Ottawa over Pittsburgh. Philadelphia over New Jersey. #8 Colorado whips #1 San Jose. Three upsets on Wednesday night. Only one expected result - Phoenix beat Detroit. Scroll forward one day. What's happening tonight?
#8 Montreal and #1 Washington went into overtime tonight (on the strength of a Brian Gionta - Scott Gomez offensive rush score). The story of the Montreal-Washington series may be the goalies. Jaroslav Halak, backstopping Montreal, kept Slovakia in the Olympic games, beat the Russians and finished fourth behind Finland.
Jose Theodore, ex-Canadien, has something to prove for the Capitals. Theodore has played hot and cold during his career - dealt by the Habs in 2006 to the Avalanche and then to Washington this year. He suffered the loss of an infant son over the summer.
Bruce Boudreau (Washington's coach, born in Toronto) says Theodore is his #1 goalie. But the questions remain. Which Theodore will show up? Washington has Semyon Varlamov, star of the Caps' 2009 playoff run (until the SC final game 7), waiting on the bench.
Bruce Boudreau (Washington's coach, born in Toronto) says Theodore is his #1 goalie. But the questions remain. Which Theodore will show up? Washington has Semyon Varlamov, star of the Caps' 2009 playoff run (until the SC final game 7), waiting on the bench.
10:10pm. At 13:19 of overtime, Montreal scores on Theodore. Another #8 team upset. The Habs' magic, the ghosts of the past, are floating around the Verizon Center. The Theodore dealt by the Habs in 2006 has just helped his former team to a road win. Home ice advantage erased. Will the Caps be able to win in Montreal? They'll have to, if they want to make the next round of the playoffs.
This is playoff hockey. Teams are more equal than the regular season standings indicate.
Hockey Rules.
Hockey Rules.
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