The Stanley Cup Finals are well under way but the NHL has put together a collection of plays from the past week. Clearly, it’s going to be all about the Pittsburgh Penguins/Carolina Hurricanes series as well as the Detroit Red Wings/Chicago Blackhawks series.  Fortunately, there were some pretty sweet moments in both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. 
Here’s a breakdown of the plays but definitely check out the video.

Fedotenko cruises the crease and scores on Ward – Looking at it, I can barely believe that this happened in a playoff game.  Along with Ward, there was like 100 …read more

It was the game many of us were looking forward to (and hoping for) ever since it was announced that the Washington Capitals would square off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals.  The series has been fiery hot and I was sure that Game 7 was going to sizzle but all I got was fizzle.

To say that I was shocked by tonight’s game would be an understatement.  I wanted the Penguins to win but not like this.  I wanted it to be gritty and tough but, instead, the Pens dominated that Caps but I will concede …read more

The Anaheim Ducks are not giving up and they proved that last night as they faced elimination in Game 6 against the Detroit Red Wings.  Both teams were physical (which you really don’t see too often from the Red Wings) and you could tell that this was an intensely played game.

The game remained scoreless through the first period and then the Ducks scored on a power-play in the second and the entire feel of the match changed.  By the end of the second, they had a 2-0 lead (that second goal by Perry was downright insane).  Johan Franzen scored the …read more

Before I start my recap, I’d like to take care of one piece of business.   The Montreal Canadiens fans booed the American national anthem at the Bell Centre last night and I just want to voice my disappointment.  Go ahead and boo the Boston Bruins – they’re your opponent and they’re kicking your a$$ – but don’t disrespect an entire nation.  It shows an extraordinary lack of class and really has no place in an NHL arena, especially during the playoffs.

Things seemed to start off well for the Habs – their energy was high and they were getting a lot …read more

The Columbus Blue Jackets fell again to the Detroit Red Wings during Game 2 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals last night. 
Despite the unfavorable outcome of the first game in the series, I really was stunned that the Blue Jackets were not only shut out but lost 4-0 to the Wings.  It’s like Steve Mason has completely fallen apart between the pipes in the postseason but, then again, I felt like the team pushed the rookie goaltender too hard during the regular season.  Star player, Rick Nash, is also underperforming so, unless things change, the Blue Jackets will be …read more

The New Jersey Devils won the first game in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise led the 4-1 victory for the Devils, posting a goal and an assist each with Mike Mottau and Patrick Elias rounding out the scoring.  Ray Whitney scored the lone goal for the Canes.
I am not surprised.  This is one of those series that I think will continue to be unbalanced until it is over.  The Hurricanes have made the playoffs but I’m not sure they have their game at a level that will allow them to advance to the next …read more