GIF of the Night
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Game Recaps:
New York Rangers vs Philadelphia Flyers. The teams traded goals in the first and stayed tied until Jason Akeson took a double minor for high sticking and the New York Rangers scored two goals on the ensuing power play. New York added one more for good measure and won the game 4-1. Ray Emery started the game as Steve Mason is injured. Watch for him to get back soon if this starts getting out of hand. Game 2 goes Sunday at 11:00am CST on TSN. New York Rangers lead the series 1-0.
St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks. The first epic of the playoffs was won by St. Louis at the start of the third OT. The first was back and forth with the period ending at 3-2 for the Hawks until Jaden Schwartz tied it up late in the third. The first two OTs solved nothing. Early in the third OT Corey Crawford failed to smother a rebound and Alexander Steen scored to give St. Louis the win. Jonathan Toews finished the game, but looked banged up as St. Louis was targeting him all game. Game 2 goes Saturday at 2:00 CST on CBC. St. Louis Blues lead the series 1-0.
Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild. Sorry, I didn’t watch this game, I was distracted by CHI/STL and SJS/LA. Minnesota was up 4-3 when Paul Stastny scored with 13 seconds left to tie the game. He then scored again in OT to give Colorado the win. His game tying goal came after Erik Johnson saved an empty net goal for Minnesota that would have ended the game. Eighteen year old Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in his first playoff game. He is good at hockey. Game 2 goes Saturday at 8:30 CST on TSN. Colorado Avalanche lead the series 1-0.
San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks scored early and often, jumping out to a 5 goal lead by the end of the second. During the second intermission Marc-Eduard Vlasic was interviewed by Winnipeg native and good guy Scott Oake and ended up asking him to autograph his HNiC towel. Score effects took effect and the Kings scored 3 in the third to make things tight. Brent Burns iced the game with an empty netter. Game 2 goes Sunday at 9:00 CST on CBC. San Jose Sharks lead the series 1-0
What was Learned
Katie Strang talks about the difference a year makes in the case of Brad Richards.
Scott Powers has a brief summary of the STL/CHI game.
Michael Russo paints a vivid picture of the game that may have gotten ignored by some in MIN/COL.
Kevin Kurz examines the insanity that was SJS/LA.
Bonus LA/SJS analysis from Jonathan Willis who analyzes the struggles of an aging Robyn Regehr.
Winnipeg Jets Links
Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun expands on the shock that was the guaranteed return of Ondrej Pavelec.
Mark Chipman talked all things Jets, including his confidence in Cheveldayoff.
Gary Lawless tries to tell everyone that Chevy has a plan and to remain calm. I, for one, am never calm.
Garret summarizes the second round for the Winnipeg Jets prospects.
Around the League
Corey Sznajder is looking for donations as he is publishing all of his zone entry data. If this is of interest to you, donate.
Tyler Dellow delves into the mystery that is the Anaheim Ducks and their regular season success.
Chris Boyle breaks down why Crosby is better than Toews and what makes Stamkos dangerous.
And Bruce Arthur takes a less analytical look at the magic man.
Mike Sanderson shares the thoughts of two former goalies of Patrick Roy's from his junior coaching days.
Fear the Fin compares the goaltending match up in the Los Angeles/San Jose series. Features a cool chart.
Pavelecian Goalie of the Night: Jonathan Quick with 5 goals on 28 shots and the ability to look like he is always swimming in net.
