I know these decisions are made far in advance, but again today, wouldn't it be nice to be able to watch the Ducks and the Hawks after the Canada/Russia Battle? I, for one, am a big believer in the Stanley Cup Final games and Stanley Cup Conference Finals being played at night. Besides just wanting to hang out with your family on beautiful spring days, there is just more excitement to evening games. It's what the players are used to, and it's part of their routine, to get up, have a good morning skate, take a nap, and get back to the arena.
I suppose no one knew that today's gold medal game would be a Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin classic, and maybe next year NBC will give more credence to this tournament. In many ways today's game is the game we never got to see in Sochi and it's a very safe bet that today's Gold medal game will out-perform game one of the Western Conference finals.
If nothing else, this is a day for TSN to get their revenge after losing the hockey contract to Sportsnet last year. And I am sure Sportsnet in letting the NHL know about it. He said while holding the Duct tape (don't get the reference? Watch the Buzzcast, M-F at 1pm.)
Team USA takes home hardware.
So before getting into the Ducks and Hawks preview, I need to give a big hat tip to team USA who just defeated the host Czech Republic team 3-0 in the Bronze medal game. The fact that this team medaled in this tournament is truly remarkable playing with nine non-NHL players and being led by an AHL goalie.
Jack Eichel had an amazing tournament for Team USA and anyone who feels Connor McDavid is an absolute sure thing to have a better NHL career, I can honestly say I don't think we know. The Oilers will have to take Connor McDavid obviously. But if I'm Buffalo, I'm not feeling so bad right now and I am not sure I would trade for that top pick right now. Time will tell on this one...that much is certain. The debate will always be there, and these players are destined to push each other for years to come in the NHL and in international play.
What do you think?
On the Ducks vs. the Hawks
The Stanley Cup Final, I mean the Western Conference Final, kicks off this afternoon and what a battle a we have in store. To this point the Ducks have faced easier competition in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean they haven't dominated all over the ice. This Hawks team may be the best version yet, and with the growing sense that major changes are on the horizon due to salary-cap issues, you have to expect this team to go all out.
The key to this series in my opinion is the Anaheim Ducks forecheck against the depleted Blackhawks defense that already doesn't love turning their back and getting hit...With Rozsival out, a lot will be put on Kimmo Timonen who has been limited to few minutes so far in the playoffs...I know many are saying he can't play big minutes, but he has been getting stronger and stronger in these playoffs and it was only a year ago he was playing tons of minutes in Philly and for Team Finland in Sochi.
The other key has to be in net for Anaheim. Andersen has been very good, at times spectacular, but he has yet to face any offense close to what he is about to face today.
I am not sure we've ever seen two more confident and two more rested teams face off in a Western Conference final before. Both of these teams believe they can score a goal whenever they need to. Getting a lead on either team, while important, is really to be viewed with caution.. Don't ever try to protect the lead against either team, you must keep going forward or they will catch you.
I have done back and forth on this on so many times, but I think at the end of day we will find ourselves in a game seven in overtime... and give me Patrick Kane in a game seven overtime.
Hawks in 7