This might be San Jose's year. They look pretty damn good. If there's one team to do it besides Chicago, it's definitely San Jose.
With the second round set and only picking 3 of the remaining 8 teams I will reframe from trying to pick the winners from this point. However, I still like my Finals between the Blackhawks and Penguins. Instead, here is how I see the next round of playoff matches playing out: Blackhawks v Red Wings I see the edge for the Blackhawks coming from the blueline. Both teams can score, but I expect the Hawks defense to be better suited to containing the opposition. Defense will be the key for the Hawks winning this matchup, while for the Wings it will come down to goaltending. They are going to need a crazy effort from Howard because I see the Hawks getting the edge in shots on goal throughout the series. Sharks v Kings From what I saw out of these teams in the 1st round this should be a hell of a series. Both teams are riding 4 game winning streaks in the playoffs heading into the series so each team is hot. I don't expect the layoff to hurt the Sharks as they are a team with great playoff experience. I really don't see an advantage for either team and see this coming down to the effort plays, lucky bounces and who can be more effective at staying out of the penalty box. Penguins v Senators Spezza could come back at some point in this series and the Sens can use him. They are going to need all the offense they can get. Now Anderson is playing some great hockey in net for the Sens, but I have a tough time seeing him holding the Pens to a goal a game. Even if he can hold them to two that would be good, but can the Sens score three goals a game? Bruins v Rangers Very similar teams with respect to quality goaltending and defense, physical play, and offensive punch. I do like the Bruins offense more than the Rangers and I think game 7 against the Leafs was a wake up call for the Bruins. I expect Boston to do more offensively. For the Rangers to win they are going to need to match Boston's offense which I'm not sure they can.
Raffi Torres suspended. What else is new. <object width="640" height="383" id="embed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter-v1/embed.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashVars" value="catid=60&id=249243&server=http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/" /><embed name="embed" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter-v1/embed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="383" quality="high" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashVars="catid=60&id=249243&server=http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/"></embed></object>
Sharks with the epic choke. Pathetic. I thought this might have been their year, but after a loss like this, I don't know how they can recover.
Watching this in real time, it is literally impossible for me to determine that he had the intent to hit Stoll in the head. However the suspension is absolutely valid based on the fact that he did and guys need to be protected for stuff like this. Also, forget the Kings. It would be great if the Sharks could resist choking for once.
Probably the worst game the Hawks have played this season aside from the Colorado game and Calgary game.
San Jose received a $100,000 fine for making the statement below on the Torres hit. I'll leave it up to you to determine if the league is heavy handed in both the suspension, and this fine. I've been hearing a decent amount of Torres haters and Kings fans expressing surprising opinions on this. "Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging. As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted. Furthermore, the rule goes on to say: "However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered." As evidenced in the video, just prior to Torres making contact with the opposing player, that player altered his posture to play a bouncing puck with his hand, placing himself in a vulnerable position. Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games. We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it's unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to the Raffi, his teammates and our fans. However, Raffi does not want to be a distraction to his teammates and has decided not to appeal this suspension and we respect that decision."
Blackhawks in real trouble now down 2-1. All the pressures on them to win game 4. I don't think they can win this series down 3-1.
I would like to know who NHL.com pays to write their little mini-headlines. Those puns with players names have to wear out at some point... you'd think..
