For all the Game 7 heroics, Bishop still doesn't have a lot of playoff experience, and on the whole, wasn't the better goalie against Detroit. Even if none of that were an issue, he's going to be looking across the ice at Carey Price. Habs automatically get the nod in the goaltending match up. Also 5-0 in the regular season might help their confidence, but regular season records can mean dick come a playoff series.You guys know that last year Tampa didn't have Bishop and this year the Lightning are 5-0 vs Montreal
Tampa had a pretty good record against Detroit and barely made it out. If their pp doesn't stop sucking ass they aren't going far.You guys know that last year Tampa didn't have Bishop and this year the Lightning are 5-0 vs Montreal
Yeah, AV was trying to be coy about his availability in the 2nd round but the second that puck connected I figured his run was over. It pretty much has to be a concussion, not much mystery there. I'm not too worried though, I thought Sheppard looked good when he was filling in for Glass. Of course, just about anyone would look better in replace of Tanner Glass but yeah he'll do fine.Also, word is Zucc is out for all of Round 2, and his availability for ECF or SCF is in doubt still.
If the Hawks D shows up to play I feel beating Minnesota is no problem. That is where the real problem is with the Blackhawks is that sometimes the D shows up and sometimes it doesn't. Our D isn't consistent at all. It's very easy to blame the goalie and forget it's actually the D that is fucking up and hanging the goalie out to dry. When Darling was pulled in game 6 it really wasn't his fault but it was the D's fault. The team came out in the 2nd period and played liked a totally different team especially on D. That isn't to say our goalies haven't had a case of sucking ass from time to time but our goalies for quite a few seasons have only been as good as our D is. It's the way our system works. We can get away without needing to have an elite goalie in net because our D makes up for it.Think Tampa matches up pretty well with Habs actually. My biggest question mark for Tampa (Bishop) just posted a shutout in Game 7. Could be the push they need.
Have to be a homer to think Chicago can win a playoff series? Kidding right? This is the Blackhawks we're talking about. Wild can definitely win the series, but to act like Chicago has no chance is laughable.
Pretty good overall.East
Montrealv. Ottawa (Habs in 6) *
Tampa Bayv. Detroit (Bolts in 5)
NY Rangersv. Pittsburgh (Rags in 5) *
Washington v.NY Islanders(Isles in 7)
West
Anaheimv. Winnipeg (Ducks in 7)
Vancouver v.Calgary(Flames in 6) *
St. Louis v.Minnesota(Wild in 6) *
Nashville v.Chicago(Hawks in 5)
Lundqvist straight up robbed Backstrom. Swede on Swede larceny.Lundqvist kept us in it there in the 2nd. Hayes and Yandle seem to be generating every rush on our end. AV needs juggle some of these pairings.
Ovie is a monster tonight. God help us if him AND Backstrom ever get going. The latter has been a non factor thus far.
So much this. There was a long string of time there where I felt like they were just trying to protect the lead. I think around the 14 min mark in the 3rd though, they finally decided to stop that.Although I felt like for parts of the game we were the better team,need to not sit back so much in the 3rd...and holy hell, no icing.
After watching it again, It's way more from the side and shoulder to shoulder. Boyle was unlucky to be hunched over there too. Goalies get a lot of credit for a 2-1 game, but really both teams had a lot more chances that could have been goals tonight. You guys were eating Gleason alive tonight. Against the speed I'd almost prefer we dressed Schmidt over him.Really fucking stupid ending actually, but I don't think they stole it at all really. Too many mistakes in our own end, two specifically by the obviously rusty Klein. He wasn't ready and should of probably sat another day. Game should of ended with the Miller turnover to begin with so Ward goal was just serendipity. That game was all Ovechkin though, what a game he had man.
The hit was questionable for sure, but w/e no excuse really.