The Stanley Cup Playoffs

buckw, i agree. it's a fairly even series. but the way many thought the ducks would skate over and by the red wings, the wings are the better looking team right now. bounces -- lucky or not, whether in the goal or off the post -- are part of the game. in game 2, and we're talking OT where the game could have gone either way, the ducks needed reviews to get two goals -- goals indeed. i wouldn't want to rely on that. plus, no goals at home in a 1-1 series and nearly 20 minutes in the box. that's not good at all. babcock outcoached carlyle in game 3 and has the upper hand there right now. all the ducks had to do was stop datysuk and zetterberg and they would win the series. that was the prevailing theory. they're not stopping either one. plus, the wings are getting contributions from other players. holmstrom's been a beast since returning against san jose. but you can't let a guy like him get under your skin. selanne is minus-2 with no points in the series. s. niedermayer minus-3 in the game 3. one point each for mcdonald and pronger in the series. pahlsson had two assists in game 2 but was minus-2 in game 3. this can all change with a 3-1 ducks win thursday, too.

 

Pronger being out is not going to make much of an impact. I think they should let Bryzgalov replace Giguere for tonight's game and see how he fares. I don't think Neidermayer should have gotten a penalty at all in that game. The officials really goofed up the calls. Detroit can thank Hasek for being in contention because he has been solid...the Hasek of old. Can you imagine if Ottawa and Detroit meet in the finals? ;D

Buffalo lives to see another day, but I don't see them beating Ottawa. Emery has been great, and the Alfredsson, Heatley and Spezza line has dominated the series. Even though I was picking Buffalo, they have not been able to play to their capabilities. Even though they eeked out a win last night, squandering a lead is not good and they gave the Sens a way to get back in the game last night. if Anaheim does not get through in the West, the Sens chances are great to win the Cup.

 

Buffalo's forestalling the inevitable. Emery was less than great last night. Two crappy goals.

 

OK, I realize that nobody comes back from down 3-0, but having admitted that ...

They've played three straight one-goal games. Is it really that hard to see Buffalo winning at home in Game 5? Particularly if they can force another stinker out of Emery? If they can pull that off, they've climbed to within 3-2 and put about as much pressure as you can put on a team that's not playing in an elimination game.

Because, at that point, Ottawa would be one home loss away from pissing away their home-ice advantage. And I can only imagine how tight they'd be gripping their sticks in a possible Game 6.

 

Ottawa should still win its series. They were down before rallying, even in a game the Senators lost.

As for the West, IF Detroit wins tonight, this series might be over because I think Detroit and the atmosphere of being home and with a chance to finish it at home will be huge.

The Ducks have played without Pronger during the regular season so it isn't a new thing for them, but they sure can't afford a letdown. Scott Niedermayer has to step up. I almost think Giguere should be in net again tonight. He's too good -- especially at home and in must-win situations at home -- to sit.

 

Ducks up 2-1 midway through the first.

 

Scott Niedermayer looked ordinary last night. I know, I know, no Pronger, but he's looking very ordinary in this series (GWG in Game 2 notwithstanding). He is the captain of this team.

 

Tied at 2 going to OT in Buffalo....and NBC goes to Preakness...hockey goes to Versus.
But something forgot to tell Versus. They're showing World's Strongest Meathead.

 

Y'all are missing a hell of an OT. Miller just straight robbed Spezza, who had his arms up to celebrate. Drury's back after missing the final 10 minutes of regulation after a puck to the face.

 

Thanks, Mustardbased. :'( :'(

 

Ottawa's going to start making sawdust the longer they go without winning this one. And should Buffalo force a Game 6 ...

 

Just showed a replay of Miller's save. Was even better than I thought it was. Sens doing A LOT of icing early in OT. And the Sabres keep winning the offensive-zone faceoffs and getting great chances.