Game one in Detroit was very close and if it weren’t for the Red Wings’ goal in the last minute of the 3rd, it would have gone into overtime. The Ducks knocked the Presidents’ Trophy winning Sharks out of the playoffs. Still, everyone seemed to be acting like it was surprising and the Ducks didn’t really belong. After today’s win in Detroit in the 3rd overtime, will the Ducks be treated like they belong? There has been a lot of talk about Osgood not getting the respect he deserves. That may have been true in many past playoffs, but this season he was near the bottom in save percentage and goals against average. Sure, he won a lot of games, but that was because of the team in front of him, for the most part. The idea that the Ducks aren’t getting enough respect doesn’t even seem to cross the minds of those broadcasting the NHL playoffs nationally. My guess is that this is because of the fact that the Ducks are on the west coast, so they’re still an enigma. Most east coast broadcasters don’t seem to watch the Ducks’ regular season games (in spite of the fact that they’re not always at night on the west coast. They won the Stanley Cup two years ago, but still get very little credit I don’t think beating the Red Wings in game 2 will change that, but perhaps some will start to realize that the Ducks’ knocking the Sharks out wasn’t a fluke and didn’t surprise those of us who saw both teams a lot in April.

I expected this series to be one of the best (if not the best) in round 2 and that’s definitely proven to be the case so far. The first game was decided by one goal in the last minute of the game and the second was decided in the 3rd overtime. If you haven’t been paying attention to this series, you might want to start.

In other great news, NBC did NOT kick the game off the network (as it did for horse racing a couple years ago). The entire game aired on NBC.

The series is tied as the Ducks head home to Anaheim for game 3 on Tuesday. FSN is airing the game in HD, so Ducks’ fans unable to make it to the game will still be able to see it in high quality.

Kat

Contact Kat

To read more of my thoughts on the NHL and other sports, check out Press Box Perspective.

Join the Discussion: Chat Room » Message Board »

» What a Difference a Year Makes

» Canadiens Swept Through Southern California

» Team USA isn’t THAT Surprising

» My First Winter Olympics

» Kings Start Olympic Break in Style