What a crazy first seven days in the NHL Playoffs it has been. Close games, lots of controversy, and a couple of surprising sweeps potentially to be completed tonight have made this one of the most memorable first-rounds in NHL Playoff history.
We all know close games are bound to happen in the post-season, but this year has been exceptionally close. As of today (Wednesday April 18th), there have been 25 games played in the post-season, and only two of them have been decided by more than two goals, both coming in the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series (8-5 and 8-4 wins for Philadelphia). 16 of the games have been one-goal differences, 8 games have gone into overtime, and there have been three 1-0 shutout victories.
Along with these close games have come a plethora of controversial plays and what appears to be a stiff increase in penalties.
Take into consideration that in the regular season there was an average of 22.4 penalty minutes a game, while in the first 25 games of the playoffs, that number has increased to 34.6 penalty minutes a game. There have been 24 major penalties, 10 misconducts, 11 game misconducts and a pair of match penalties. All that’s missing is the partridge in the pear tree and you complete the image of a circus that has come to symbolize this first round.
16 games have been handed out in suspensions by the NHL’s Brendan Shanahan, but it’s a common sentiment that even this is becoming a joke; take for example the incidents in the New York Rangers-Ottawa Senators game from Saturday night. Matt Carkner of the Sens landed a series of punches on a hapless Brian Boyle, who didn’t drop his own gloves to defend himself. Carkner gets one game.
In that same game, Chris Phillips of the Sens lands what appeared to be an unintentional elbow on Ryan Callahan behind the Ottawa net. No penalty, no suspension.
Still in that game, Carl Hagelin elbows Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson, and earns a three-game suspension. Justice has been served, right Shanny?
Also on Saturday (Saturday was just a crazy night), a brawl erupted at the final buzzer of the St Louis-San Jose game, and during that brawl Roman Polak of the Blues and Dominic Moore of the Sharks got into a tussle. Polak had Moore down on the ice, and one of the linesmen was in between them, trying to separate the two of them (Polak has nearly 50 lbs in weight on Moore). Polak, undeterred, took a sucker punch swipe at the defenceless Moore, breaking the Sharks’ forward’s nose in the process. No suspension. Justice once again serves the righteous.
On Saturday night alone, I counted a total of five elbows to the head (2 in Ottawa-New York, 2 in San Jose-St Louis, and 1 in Phoenix-Chicago). Of these five incidents, only two merited hearings, resulting in Hagelin’s suspension and a similar three-game suspension for Chicago’s Andrew Shaw.
Shanahan, who started out his first campaign as the suspension dealer ruling with an iron fist, handing out nine suspensions (60 games in suspensions) in the pre-season alone. Yes, he’s had to give out some suspensions already in the playoffs, but he’s become very inconsistent with his suspensions.
With all that out of the way, here’s a short glance at each series as they stand before Wednesday’s matchups.
Note: in listing the game results, the higher-ranking team appears first in the scores.
New York Rangers (1) vs Ottawa Senators (8) (NYR lead 2-1)
Game 1: 4-2, Game 2: 2-3 (OT), Game 3: 1-0
Already this series has been closer than most have expected, with the high-flying Rangers disappointing in a way through the first three games. If it wasn’t for Henrik Lundqvist’s exceptional play between the pipes in game three, Ottawa would have been the one ahead 2-1 in the series. Ottawa’s tough, gritty play in game two was the difference in the Sens’ victory, and it is vital that they find that toughness again tonight in game four to avoid being put on the brink of elimination.
Jason Spezza needs to be better for Ottawa, as he was nonexistent in game three, and Sergei Gonchar needs to really step his game up. Most of the Rangers’ goals in the series have come off of horrendous defensive efforts (or lack thereof) on his part. The afore-mentioned Brian Boyle has been the series difference-maker offensively, scoring in all three games including the only goal in game three. Think he has many fans in Ottawa?
Boston Bruins (2) vs Washington Capitals (3) (Bos lead 2-1)
Game 1: 1-0 (OT), Game 2: 1-2 (2OT), Game 3: 4-3
The story of this series has been the play of Braden Holtby in net for Washington. Through the first two games (including an overtime in game one and double overtime in game two), Holtby only allowed two Boston goals before the Bruins were able to really solve him in game three. The Lloydminster native has had improved help up front, as after being stymied in the first game and struggling in the second, they found their groove in game three with a couple of nice goals. Milan Lucic continues to be a difference maker, whether you love him or hate him, and same goes for Bruins netminder Tim Thomas. If these two continue to play the way they’re playing, it looks like they’ll carry the Bruins into the second round.
This has been one of the lesser-penalized series, with only 66 penalty minutes combined (five teams have more penalty minutes on their own), but don’t let that fool you. This series is just as intense and just as hard-fought. If Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich can continue to work their chemistry, this series could go a lot longer than people might have predicted.
Florida Panthers (3) vs New Jersey Devils (6) (Fla leads 2-1)
Game 1: 2-3, Game 2: 4-2, Game 3: 4-3
This series is otherwise known as “the series which nobody really cares about but is kind of interested in anyway but still won’t watch it.” Despite the low billing, this series is still one that could realistically go either way. Florida took the series lead after overcoming a 3-0 first period deficit in game three, after almost overcoming the same deficit in game one. In addition, New Jersey in game two almost overcame a 3-0 deficit before falling 4-2.
Good goaltending at both ends by both teams’ backup goalies in game three (both starters were pulled after allowing three goals) complements the strong goaltending provided by the starters in games one and two, while the scoring has been relatively balanced. Florida’s Sean Bergenheim leads the series with two goals and two assists for four points. His offensive skill was huge in advancing Tampa Bay to the Eastern Conference Final last season, and Florida will be relying on him again if they hope to advance to the second round.
Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs Philadelphia Flyers (5) (Phi leads 3-0)
Game 1: 3-4 (OT), Game 2: 5-8, Game 3: 4-8
This series has had literally everything. Ok, not literally, there has been no partridge in a pear tree, but at this point one of those appearing in the series wouldn’t surprise me. Pittsburgh has already received more game misconducts in this series (two) than in the entire regular season combined (one) and have gone from 10.7 penalty minutes per game in the regular season to 32.3 in the playoffs. They have also lost more games to suspension (six) than they did in the regular season (five). This complete lack of composure and discipline has really been their demise, along with poor goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury. Not to be outdone, but less in the bullseye, is Flyers’ netminder Ilya Bryzgalov, who has made some of the best saves of the playoffs, but has by no means played well for a full game yet.
The penalty-filled series, while at 3-0, might yet be far from over. However, Sidney Crosby and his Penguins have got to reel in their emotions and remember what discipline is; for the twelfth least-penalized team in the league during the regular season, they shouldn’t have forgotten that quickly what it’s like to play a discipline game. Easier said than done, especially when going up against Scott Hartnell and the rest of the Flyers, none of whom Crosby likes according to his post-game interview after game three. Whatever happens, the final one to four games of the series will be exciting to watch and will likely continue on its physical, nasty path to the second round.
Vancouver Canucks (1) vs Los Angeles Kings (8) (LA lead 3-0)
Game 1: 2-4, Game 2: 4-2, Game 3: 1-0
I don’t want to be that guy who says it, but isn’t it strange that the closest game of the series happened with Cory Schneider in goal for Vancouver? With Roberto Luongo in goal for games one and two, the Canucks struggled to get anything going for them. Not to attribute their imminent demise to one player, because Luongo has only been one ailment in the big picture. Three shorthanded goals in the first two games by Los Angeles were brutal blows in those games, and again not to attribute failures on one player, but the absence of Daniel Sedin has severely hurt the Canucks, especially on the powerplay. With such a top—heavy powerplay, and such a big drop-off between their first and second units, it’s no wonder they’re struggling. It also hasn’t helped that Vancouver seem more concerned with what they say between the play or after games than what they do during the play itself.
Jonathan Quick has been marvelous in goal for the Kings, and he has had lots of help up front, with Dustin Brown emerging as the leader on the ice for the underdogs. Drew Doughty hasn’t been anything overly special on the back end, but looks like he is starting to re-discover the form that earned him rave reviews at the 2010 Olympics. This one will be over quickly, as many predicted; the only problem is that for many predictors, it’s the wrong team who will be winning this series.
St Louis Blues (2) vs San Jose Sharks (7) (StL lead 2-1)
Game 1: 2-3 (OT), Game 2: 3-0, Game 3: 4-3
I thought going into the playoffs that this would be the most fun series of the eight to watch, and it has not disappointed. With two very big, physically imposing teams going at it, it’s also had a little bit of everything. After Jaroslav Halak got injured in game two, Brian Elliott has stepped in admirably, keeping the two-headed monster in goal alive for St Louis. The play of St Louis’s centres is crucial to their success, and their top three have been spectacular. David Backes, Patrik Berglund and Jason Arnott have combined for five goals, and have been the strong point for the Blues in the series. Their mantra all season has been strong defensive play and a balanced scoring attack, and they’re showing it off through the first three games.
For San Jose, they need to break out of their offensive struggles soon if they have any hope of advancing. Many thought they might flourish in an underdog role, with less pressure on them in the postseason, but so far they have underachieved, especially when it comes to their star players like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. None of these players have found the back of the net in the series, which will have to change if the Sharks want to take a bite out of St Louis. Otherwise San Jose will be singing the Blues for the off-season (yes, those were intentional puns).
Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs Chicago Blackhawks (6) (Phx lead 2-1)
Game 1: 3-2 (OT), Game 2: 3-4 (OT), Game 3: 3-2 (OT)
No, those aren’t typos above, all three games in this series have needed more than 60 minutes to decide the winner. This shows how close the series is, and how close it could continue to be. Chicago fans have to be concerned with Corey Crawford’s confidence after the weak goal he allowed which gave Phoenix the win in game three, while at the other end of the ice Mike Smith has been sharp for the Coyotes. Both team’s best players have been their best players, and the supporting cast has been just as good throughout the first three games.
It’s going to be an interesting next couple of games in the series, as they wrap up in Chicago and move back to Phoenix. The intensity of the series hit a new level on Tuesday night, as Crawford and Smith had a staredown after the second period, and Raffi Torres leveled Marian Hossa, sending the Hawks winger to the hospital. Torres has been suspended indefinitely for the hit, and will have a hearing on Friday to determine his future. His absence, along with revenge in the mind of the Blackhawks, could be a spark to a Chicago team which is also looking to take advantage of an underdog role.
Nashville Predators (4) vs Detroit Red Wings (5) (Nsh lead 3-1)
Game 1: 3-2, Game 2: 2-3, Game 3: 3-2, Game 4: 3-1
The only series past three games at this point is the only one in which it is the goalie who is stealing the series for his team. Nothing against Nashville’s offence, which has produced when needed, but Nashville really had no business winning game four, being outshot 41-17 and spending much of the game chasing Detroit around in their own end. Pekka Rinne has been simply unbelievable for the Preds, making several spectacular saves and providing the people in the Music City a legitimate hope of a deep Cup run. With the series shifting back to Smashville for game five, it is going to be an intense and awesome environment as the Preds look to end the series and avoid another trip to Hockeytown.
Kevin Klein has stepped up from the back end to provide the Predators with some offence, scoring in the last two games, and David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque have been steady contributors in the series as well. Detroit needs better goaltending from Jimmy Howard, who found himself out of position on a couple of Nashville goals. He could also benefit from some help in front of him, as several times Nashville’s skaters have been either unimpeded in on goal or have been wide open in the scoring areas in the slot. Rinne definitely gives Nashville an edge, and with home ice in the next game it would not be surprising to see the series end in five games.
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