9pm EDT
The 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs have begun.
The NHL has been boiled down. The regular season has 10 - 15 games each night. The first round of the playoffs will have four games each night. That's about the same as the Olympics.
Playoff intensity makes each game a cliff-hanger. Tonight's four match-ups are Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa, New Jersey vs. Philadelphia, Detroit vs. Phoenix and Colorado vs. San Jose. Two contests in each Conference.
Playoff intensity makes each game a cliff-hanger. Tonight's four match-ups are Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa, New Jersey vs. Philadelphia, Detroit vs. Phoenix and Colorado vs. San Jose. Two contests in each Conference.
Western games start after 10pm Eastern time. San Jose has home ice, and game start is 7:30pm PDT. So fans in the east can have 6 hours of uninterrupted fun (or longer, if the games go into overtime).
Playoff games do not have shootouts. Teams play until overtime ends with sudden death finishes. In the modern era, games have gone to 5 overtime periods (Philly vs Pittsburgh on May 4, 2000). Farther back in history, the Montreal Maroons lost to the Detroit Red Wings in 6 overtime periods, after 116:30 of overtime play. That happened on March 24, 1936. The Maroons played in the NHL from 1924 to 1938.
Anything can happen on a sheet of ice. Each team has a story. Will heavy favorites like Pittsburgh, San Jose make it out of the first round? Did the Devils draw a tougher opponent by finishing in 2nd place and drawing the Flyers as an opponent? The Flyers certainly had the Devils number during the regular season.
Last year at this time (or maybe two weeks later), the Devils had low or no expectations. Their coach, Brent Sutter, left under a cloud. A demoralizing loss to Carolina left bitter feelings.The hot backup goaltender, Scott Clemensen, departed for greener pastures. A search for a new coach, and summer free agency negotiations loomed as huge uncertainties.
Then, somehow, Lou Lamoriello managed to pull a rabbit out of his hat again. A new coach and coaching staff with four (count 'em) Stanley Cup champions among them came onboard. A strengthened defensive corps allowed the fewest goals in the entire NHL. And a mid-season trade for Ilya Kovalchuk added an element to the offense, creating two dangerous lines.
Then, somehow, Lou Lamoriello managed to pull a rabbit out of his hat again. A new coach and coaching staff with four (count 'em) Stanley Cup champions among them came onboard. A strengthened defensive corps allowed the fewest goals in the entire NHL. And a mid-season trade for Ilya Kovalchuk added an element to the offense, creating two dangerous lines.
Right now, #5 Ottawa is leading #4 defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh. Canada vs. USA all over again (OK, Sid the Kid comes from CA but plays for PA). In the 2nd period, the Flyers are leading 2 - 0. Upsets happen, and results will be known in about an hour.
Hockey Rules!
Post Script. 10pm.
Pittsburgh beaten by Ottawa 4 - 5. Devils defeated by Philadelphia 1 - 2. Both of my favorite teams come up short. The underdogs are on top. The story of the Devils' game was Brian Boucher, the Flyer's hot goaltender. The same guy who stonewalled the NY Rangers in the last regular season game. Including the regular season, the Flyers have now beaten New Jersey six out of the last seven games. Will their streak continue? Look for a red hot game in Newark on Friday night.
Hockey Rules!
Post Script. 10pm.
Pittsburgh beaten by Ottawa 4 - 5. Devils defeated by Philadelphia 1 - 2. Both of my favorite teams come up short. The underdogs are on top. The story of the Devils' game was Brian Boucher, the Flyer's hot goaltender. The same guy who stonewalled the NY Rangers in the last regular season game. Including the regular season, the Flyers have now beaten New Jersey six out of the last seven games. Will their streak continue? Look for a red hot game in Newark on Friday night.
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