Here we go with Day 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs recap post! There was a lot of action yesterday as four series started; the only one yet to start is Boston vs. Detroit, which not coincidentally will begin later today. In addition to the recaps I just wanted to look at a trend that appears to be developing that we may want to keep our eyes on.
First, though, we have Philadelphia vs. the NY Rangers.
This game really hinged on two things: a double-minor penalty for high sticking, and the performance of Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers put up three goals in the third period to take control of the game. They won 4-1. More on Lundqvist in just a bit.
Next, Chicago vs. St. Louis.
I didn't really have much to say about the first game because not much happened. However, the rest of them were ...well, just a bit more interesting.
This one went into a whopping three overtime periods! Now, unlike the regular season, there's no five-minute overtime plus shootout in case of a tie. That's child's play, apparently (although the shootout may well have decided a couple of playoff spots) because in the playoffs the overtime period is 20 minutes long. Basically, it's another period, just like in the NFL. However, despite being sudden death, there is no tie scenario in place. Instead, they keep playing until there's a winner.
And last night, we saw Alexander Steen put one in the goal a mere :26 into the third OT. It wasn't a lucky break either, but the result of solid passing from a couple other guys on the Blues' top line.
What is disappointing for Blackhawks' fans, obviously, is coming out of the 1st period with a 3-2 lead and not holding it. Also, the Blackhawks didn't score after the first. That could also be considered troublesome.
Another OT game, this time Minnesota vs. Colorado.
This just in, Paul Stastny is really good.
It's not a surprise to me. He put in a goal with seconds remaining in the third period to take the game to OT. And in OT, what else did Stastny do but win the damn thing? I like the Avalanche as a team; I think they've got a solid group of players and coach Patrick Roy not only has championship experience, he's got a seat-of-his-pants style that really lends itself to producing exciting hockey.
Now, I wouldn't pull my goalie with three minutes left in the game. But Roy isn't afraid of doing something unexpected or out of the ordinary like that. And what do you know, it worked out for him and the team.
Maybe tactics like that will come back to bite him in the ass. But I doubt it'll be this season. And hopefully people will stop the talk about the Avs being "fortunate" or whatever. This is far from the case. Even in a game where they looked dead in the water (and they probably did look like that in the 2nd period to many observers), they somehow managed to get the game tied up and sent it to OT.
I will say that I'm surprised that Minnesota put up four goals in this one. Despite having some really solid scoring threats, they're not usually this good on offense. I didn't expect them to have much success against Varlamov in particular. So this might cause me to adjust my expectations slightly. Still, I think the Avalanche are good to win this series in 6.
Finally, Los Angeles vs. San Jose.
In this matchup, we have a team in LA that is spectacular on defense but has trouble scoring on occasion. There's also a Sharks team that has been hard-pressed to get far in the playoffs. I think both of these notions are overplayed to a certain degree. I think people have made too much of the Kings based on past performance. And it looks like this year's version of the Sharks is ready to do some damage.
The goals were spread around and Joe Pavelski didn't score, which can only bode well for the Sharks. If they're winning without him taking over the game, I'd say they're damn near unstoppable. Pavelski is a very good player who was among the leaders in goals and points this season.
The Sharks came out on fire, apparently, scoring three in the first and two more in the second period. Much ballyhooed LA goalie Jonathan Quick was pulled as a result. I don't expect that to happen again in the series, but I won't be surprised if San Jose wins it. I think they can do it in 6.
I mentioned above that I was looking at a trend that may be developing. Truth be told, I was trying to find something to talk about in this entry aside from the results of the games. And maybe I've found something.
At any rate, seven of the eight first round series have played one game. Now, this isn't much of a sample size, to be sure. Thus far, the only team to score fewer than three goals in their opening game is the Philadelphia Flyers. What this means is that Henrik Lundqvist is the only guy to hold the opposing team to fewer than three goals. True, he only faced 15 shots against the Flyers (and really, that seems like a typo), allowing one goal. But he's the only goalie whose stats look anything like his regular season performance. Lundqvist was plenty stingy in the regular season too, especially down the stretch.
Usually, the offensive side of the game is rather limited. I have to say that I'm surprised by all the scoring in the first seven games of the postseason so far. It'll probably even out, but if the goalies continue to perform like this, it'll be more exciting, sure, but it'll also be tough on their teams. So far, few leads are safe and comeback attempts are proving successful. But even when the comeback doesn't succeed, you've got goalies giving up three goals late and making what looks like a surefire win turn into a bit of a nail-biter.
It's probably nothing at this point, but certainly something to keep an eye on.
Later today (Friday), the Bruins and Red Wings get started. Plus, Game 2 in Tampa and Anaheim. I'll be back here early Saturday to wrap it up.
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