The Boston Garden will be the center of the New England hockey world tonight as the Bruins will try one more time to eliminate the Buffalo Sabres from the Stanley Cup Tournament.
This series was and in most respects still is the Bruins to lose. After ripping off three straight wins to grab a 3-1 series lead, the Bruins lost 4-1 on Friday night in Buffalo.
Certainly no big surprise as the Sabres were considered by many to be the favorites to win this opening round series.
So now tonight's Game 6 at Boston Garden seems to be almost as much about who may or may not play as it is about who is playing.
Starting with the Bruins, all eyes will be on Marc Savard to see if he is indeed ready to resume his hockey career after a near career ending check by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke back on March 7..
Doctors must not only give Savard the go ahead to play, but he must also decide if it's worth coming back for the Bruins playoff run, or counting his blessings and taking the rest of the year off.
Savard's status will be evaluated following the team's pregame skate later this morning and a neuro-evaluation on Monday afternoon. Savard does not have clearence from doctors to play hockey ... yet.
Thomas Vanek and Lindy Ruff on Vanek's status for Game 6
The Buffalo Sabres also have a big question mark for tonight's Game 6. Will Thomas Vanek play in Game 6 tonight.
Vanek, the Sabres' leading goal scorer, hasn't played since injuring his left ankle in the first period of the second game of the series.
Take a close look at Vanek's face in the above video. He is clearly in pain, and even if he does play he will certainly not be the force he's been all season.
Showing posts with label Buffalo Sabres.U.S.Hockey team. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buffalo Sabres.U.S.Hockey team. Show all posts
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins Game 4 Preview "A Must Win For Buffalo"
The Boston Bruins have been able to come from behind, and now they have the lead in their first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Bruins took a 2-1 lead over the Sabres in the best-of-seven series, winning two straight despite allowing the first goal in all three games.
"Obviously, we want to have a better start than we’ve had the first three games," defenseman Matt Hunwick said. "But there’s no panic if we do go down a goal or two. We know if we stick to our game plan and keep plugging away a bit we’re going to have opportunities and eventually we’ll score."
Game 4 is tonight in Boston.
"We win that game, we’re back in our own building with momentum," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
The Bruins improved to 6-3 this season against Buffalo, which had 100 points to win the Northeast Division and earn a No. 3 seed in the playoffs. But on Monday night, Dennis Wideman scored and then assisted on Patrice Bergeron’s winner to help sixth-seeded Boston rally from another 1-0 deficit and steal home-ice advantage.
"Although we’ve been scored on first every game, we’ve stuck with our game plan. We haven’t panicked, we’ve played well and we’ve gotten ourselves back in the game," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "It’s certainly not
the situation we want to be in."
The offense-challenged Bruins -- they’ve scored the second-fewest goals in the league this year, and the fewest of any playoff team -- have been able to stay in games thanks to their goaltending. Tuukka Rask, who won the starting job from U.S. Olympic backup Tim Thomas, has allowed 14 goals in 10 games since March 27, losing just twice in regulation.
That’s allowed the Bruins to stay with Buffalo, which has U.S. Olympic starter Ryan Miller in net and was expected to have the goaltending advantage.
"There are a few goalies in this league that you know are going to keep their team in it every night and he is one of them. There is no sense getting frustrated at all," said Bruins forward Mark Recchi, who made the pass that set up Bergeron’s game-winner.
"We are making mistakes and we have Tuukka making huge saves for us. We have been in these close games for a long stretch now, and have been playing playoff hockey for over a month."
Buffalo has struggled to make up for the loss of top scorer Thomas Vanek, who had 28 goals in the regular season.
The Bruins took a 2-1 lead over the Sabres in the best-of-seven series, winning two straight despite allowing the first goal in all three games.
"Obviously, we want to have a better start than we’ve had the first three games," defenseman Matt Hunwick said. "But there’s no panic if we do go down a goal or two. We know if we stick to our game plan and keep plugging away a bit we’re going to have opportunities and eventually we’ll score."
Game 4 is tonight in Boston.
"We win that game, we’re back in our own building with momentum," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
The Bruins improved to 6-3 this season against Buffalo, which had 100 points to win the Northeast Division and earn a No. 3 seed in the playoffs. But on Monday night, Dennis Wideman scored and then assisted on Patrice Bergeron’s winner to help sixth-seeded Boston rally from another 1-0 deficit and steal home-ice advantage.
"Although we’ve been scored on first every game, we’ve stuck with our game plan. We haven’t panicked, we’ve played well and we’ve gotten ourselves back in the game," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "It’s certainly not
the situation we want to be in."
The offense-challenged Bruins -- they’ve scored the second-fewest goals in the league this year, and the fewest of any playoff team -- have been able to stay in games thanks to their goaltending. Tuukka Rask, who won the starting job from U.S. Olympic backup Tim Thomas, has allowed 14 goals in 10 games since March 27, losing just twice in regulation.
That’s allowed the Bruins to stay with Buffalo, which has U.S. Olympic starter Ryan Miller in net and was expected to have the goaltending advantage.
"There are a few goalies in this league that you know are going to keep their team in it every night and he is one of them. There is no sense getting frustrated at all," said Bruins forward Mark Recchi, who made the pass that set up Bergeron’s game-winner.
"We are making mistakes and we have Tuukka making huge saves for us. We have been in these close games for a long stretch now, and have been playing playoff hockey for over a month."
Buffalo has struggled to make up for the loss of top scorer Thomas Vanek, who had 28 goals in the regular season.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins Game 1 Preview
After a full 82 games composed of highs & lows, injuries & late additions, and joy & (mostly) anger, the Boston Bruins managed to do what some felt was impossible at some points during the season: make the playoffs. Despite scoring the second-fewest goals in the entire league (206 to squeeze by the Calgary Flames’ 204), the B’s clinched the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference to set up a first-round series against the Northeast-Division-winning Buffalo Sabres, a fairly well-known and – shockingly – favorable opponent.
Season Series Review
The Bruins and Sabres haven’t played against each other in the playoffs since 1999, when Buffalo won the series, but this season they faced each other six times over the course of the season, as division opponents always do, with Boston going 4-2-0 for eight out of a possible 12 points. Their most recent game was last week, when Dennis Wideman showed up to play in the Bruins’ 3-1 victory. Over the course of the teams’ six games, they combined for only 26 goals, which is hardly a surprise coming from two very defensively-minded teams with exceptional goaltending, and it is unlikely much will change in the playoffs.
Goaltending
This series will feature the top two league leaders in both goals against average and save percentage; some might be surprised to find out that US Olympian, recent silver medal winner, and Vezina Trophy candidate Ryan Miller of the Sabres is second in both of those categories to Boston’s very own Tuukka Rask, who wasn’t even selected by Finland to play in last February’s Winter Olympics. Rask, with a 1.97 GAA and a .931 save percentage this season, played exceptionally well against the Sabres, posting 1.43 GAA, a .954 save percentage and a 4-1-0 record. There’s no question that he will start in place of Miller’s Team USA backup, Tim Thomas, but Rask has never played in the playoffs and posted such incredible stats starting only 39 games (22-12-5), as opposed to Miller’s 2.22 GAA and .929 save percentage over the course of 68 starts. Additionally, in two of Boston’s wins against the Sabres, Miller’s backups, Patrick Lalime and Jhonas Enroth were playing; Miller never allowed more than two goals against the Bruins. For Boston to win this series, Rask will need to keep his cool, which simply translates to not doing this.
Defense
Part of the reason Rask’s statistics are so impressive and one of the two reasons the Bruins even made the playoffs (Rask being the other) is the team’s defense. They allowed only 200 goals, second fewest behind only Marty Brodeur’s New Jersey Devils. Buffalo’s defense only allowed seven more than the Bruins and actually finished ahead of Boston’s well-known penalty kill by two-tenths of a percent (86.6% to 84.4%). Because both teams are essentially even on the blue line, the keys to the defensive battle will come down to injuries (see below) and endurance. With such low scoring teams, it’s likely a fair number of these games will be decided by overtime (and only overtime since there are no shootouts). As many fans will remember, Boston’s tired defense blew last season’s Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, which cannot happen this year if the Bruins want to upset the Sabres.
Forwards
In addition to staying awake, the Bruins will need to score goals in order to win. Their offense managed only 15 goals against the Sabres during the season and, as if fans needed reminding, got only 191 other pucks to touch the back of the net. Buffalo’s offense clicked well enough throughout the season to score 235 goals (11th in the entire league), which is only 29 more than the Bruins, but still a huge difference when the series is going to be a defensive battle. The Bruins deserve kudos for still simply scoring without Phil Kessel and Marc Savard, but kudos don’t win playoff games.
Injuries
Throughout the season, the Bruins were hindered by injuries, none more so than Marc Savard’s, but the team did not get much healthier as they entered the playoffs. Joining Savard (concussion) on the injured list will be Dennis Seidenburg (wrist), who is out for eight weeks (and, therefore, essentially the season), and Mark Stuart (pinkie). Andrew Ference, who is expected to play after missing nine games after another groin injury, is a welcome return, but the Bruins cannot rely on someone who requires off-season surgery to replace both Seidenburg and Stuart.
Buffalo managed to do the opposite of Boston and actually get healthy as the season ended. While the Sabres lost Jochen Hecht (upper body) and Drew Stafford (concussion, questionable to play), they regained the services of Tim Connelly, Thomas Vanek, Raffi Torres, and Patrick Kaleta as the season ended. Vanek, who scored four goals against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday to finish with 28 on the season, will certainly factor in as an impact player for the Sabres.
Coaching
Behind the bench, the coaches, too, are evenly matched. Both Claude Julien of the Bruins and Lindy Ruff of the Sabres are Jack Adams Award-winners and both former defensemen in the NHL, which explains their strong defense-first systems. While Julien is in only his third season with the Bruins, Ruff has been at the helm of Buffalo for 14 years, having been a Stanley Cup finalist once (1999) and an Eastern Conference finalist three times (1998, 2006, 2007). Clearly Ruff, who also won a gold medal as one of Team Canada’s associate coaches in Vancouver, has the edge in experience, but he’s never been able to quite make it all of the way. Brett Hull had something to do with that, but maybe Ruff just isn’t quite lucky enough to win it all.
X-Factors
Clearly goaltending, injuries, and endurance will all factor into this matchup, but experience may as well. While Rask has no playoff experience, he has four Stanley Cup rings in front of him: Mark Recchi (two), Miroslav Satan, and Shawn Thornton. Comparatively, Miller has zero.
Additionally, the Sabres are from Buffalo, one of the most cursed cities in all of major league sports. How many straight Super Bowls did the city lose during the 1990s? Four. How did they end the decade? Losing in the Stanley Cup Finals on an erroneous call. Then again, the Bruins haven’t won the Stanley Cup since the Jacobs family bought the team.
Season Series Review
The Bruins and Sabres haven’t played against each other in the playoffs since 1999, when Buffalo won the series, but this season they faced each other six times over the course of the season, as division opponents always do, with Boston going 4-2-0 for eight out of a possible 12 points. Their most recent game was last week, when Dennis Wideman showed up to play in the Bruins’ 3-1 victory. Over the course of the teams’ six games, they combined for only 26 goals, which is hardly a surprise coming from two very defensively-minded teams with exceptional goaltending, and it is unlikely much will change in the playoffs.
Goaltending
This series will feature the top two league leaders in both goals against average and save percentage; some might be surprised to find out that US Olympian, recent silver medal winner, and Vezina Trophy candidate Ryan Miller of the Sabres is second in both of those categories to Boston’s very own Tuukka Rask, who wasn’t even selected by Finland to play in last February’s Winter Olympics. Rask, with a 1.97 GAA and a .931 save percentage this season, played exceptionally well against the Sabres, posting 1.43 GAA, a .954 save percentage and a 4-1-0 record. There’s no question that he will start in place of Miller’s Team USA backup, Tim Thomas, but Rask has never played in the playoffs and posted such incredible stats starting only 39 games (22-12-5), as opposed to Miller’s 2.22 GAA and .929 save percentage over the course of 68 starts. Additionally, in two of Boston’s wins against the Sabres, Miller’s backups, Patrick Lalime and Jhonas Enroth were playing; Miller never allowed more than two goals against the Bruins. For Boston to win this series, Rask will need to keep his cool, which simply translates to not doing this.
Defense
Part of the reason Rask’s statistics are so impressive and one of the two reasons the Bruins even made the playoffs (Rask being the other) is the team’s defense. They allowed only 200 goals, second fewest behind only Marty Brodeur’s New Jersey Devils. Buffalo’s defense only allowed seven more than the Bruins and actually finished ahead of Boston’s well-known penalty kill by two-tenths of a percent (86.6% to 84.4%). Because both teams are essentially even on the blue line, the keys to the defensive battle will come down to injuries (see below) and endurance. With such low scoring teams, it’s likely a fair number of these games will be decided by overtime (and only overtime since there are no shootouts). As many fans will remember, Boston’s tired defense blew last season’s Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, which cannot happen this year if the Bruins want to upset the Sabres.
Forwards
In addition to staying awake, the Bruins will need to score goals in order to win. Their offense managed only 15 goals against the Sabres during the season and, as if fans needed reminding, got only 191 other pucks to touch the back of the net. Buffalo’s offense clicked well enough throughout the season to score 235 goals (11th in the entire league), which is only 29 more than the Bruins, but still a huge difference when the series is going to be a defensive battle. The Bruins deserve kudos for still simply scoring without Phil Kessel and Marc Savard, but kudos don’t win playoff games.
Injuries
Throughout the season, the Bruins were hindered by injuries, none more so than Marc Savard’s, but the team did not get much healthier as they entered the playoffs. Joining Savard (concussion) on the injured list will be Dennis Seidenburg (wrist), who is out for eight weeks (and, therefore, essentially the season), and Mark Stuart (pinkie). Andrew Ference, who is expected to play after missing nine games after another groin injury, is a welcome return, but the Bruins cannot rely on someone who requires off-season surgery to replace both Seidenburg and Stuart.
Buffalo managed to do the opposite of Boston and actually get healthy as the season ended. While the Sabres lost Jochen Hecht (upper body) and Drew Stafford (concussion, questionable to play), they regained the services of Tim Connelly, Thomas Vanek, Raffi Torres, and Patrick Kaleta as the season ended. Vanek, who scored four goals against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday to finish with 28 on the season, will certainly factor in as an impact player for the Sabres.
Coaching
Behind the bench, the coaches, too, are evenly matched. Both Claude Julien of the Bruins and Lindy Ruff of the Sabres are Jack Adams Award-winners and both former defensemen in the NHL, which explains their strong defense-first systems. While Julien is in only his third season with the Bruins, Ruff has been at the helm of Buffalo for 14 years, having been a Stanley Cup finalist once (1999) and an Eastern Conference finalist three times (1998, 2006, 2007). Clearly Ruff, who also won a gold medal as one of Team Canada’s associate coaches in Vancouver, has the edge in experience, but he’s never been able to quite make it all of the way. Brett Hull had something to do with that, but maybe Ruff just isn’t quite lucky enough to win it all.
X-Factors
Clearly goaltending, injuries, and endurance will all factor into this matchup, but experience may as well. While Rask has no playoff experience, he has four Stanley Cup rings in front of him: Mark Recchi (two), Miroslav Satan, and Shawn Thornton. Comparatively, Miller has zero.
Additionally, the Sabres are from Buffalo, one of the most cursed cities in all of major league sports. How many straight Super Bowls did the city lose during the 1990s? Four. How did they end the decade? Losing in the Stanley Cup Finals on an erroneous call. Then again, the Bruins haven’t won the Stanley Cup since the Jacobs family bought the team.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
BUFFALO SABRES WIILL DEFEAT THE BOSTON BRUINS IN 6 GAMES
This is what everyone loves to do as we gear up for the first of four rounds of playoff hockey: throw a dart at the wall and hope we can come close to predicting the outcomes of each series.
So we are, Buffalo Bills Blitz predictions for 2010 NHL Conference Quarterfinals:
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens
Season series (Tied 2-2)
Nov. 20: Montreal 3 @ Washington 2
Nov. 28: Washington 4 @ Montreal 3 (SO)
Jan. 5: Montreal 2 @ Washington 4
Feb. 10: Washington 5 @ Montreal 6 (OT)
Brandon: You have to feel bad for the Canadiens, who have a decent shot of scaring the Capitals. But Washington is too hungry and too talented. Washington in 5.
James: I have to admit that I'm surprised so many people are picking the Habs. Is this just for attention? Did someone not get hugged enough growing up? Washington in 5.
Joe: This will be Washington's test, at team that has great goaltending, a semi-adherence to defensive hockey and some scoring touch. Caps will still win but it'll be annoying for them. Washington in 6.
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers
Season series (Philadelphia won 5-1)
Oct. 3: Philadelphia 5 @ New Jersey 2
Nov. 16: New Jersey 2 @ Philadelphia 3
Dec. 12: Philadelphia 1 @ New Jersey 4
Feb. 8: New Jersey 2 @ Philadelphia 3
Feb. 10: Philadelphia 3 @ New Jersey 2 (OT)
March 28: New Jersey 1 @ Philadelphia 5
Brandon: If the Flyers had any sort of reliable goaltending, I'd be seriously tempted to go with the fellas from Broad St. Yet Boucher has been too inconsistent; is Michael Leighton better? New Jersey in 6.
James: The Devils haven't been a great playoff team since the lockout, but thankfully the Flyers are an absolute mess. That being said, don't discount the Flyers' overall talent in this one. New Jersey in 6.
Joe: I don't trust Brian Boucher in the playoffs, but I do think he can steal a couple of games. New Jersey in 6.
More after the jump.
(3) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) Boston Bruins
Season series (Boston won 4-2)
Nov. 7: Buffalo 2 @ Boston 4
Nov. 20: Boston 2 @ Buffalo 1
Jan. 29: Boston 1 @ Buffalo 2
Feb. 9: Boston 3 @ Buffalo 2
March 29: Buffalo 3 @ Boston 2
April 8: Buffalo 1 @ Boston 3
Brandon: Of all the teams for the Sabres to get, it had to be Boston. The Bruins match up perfectly with Buffalo, in what will be an extremely low scoring series. Buffalo in 7.
James: Nothing makes more sense to me than the Bruins ending their season at home; they barely went over .500 in Beantown (18-17-6). People assume that the Sabres lack firepower because they don't have a big name star, but they have too much offensive depth for Boston. Buffalo in 6.
Joe: This will be a slow, bleeding death for the Sabres against a dreadfully boring team that can get by with one or two goals a game. Unless Olympics Ryan Miller shows up, the Sabres are going to struggle. Boston in 7.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Ottawa Senators
Season series (Tied 2-2)
Oct. 12: Pittsburgh 4 @ Ottawa 1
Nov. 19: Pittsburgh 2 @ Ottawa 6
Dec. 23: Ottawa 2 @ Pittsburgh 8
Jan. 28: Ottawa 4 @ Pittsburgh 1
Brandon: Upset special! The Penguins were too inconsistent at the end of the season, while the Senators finally pulled it together in front of Brian Elliott. The Senators get first round revenge for 2008, against a tired and pressured Penguins team. Ottawa in 7.
James: If I were to pick an upset in the East, it would be this. The Senators are frisky and the Penguins are tired. That being said, Evgeni Malkin hasn't been right all year (dropping from 113 points to 77 points), so if he gets things together the Penguins are dangerous. Again. Pittsburgh in 6.
Joe: Everyone that wants to pick a sweep never does and says it'll end in five games. Screw that noise. Pens in four over a brutally over matched Sens team. Pittsburgh in 4.
So we are, Buffalo Bills Blitz predictions for 2010 NHL Conference Quarterfinals:
(1) Washington Capitals vs. (8) Montreal Canadiens
Season series (Tied 2-2)
Nov. 20: Montreal 3 @ Washington 2
Nov. 28: Washington 4 @ Montreal 3 (SO)
Jan. 5: Montreal 2 @ Washington 4
Feb. 10: Washington 5 @ Montreal 6 (OT)
Brandon: You have to feel bad for the Canadiens, who have a decent shot of scaring the Capitals. But Washington is too hungry and too talented. Washington in 5.
James: I have to admit that I'm surprised so many people are picking the Habs. Is this just for attention? Did someone not get hugged enough growing up? Washington in 5.
Joe: This will be Washington's test, at team that has great goaltending, a semi-adherence to defensive hockey and some scoring touch. Caps will still win but it'll be annoying for them. Washington in 6.
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Philadelphia Flyers
Season series (Philadelphia won 5-1)
Oct. 3: Philadelphia 5 @ New Jersey 2
Nov. 16: New Jersey 2 @ Philadelphia 3
Dec. 12: Philadelphia 1 @ New Jersey 4
Feb. 8: New Jersey 2 @ Philadelphia 3
Feb. 10: Philadelphia 3 @ New Jersey 2 (OT)
March 28: New Jersey 1 @ Philadelphia 5
Brandon: If the Flyers had any sort of reliable goaltending, I'd be seriously tempted to go with the fellas from Broad St. Yet Boucher has been too inconsistent; is Michael Leighton better? New Jersey in 6.
James: The Devils haven't been a great playoff team since the lockout, but thankfully the Flyers are an absolute mess. That being said, don't discount the Flyers' overall talent in this one. New Jersey in 6.
Joe: I don't trust Brian Boucher in the playoffs, but I do think he can steal a couple of games. New Jersey in 6.
More after the jump.
(3) Buffalo Sabres vs (6) Boston Bruins
Season series (Boston won 4-2)
Nov. 7: Buffalo 2 @ Boston 4
Nov. 20: Boston 2 @ Buffalo 1
Jan. 29: Boston 1 @ Buffalo 2
Feb. 9: Boston 3 @ Buffalo 2
March 29: Buffalo 3 @ Boston 2
April 8: Buffalo 1 @ Boston 3
Brandon: Of all the teams for the Sabres to get, it had to be Boston. The Bruins match up perfectly with Buffalo, in what will be an extremely low scoring series. Buffalo in 7.
James: Nothing makes more sense to me than the Bruins ending their season at home; they barely went over .500 in Beantown (18-17-6). People assume that the Sabres lack firepower because they don't have a big name star, but they have too much offensive depth for Boston. Buffalo in 6.
Joe: This will be a slow, bleeding death for the Sabres against a dreadfully boring team that can get by with one or two goals a game. Unless Olympics Ryan Miller shows up, the Sabres are going to struggle. Boston in 7.
(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Ottawa Senators
Season series (Tied 2-2)
Oct. 12: Pittsburgh 4 @ Ottawa 1
Nov. 19: Pittsburgh 2 @ Ottawa 6
Dec. 23: Ottawa 2 @ Pittsburgh 8
Jan. 28: Ottawa 4 @ Pittsburgh 1
Brandon: Upset special! The Penguins were too inconsistent at the end of the season, while the Senators finally pulled it together in front of Brian Elliott. The Senators get first round revenge for 2008, against a tired and pressured Penguins team. Ottawa in 7.
James: If I were to pick an upset in the East, it would be this. The Senators are frisky and the Penguins are tired. That being said, Evgeni Malkin hasn't been right all year (dropping from 113 points to 77 points), so if he gets things together the Penguins are dangerous. Again. Pittsburgh in 6.
Joe: Everyone that wants to pick a sweep never does and says it'll end in five games. Screw that noise. Pens in four over a brutally over matched Sens team. Pittsburgh in 4.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Buffalo Sabres Could Win The Eastern Conference
Capitals will be healthiest after opening round
The Conference Quarter Finals offer up a couple of brutal match-ups. The Devils lost the season series with the Flyers 5 games to 1 but as the #2 seed still go in as provisional favorites to progress. There’s always at least one upset in the early rounds and none in the East look as good for a low seed as this one, Philadelphia will get through in six games. Buffalo look well-set against a Boston team that rode some late-season momentum into the sixth seed, momentum that will likely burn out in five games against the more playoff-ready Sabres.
Ottawa and Pittsburgh offer up a solid clash in the #4 vs #5 seed clash. The pair split the season series but haven’t met since January. With the core of last year’s Stanley Cup champions still in place I have to give the edge to the Penguins in six. One team will cruise through the opening round, namely the Washington Capitals who should sweep the faltering Montreal Canadiens.
Brutal tests to continue for the Penguins
If Pittsburgh is to retain the Stanley Cup it will do so the hard way, as based on my first round predictions the Pens would be up against the Sabres in the Conference Semi Finals. Sidney Crosby may be the most exciting player in the game but Ryan Miller has been a revelation this season in front of goal for Buffalo. Expect the Olympic rematch comparisons to be made no end in clash which will be tough to call in NHL betting. I expect it to go the full seven games with Pittsburgh to just about prevail. The Capitals will find Philadelphia to be made of sterner stuff than the Canadiens but the Flyers will still be no match for Ovechkin and company. Washington to progress in six.
Battle hardened Penguins will fall short
After being well tested by Ottawa and pushed to the edge by Buffalo, Pittsburgh will be hold the competitive edge over the Capitals at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals. Endurance matters however and while the Penguins might get off to an early start, possibly winning the opening game, I expect Washington to come strong and win over six gruelling encounters to win the Eastern Conference title.
The Conference Quarter Finals offer up a couple of brutal match-ups. The Devils lost the season series with the Flyers 5 games to 1 but as the #2 seed still go in as provisional favorites to progress. There’s always at least one upset in the early rounds and none in the East look as good for a low seed as this one, Philadelphia will get through in six games. Buffalo look well-set against a Boston team that rode some late-season momentum into the sixth seed, momentum that will likely burn out in five games against the more playoff-ready Sabres.
Ottawa and Pittsburgh offer up a solid clash in the #4 vs #5 seed clash. The pair split the season series but haven’t met since January. With the core of last year’s Stanley Cup champions still in place I have to give the edge to the Penguins in six. One team will cruise through the opening round, namely the Washington Capitals who should sweep the faltering Montreal Canadiens.
Brutal tests to continue for the Penguins
If Pittsburgh is to retain the Stanley Cup it will do so the hard way, as based on my first round predictions the Pens would be up against the Sabres in the Conference Semi Finals. Sidney Crosby may be the most exciting player in the game but Ryan Miller has been a revelation this season in front of goal for Buffalo. Expect the Olympic rematch comparisons to be made no end in clash which will be tough to call in NHL betting. I expect it to go the full seven games with Pittsburgh to just about prevail. The Capitals will find Philadelphia to be made of sterner stuff than the Canadiens but the Flyers will still be no match for Ovechkin and company. Washington to progress in six.
Battle hardened Penguins will fall short
After being well tested by Ottawa and pushed to the edge by Buffalo, Pittsburgh will be hold the competitive edge over the Capitals at the start of the Eastern Conference Finals. Endurance matters however and while the Penguins might get off to an early start, possibly winning the opening game, I expect Washington to come strong and win over six gruelling encounters to win the Eastern Conference title.
Monday, February 22, 2010
U.S Hockey Team, Ryan Miller earned big 5-3 win over Canada
Bode Miller and the United States hockey team combined to make it a happy day at the Vancouver Olympics for the neighbors to the south, first winning the men's super-combined ski race and then dealing host Canada a surprising loss in the country's favorite sport.
Much of Canada stopped to watch the preliminary round hockey game against the Americans, but the hosts were left disappointed after a 5-3 loss and now their team needs to win an additional game just to make the quarterfinals. The United States, however, is poised to go into the next round as top-seeded team.
In an early game, Russia beat the Czech Republic 4-2. Defending Olympic champion Sweden faces rival Finland in the late game.
Earlier in the day, four-time Olympic medalist Miller finally earned a gold to complete his collection of jewelry from the Vancouver Games. After finishing seventh in the downhill run of the two-leg super-combi, Miller went all out in the slalom and bettered main rival Ivica Kostelic of Croatia with a winning time of 2 minutes, 44.92 seconds.
"I skied with 100 percent heart. I didn't hold anything back," Miller said. "It's just awesome. There's nothing else to say."
Miller had been the most hyped athlete of the 2006 Turin Games, but left Italy empty-handed. Now, with expectations much lower, the 32-year-old American won a gold medal to add to the silver and bronze he has already claimed in the first two races in Whistler.
Andre Lange of Germany became the first driver with four Olympic gold medals after winning the two-man bobsled event. He and longtime brakeman Kevin Kuske completed their four runs in 3:26.65.
Lange, the defending Olympic champion in two- and four-man, surpassed Meinhard Nehmer of Germany for the most bobsled golds. Lange also won the four-man event at the 2002 Salt Lake Games.
"This has been a long career for me, many years of fighting and hoping, racing and medals, which is now nearly over," Lange said. "For me it's a really happy end. I didn't really expect to win here."
In biathlon, World Cup leader Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia won the men's 15-kilometer mass start race. Ustyugov shot cleanly and finished in 35:35.7. Also, Magdalena Neuner of Germany won the women's 12.5K mass start for her second gold medal of the Vancouver Games.
"I knew I could win a medal, but now I have three," said Neuner, who also won the 10K pursuit on Tuesday and took silver in the 7.5K sprint in her first Olympics. "That's incredible."
Ireen Wust of the Netherlands turned her bronze from Turin to gold in Vancouver by winning the women's 1,500-meter speedskating race, and Michael Schmid of Switzerland won the inaugural Olympic men's skicross event.
Miller also won two silver medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, and his fifth Olympic medal overall added to his status as the most decorated American Alpine skier in history.
"The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of the rest of my life," Miller said.
Kostelic took silver behind Miller and Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland claimed bronze. Aksel Lund Svindal, who won gold in the super-G and silver in the downhill, led the super-combi after the opening leg, but he skied out of the slalom leg.
"I think slalom skiers for sure wouldn't have a great chance if the slalom course was simple," Kostelic said. "The setting was quite demanding, but not as demanding as it could be. But demanding enough so that the slalom skiers could make up time."
The mother of Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette died Sunday, two days before Rochette is to begin competition. She still plans to compete, and practiced only a few hours after hearing the news.
In curling, Canada's women's team beat the United States 9-2 to stay unbeaten, and Britain skip Eve Muirhead pounded a stone in frustration after giving up a four-spot to Switzerland in a 10-6 shortened nine end loss. It was Britain's third straight loss following a promising Olympic start.
Much of Canada stopped to watch the preliminary round hockey game against the Americans, but the hosts were left disappointed after a 5-3 loss and now their team needs to win an additional game just to make the quarterfinals. The United States, however, is poised to go into the next round as top-seeded team.
In an early game, Russia beat the Czech Republic 4-2. Defending Olympic champion Sweden faces rival Finland in the late game.
Earlier in the day, four-time Olympic medalist Miller finally earned a gold to complete his collection of jewelry from the Vancouver Games. After finishing seventh in the downhill run of the two-leg super-combi, Miller went all out in the slalom and bettered main rival Ivica Kostelic of Croatia with a winning time of 2 minutes, 44.92 seconds.
"I skied with 100 percent heart. I didn't hold anything back," Miller said. "It's just awesome. There's nothing else to say."
Miller had been the most hyped athlete of the 2006 Turin Games, but left Italy empty-handed. Now, with expectations much lower, the 32-year-old American won a gold medal to add to the silver and bronze he has already claimed in the first two races in Whistler.
Andre Lange of Germany became the first driver with four Olympic gold medals after winning the two-man bobsled event. He and longtime brakeman Kevin Kuske completed their four runs in 3:26.65.
Lange, the defending Olympic champion in two- and four-man, surpassed Meinhard Nehmer of Germany for the most bobsled golds. Lange also won the four-man event at the 2002 Salt Lake Games.
"This has been a long career for me, many years of fighting and hoping, racing and medals, which is now nearly over," Lange said. "For me it's a really happy end. I didn't really expect to win here."
In biathlon, World Cup leader Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia won the men's 15-kilometer mass start race. Ustyugov shot cleanly and finished in 35:35.7. Also, Magdalena Neuner of Germany won the women's 12.5K mass start for her second gold medal of the Vancouver Games.
"I knew I could win a medal, but now I have three," said Neuner, who also won the 10K pursuit on Tuesday and took silver in the 7.5K sprint in her first Olympics. "That's incredible."
Ireen Wust of the Netherlands turned her bronze from Turin to gold in Vancouver by winning the women's 1,500-meter speedskating race, and Michael Schmid of Switzerland won the inaugural Olympic men's skicross event.
Miller also won two silver medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, and his fifth Olympic medal overall added to his status as the most decorated American Alpine skier in history.
"The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of the rest of my life," Miller said.
Kostelic took silver behind Miller and Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland claimed bronze. Aksel Lund Svindal, who won gold in the super-G and silver in the downhill, led the super-combi after the opening leg, but he skied out of the slalom leg.
"I think slalom skiers for sure wouldn't have a great chance if the slalom course was simple," Kostelic said. "The setting was quite demanding, but not as demanding as it could be. But demanding enough so that the slalom skiers could make up time."
The mother of Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette died Sunday, two days before Rochette is to begin competition. She still plans to compete, and practiced only a few hours after hearing the news.
In curling, Canada's women's team beat the United States 9-2 to stay unbeaten, and Britain skip Eve Muirhead pounded a stone in frustration after giving up a four-spot to Switzerland in a 10-6 shortened nine end loss. It was Britain's third straight loss following a promising Olympic start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)