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 Carolina players gathered in front of the net but, somehow, Fedotenko was allowed to just cruise around and score. 
• This was a little lame.  They actually just listed the moment when the Penguins won the Conference Finals.
• Osgood locks the door on Fraser – this was just great goaltending.  Kane and Fraser made a good attempt at putting one behind Oz but the seasoned netminder shut them down.
• Great goaltending by Osgood part 2.  Enough said.
• Huet makes a great save on a hard shot by Hossa but, before he and his teammates could even celebrate, a long shot by Lebda made it in to the back of the net.
• Great goaltending by Osgood part 3.  Yawn.
• Kane launches an awesome backhand shot at Osgood and… actually beats him and got his first goal of the series.
• Huet makes an amazing save in overtime for the Blackhawks.
• The Red Wings score on Huet and make it to the Finals.
• Highlights from the Penguins/Red Wings series so far.

image: Newscom

Post from: Hockey Beat

image: Zuma Press

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 that much of the shift was due to the surprisingly shoddy goaltender displayed by Simeon Varlamov.  After playing so spectacularly, the young netminder picked the most important game of the series to completely fall apart and was pulled and replaced by Jose Theodore who had not been seen between the pipes since early (game 1?) of the quarterfinals.

I’ve got to give credit to Sidney Crosby for earning the hype throughout the series and especially in tonight’s game.  He led his team and opened scoring in the first period and then again in the third (both on a power play).  He also registered an assist.  His rival, Alexander Ovechkin, didn’t leave the ice empty handed – he did score a nice wrap-around goal late in the second.  In the end, though, Crosby and his team skated away with a huge 6-2 victory over the Capitals.

The Penguins will have to wait and see who wins the Boston Bruins/Carolina Hurricanes series tomorrow night to find out who they will face in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Post from: Hockey Beat

image: TSN

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 lone for Detroit on a power-play in the third period.

Again, Ducks goalie, Jonas Hiller, was spectacular because the Red Wings definitely tried to win this game but he came up big for his team.  If it wasn’t for him, Pavel Datsyuk would have tied this game with less than 10 seconds left in the game.  He finished with 38 saves while Detroit netminder, Chris Osgood, turned away 26 shots.

A brawl erupted with Ryan Getzlaf going after Marion Hossa and Corey Perry sending a message to Brian Rafalski and it really set the tone for Game 7 which takes place tomorrow night in Motown.  Check out the highlights:

Post from: Hockey Beat

image: TSN

Things seemed to start off well for the Habs – their energy was high and they were getting a lot of support from the stands.  The game was tied until, late in the second period, former Hab, Michael Ryder, brought the score up to 3-2 for the Bruins.  Out of desperation, Montreal pulled goaltender, Carey Price, to get an extra attacker but the decision went wrong when Chuck Kobasew put the puck into the empty net.

I don’t know what interim coach, Bob Gainey, is going to do but I think it’s time to pull Carey Price and possibly try Jaroslav Halak between the pipes for Game 4.  I’m actually disappointed that Halak didn’t start in last night’s game but what do I know?

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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 making an early exit.

Watch the highlights from last night’s game:

Post from: Hockey Beat

image: TSN

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 round.

Post from: Hockey Beat