detroit sets the tone, has 2 out of 3 at home. I just can't see the Ducks winning.

First day off in playoffs in a while. Series both resume on the weekend.

Enjoy the NBA playoffs tonite.

Buffalo survives a day

I think Buffalo's demise was only postponed. For a while, if they had blown out Ottawa, I could actually see them regaining confidence. But it wound up being a 'hold on' game. Somehow, I doin't think Ottawa will be demoralized.

I'll be curious whether, if Buffalo can stand its ground at home and get back to 3-2, Ottawa gets uptight then. But to be frank, I'm not sure of Buffalo's ability to win Game 5 on Saturday. We shall see.

Meanwhile, pivotal game in Anaheim tonite, and Ducks will miss suspended defenseman Chris Pronger. If they don't win, you can write Detroit's name into the finals. A 3-1 series lead with 2 in Detroit would be tantamount to victory.

OK, so I was wrong

Buffalo has looked lost against Ottawa and now is on the verge of elimination. Last night, Buffalo played as poorly as I've ever seen them play. I've been impressed by the speed Ottawa showed, as well as its determination. They simply appeared to want it more than Buffalo, beating Sabres to the puck all night long. Even in a 1-0 game, I thought Ottawa dominated. Buffalo's power play was hopeless. No one on the team was willing to take charge on ice, and that is a killer in the playoffs. For Ottawa, Daniel Alfredson is playing great. There's a player you always look to for smarts on ice, and the Heatley-Spezza-Alfredson line is awesome out there.

Big game tonite for Detroit at Anaheim, though not a series-making or breaking game. This one looks like it's going the distance, which will again give Ottawa rest between series, which they had after each of the first two rounds. Maybe that's why Ottawa looks so great against Buffalo. And where I once thought Buffalo was the only team that could give a Western team a run in the finals, I'm not so sure that Ottawa wouldn't be just as good. They have limited quality chances for the Sabres, and Ray Emery has come up big when needed. You can win with an unproven goalie, that's for sure. Heck, look at the 'Canes just last year with Cam Ward.

Finally, a little quiz to throw out there. I was talking with my son about great performances by defensemen in the playoffs, enough to win the Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP. I can't remember a better four-round job by a defenseman than Brian Leetch of the Rangers in 1994. And I was trying to figure out how many defensemen have won the Smythe trophy, figuring it to be a small number. The trophy seems to usually go to the highest scorer or a goalie. As it turns out, 7 defensemen have won the trophy since it's been given out (1965). There actually are 7 defensemen who've won it. Can you name them (without looking up the answers on Google)? I'll admit I only got one other one besides Leetch. To give a hint, one of my guesses was Paul Coffey, and he didn't ever win it.

West Finals

Well, the Red Wings made it. In fact, the teams that have had the chance to clinch this year by winning on the road (and avoiding a Game 7) have been doing so consistently. Canucks-Stars is the only series to go 7 games, as my short-term memory recalls.

Anyway, yesterday I said I liked Sabres in 5 in the East.

In the West, I'm taking Red Wings in 7. It's a very tough series to predict. The Red Wings have at times looked very ordinary. And Anaheim has such a strong defense. People also tend to forget that Anaheim went to the finals just a few years ago, though that was a very different team overall. Still, there's something to be said for the Wings and their ability to adapt to other teams' style. With home advantage and a focused Hasek, I think the Wings will recover their defensive ability (even without Matthew Schneider) to limit the Ducks chances at shots. Should be close games.

But I'm saying we're gonna see a Sabres-Red Wings final. What's your call?

Semi-Finals Almost Set

Well, I guess I'm recovered from my Rangers going down to defeat. But in my book, they gave Buffalo, the best team in the league, a heckuva run for their money. After Friday night's heartbreaking OT loss (giving up an empty net goal with 7 seconds left allowing the Sabres to tie), I didn't expect them to show as much grit as they did Sunday afternoon in Madison Square Garden. They kept coming back and getting shots. Ryan Miller was incredible in goal for the Sabres.

So now we've got Sabres-Senators and we seem to be heading toward Red Wings-Ducks. Should know that one shortly.

I'll say right now I think the Sabres are winning the East semi. Their win Friday night was special, the kind of win that most teams destined for a Cup have in them every year. Think about a couple of magical games last year, notably when the 'Canes came back 3-0 down in the 3rd period in Game 1 of the finals. The Sabres have "it" this year. The look of a champ. And as easy as the Senators had it with the Devils (and to some degree the Penguins in the opening round), I think they're about to find out the Sabres are a different bunch. I like Miller in goal a lot more than Ray Emory. I'm saying Sabres in 5.

Will come back with West prediction as soon as that's set.

Huge win for Rangers

Well, the Rangers made their series interesting by hanging on last night in Madison Square Garden. Sunday, the replay officials appear to have blown a call that could have cost the Rangers a game when they overturned an on-ice call and said Karol Rachunek kicked in a puck. Despite being denied a goal that would have put them up 2-0, the Rangers wound up winning in double overtime.

Last night, the Sabres appeared to have scored the tying goal with 16.5 seconds left on a Daniel Briere shot from the side of the net. The call, however, was no goal and the replay officials said there was no definitive shot of the puck crossing the goal line. It was under Rangers goalie Henrik Lundquist's pad. The slo-mo replays would certainly make it appear that the puck had to have crossed the goal line before being kicked out. But the officials let the 'no goal' call stand and the Rangers held on.

Whether the issue ignites the Sabres remains to be seen. The Rangers played a very good game last night. Now it's best 2 out of 3, with Sabres having home ice advantage.

The Ducks, unlike the Sabres, came from behind to tie the Canucks late in the 3rd period and then win it in overtime. They are not as impressive a team as the Sabres, but they are getting the job done and are up 3-1 in that series.

Monday's games

Last night was a big one in the playoffs. As a result, there are some critical Game 4's today and tomorrow.

Rangers-Sabres tonite at Madison Square Garden: A must win for Rangers if they want to have a chance in this series. There's no way they are coming back from 3-1 down against Buffalo with 2 of the 3 in Buffalo. They played their best game Sunday and still needed double OT to beat the Sabres. Though the officials helped with the overturned goal that was clearly NOT a kicking motion, as, to their credit, NHL analysts showed over and over.

Canucks-Ducks: Just like Rangers-Sabres, if Canucks lose tonite to go down 3-1, you can count this one over. Ducks haven't even played all that well yet.

Last night, San Jose overwhelmed Detroit. Even while the game was 1-1, for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods, it was all San Jose. I've never seen Detroit pushed around and controlled as the Sharks were able to do. And their work paid off with late power-play goal. If they win their Game 4 tomorrow, Detroit's going to find it hard to come back from 3-1 down. Somehow, though, I think the Red Wings will find a way to bounce back. Their coach is pretty good at making adjustments/

Devils played pretty well last night. And got shut out for their troubles. Down 2-1 with Game 4 tomorrow in Ottawa, I think they're done.