There were a couple trades and deals that I expected to happen.  I expected to see the Calgary Flames sign a deal with Jay Bouwmeester (they did).  I wanted the Sedin twins to get a decent deal, preferably with the Vancouver Canucks (they did).  I was hoping a deal would put an end to the Dany Heatley drama (it didn’t).

There were, however, a good number of free agent signings yesterday.  Check out the list below (I sorted it alphabetically by team) and let me know what you think of these deals.  Montreal had the most acquisitions and while they look great on paper, I’m not sure how well all of the players will mesh.  It’s a fresh start for them with a new coach and new owners so we’ll just have to wait and see how it all turns out.

Anaheim Ducks

• Re-sign Scott Niedermayer - $6M for 1 year
• Re-sign Erik Christensen – 1 year, no salary details

Atlanta Thrashers

• Nik Antropov (from NY Rangers) - $16M for 4 years
• Re-sign Chris Thorburn – no details

Boston Bruins

• Steve Begin (from Dallas) - $850K for 1 year
• Re-sign Byron Bitz – no details
• Re-sign Mark Recchi - $1M for 1 year

Buffalo Sabres

• Steve Montador (from Boston) - $3.1M for 2 years

Calgary Flames

• Frederik Sjostrom (from NY Rangers) - $1.5M deal for 2 years
• Re-sign Adam Pardy – no details

Carolina Hurricanes

• Re-sign Erik Cole - $5.8M for 2 years

Chicago Blackhawks

• John Madden (from New Jersey) – $2.75M for 1 year
• Tomas Kopecky (from Detroit) - $2.4M for 2 years
• Marian Hossa (from Detroit) - $62.8M for 12 years

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With no progress in the contract discussions with the Vancouver Canucks, the Sedin twins might have to come to grips with the fact that they will become unrestricted free agents in just a few days.

Henrik and Daniel Sedin haven’t played for any other NHL team in their careers so the change could be huge for them – especially if they are split up.

I’m not worried about them getting offers.  They are averaging 80 points per season (in the last three years) and they’ve got playoff experience.  Some reports are saying they are worth more than $7 million a year and I agree with it.  I’m not a Canucks fan but I have always had respect for them (this year even more).  They are terribly underrated and (I think) underpaid.

I think it will be a mistake if Vancouver lets them go.

image: TSN

Going into Game 6 tonight, I have to admit that I was not overly optimistic.  However, within just a few minutes it was clear that the Pittsburgh Penguins had used those few days off to regroup and bring the focus and energy that got them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in as many years.

image: Zuma Press

I was absolutely stunned by how controlled the Penguins played and how well they managed to keep the Detroit Red Wings from getting too many shots away.  In total, Marc-Andre Fleury faced 26 shots on net and he turned away 25 of them (he was without his stick for the one that he missed).  The difference in Fleury’s goaltending between Game 5 and Game 6 is extraordinary because he actually looked like he realized he was playing in the postseason tonight.  It can be hard on a goalie to remain focused when they aren’t facing too many shots but, for the most part, he stayed sharp.

He did get lucky a few times, however.  He managed to make a save on a shot by Henrik Zetterberg that bounced off the pipes and looked eerily reminiscent of one he let in during Game 6 last year.  He also had some MAJOR help from teammate, Rob Scuderi, who blocked four shots (I was beginning to wonder if Scuderi had missed his calling as a goaltender).  Brooks Orpik was also extraordinary on the ice tonight and got a career high of six blocked shots.

Even though Detroit lost, I’ve got to give Chris Osgood credit for solid netminding.  He managed to turn away 29 of the 31 shots he faced.  Someone who did not play up to his abilities if former Penguin, Marian Hossa.  I think that a lot of people were expecting more from him since he defected to Detroit because he said that he would have a better chance of winning the Cup that way.  Someone should have let him know that he’d actually have to try and not just rely on his teammates.  I almost want Detroit to lose just to teach him a lesson.

The last thing I want to say about tonight’s game is that it was remarkably low on penalties.  Of course, there were infractions that slipped by the officiators but, overall, the guys played a relatively clean game with each team incurring just two penalties each for the entire game.

Game 7 takes place in Detroit on Friday, June 12, 2009.

Wow.  I’m sure the Chicago Blackhawks would like to permanently erase today’s game against the Detroit Red Wings completely from their memory.  It was one of those games where it was almost uncomfortable to watch and I’m not a particular fan of either team.  It was just painful.

image: Zuma Press

Things looked a little promising for the Blackhawks at the start of the game.  Sure, I was concerned when Cristobal Huet was announced as the starting goalie but I was encouraged by the fact that Martin Havlat was in the lineup despite the fact that he took a crushing hit this past week and failed to practice with the team.  I had no idea but those few moments of hope for Chicago were about to fade – quickly.

First of all, Havlat, who commentators claim forced his way on the ice and dared management to stop him, only played for seven minutes and 59 seconds.  Then, of course, there were all those goals that Detroit scored against them.

It started with a short-handed goal by Marian Hossa.  During the remainder of the game, Hossa scored a second time along with Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Henrik Zetterberg, who also scored twice.  The lone goal tallied for Chicago was scored by captain, Jonathan Toews.

The Red Wings barely seemed bothered by the absence of star players Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom, who was a last-minute scratch (no reason was given).  “We heard this morning during the pre-game meal he (Lidstrom) was not playing. We just had to deal with it,” Zetterberg said. “Everybody had to step up and play.”  I think it goes without saying that the team definitely pulled it together.

I can’t say the same for Huet, who was a hot mess between the pipes for Chicago.  He allowed five goals in 26 shots on net and, at one point, was replaced by third goalie, Corey Crawford for the last 15:55 of the second period.  When Huet returned in the third, I figured the slaughter was over but he ended up allowing one more goal by Zetterberg on a power-play.

Game 5 takes place on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:30pm (ET) in Detroit.  If they win the game, they will take the Western Conference title.

The Pittsburgh Penguins skated away with a massive 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 last night and has placed them just one win from clinching the 2009 Eastern Conference Final.  However, if the past two series are any indication, the Carolina Hurricanes shouldn’t be considered defeated just yet.

image: Zuma Press

Pens captain, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin were again HUGE for their team.  Thinking back to last year, I believe that a major factor in their loss was the fact that Malkin just didn’t seem able to deliver.  This is, of course, a new season and it’s amazing to see what a difference a year can make.  “Sid and Geno, they bring their level and they make everybody better,” right-winger Bill Guerin said. “Everyone’s talent level goes up. That’s what they do for us.”  I would be inclined to agree considering how well this series has gone for the Penguins.

Carolina goaltender, Cam Ward, had another rough night since Pittsburgh outshot his team 40-34.  He was able to turn away 34 shots but it just wasn’t enough.  His counterpart, Marc-Andre Fleury, made 32 saves.

If they can complete the sweep on Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins will become the Eastern Conference champions for the second year in a row (they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final).

It was a great first game in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals tonight as the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Carolina Hurricanes.  Just when it seemed that it was going to go a certain way, things changed and it got more exciting by the minute.  In the end, the Penguins were left with a 3-2 victory.

Zuma Press

During the first period, Carolina outshot Pittsburgh 12-9 but it felt more like the Pens were dominating.  With goals from Miroslav Satan (fresh out of the penalty box) and Evgeni Malkin, those first twenty minutes really seemed to be in Pittsburgh’s favor.

In the second period, the Hurricanes were outshot 6-12 but they seemed to be more in control.  They were putting a lot of pressure on goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury, who had to come up with some amazing saves but, finally, let a shot by Chad Larose slip behind him.

In the third, both teams put in a huge effort but the goal by Philippe Boucher (Pittsburgh) remained the game-winner, although Joe Corvo scored on a power play for Carolina with just more than a minute and half left in the game.

The Hurricanes seemed to be in an absolute frenzy in the final moments and, despite a very close call, they just couldn’t tie up the game.  As has been the case throughout the postseason, Carolina continues to surprise and put forth an effort that is reminiscent of that in 2006 when they took home Lord Stanley.  I would love for the Penguins to move on to the next round but I wouldn’t be shocked at all if they didn’t make it.

The the second year in a row, Russia triumphed over Team Canada and won the gold at the IIHF World Hockey Championship yesterday but it was far from a runaway game.  The score was tight (2-1) and reflected how hard each team battled to win that top prize.

image: Newscom

As if being second-best in the championship wasn’t bad enough, the gold medal was Russia/USSR’s 25th of all time, which dropped Canada to second place with 24 titles.

Only Jason Spezza got a goal for Canada (in the first) while Oleg Saprykin (deflected in on a power play in the first) and Alexander Radulov (late in the second period) tallied for Russia.  Scoring was sparse in the game (non-existent in the third period) which was mostly due to the great goaltending of Ilya Bryzgalov and Dwayne Roloson.  The Canadians outshot the Russians 16-5 in the second and nearly tied the game when Derek Roy struck the Russian goalpost hard with his wrister.  It was so close!

This was the first time since the 1989-1990 championships that Russia won back-to-back gold medals.  Meanwhile Sweden beat Team U.S.A. for the bronze medal (the Americans have failed to win a medal since 2004).

Jussi Jokinen continues to be an instrumental part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ surprising postseason success and last night’s game was no exception.  Just like the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference, the Canes are playing surprisingly well in the playoffs and now lead the series 2-1 against the Boston Bruins, the east’s best team this season.

Hurricanes goaltender, Cam Ward, was coming off his fourth career playoff shutout and it seemed like the team was on a mission to prove that their first win was not a fluke.  It was definitely an intensely played game and the little feud between Zdeno Chara (Boston) and Eric Staal (Carolina) continued to mount.

The teams were tied 2-2 when the third period ended.  Although Carolina had a good momentum going, Boston netminder, Tim Thomas, really did try his best and made a spectacular save on Matt Cullen and had to reach behind himself and guess where that puck was to stop it from going in.  Thomas hasn’t allowed a goal in third period during the postseason so I wasn’t surprised when they went to overtime.

Jussi Jokinen received a pass and did a really smooth rotation in front of the net before putting it behind Thomas to win in overtime.  I wanted Boston to win but I can’t deny that it was just a really sweet goal.

image: TSN

It was another intense game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings but it was the Ducks that emerged victorious at home, in the Honda Center, last night.  As has been the case in the postseason, goaltender Jonas Hiller, came up huge for his team and made 45 saves (18 in the third period alone!)

The whole game was hard-fought but I honestly thought that the Ducks would either fall to the Red Wings or things would be decided in overtime again when I saw the intensity Detroit brought to the third period.

It was close, actually, since a goal that I believe should have counted was taken from Detroit.  Scott Niedermayer (ANA) misplayed and Hiller actually lost control of the puck in the crease.  Marion Hossa (DET) quickly saw the opportunity and slammed the puck into the back of the net.  Unfortunately, referee Brad Watson claimed he had lost track of the puck and whistled the play dead, which negated the goal.  It was shocking because I thought the puck was in plain sight but I guess he didn’t see it.  If that goal had counted, Detroit would have tied the game with 1:04 remaining and it almost certainly would have gone to overtime.

Game 4 will, again, be in Anaheim on Thursday.  I can barely wait.  People are talking so much about the Pittsburgh/Washington series but I think this matchup is just as exciting.

image: TSN

The Vancouver Canucks have taken a 2-1 lead in the second round series against the Chicago Blackhawks.  I thought this game was going to be a lot different, especially with it taking place in Chicago, but the Canucks skated away with a 3-1 victory.

Neither goaltender was tested too much with Roberto Luongo (Vancouver) turning away 23 of the 24 shots on goal while Nikolai Khabibulin managed to only save 18 of the 21 shots he faced. 

Mason Raymond opened the scoring for Vancouver in the first, which was a period filled with penalties on both sides.  Patrick Kane (Chicago) drew a hooking call with less than a minute left and the Canucks took full advantage of it when the second period began, with Steve Bernier scoring just 60 seconds into play.  Henrik Sedin scored the third goal for Vancouver while Brian Campbell was the lone Blackhawks to get on the board.  There was no scoring in the third period.

The teams will meet again for Game 4 in Chicago on Thursday night.

image: TSN