Oh my, oh my! If you have missed the first week of the NHL playoffs there is still good news for you: it’s only week one, and the games are actually going to get better. If you though that there was parity in last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs, this year is doing it’s best to repeat that.
Throw the seedings and even home ice out the window, because almost every game this week could have gone either way. Heading into the first weekend of the postseason, only the Chicago Blackhawks San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues have won their first two games.
The largest margin of victory in any game was a 5-0 whitewash by Pittsburgh over the New York Islanders. The 8th seeded Islanders responded in Game 2 with a 4-3 win to take over home ice from the top seeded Penguins. Close games are typical of the playoffs, and this first week has been no exception.
The intensity through the first couple of games in each series is so tangible that you expect a full scale brawl to break out any minute. With so much at stake though, players go right up to the edge and try to keep their cool. Fights in playoff hockey aren’t unheard of, but they are the exception and not the norm. Every second counts, and with the subjectivity of referees, nobody wants to risk putting their team at a disadvantage.
Here’s a brief recap of each conference and series.
Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders—Series tied 1-1
Who would have thought that the return of Sidney Crosby would result in a Penguin home loss? The Islanders came out on fire Friday night, looking to show that they weren’t afraid of the Penguins and wouldn’t back down from the challenge. Crosby scored twice, but some shaky goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury cost them home ice as the series heads to Long Island.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Ottawa Senators—Series tied 1-1
The Senators came out like a team possessed in Game 1. A cheap shot from Ottawa’s Eric Gryba on Lars Eller clouded an otherwise brilliant night for the Senators. Craig Anderson outplayed Carey Price in goal as the Sens took home ice away in Game 1. The Canadiens rallied in the second game Friday night to even the series, but they’ll need to win in Ottawa to stay alive.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers—Washington leads 2-0
The goaltending rematch between Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby lived up to the hype in Game 1. The Holtby won this round with a 35 save performance and the Caps got some clutch scoring from Alexander Ovechkin (who else?), Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera. Game 2 Saturday afternoon saw Holtby and Lundqvist steal the show again. While Lundqvist was arguably more spectacular, Mike Green ended a scoreless overtime game to sweep the games in Washington.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs—Series Tied 1-1
Game 1 was a bit of a dud after all of the hype leading up to the Original Six matchup between the two fabled franchises. Toronto looked every bit like a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs in nine years while Boston got some timely scoring from David Krejci and great team defense that only allowed 20 Toronto shots. There was a much better effort from the Leafs in Game 2 Saturday night as Toronto evened the series with a 4-2 triumph. Joffrey Lupul scored twice and former Bruin Phil "The Thrill" Kessel scored on a breakaway early in the third. Goaltender James Reimer was much better Saturday night, stopping 39 of 41 shots. On to Toronto Monday night. Think Maple Leaf Gardens will be pumped up?
Western Conference
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild—Chicago leads 2-0
The Wild have been hurt by playing without arguably their best player in goaltender Niklas Backstrom. His replacement, Josh Harding has played well, but unless Minnesota can generate some offense, this series will be over before it comes back to Chicago for Game 5. The Blackhawks are loaded for sure, but I expected Minnesota to push them a little harder than they have.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings—Ducks Lead 2-1
In what may have been the game of the week, Detroit looked like they were going to run the Ducks out of their own building on Thursday night. Leading 4-1 in the third period, the Red Wings let three goals in to force overtime. Gustav Nyquist bailed out the Wings collapse sending Detroit back to Hockeytown with home ice in tow. Unfortunately the Jekyll/Hyde Red Wings played with the inconsistency that has plagued them all season. Jonathan Hiller slammed the Duck goal shut in Game 3 for a 4-0 Duck's whitewashing. The Ducks outshot, out-hit and generally out hustled a Detroit team that seemed to be patting itself on the back for winning Game 2. The series is far from over and I expect a better effort from the Wings in Game 4.
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks—San Jose leads 2-0
Apparently Cory Schneider was more seriously injured than had been reported because Roberto Luongo has started the first two games of the series. Luongo was solid in Game 1, but his team was flat. The Canucks are playing some conspicuously flat hockey and are making the Sharks look really, really good. San Jose has the potential to beat anyone on any given night, but the Canucks have looked old and tired through the first two games. Game 2 went to overtime after Patrick Marleau defied logic and scored a clutch goal. Raffi Torres scored the winner in the extra period and the series heads to the Bay Area with the Sharks in command two games to none.
St. Louis Blues vs. Los Angeles Kings—St. Louis leads 2-1
I expected a better effort from Los Angeles, who looked ready to defend their Stanley Cup in the final weeks of the regular season. St. Louis won the first two games by identical 2-1 scores in typical Ken Hitchcock fashion. Limit the shots and offensive chances of your opponent, while capitalizing on the counter attack. A misplayed puck gifted the first game, but the Kings a have no excuse for their lackluster effort in Game 2. There was more outstanding goaltending in Game 3 as the Kings and Blues beat the crap out of each other (92 hits combined) and put an embargo on scoring. Jonathan Quick showed some Conn Smythe flashes with a 1-0 shutout over his adversary in the St. Louis net, Brian Elliott. With goals in short supply, this series will come down to which goaltender stays the hottest.