image: TSN

The Flames can thank some unlikely heroes for saving the day, though.  Staffan Kronwall and Adam Pardy really stepped it up adding two assists each (Kronwall actually got his first NHL goal which ended up being the game-winner!) but it was Eric Nystrom who really made the difference.  He scored two goals and I’m willing to go on record saying that I think this game would have gone very differently had he not been so active on the ice.  Captain Jarome Iginla also scored a goal (his first of the season).

“A couple fights, a few goals, it was a great game for them,” said Iginla. “It’s huge momentum when they go out and play in the other team’s end, and play physical, and play with energy.”

“They played very well, both of them,” coach Brent Sutter said. “Pards has started to come and the last couple games, he’s certainly been really strong. I thought Krons, this was certainly his best game. He was really solid.”

The Habs weren’t held scoreless.  Scott Gomez, Guillaume Latendresse and Tomas Plekanec each scored a goal.  I think Gomez could end up being a real asset to the Canadiens especially seeing how he played with them tonight.  Maybe there is hope for Montreal…

I was a little surprised that they put Jaroslav Halak in net.  I’m not saying I like Carey Price any better (I actually think that Halak has a lot of potential) but we play Montreal so rarely that it would have been nice to have the two #1 goalies in opposing nets.

Flames netminder, Miikka Kiprusoff has added another win with 27 saves so maybe he’s got a shot at being the most winningest goaltender again this season.

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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

Colorado Avalanche

• David Koci (from Tampa Bay) – $575K for 1 year
• Craig Anderson (from Florida) – $3.6M for 2 years

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Mathieu Garon (from Pittsburgh) – $2.4M for 2 years
• Samuel Pahlsson (from Chicago) – $7.95M for 3 years

Edmonton Oilers

• Re-sign Jason Strudwick – $700K for 1 year
• Nikolai Khabibulin (from Chicago) – $15M for 4 years

Florida Panthers

• Scott Clemmensen (from New Jersey) – $3.6M for 3 years
• Re-sign David Booth- $25.5M for 6 years
• Re-sign Radek Dvorak – $3.4M for 2 years

Minnesota Wild

• Martin Havlat (from Chicago) – $30M for 6 years
• Greg Zanon (from Nashville) – $5.8M for 3 years

Montreal Canadiens

• Brian Gionta (from New Jersey) – $25M for 5 years
• Mike Cammalleri (from Calgary) – $30M for 5 years
• Hal Gill (from Pittsburgh) – $4.5M for 2 years
• Jaroslav Spacek (from Buffalo) – $11.5M for 3 years

Nashville Predators

• Re-sign Steve Sullivan – $7.5M for 2 years
• Re-sign Joel Ward – $3M for 2 years

New Jersey Devils

• Re-sign Andy Greene (no details)

New York Islanders

• Dwayne Roloson (from Edmonton) – $5M for 2 years

New York Rangers

• Marian Gaborik (from Minnesota) – $37.5M for 5 years
• Donald Brashear (from Washington) – $2.8M for 2 years

Ottawa Senators

• Re-sign Chris Neil – $8M for 4 years

Philadelphia Flyers

• Ian Laperriere (from Colorado) – $3.5M for 3 years
• Brian Boucher (from San Jose) – $1.85M for 2 years

Phoenix Coyotes

• Jason LaBarbera (from Vancouver) – two years (salary unknown)
• Vernon Fiddler (from Nashville) – $2.2M for 2 years
• Adrian Aucoin (from Calgary) – 1 year, no salary details

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Michael Rupp (from New Jersey) – $1.65M for 2 years

San Jose Sharks

• Re-sign Kent Huskins – $3.4M for 2 years

St. Louis Blues

• Ty Conklin (from Detroit) – $2.6M for 2 years

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Re-sign Lukas Krajicek – 1 year, no salary details
• Matt Walker (from Chicago) – $6.8M for 4 years
• Mattias Ohlund (from Vancouver) – $26.25M for 7 years

Toronto Maple Leafs

• Mike Komisarek (from Montreal) – $22.5 for 5 years
• Colton Orr (from NY Rangers) – $4M for 4 years

Vancouver Canucks

• Aaron Rome (from Columbus) – $550K for 1 year
• Re-sign Henrik Sedin – $30.5M for 5 years
• Re-sign Daniel Sedin – $30.5M for 5 years

Washington Capitals

• Mike Knuble (from Philadelphia) – $5.6M for 2 years

images: TSN

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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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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).

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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

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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

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