NHL Semi-Finals Set

After Washington choked hardcore, the second round of the NHL Playoffs are set. Check it out:

We’re already looking forward to all of these series, and all of them should be competitive (barring Montreal – Pittsburgh, depending on how well the Habs can handle the defending champs). Here’s our picks for the second round:

Adam: Canucks in six, Sharks in five — Penguins in seven, Boston in six

Mike: Blackhawks in seven, Sharks in six — Penguins in seven, Boston in six

Montreal Shocks Hockey World – Upsets Washington

The Montreal Canadians have defeated the top-seeded Washington Capitals in seven games, moving on to the second round to face the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Led by Jaroslav Halak’s spectacular, acrobatic goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens slowed Alex Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capitals’ high-powered offense to complete an unlikely comeback and eliminate the NHL’s best regular-season team in the first round.

Halak made 41 saves, Marc-Andre Bergeron scored during a 4-on-3 goal in the last 30 seconds of the opening period Wednesday night, and eighth-seeded Montreal held on to beat Washington 2-1 in Game 7, stunning the Presidents’ Trophy winners by reeling off three consecutive victories.

The Canadiens are the ninth No. 8 team to knock off a No. 1 in 32 matchups since the NHL went to its current playoff format in 1994 – and the first to come back from a 3-1 series deficit. {NHL.com} “

Huge upset by the Habs, as the Capitals were picked by many to win the Cup this year. Jaroslav Halak was absolutely phenomenal all series long – holding the most offensively dangerous team in the NHL at bay, and leading the Canadians to a berth into the second round.

Eric Belanger Performs Amateur Self-Dentistry

Capitals forward Eric Belanger took a high stick during Washington’s game 5 contest against the Montreal Canadians – and it resulted in some serious dental trauma for Belanger.

The Official Washington Capitals twitter confirmed that Belanger ‘Lost seven teeth last night’ – and as you can see on the video, he jettisoned at least one of those seven while sitting on the bench in-between shifts.

{From Puck Daddy}

Laperriere Takes Slapshot to the Face

Scary moment during Philadelphia’s dominating 5-game series win over the Devils – Ian Laperriere goes down to block a shot from Paul Martin and the puck strikes him right above his left eye. (Warning: graphic video. Not for the squeamish)

“The Flyers lost shot blocker extraordinaire Ian Laperriere 3:56 into the third after he took a puck in the face when he went down to block a shot from the point by Martin with his team killing their sixth Devils’ power-play of the game. {NHL.com}”

The cut would require 60-70 stitches, but Laperriere swore that he’d “never play without a visor again” after this injury.

“I walked back into the medical room and I couldn’t see anything,’’ Laperriere said. “It’s not a good feeling. I want to see my kids with both of my eyes (as) they grow up. It took this to make me realize I need to wear a shield (to avoid) making a stupid mistake again.” {Philly Burbs}

He’ll have some time to recover, as Philadelphia was the first of all teams to advance to the Semi-finals, but no word yet on whether or not Ian Laperriere will be in the lineup for the Flyers in the next round.

Johnny Boychuk Levels Matt Ellis

During Boston’s Game 3 win against Buffalo, Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk laid a huge hit on Sabres forward Matt Ellis. Check it out:

“Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk drove Buffalo’s leading scorer, Thomas Vanek, from Game 2 with a first-period check that left him limping on his left leg. Vanek didn’t play in Game 3.

Boychuk delivered another big hit Monday when he flattened Matt Ellis as he tried to carry the puck out of the Buffalo zone in the second period. Ellis went to the dressing room but returned and skated a penalty-kill shift late in the period. He skated three shifts in the third period.

“I’m the villain,” Boychuk said. “I saw a couple of guys backchecking so I just stepped up.”

“That was a great hit and I thought it was clean, also,” Bergeron said. “It kind of got us going in the second period.”

The Sabres had the League’s 10th-best power play during the regular season but failed on three man-advantages Monday and are now 0-for-12 in the series.”

{NHL.com}

Dan Boyle Scores in Overtime – For Other Team

In case you missed last night’s San Jose – Colorado game, well, here’s how it ended.

Dan Boyle was trying to send the puck around the boards, and inadvertently fired a backhander past Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, losing the game in OT, and giving the series lead to Colorado.

“Forty-eight hours after combining for 11 goals, the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche needed overtime Sunday night just to get one.

Rookie Ryan O’Reilly was credited with it 51 seconds into the extra period at the Pepsi Center to give the Avalanche a 1-0 victory and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series. Game 4 will be played here Tuesday night.

O’Reilly was credited with the goal because he was the last Avalanche player to touch the puck before Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle inadvertently backhanded the puck behind stunned goalie Evgeni Nabokov.” {NHL.com}

Phoenix Got Robbed Last Night [PIC]

After I saw Doan’s celebration after his tying goal against the Wings last night, I knew it would make for some hilarious photoshops. This is the first one that I made up. Here’s the second:

Feel free to email me your own.

Luongo’s Incredible OT Save

We’ve been talking about Roberto Luongo’s ability to steal a game, or even a series during the playoffs. On Thursday night, he did just that, robbing the Kings of a sure goal during overtime in Vancouver. Check it out.

“NHL scoring champion Henrik Sedin set up shop behind the Kings net and found Samuelsson all alone in the slot. Samuelsson one-timed a shot over the catching glove of goaltender Jonathan Quick to send the sellout crowd of 18,810 at GM Place into a frenzy.

Samuelsson’s heroics were only made possible thanks to an amazing stop by Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.

Luongo made the save of the night six minutes into overtime. He stopped a blast by Ryan Smyth, but the rebound came to defenseman Jack Johnson, who had a gaping net to shoot at. However, Luongo slowed the puck with his blocker, then swept it off the goal line with his catching glove an instant before it would have gone into the net.

Luongo made 25 saves to earn the win. Jonathan Quick, who had his struggles over the final month, was at the top of his game. He made 41 saves, including 37 in regulation and a game-saver on Daniel Sedin earlier in OT.” {NHL.com}

If Luongo can continually provide this level of goaltending, Vancouver is headed for a deep playoff run this year.

Playoff Previews: Vancouver vs. Los Angeles

Two Olympian goaltenders square off in what might be the most intriguing first round series in the West. Roberto Luongo for Vancouver and Jonathan Quick of the Kings both look tough to beat heading into the post season. Luongo hit a rut for a few weeks but bounced back nicely to keep the Canucks pressing on into the post season and winning their second consecutive Northwest Division Championship. There is no shortage of offense on either squad here; the Canucks boast Art Ross Trophy winner Henrik Sedin (oh, and his brother Daniel, too), Ryan Kesler, Kyle Wellwood, and Mason Raymond… just to name a few.

“On one side, you have a Canucks team that has plenty of familiarity with the playoffs. With the Kings, it’s not lacking, but they’re not bursting with it, either. Ryan Smyth and Sean O’Donnell have been there, done that. But for four of the five leading scorers on the Kings — Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov — this is their first trip to the postseason. The Kings and Canucks didn’t finish far apart in the standings, but experience could be the difference.” {NHL.com}

For the Kings, they are lead by one of the NHL’s most exciting young players in Anze Kopitar. Ryan Smyth and Freddie Modin also headline a potent Kings offense. There is no question in net like there is in San Jose and possibly Washington, but how well will the goalies hold up in this series against two high flying offenses? I’m always for sleeper teams and parody in the NHL and I think the Kings could be one of them. Notice I did not say the Kings will be. Had the Kings gotten a different draw, perhaps with Phoenix, then maybe it’s a different story. Jonathan Quick is going to have to steal the show in this series for the Kings to have a chance.

Mike’s Pick: VANCOUVER IN 6

Thrashers Trash Anderson

The Atlanta Thrashers needed to clean house this off season and have wasted no time in doing so. Head coach John Anderson was relieved of his duties in Atlanta along with all three of his assistants. Anderson was promoted from the Thrasher’s AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves two seasons ago. In addition to Anderson losing his job, much maligned GM Don Waddell also lost his job. However, instead of being fired, Waddell was actually promoted to team President. Former Lightning GM Rick Dudley has been brought into replace Waddell.

Now you’ve got the skinny on the shake up in the Thrashers camp. Still, I can’t help but feel like John Anderson got a raw deal here. The Thrash have only made the playoffs once in their 11 year existence, that being the 2006-2007 season. The fans in Atlanta have suffered through Waddell’s reckless management for long enough. Waddell is the same guy that let Dany Heatley and Marian Hossa walk, among others. He’s had the talent there with Kovalchuk. Unfortunately, he gave up on his franchise player this season, too. Kovalchuk was traded to New Jersey in exchange for, most notably, Johnny Oduya. Losing Heatley, Hossa and now Kovalchuk are just a sample of the mistakes Waddell has made during his tenure.

What mistakes has Anderson made? To my knowledge, I heard that the Thrasher brass lays most of the blame for Slava Kozlov’s departure on a spat he had with Anderson. Furthermore, many of the players didn’t believe in the system, or say they claim. With that being said, how in the world were the Thrashers even sniffing eight place in the East? Though the East was weaker than the West this season, the Thrashers shouldn’t have been above .500 without Kovalchuk… but they were. Waddell trades the franchise player, yet Anderson was able to put out a competitive line up following the trade. Max Afinoghenov was probably the most experienced player on that team after Kovie’s deal to Jersey; far from a star-studded roster. Bottom line, the Thrashers had no business being as close as they were with the line up at Anderson’s disposal. But he kept them in the race, and barring a collapse the final few games, they probably could’ve gotten in. John Anderson isn’t to blame for the Thrashers missing the playoffs again, it’s Don Waddell.

OTHER COACHING NEWS

The St. Louis Blues removed the interim tag from coach Davis Payne and announced he will be the head coach. Payne, 39, is officially the youngest coach in the NHL. He had been the head coach of the Blues AHL club, the Peoria Rivermen. Payne was also named AHL Coach of the Year in 2006-2007.

Next Page »