With Wednesday came the beginning of one of the best times in sports in my opinion, with the Stanley Cup playoffs finally kicking off. The first game to start the playoffs was a match up between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers made their way into the post season by beating the New York Rangers in a win and in scenario match. Philadelphia carried their momentum from the end of the regular season into this game as they beat the Devils 2-1 in New Jersey to take a 1-0 series lead with game 2 scheduled for today. While the Devils vs Flyers game was going on, the series between the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins also began. Pittsburgh’s goalie Marc-Andre Fleury looked very shaky in this game, despite the solid offensive effort by Evgeni Malkin, as home team Pittsburgh fell to the visiting Senators 5-4, as Ottawa took the 1-0 series lead.
Next up the Phoenix Coyotes took on the Detroit Red Wings in what is probably my favorite match up in this first round. Everyone in Glendale showed up for this one as the entire arena was experiencing a “white out,” due to all the fans decked out in their white Coyotes’ shirts and towels. Fueled by their home crowd and a strong power play that went 3-4, the Coyotes were able to stun the veteran Detroit team 3-2, as Phoenix went up 1-0 in this series.
The Night cap for Wednesday featured our Avs as they took on the top seeded San Jose Sharks in San Jose. From the get go the game seemed to be going the way of a defensive battle, and in fact that is what it would turn out to be. The Avs jumped up on the board first with a power play goal by John-Michael Liles. The Avs would take that lead into the 3rd period, however San Jose would answer with a re-directed shot that slip past Anderson to even the score at 1. The game would continue to be a defensive battle, with an inevitable over time coming up until Chris Stewart launches a shot at the net from the corner of the boards. Take a look for yourself.
After the goal watching the goal closely, you can see that Stewart’s shot at the net bounces off former Avs Defender Rob Blake’s skate and past Evgeni Nabokov for the game winner. The Avs fought hard and tough all through out this game and in the end they deservingly came out winners. Look for the Avs to keep up the same level of intensity in game 2, which will be played tonight at 8:30.
Thursday’s games began with the top team the Washington Capitals taking on the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal played surprisingly great defense this game as they held the Caps to just two goals, but an even more impressive stat is that they held the Great Alex Ovechkin to 0 shots as they shocked Washington before a sell out crowd in OT, winning the game 3-2 and taking a 1-0 series lead. In the final series out East, Buffalo was able to win on home ice behind the always stellar play of goalie Ryan Miller as they defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 to take a 1-0 lead in that series. In late night action on Thursday night, the Vancouver Canucks opened their series against the Los Angeles Kings in Vancouver. I watched this entire game, and let me just tell you that if you are looking for hits and bad blood to be brewing, then this series is for you. All game these teams were at each other’s throats, and im sure it is bound to continue as the series goes on. Both teams had great opportunities in OT, and at one point it seemed as though LA had won game 1, had it not been for the amazing glove swipe of Roberto Luongo to save the game. However, it would be the home team Canucks that would walk away winners in this one as Samuelsson’s one timer blast flew past LA goalie Jonathon Quick’s glove for the victory. The only other series to have not started yet is the Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators matchup which kicks off tonight. The Playoffs are only two days old, but already it is gearing up to be a great one. Stay tuned everyone.
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Playoff hockey is indeed the best time of the year. There is always something good on TV, well at night at least. The playoffs have been so exciting this year. I can’t believe how the Avs game ended on Sunday. It was crazy, but hey, I’ll take it. It just might break their spirits or it’ll make them work harder.
I’m loving the Red Wings/Coyotes series. It is so much fun to watch.
The Caps have taken over after those first two bad games. I think they are just gonna roll through the rest of the series.