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To continue on trend, I will keep you all posted with my thoughts on the games which I’ve watched so far, for those who are interested in reading.
With respect to the Calgary Flames, I am slowly putting together some prospect/draft blogs for you to read over the summer months. I intend on writing a blog per player, with my thoughts/comments/analysis of each, that way when the 2014 NHL draft comes around, we will have a much better idea of what Calgary’s true needs will be, and who are consequently the most interesting draft choices.
Last night I bounced back between the Blues/Hawks and the Ducks/Stars games. It’s hard to really say that one series has been much better than another when it comes down to playoffs hockey – they all seem to offer their own level of in-game excitement.
With the Blues up two games to nil on the Hawks, it was expected that the former Cup Champs would step up their game and put on a show. The game, just like most of late, was really chippy, plenty of hits, and the right amount of “after the whistle… conflicts. Given the way the last game transpired with a few “illegal… checks, last night’s game would see a few revenge hits.
With respect to the Ducks and Wild game, it was equally fast and furious. Both teams were looking for those extra hits, there was some pretty puck movement by Dallas, and the Ducks simply could not get control of the puck long enough to get one past Karri Lehtonen.
Stopping all 37 shots on net, Lehtonen had one of the best games I have ever witnessed. Without topnotch goaltending like that, it’s really tough for any team to out-chance a playoff opponent.
"It was unbelievable. That's Kari at his best," Benn said. "He made some big saves at key times and kept us in the game and pretty much won that game for us."
Star’s forward Trevor Daley had a few exchanges throughout the game with Ryan Getzlaf which would eventually get under Ryan’s skin. Daley standing at 5’11 and 198lbs certainly doesn’t measure nose to nose with Getzlaf who stands at 6’4 221lbs, but that didn’t stop him once – this is playoffs hockey, after all.
"We look to shut them down, you know to get under their skin," Daley said.
The larger scrum between the two would come at the end of the 2nd period when Antoine Roussel would get a punch or two to the face of Getzlaf who was sporting a jaw visor after taking a puck to the face on Sunday.
"I'm pretty sure if you watch the scrums, our guys got punched in the face a few times," Lindy Ruff said. "Eventually you're going to punch back. For us, we know we've got a good skating team and I think that we can frustrate."
And that is exactly what the Stars will need to do if they want to even out the series on Wednesday night. I had predicted that Anaheim should have no problem rolling through the Stars given their overall depth and physicality, but if the Stars can continue to play as they did last night, this series could be much closer than most anticipated.
In order to keep everyone involved in the playoff hockey conversations, I’d like to open the discussions to your most memorable/favorite playoff hockey moment. Whether that be a moment shared with someone at a live game, watching with friends and family on the TV at home, or what have you.
So – what is your most memorable playoff hockey moment!?