Here are a list of the teams that made it:

Who do you think will take home Lord Stanley?  I think that the two teams leading each conference (Boston and San Jose) are going to be tough to beat so I wouldn’t be surprised if either of them won the finals (I think Boston might be a little more likely).  Still, the playoffs can be so unpredictable so it’s hard to tell…

image: NBCUMV

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Teemu Selanne earned his 21st hat trick, scoring once in each period. The Wings made 38 shots on net and the ducks followed close behind with 34 shots.

The three stars of the night were none other than the usual suspects. Ryan Getzlaf was named third star of the night after getting five assists! Incredible! Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk stole second star by scoring two goals last night, and of course, Selanne was crowned number one star by getting a hat trick.

Here’s the scoring summary:

• DET: Datsyuk, P. (PPG, 11:17 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (07:53 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (PPG, 16:26 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (18:37 in 3rd)
• ANA: Selanne, T. (PPG, 14:11 in 1st), Selanne, T. (PPG, 19:09 in 2nd), Selanne, T. (PPG, 04:50 in 3rd), Sutherby, B. (12:56 in 3rd), Beauchemin, F. (01:39 in OT)

image credit: TSN

*Written by Lauren Croteau, for Jeanne, who is away.

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Stephan redeemed himself last night, trying to forget the loss of his last NHL game. In 2007, he was put in net against Chicago and appeared to be leading the team to a shutout win. The Wild were ahead by one point but with 1.5 seconds left, the Blackhawks scored leading the game to overtime. Unfortunately, the Stars lost the game.

It’s great that he was given a second chance and was able to win the game. Congrats to Tobias for getting his first win in the NHL!

Here’s the scoring summary:

• MIN: Bergeron, M. (PPG, 06:13 in 1st), Brunette, A. (PPG, 03:55 in 3rd)
• DAL: Morrow, B. (00:13 in 1st), Ott, S. (12:45 in 1st), Richards, B. (15:39 in 1st), Niskanen, M. (PPG, 12:06 in 2nd)

image credit: TSN

*Written by Lauren Croteau, for Jeanne, who is away.

Post from: Hockey Beat

Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues defenseman, reportedly injured his knee – on a golf cart. Johnson slammed his foot between the accelerator and brake petal while trying to stop the cart, and started feeling pain in his right knee. Regardless of the pain, he continued with his golf game, only to notice the swollen knee later that night. It was worse the next day, so the D-man got an MRI exam, which proved to be inconclusive. We can expect a follow up MRI exam on either Saturday or Sunday.

He’s going to miss the first three days of training camp. Geez. I always find it ironic when a hockey player gets an injury during golf…

Image credit to Newscom

Written by Lauren Croteau

Post from: Hockey Beat

It’s being reported that after 16 seasons of playing in the NHL, Detroit Red Wings goaltender, Dominik Hasek is retiring at the age of 43.  Being a six time Vezina Trophy winner, the first to earn consecutive MVP honors and most recently, helping his team win the 2008 Stanley Cup, Hasek finds it necessary to begin his retirement.

“Sixteen years is a long time that unfortunately has gone by too fast,” Hasek said. “Many wonderful things have happened to me during my career. We all won as a team, and I want to thank them all for helping me get my name on the Cup a second time.”

Hasek, who has a save percentage of 92.2, has the highest save ratio in NHL history and has 389 wins on his record, putting him as the 10th winningest goalie of all time. During his career, he has played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.

I’d like to wish Dominik Hasek a happy, well earned retirement. He’s been a great addition to the NHL and a hard working competitor. I wish him good luck!

image credit to Newscom

Post from: Hockey Beat

Post from: Hockey Beat

Quarterfinals vs. Nashville Predators (early games missed due to illness):

• Red Wings @ Predators April 14, 2008
• Red Wings @ Predators – April 16, 2008

Semifinals vs. Colorado Avalanche:

• Avalanche @ Red Wings Game 1
• Avalanche @ Red Wings Game 2
• Red Wings @ Avalanche Game 3
• Red Wings @ Avalanche Game 4

Western Conference Finals vs. Dallas Stars:

• Detroit Red Wings Dominate Game 1
• Detroit Red Wings Take Lead in 2008 Western Conference Finals
• Detroit Red Wings Are One Win Away From Clinching Western Conference Finals
• Dallas Stars Wake Up And Win Game 4
• 2008 Western Conference Going to Game 6
• Detroit Red Wings Eliminate Dallas Stars
• Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars: Videos

Post from: Hockey Beat

Post from: Hockey Beat

Game 1 – Detroit Wins 4-1 at home.  Scoring summary:

DAL: Morrow, B. (18:53 in 2nd)

DET: Rafalski, B. (PPG, 04:28 in 1st), Franzen, J. (PPG, 15:34 in 1st), Holmstrom, T. (PPG, 06:40 in 2nd), Filppula, V. (15:37 in 2nd)

More after the jump!

Game 2 – Detroit Wins 2-1 at home.  Scoring summary:

DAL: Robidas, S. (PPG, 10:41 in 1st)

DET: Helm, D. (05:56 in 1st), Zetterberg, H. (PPG, 15:13 in 1st)

Game 3 – Detroit wins 5-2 at Dallas.  Scoring summary:

DET: Datsyuk, P. (09:27 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (15:50 in 1st), Hudler, J. (11:54 in 2nd), Zetterberg, H. (SHG, 01:38 in 3rd), Datsyuk, P. (17:19 in 3rd)

DAL: Grossman, N. (15:13 in 1st), Richards, B. (03:47 in 2nd)

Game 4 – Dallas wins 3-1 at home.  Scoring summary:

DET: Zetterberg, H. (00:49 in 3rd)

DAL: Eriksson, L. (19:37 in 2nd), Modano, M. (PPG, 05:35 in 3rd), Morrow, B. (14:34 in 3rd)

Game 5 – Dallas wins 2-1 @ Detroit.  Scoring summary:

DAL: Daley, T. (09:21 in 1st), Lundqvist, J. (06:04 in 2nd)

DET: Hudler, J. (PPG, 15:30 in 1st)

Game 6: Detroit wins series 2-1 in Dallas.  Scoring summary:

DET: Draper, K. (03:45 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (PPG, 11:41 in 1st), Drake, D. (16:17 in 1st), Zetterberg, H. (SHG, 03:11 in 2nd)

DAL: Robidas, S. (PPG, 02:27 in 3rd)

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Despite a valiant effort on the part of the Dallas Stars, they were eliminated from the 2008 Western Conference Final.  The title went to the Detroit Red Wings.  I am extremely impressed that the Stars even made it to Game 6 when it looked like the Wings were going to sweep them. 

Last night’s game was a bit of a heartbreaker in the sense that the Stars did fight against elimination – it just came two periods too late.  Throughout the first two periods, the Stars were given ample opportunities to get on the scoreboard – the Wings had seven penalties called against them – but they just couldn’t get it done.  Heading into the third, Dallas trailed 4-0 and it seemed like the they suddenly woke up and were determined to avoid being completely shut out.  Their opportunity came early in the final period on a power-play when Stephane Robidas scored the lone goal for the Stars.  Here is the scoring summary:

DET: Draper, K. (03:45 in 1st), Datsyuk, P. (PPG, 11:41 in 1st), Drake, D. (16:17 in 1st), Zetterberg, H. (SHG, 03:11 in 2nd)

DAL: Robidas, S. (PPG, 02:27 in 3rd)

In the end, I really think the game came down to goaltending.  While I believe the offensive play could have been more aggressive during those first two periods, it’s important to note that both goalies faced 29 shots on goal – Chris Osgood (Wings) only let one slip by him but Marty Turco failed to stop four.  Who knows what would have happened had he been on top of his game?

Tomorrow, I’ll begin reviewing the playoffs up to this point and discussing the Stanley Cup Finals where the Detroit Red Wings will face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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