commentary...

Boston at Vancouver:Canucks have edge,on offense,power play,penalty kill,but Boston did beat Vancouver,3-1,February 26th,and they have Zdeno Chara,the best defenseman,not named Nicklas Lidstrom,in the NHL,and Dennis Seidenberg,on blue line,and they do have a good offense,and Tim Thomas,who is a Vezina Trophy finalist,had the best season,in save percentage,in NHL history(.938),and stole game seven,in the semi-finals,from the Lightning,1-0... Vancouver has to come out and get up early in game one,because Boston is a team who,if they can stick around,in third period,they will be very dangerous,because they will dig for goals,tip pucks,and will pressure Roberto Luongo,and try to knock him around,and off his mental game,and being irritated,is his only major drawback,but both is capable of stealing,a game,in this series,say,2-1... interesting series coming up,eh?

Stanley Cup Finals' fun...

according to StubHub,someone paid $9,000,for two tickets,in Vancouver,for game one of Stanley Cup Finals,and not to be topped,someone paid $12,000,for two tickets for a potential game six,in Boston... basically sell a kidney!!!!!!!!!

Stanley Cup Finals' facts...

Boston will be going for first Stanley Cup,since 1972,and Vancouver,in their 40th year of team existence,will be going for their first Stanley Cup,in the third attempt,in the Stanley Cup Finals...

NHL news...

Red Wings,in lieu of move of Thrashers,to Winnipeg,have told the NHL that when there is realignment,in the league,that they would like to be in Eastern Conference... it is unlikely that because of schedule-making being almost done,that move will not this coming year,and that for 2011-2012 season,Winnipeg will,most likely,stay in the same division,as the former Thrashers,the Southeast,and then move to the Northwest Division,in the Western Conference,in 2012-2013,then Detroit would move to the Eastern Conference,next year,most likely... the naming of the franchise-the former Thrashers-will be later on,too... want to bet on name?

more info,on Thrashers' sale,to Winnipeg...

transfer of NHL ownership requires a seventy-five percent of the owners,of teams of the NHL... relocation of franchise requires only a majority of owner votes... basically a formality... the new owners of the Thrashers will meet June 7th,with NHL executive committee,which consists of ten ownership groups,and June 21st,there will be two votes that day,and they have started to sell tickets,in Winnipeg... i have seen a season ticket listing of seating,ranging from $5,800,per seat,to nosebleed seats of about $1,800,for 45 games... whether that is what it will cost,it will be expensive,no doubt...

fans jeer Gary Bettman...

at a party,in Winnipeg,following the announcement of True North Sports,and Entertainment buying the Thrashers,the Winnipeg fans jeered NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman,and chanted,"Bettman sucks" every time he showed up on television,because fans blame Bettman,and the previous ownership,of backstabbing the fan base...

ten odd places to have Stanley Cup...

1:Camp Nathan Smith,in Kandahar,Afghanistan
2:Mario Lemieux's pool bottom
3:Marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade
4:on a runway of a strip club(twice-in,1987,at the Forum Inn,in Edmonton,and in 1994,at Scores,in New York,done by Mark Messier)
5:in the Rideau Canal,in Ottawa
6:under the Bridal Veil Falls,at Niagara Falls
7:in the paddock of a Kentucky Derby winner
8:at the Howard Stern radio show
9:at a baptism,in Sweden(twice,in 1996,and in 2008)
10:Steve Yzerman's shower
courtesy:Yahoo

commentary...

the former owners of Atlanta Thrashers have sent a letter to their fans,basically saying they tried to find a local owner to keep the Thrashers,in Atlanta... what hooey!!!!!! Atlanta has had two attempts to be in NHL(remember the Atlanta Flames,before they moved to Calgary?),and the fans never came,and the owners did not care,at all... by the way,Winnipeg had the Jets,before they moved to Phoenix(and they are having trouble selling team to a local owner,as of now-lawsuit pending,by the Goldwater Institute,against the City of Glendale,AZ,and the prospective owner),and the problem was the ownership,and a lack of a new arena,in Winnipeg,and not the fan base... recent example:the Sacramento Kings' hunt for a new arena,and the taxpayers basically paying for it... what hooey for that new arena,for Sacramento... the Maloofs are simply bad owners,period!!!!! sorry for the rant...

BREAKING NEWS...

a Winnipeg(Manitoba)group(True North Sports,and Entertainment)have bought the Atlanta Thrashers... first step to moving the franchise to Winnipeg... they need a seventy-five percent "yes" vote,for the move,from the NHL Board of Governors... they meet next on June 21st... they will play at the MTS Centre,in Winnipeg,an arena for hockey that has capacity,of 15,015,which will be smallest arena,in NHL...

recent history...

in only regular season game between the teams,in the Stanley Cup Finals,on February 26th,Boston beat Vancouver,3-1... Tim Thomas was winning goaltender,and Roberto Luongo was the losing goaltender,that night...

correction...

it was the Royal Inland Hospital,in Kamloops,B.C.,not the Royal Island Hospital... it was corrected on blog,but i wanted to note it on blog...

funny story...

in Kamloops,British Columbia,Mark Recchi(local(hometown)hockey hero,in their own words),of the Boston Bruins has a billboard up,for benefit of a children's hospital,but some pranksters decided to put a Canucks' jersey on it,and so the people who put up the billboard repaired the billboard,without damage to the billboard... Victoria Carroll,the chairwoman of the hospital foundation was impressed by the prank,and they put the picture on their website... the billboard was in front of the Royal Inland Hospital,in Kamloops,B.C...

route to Stanley Cup Finals...

Vancouver won the Northwest Division,and President's Trophy,by 23 points(117 points,to 94),over Calgary,and Boston won the Northeast Division,by seven points(103 points to 96),over Montreal,and Buffalo... Vancouver beat 2010 Stanley Cup champion Chicago(in seven games),Nashville,and San Jose,and Boston beat Montreal(in seven games,after losing opening two games,at home),Philadelphia(in sweep),and Tampa Bay(in seven games),to reach the Stanley Cup Finals,this season...

Memorial Cup final...

Saint John Sea Dogs beat Mississauga St. Michael's Majors,3-1,last night,to win the Memorial Cup,in Mississauga,Ontario...

correction...

the Memorial Cup final between Mississauga St. Michael's Majors,and St. John Sea Dogs,is today(Sunday),not yesterday...

NHL news...

Boston at Vancouver,game one,Stanley Cup Finals,Wednesday night...

Memorial Cup update...

The Mississauga St.Michael's Majors play the Saint John Sea Dogs,at the Hershey's Centre,in Mississauga,Ontario,tonight,for the Memorial Cup... the Memorial Cup is played for by best junior hockey teams,in Canada,every year... Mississauga was the Ontario Hockey League champion,and St. John was the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion...

injury update,and trivia...

Vancouver just got stronger:Manny Malhotra just got cleared to play in the Stanley Cup Finals,against Boston,after suffered a major eye injury,against Colorado,when he got hit by a puck... BONUS:when Montreal,and Calgary,hosted the 1976,and 1988 Olympics,they won Stanley Cup the next year;guess who hosted the Olympics last year? Vancouver;that is who hosted the Olympics,in 2010...

game score,and comment...

Boston 1,Tampa Bay 0... simply put,the best game of the playoffs...

correction...

Brian Ralfalski won three Stanley Cups,in his NHL career,not just two.... he was on 1999-2000,and the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup Champions New Jersey Devils,along with the 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings...

Brian Ralfalski retires...

Brian Ralfalski announced his retirement yesterday,with saying that it came down to priorities,"serving God,serving my family,and serving others... with hockey not at the top,of the list,it is time to move on"... he won two Stanley Cups,one with New Jersey,and one with Detroit,and two Olympic silver medals,as a player... he cited Scripture:Romans 8:28,as one of the reasons for his jersey number-number 28-and he actually left $6 million,and one more year on the table... Red Wings' general manager Ken Holland said that in a closing private meeting with each player,it became obvious to him that,after ten minutes,Brian Ralfalski had basically made his mind about retiring,and it was time for a press conference... Ralfalski is intensely private,and always has been,and,i guess,with one of his sons going to high school,his priorities switched to family,and not hockey... he has played,since high school,without his ACL(anterior cruciate ligament),in his knee... he had 79 goals and 436,assists,for 515 points,in 833 games,with another 29 goals,and 71 assists,for 100 points,in 165 career playoff games... he is one of the players in NHL,that i have always admired,even when he played in New Jersey,and i loved to see him play for the Winged Wheel,in Detroit,for the last four years-his hometown team,and he was born in Dearborn,Michigan... great career,Mr. Ralfalski... to me,people who have had great careers deserve to honored that way....

NHL score...

Tampa Bay 5,Boston 4... game seven,in Boston,Friday night...

AHL score...

the Houston Aeros beat the Hamilton Bulldogs,4-3,in game seven,of their semi-final series... Hamilton was trying to become third team in American Hockey League history,joining the 1960 Rochester Americans,and the 1989 Adirondack Red Wings,as the only teams to complete the sweep,after going down,3-0,in games,to win series,4-3... the Aeros play the Binghamton Senators,in the Calder Cup Final,for the AHL championship......

commentary...

the Sharks should have won game in regulation,last night,but the referees missed the puck hitting the shoulder of one of the Sedin twins,on the icing call,at end of game,that would have forced the critical face-off to the other side of ice,in front of Roberto Luongo,instead of in front of Antti Niemi,but the Canucks got the game into overtime,not just one overtime,but into two overtimes... the Sharks had 56 shots for the entire game,and had the momentum most of the game,but Loungo was very good,in net,all night,allowing only two goals,all night... i can talk about the strange looking game winning goal,by Kevin Bieska,but the oldest saying in hockey is true:just shoot the puck towards the net,and strange things may happen... case in point:the bouncing knuckleball of a shot,that came off the stanchion,and went to middle of ice,to Bieska,on a weird puck bounce... 99.9 percent of the time,that puck goes behind the net,but this time,it went to the middle of ice,for a game winning goal,by Bieska... the Sharks were one for nine,in last two games,and could not solve Roberto Loungo,over the last two games... Todd McLellan(Sharks' coach)admitted that the series,against Detroit,took "a little bit of their juice",away from them,saying that going seven games,with Detroit fatigued them some,in this series... as a Red Wings' fan,i smile at that... however,making excuses on why you lost in five games does not mean that the Canucks were the better overall team,in this series... what is shocking is that the Sharks have won only one Conference Final game,in last eleven games,dating back to 2004,and the Sharks say that they are close,to winning the Conference finals... ha,ha,on that fact,and it is laughable... the fact is that they may have been the better team,against Detroit,but one puck bounce the other way,in games one through three,they go nowhere,and Detroit plays Vancouver(probably gets beat the way that the Canucks are playing right now,i have to admit...),but the series would have much closer than in five games,because Detroit has played Vancouver very tough,over the years,period... the Sharks are a very good team,but championship-caliber? debatable,to say the least... until this year,they had a goaltender,who folded under the pressure,in Eugeni Nakobov,and a team that was very good in regular season,but the overall talent was not there,to beat the really rough,and tough teams,in NHL,in a seven game series... they had not enough grit,they had talent,but not enough grit... i mean they did not have enough players,to go in front of the net,and really dig for goals,in front of the other team's goaltender,and tip the puck past the goaltender... so they retooled,with last year's Stanley Cup winning goaltender,in Antti Niemi,and yet,they did not get enough gritty players,on third,and fourth lines,to irritate,and be the nasty pests,and be goal diggers,in front of net,and knocking players down in front of the goaltender... they did it,against Detroit,because Detroit is basically a finesse team that does not like to knock you down in front of net too much,but yet,the Red Wings can kill you in other ways,like puck possession,crisp passing,and deadly shooting... that may be their one major drawback... Vancouver has bigger overall players,that will knock you down and dig for goals,and still kill you with great passes,and great shooting... both Sedin twins have led the NHL,in scoring,one last year,and the other one this year,so Vancouver has a lot of scorers,and they played very good defense the last two games,against Sharks,on the penalty kill,and if they can stay out of the penalty box,they will be tough to beat,but more of that later... if Sharks would have played like they did,against Detroit,and they kept on digging for goals in front of Luongo,the series would have been closer,but they tried to out-skate Vancouver,and they had no luck,in doing that,because Vancouver can out-skate most teams,and the Sharks played like they were intimidated,by the Canucks,most of the series... you did not see people in front of Luongo,on power play,too much,and Vancouver would enjoy keeping the other team to the outer reaches of the zone,on opponents' power play... the Sharks were built to beat their hated rivals,the Red Wings,and they did,but they played like they were ill-prepared to play Vancouver,and had no answer for the Sedin twins(Daniel,and Henrik),who dominated,after game three,and may be the best duo,overall,in NHL,and Ryan Kesler,who pundits compare to Pavel Datsyuk,but i will not do that,because Datsyuk is quite special,as a player,but i will say that Kesler does remind me of Datsyuk,and he is a very good player... Kesler is very good,but needs experience(playing time,and more years,in NHL),but both players are fun to watch,and near mirror images,of each other,except Datsyuk is much better in taking pucks away from other players(for now)... give him time,and watch out,NHL,because he is going to be very,very good... Luongo has been very solid in net,for Vancouver... his overall playoff record,until this year,was exactly 18-18,but he has impressed me this year,no end,because he has bounced back from really bad games,and then played like he wanted it more than the other teams... EXAMPLE,against Chicago,he came up big after losing three straight games,against the Blackhawks,when Chicago forced game seven,in opening round,he played like a rock,and a stud,in goal,in game seven,simply refusing to lose the game,and their season... watch out Boston,or Tampa Bay,because Vancouver is for real... tough series,for either of you,coming up,in Stanley Cup Finals,because Vancouver seems to be on a quest:win the Stanley Cup,and nothing else does not matter...

best in Western Conference...

Vancouver Canucks 2011 Western Conference Champions...

game score,and comment...

Canucks 3,Sharks 2... double overtime... best game of series... Sharks never did give up,at all...

correction...

goaltender Tim Thomas stopped thirty-three of thirty-four shots,not nineteen of twenty,last night,against the Lightning... my mistake...

Happy Birthday Wings' Hockey Nut....

after 827 blog posts,Wings' Hockey Nut turns one year old today... at 3:14 am,on May 24,2010,i wrote the first blog post of four,that day...

commentary...

Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas finally came up very big,in stopping nineteen,of twenty shots,and he made the best stick save,of the playoffs,when he stopped Aaron Downie,when Downie had gaping,wide-open net,and Thomas stopped the puck with paddle,of his goaltender stick,and nothing behind Thomas,but net,and he did it,from point blank range,when it was,2-1,Bruins,and Downie appeared to have tying goal,on his stick,at 9:40,into third period,until Thomas stole the show,and ultimately the game,with maybe,the turning point of the series,with that absolutely great save,because Tampa Bay was coming on with a buzzing offense,in third period,but Thomas was rock solid,and that save may give the Bruins the momentum to win the series,and go to the Stanley Cup Finals,for the first time,since 1990,when Edmonton Oilers beat them,in a sweep,and odd thing about that series was one game that was meant to be to played in Boston was played,but actual fog encased the ice during play of game,so they had to replay game,in Edmonton... very true....

NHL score...

Bruins 3,Lightning 1... Bruins up,3-2,in games...

AHL update...

the Hamilton(Ontario)Bulldogs have forced a game seven against the Houston Aeros,in the Calder Cup semi-finals,after falling behind,3-0,in games,in a seven game series... the 1960 Rochester Americans,and the 1989 Adirondack Red Wings are the only teams even to force a game seven,after being behind,3-0,in games,in a seven game series... both teams won a game seven those years... the winner faces the Binghamton Senators for the Calder Cup(trophy for the American Hockey League champions)... the AHL celebrated their 75th year of operation,this year...

NHL history...

for a goaltender over 40,Dwayne Roloson,of the Tampa Bay Lightning,and Hall of Fame member Jacques Plante,both own the longest winning streak,at eight games,in NHL history... before game two,against the Bruins,in this series,Roloson had beaten Pittsburgh,from a 3-1 games hole,three times,to win that series,4-3,and then swept Washington,in four games,and then beat Boston,in opening game,of current series... that is eight wins in a row...

NHL news...

Lightning/Bruins,in Boston,tomorrow,game five....
Sharks/Canucks,game five,in Vancouver,Tuesday...

correction...

all of the goals mentioned in previous post,were on a two-man advantage... it may not be that clear,because i took it(the information),from NHL.com,and it was badly written by them...

commentary...

NHL history was set today,when Vancouver scored three two-man advantage goals,in a playoff game... the three power play goals were scored,in 1:55,which is the fastest time that three power play goals,since rules were changed,in 1957... the Red Wings and Canadiens did the same thing,under the old rules,in 1954,when the penalized player was not allowed to leave the penalty box,after goal was scored... Sami Salo's two goals were sixteen seconds apart,tied with Larry Murphy,for the NHL record,for the two fastest power play goals in the playoffs,since the rules were changed,in 1957... by the way,Bernard Geoffrion scored two power play goals,12 seconds apart,under the old rule,in 1955... Geoffion wore number 5,for Montreal,and in the Hockey Hall of Fame... a fourth generation member of that family plays for Nashville-one Blake Geoffrion... the only family to have four generations to play,in NHL...

game score,and commentary...

Vancouver 4,Sharks 2... by looking at total shots,there would be a feeling that Vancouver had lost game four,getting out-shot 35-13,but the Canucks converted on three consecutive two-man advantages,in second period(on only four shots),and the Sharks could not convert on five consecutive power plays,in first period,and early in second period,then they suffered,"the penalty death march",to oblivion,with four penalties,in only 2:46,of time... going into third period,down 3-0,they were basically stopped by Roberto Luongo,until they put the nail into the Sharks' coffin,when Henrik Sedin passed puck through Antti Niemi's legs,to Alexandre Burrows,on a two on one rush,for a tap-in goal,to make it,4-0,Canucks... the Sharks did pressure the Canucks in their defensive zone,and score two garbage goals,but the Sharks could not convert on the power play,when it most counted... that was the difference in game... Henrik Sedin had four assists,and Sami Salo,had two goals,along with Ryan Kesler,who opened scoring,for the Canucks,in second period,on first,of three consecutive two-man advantages... i believe that they scored on three consecutive shots,all on those two-man advantages,and the arena,and the Sharks were stunned to shock,and you could hear a pin drop... the Sharks pressured too much late to come back,from a 4-0 deficit,in third period,the way that the Canucks,and Luongo were playing this game... Vancouver was 3-5,on power play,while San Jose was 0-5,on power play... Ryan Clowe got a roughing call,on the buzzer,for punching a Canucks' player,who went down on his face... i believe the player he hit was Ryan Kesler,but not sure... Sharks gave up three goals,or more,in a period(this time,on only four shots),for third straight game,and they have given up multiple goals,in a period,in every game of this series... Sharks,including Niemi,have played very poorly in this series,unlike against the Red Wings,and Vancouver has taken advantage,of every mistake,and penalty,that the Sharks have committed,at the most critical times,of the games played,so far... the Sharks' captain,Joe Thornton went out,and did not return,after a Raffi Torres hit to his shoulder,midway into the third period,and they call that,"the dreaded upper body injury",to Thornton... he got hit on the elbow,as he lifted his arm,and it looked like he jammed his shoulder,but they will not tell you anything about that... Sharks are down three games,to one,and going back to Vancouver,for game five,so odds are not good,for a comeback,because Sharks would have to win twice,in Vancouver,to win series,and the coaches will drill that into the players,to not allow San Jose,back into series,and just end it,in five games,and Vancouver is very tough place to win a game(great fans,and home cooking)... the fans will be pumped up,and it will be crazy,for the game that could put Vancouver,into the Stanley Cup Finals,for the third time,in their team history(losing to New York Islanders,in one of their four straight Stanley Cup winning run,in the 1980's,and a memorable seven game series,against the New York Rangers,in 1994)... odd fact,i was in New York,and Connecticut,during the "WE WILL WIN" series,for the Rangers,against the New Jersey Devils,in which Mark Messier stated to the New York papers,that the Rangers would win game six,saying just that,and then going out,and winning game,and scoring a hat trick,with an empty net goal,himself... i left the day,of game six,of that series,and actually saw the papers,myself...

commentary...

the biggest question mark for Red Wings,in 2011-2012 will be,if Nicklas Lidstrom,as Red Wings' captain,returns for his 20th season... he actually goes to Sweden,for off-season,and will move back,when he retires,from the Red Wings(that is he has said,in interviews)... even though,he will be in his 20th year,he is a Norris Trophy(best defenseman)finalist... he has won that trophy six times,behind only Doug Harvey,who played mostly with Montreal,but actually played two games,with Detroit,in 1966-1967,with seven,and Mr. Bruin(my name for him)-Bobby Orr,who had eight Norris Trophies... he should win his seventh,this year... it will be minor shock to me,if he does not win it this year... the only thing that may stop him,from number seven,is his plus/minus rating,which was his worst,in his career(minus 2),since his rookie season,when it was a plus 7... funny thing about Lidstrom:he is near his peak(anyone who is a finalist for the Norris,is one of the best players,in NHL),because he trains so hard,and wants to play for a team who contends,and that he likes the roster and team,like the Red Wings,but honestly he has a son going to school,and playing hockey,in Sweden,and he loves his homeland-Sweden... my opinion is that he plays at least one more year,and makes a great run,at Stanley Cup,because the way that the Red Wings lost to San Jose,will gnaw at his gut,and the rest of the Red Wings,that when they play next season,i guarantee that they have a giant chip on their shoulder,and do not doubt that Mike Babcock will probably show them the video,of the entire series,as motivation...i would be stunned no end,if Nicklas Lidstrom retires this year,but i know down deep that he will probably go only a couple more years,before he does retire,from NHL...

game score,and commentary...

Lightning 5,Bruins 3... series tied at 2 games apiece... Bruins collapse,after 3-0 lead,giving up five goals,including an empty-net goal,in last two periods... Tim Thomas was hung out to dry,and Bruins had too many turnovers,and Lightning came to life,after a very good period,by the Bruins,but Boston played sloppily,and was very bad on defense,and Thomas gave up too many soft goals,after Bruins turned over puck in neutral zone,and in front of Thomas,over the last two periods,and Boston was simply bad,period... Patrice Bergeron scored twice,for the Bruins,one being a short-handed goal,along with Michael Ryder,all in first period... Teddy Purcell scored twice,with Sean Bergenheim,Simon Gagne,and Martin St.Louis,also scored,for the Lightning,all in last two periods... Dwayne Roloson got pulled in first period,giving up those three goals,so Mike Smith won game,in relief... this has been a very strange series,because all four games have been different,all being high-scoring affairs,with both teams dominating each other,at various times,except for one game,which was a 2-0 shutout,by the Bruins(game three)in which Tampa Bay could not solve Tim Thomas,firing 31 shots at him... he was the difference in that game... both teams have lighted the lamp many times,like shifting momentum,by both teams,have made this series very unpredictable,and both teams have a legitimate chance to win series... game five will be critical to both teams,because both teams have high-scoring offenses,but have shown very little defense,and they have not stopped each other,on offense... whoever can steal a game,with a sterling effort,in goal will win,but so far,nobody has shown that they stop a three inch,by one inch piece of vulcanized rubber(puck),with any passion,for winning low-scoring games...

NHL score,and commentary...

Sharks 4 Canucks 3... Sharks got off to 3-0 lead,in first period,and hung on... Sharks played very well,but still gave up three goals,in third period... three goals in third period,for Vancouver,spells trouble ultimately,for Sharks,because they have a sieve in giving up three goals,in third period,when team is supposed to tighten up defense... very good game for Sharks,and they are back in series,but Vancouver is lethal,and dangerous,in third period... Sharks are alive,but only 13.4%,of teams,down,2-0,in games have won series,so odds are still not in Sharks' favor,but who knows?

hockey news...

there is a report from Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper that a group of Winnipeg,Manitoba businessmen have bought the Atlanta Thrashers... there will be a press conference,supposedly,on Tuesday...

Red Wings' news...

Ilari Flippula,brother of Valtteri,left the Red Wings' organization,for Finland,to play hockey... he led Grand Rapids,with 20 goals,and 44 goals,for 64 points,in 76 games,last season... assistant coach Brad McCrimmon will not return as Red Wings' coach,next season,after three years...

play by play announcers,and NHL history...

Baseball had Red Barber,Harry Carey Sr.,Ernie Harwell,and Vin Scully,as play by play announcers,but the NHL had only one play by play announcer,that was beloved by the nation of Canada... one Foster Hewett,who was play by play announcer for the Toronto Maple Leafs,but also was the radio voice for CBC's Hockey night In Canada,most Saturday nights... his booth,in a gondola,for the Maple Leafs was directly over the ice,at Maple Leaf Gardens,which is still in operation,as a hockey rink,for recreational players...
History of Maple Leaf Gardens:the arena was built,in the off-season,in 1931(in six months,really),by NHL pioneer,and Maple Leafs' owner,Conn Smythe,for $1.5 million Canadian dollars... the playoff MVP trophy is named for him....

correction...

Sharks have scored only five goals,in series,so far,but they have scored only three power play goals,not four... oops,my mistake...

commentary...

simply put,Sharks lost emotional control,and game control,when Vancouver scored first four goals,to go from 3-2,after two periods,and in the game,to being down,7-2,in about 8:46,of playing time,in third period... this is eighth straight loss,in conference finals' games,dating back to 2004,for the Sharks,and the ugliest loss,because they lost the game,and their tempers,at the same time... at least,Ben Eager lost his cool,in playing like a goon,in third period,and the penalties were stupid,and really cost the Sharks goals,and this game,but honestly,Vancouver hammered the Sharks,with a power play,that put game out of reach,in middle of third period... Antti Niemi played goal in first two games,like a paper target,giving up all seven goals,in this game,and ten goals overall,in this series... unlike the Red Wings,Blackhawks,Lightning,and Bruins,who all overcame a two game lead,or more,in various series this year,to win,or to force a seventh game,the Sharks look like a team in total disarray,and their defense,against Vancouver,really sucks,and that can,and will be lethal to their chances,and that will not survive the Canucks' potent offense... going home down,2-0,in games,Sharks look like a beat team,and the way that they played really sucked.... Sharks need to tighten up defense,and Niemi needs to play like a NHL goaltender,and even though he won Stanley Cup,with Chicago last year,his overall save percentage,and his goals against average(G.A.A.),in those series,except in Red Wings' series,has been anything,but sterling,and yet he has been on winning teams,in Chicago,and San Jose,in the last two seasons,but Vancouver led NHL,with the best power play,goals scored,and fewest goals allowed,and had best penalty kill,this year... the Sharks are in deep trouble,because their overall offense have suffered,the only area that is clicking is the power play,for the Sharks,where they have scored four of their five goals that they have scored,in the first two games,and it is easier to shut down a power play,than to shut down regular offense... when the Sharks have scored only one even strength goal,in first two games,to Canucks' six even strength goals,they are in deep trouble,because Roberto Luongo is going to play better,in this series,guaranteed!!!!!!!!!

NHL score...

Vancouver 7,Sharks 3... Sharks sucketh tonight,in last five minutes of second period,and entire third period!!!!!! loved the beatdown,by the Canucks!!!!! Sharks down,2-0!!!!!!!

commentary...

the Eastern Conference finals have been wild,to say the least... between the teams,there have eighteen goals,so far,and both goaltenders have played like bull fighters,with red capes... OLE'... in fact,Dwayne Roloson got pulled after two periods,in game two,after giving up four goals in game two,and nine goals in five periods... 1980's era NHL hockey... actually,both teams are normally known for stingy defenses,and potent offenses,but both teams have played like their pants are on fire,and both goaltenders have played like screen doors... if that type of play favors one team,it is the Lightning,because they have more overall firepower to score goals... both coaches(Bruins' coach Claude Julien,and Lightning coach Guy Boucher)have shaken their heads,and have not figured out what is going on,because both teams have not played Bruins',or Lightning hockey,by taking penalties,and sloppy overall play... Tampa Bay plays a 1-3-1 zone,basically a zone lock,on defense,pinching down on passes and players coming into zone in front of Roloson,but that has been a non-factor,because of turnovers in the neutral zone,by both teams,and stupid penalties,but Roloson has stunk up the place,with goaltending that 83 year old Gordie Howe could beat,and Tim Thomas(Bruins' goaltender)has not played any better... he gave up only seven goals,against Philadelphia,in four games,and both goaltenders would lose to the 1955 Detroit Red Wings,in 2011,because both defenses really stink,and both goaltenders have played like paper,in goal... they need to tighten up both defenses around both goaltenders,or it will be last man standing,in a seven game series,that reminds people of 1980's era NHL hockey,which,by the way,is fun to watch,but for the true fan of the game,is totally frustrating,and leaves coaches with cases of whiplash...

NHL score...

Boston Bruins 6,Tampa Bay Lightning 5... series tied at one...

Red Wings' news...

Nicklas Lidstrom will decide whether he will come back for his 20th NHL season,by July 1st... last season,he decided about a month,before that date...

NHL Conference Finals... game one,over the weekend...

Vancouver 3,Sharks 2...
Tampa Bay 5,Boston 2...

commentary...

San Jose at Vancouver:Sharks have offense,and goaltender,who can shut down teams,but Vancouver has the Sedin twins(Daniel,and Henrik),who both have led NHL in scoring the last two years,or near the top of NHL,and many others who can score... can San Jose out-score Vancouver,over a seven game series? no... can Vancouver stop the Sharks offense,and clamp down on Devin Setoguchi, Joe Pavelski,Patrick Marleau,and Joe Thornton? i do not know... can Sharks' defense stop Vancouver,over a seven game series? they must do it... advantages for the Sharks? only one:slight edge at goaltender-with Antti Niemi,who won Stanley Cup,with Chicago last year,but the Stanley Cup Finals last year was one for the offenses,with both teams giving up at least three goals a game... Niemi must have a great series with a save percentage of over 90%,and give up not more than 2 1/2 goals a game;would love it around 2.2 goals a game,but Vancouver can score in bunches... Roberto Luongo must have a very good series,and not give up soft goals(goals that he should have stopped),to the Sharks,because giving them any momentum is lethal to the Canucks... if they play like they did,against the Red Wings,they have a chance... if they do not play that way,with passion,and grit,giving the Canucks fits in neutral zone,they have little chance to win this series,but the passes into the zone in front of both Niemi,and Luongo,will be key,to the series,and the Sedin twins are great passers of the puck to their teammates... the Sharks must force a great deal of turnovers,in neutral zone,and shorten up the ice,and give Luongo a lot of rubber to handle,and try to tip pucks past him,like they did,with Jimmy Howard and the Red Wings,and irritate him,by bumping him,and not interfere with him,and rough up the Canucks mentally,with that grit,and simply throw the Canucks off their game... if they do not do what they did against the Red Wings,and do something similar,with Vancouver,they will not win,or have a chance,because they can not out-score Vancouver,in seven games,but can they win? yes,but they must try to get ahead,and force Vancouver into catch up,and do it over and over... make it a rough game,San Jose has a chance,but if it is a finesse game,both teams have finesse elements,but Vancouver,has a little more firepower,and can out-skate San Jose,over a seven game series...

commentary...

i feel better about this year's Red Wings team,because they showed a desire,grit,and determination,in the playoffs,and that the series against the Sharks,was the first,and only time,in NHL history that six games were decided by one goal,and the only reason that all seven were not decided,by a goal,was an empty net goal,in game six,for the Red Wings... it was the closest playoff series,in NHL history,and it really sucks to be on losing end of series,but it proves that the Red Wings are one of the best teams,in NHL,period... losing in seven games,does suck,but you can not tell me that it was not a great series,because it was the best series in the playoffs,so far,and may be the best series in playoffs,this entire playoff year... i would hate to play the Red Wings next season,because they will improve on this year,and have a giant chip on their shoulders,because they may be disappointed,in losing the series... i bet the Sharks may feel like the better team,but honestly,a weird puck bounce goes the other way,and the Red Wings advance,so if i have something to say to the Sharks,i would say "be thankful,for the series win,but do not allow head to swell,because someone will hand your lunch to you..." do not forget that you have the best team,in NHL,in Vancouver(record-wise),and a team who went through exactly the same thing you went through,with Detroit... they beat Chicago,in seven games winning three games,losing three,and then putting dagger in Blackhawks' heart,in game seven... they did that in first round,this year,too... the Canucks are the President's Trophy winner,this year,and they ran laps around the Western Conference,in the regular season,so it is not over,Sharks... last year,the Sharks beat Detroit,but got swept,by Chicago,so they have a lot to prove to the NHL... get past Vancouver,and i will be very,very impressed,and their playoff history will be history,to me...

commentary...

Tampa Bay at Boston:it will be a battle between Boston's defense,and Tampa Bay's offense... Dwayne Roloson versus Tim Thomas,both tough battle-tested goaltenders... Boston won season series,3-1,but Tampa Bay has an explosive offense,with Steven Stamkos getting 45 goals,and being injured part of season... Vincent LeCavalier,Martin St. Louis,Pavel Kubina,and Victor Hedman can also score at will... Boston's offense is lesser known than the Lightning's offense,but can score,too... Nathan Horton,Rich Peverley,Milan Lucic,David Krejci,Tyler Seguin,and Michael Ryder shooting pucks,along with Zdeno Chara,and Tomas Kaberle,playing defense makes the Bruins tough to beat,and it may be an old-fashioned shootout of a series,but the way both teams can play defense,it could be a grinding six,or seven game series... it will come down to who plays better in net... both goaltenders have playoff experience,and both play similar games and their play will be critical to both teams... Thomas is a Vezina Trophy finalist this,and set a save percentage record(.938),over entire season,and both teams swept their second round opponents(Boston swept Philadelphia,and Tampa Bay swept Washington),and in my own opinion,the Lightning sweep of Washington,was more impressive,because they swept a team like themselves,with a smothering defense,and a potent offense,but Boston swept the defending Eastern Conference champions,in the Flyers,but the Flyers had major trouble,in goal,throughout that series,and was not the same team,as they were last year... whoever plays better in goal,and on defense should win...

commentary...

Red Wings had a very good playoff run,not as long as they wished,and a very good season... losing in game seven,in second round does sucketh,when they had six one goal games in series,and only an empty net goal in game six kept all games to be decided by one goal... like i said earlier,Jimmy Howard was MVP,in playoffs... on offensive side of game,Pavel Datsyuk,and Nicklas Lidstrom were the best players for the Red Wings,in the playoffs... watch out,NHL,next year,because Red Wings will be there again fighting for Stanley Cup!!!!!!!!

RIP Derek Boogaard...

New York Rangers' Derek Boogaard,was found dead,at age 28....

commentary...

the last two games of the Red Wings/Sharks were mirror images of one another-one good,and one bad-for the Red Wings... Sharks losing Ryan Clowe for game six were more of a factor for the Sharks than i thought,because he was the grit for the team... the Sharks played lousy,scoring only one goal in entire game,being out-shot in every period,and by twenty shots in total(45-25),and Howard had a great game,stopping 24 of 25 shots,and making spectacular saves throughout game... Sharks played defensively,trying not to lose,and not win game... Antti Niemi had first two very good periods,but was peppered by 32 shots,and the way the Sharks,and Jimmy Howard were playing in the other net,the Red Wing were going to score more goals than the Sharks that night... three goals(Henrik Zetterberg,Valtteri Filppula,and an empty net goal,by Darren Helm,in 8:17,of time,in third period ended it for the Red Wings... now for game seven,losing Todd Bertuzzi,and Dan Cleary during the first two periods,to injury,and to Jiri Hudler's elbow,when Hudler basically ran over Cleary,in front of Jimmy Howard,did not help... all three goals,by San Jose,were caused by turnovers,by Red Wings,and the Red Wings' defense was not too good,in front of Howard,but Howard almost bailed them out,but the third goal really was the real killer,because puck went off Howard's right thigh,or pad,and got behind him,and was tapped in,by Patrick Marleau,for the game winner... Marleau was called "gutless",by Versus' commentator,and former San Jose Sharks' player Jeremy Roenick,and he proved him wrong,by scoring game winner... what a move JR!!!!!! thank you for giving Sharks bulletin board material in between games... honestly,the Red Wings made two defensive turnovers in front of Howard,and both pucks ended up in back of net... Howard had a good game,but needed to very good,but was just good... i can not blame Howard for loss,but the Red Wings were just horrible in their own defensive end,and the Sharks were forcing the game down the Red Wings' throats,by getting to the pucks first,and just out-playing the Red Wings,in front of Howard,and Red Wings gave up two very bad turnovers in their own defensive end,and that was that... even two beautiful backhand goals,by Henrik Zetterberg(who turned over puck in front of Howard,to Logan Couture,who shot the puck up high past Howard for second goal of first period,at 19:01,of first period),and Pavel Datsyuk did not help,when the Red Wings' defense basically sucked throughout game...

day break from blog...

i am taking a day break from the blog... will finish blogging about the Red Wings' season,tomorrow... i will giving analysis of both conference championship series,early tomorrow morning...

my opinion of Red Wings' MVP,during playoffs...

the MVP of the Red Wings,during the playoffs,was goaltender Jimmy Howard;second best player was Pavel Datsyuk...

NHL history...

if Detroit wins tomorrow,they will be the fourth team,in NHL history,to come from a 0-3 deficit to win series,4 games to 3,and the only team in pro sports history to also lose a 3-0 lead in a series,and lose a series,4 games to 3(1942 Stanley Cup Finals,to Toronto Maple Leafs)...

game score...

Red Wings 3,Sharks 1... analysis tomorrow... STEEL CAGE MATCH OF GAME 7,Thursday night...

game in progress...

Sharks 0,Red Wings 0... Sharks out-shot 18-6,in first period...

Red Wings' news...

game six,Sharks/Red Wings,tomorrow night,in Detroit-in other words,round six....

NHL score...

Vancouver Canucks win second round series,over Nashville Predators,four games to two;won game,tonight,2-1...

commentary...

five of the last eight goals have been scored by third,and fourth line players,for Detroit,which is actually very good news for the Red Wings,and very bad news for the Sharks,because if the top two lines ever get started for the Red Wings,the Sharks are in deep trouble... the difference between the Sharks is that the top two lines,for the Sharks are playing very well,and offensively the Red Wings' top two lines have been very dormant... however,it is easier in NHL to shut down star players,and top lines,because coaches have the book on the star players,and top lines,like Tampa Bay did to Alex Ovechkin,in their playoff series,with Washington... Antti Niemi may have to live in bomb shelter,even if the Sharks get past Detroit,and you know that the Red Wings are going to try to shatter the Sharks' psyche,by shooting rubber,at Niemi,and force the Sharks into dumb penalties,in game six,making them very nervous,and into fatal mistakes,and forcing game seven,in San Jose... i have not said that the Sharks are going to lose,but i have given you a blueprint,for the Red Wings to beat the Sharks,in Detroit... Todd McLellan(Sharks' coach)knows one thing:let the big dogs sleep(shut them down,offensively),and for the most part,the Sharks have done that,and i bet that he is praying that it continues,and unlike last year,could brush off a 7-1 pounding of his team,by the Red Wings(in game four),as one of those games,but this year,he could not brush off back to back 4-3 losses,as one of those games,because last night,he saw the sleeping Red Wings' juggernaut awaken,with a three goal outburst,in third period,to snatch victory,from the jaws of defeat for the Red Wings... if Red Wings' top two lines start firing on all cylinders,like scoring three goals,in period,like they are very capable of doing,how many goals will Devin Setoguchi,Patrick Marleau,and Joe Thornton,along with Joe Pavelski score? you know that Red Wings are very able to play smothering defense,even in San Jose,let alone,Detroit... last night may have been a blip,and bump,on the road,to the Stanley Cup,or is it the start of major trouble,for the Sharks? remember when Philadelphia beat Boston,in seven games,after being down,0-3,in series,they also had to overcome,a 3-0 deficit,in game seven,to win game,4-3(familiar score,isn't it?),and win series,in seven games... McLellan must be praying,to himself,"oh God,no",and the phrase,"let sleeping dogs lie",never was truer than in this series...

commentary...

Red Wings have made second round,or better,thirteen times,in last sixteen years,winning four Stanley Cups(1997.1998,2002,and 2008),and finishing second twice(1995,New Jersey,in a sweep,when they were heavily favored,but they were beaten,by Martin Brodeur,and company,and 2009,when they scored only two goals,in last two games,in the Stanley Cup Finals,and were beaten,by Pittsburgh,losing 2-1,in both games)... San Jose has made the playoffs,five of the last six years,but until last year,they had only one serious run,at the Stanley Cup,but were swept in four games,by Chicago(note:they lost in four games),so their mental psyche may be fragile... they were supposed to beat Red Wings,because pundits were saying that they were best team,in the NHL,over the last two months,which they honestly were the best team,record-wise,since New Year's Day,and handily beat a banged-up Red Wings' team,the last three times they played them,and had won the first three games,of this series,playing like the Red Wings... when scoring four goals,or more,in a playoff game,the Red Wings have won their last 58,or 59 straight games,without a loss,unbelievable,but true!!!!!!! all six wins this year,by Detroit,they have scored four goals,in five games,and six goals,in the other game,this playoff year,(all against Phoenix:4-2,first game,4-3,second game,4-2,third game,and 6-3,fourth game,in a sweep),and the two wins,so far,against San Jose,have been by the score,of 4-3(fourth game,and fifth game)... the MVP for the Red Wings throughout the game has been Jimmy Howard,period!!!!!!! without him,the Red Wings would not be in this situation,and he could have stolen game one,in San Jose,for the Red Wings,had Red Wings had any offense that night... Antti Niemi was great in opening two games,but gave up three goals,on only six shots,in game five... in game four,he gave up winning goal,after coming back from an early 3-0 deficit,the Sharks tied game at three,but losing it late,so no lead may be safe in this series... STEEL CAGE MATCH OF SERIES...

commentary...

i honestly believe that Detroit played their best period of the 2011 playoffs,in third period,tonight... they were out-played most of this game,but yet never gave up,in this game that they had to have,and played tough defense,in third period,and played their best overall offensive period,in playoffs,tonight... i believe that San Jose got off to a 3-1 lead in game,early in third period,and honestly they thought had the Red Wings on the spit,ready to barbecue,and eat for dinner,when they let off the pedal,like the Red Wings have done,at critical times,in this entire season,and the Red Wings took advantage of the misstep,by the Sharks... the Sharks lead in this series,and should win,but their overall playoff record,is not that good,but the fact is that five one goal games,have been in this series,three overtime games,and the Red Wings have played two solid,but grinding games to get back in series... you may get your wish of a game seven,in this series,but will the pressure,of a game seven,get to the Sharks? if it goes seven,the Sharks may rue the fact that they let the 3-1 lead slip away,tonight,because the Red Wings were let off the spit,and history may say that the Sharks will win,because it is so rare,but let me tell you something:all three teams who came back from a 0-3 deficit,to win series,4-3,in NHL history,were very very dangerous offensive teams,but had luck go their way,too,but they could score goals,and Antti Niemi has not looked too good,in last two third periods,in games four and five... Jimmy Howard basically kept the Red Wings,in game,for the Red Wings,by stopping 42 shots,and giving up only three goals,with spectacular saves,in first two periods... Jonathan Ericsson,Niclas Kronwall,Danny Cleary,and Tomas Holmstrom scored goals,and Pavel Datsyuk had three assists,with a sore wrist,and the Red Wings used near-perfect defense,and clamped down on the Sharks,and earning a hard-fought win,away from the Sharks,in third period,so if it goes seven games,what will San Jose do? finish off the Red Wings,or simply crumble under the pressure,of a seven game series... the Red Wings can not play the way they played in game two,or in the first two periods,of game three,because if they do play that way,they will lose quite badly... even though Sharks lead 3-2,in games,they do not have the momentum in the series,and what i said earlier,it may still be a steel cage match in this series,with a barn-burner,in Detroit,and maybe,just maybe,a final steel cage match of a game,in San Jose,in game seven,and until last year,they were known,as a team that basically folded under pressure(not making it out of the second round,the previous four years,before last year),so what do they do,in game seven? experience says that Red Wings would have advantage,in that case,but history says that the Sharks should win,but who knows?

commentary...

with 19:06 left,in game,Red Wings down,3-1,then turned tables on Sharks,with three goals,in 10:09,of game time,and then clamped down on defense,the Red Wings played with passion,and hunger,as Sharks tried to tie game,the last seven minutes,to claim game five,to send series back to Detroit...

game score...

going back to Hockeytown,Red Wings 4,Sharks 3...

commentary...

another one goal game,but this time,Red Wings won game... some pundits may believe that Sharks are better,and to them:eat cake,and shut up... let us go dissect,the one goal losses,to the Sharks,over the last two years,in playoffs... first game,2010,Sharks scored three goals,in 1:10 of game to build lead,and then basically got out-played,the rest of the game,scored late goal,to win,4-3... game two,2010,is a game that i will never forget,because three were ten power plays,for the Sharks,to four,for Red Wings... that would not upset me,except to say that the referees missed two critical penalties,on the Sharks-a high-sticking double minor,on the Sharks,that drew blood,on Johan Franzen,and nine stitches,a real bad dive on Devin Setoguchi,that set up a two man advantage,for the Sharks,that turned a 3-2 Red Wings' lead into,a 4-3 Sharks win,in early part of third period... the referees were so bad that night,that a blind man could have refereed that night,and it seemed that referee Paul Devorski wanted to be the star,not the players... fourteen power plays!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!! game three,in Detroit,2010,Red Wings score three goals in first period,and almost a fourth goal,on a penalty shot,by Henrik Zetterberg,all in first period(the turning point of series)... Sharks stabilize,fight back,and tie game,at three,with two great shots,in third period,and won in overtime,with a passing play,to Patrick Marleau,and shot,that Jimmy Howard would have had to be Gumby to stop... game five was a tightly fought game,and San Jose scored late goal,in third period,to win series,last year... game one,2011,Red Wings score first,and it goes to overtime,and shot goes in,off Brad Stuart's stick,on a shot that honestly,had no right to go in,and Red Wings lose 2-1... Game two,2011,was the game of goalies,and Antti Niemi played better,and Red Wings played defensively all day,and simply played bad,but so did the Sharks,but Red Wings played like they were sleepwalking,in game,and they lose,2-1... game three,2011,Red Wings dominated game,and every time the Sharks had a response to a goal,the Red Wings would score,and they led game,3-2,with 4:08 left,when Dan Boyle scored a goal when Red Wings had a defensive breakdown,and he snuck in from the blue line,and blasted the puck in over Jimmy Howard,to tie game,at three(a great pass,by Kyle Wellwood,and play by Boyle),sending game into overtime,and Devin Setoguchi ended it with shot,off Henrik Zetterberg's stick,for a hat trick... my main point is that the Sharks are a very good dangerous team,like the Red Wings,but pundits have said,and continue to say that the Sharks are a better team,and to the pundits,i say,"suck a rock"... my opinion is that they are very equal,in talent,and they know how to play each other,because both coaching staffs have Detroit Red Wings' links to both teams,so what do you expect-blowouts,no way!!!!!!!!!!

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings/Sharks,game five,Sunday night...

game score...

Red Wings 4,Sharks 3... series now,3 games to one.... analysis tomorrow...

comment...

Mike Babcock says that there will no changes in lineup,against the Sharks,tonight...

commentary...

San Jose captain Joe Thornton has said that he does not give Red Wings any momentum,in the series... if i was him,the team should feel like the Sharks should sweep,and give Red Wings no momentum... i do not disagree with sentiment,but you do not want a team coming back from,0-3,if team can help it... point is:you want to put pedal to floor,and finish off an opponent,if you have chance... i would love see Thornton eat crow... i love Red Wings,but the fact that the Sharks have won three in a row,is applauded by me,because i am a true fan of the game of hockey,and this is a demolition,so far,simply by the way that the Sharks are playing this series,and taking advantage of every mis-step,by Detroit,and getting every major break,in series,by hard work... the difference between last year,when i thought the Red Wings were the better team,and this year,is that the Sharks were prepared to win,and has been the better team-surprise-so far,but i just want to see how many games Detroit can win,to extend series,because it starts one game at a time... Detroit has had trouble getting started in games,but now it is do or die,or season over...

commentary...

yesterday was a day to be a true fan of the game of hockey... Tampa Bay dispatched Washington,in a classic display of pure hockey domination,in four games... both Boston and San Jose put Philadelphia,and Detroit in a 3-0 hole,in ways that were similar to last year... Tampa Bay destroyed Washington offensively,by shutting down Alex Ovechkin,and company,frustrating them no end,and putting the hammer down on them,in third period... it reminded of the Red Wings,when they knew that they had a team down,and out,by simply putting a team out of their misery,by playing defense... their rookie general manager came from Hockeytown-Red Wings' Hall of Fame member,Steve Yzerman... no wonder that the Lightning played like Detroit... Philadelphia's goaltending broke down,in a 5-1 mauling,by Boston,and unlike last year,both Boston,and San Jose have a little more grit,and in the case of the Bruins,they have much more talent,than the Flyers,and in case of San Jose,they are digging deeper,and with more overall grit,than the Red Wings,and that is the difference... amazingly the only win,by the Red Wings this season,was when i was in the building,so far-a 5-3 win,in San Jose,on November 30th,2010... hard to believe!!!!!!!!

commentary...

the series may read,3-0,San Jose,but the series difference is actually paper-thin... both teams are hungry,but the Sharks seem a little hungrier than the Red Wings,fighting just a little harder for the puck,but to be honest,they are one of the best teams,in NHL... the Sharks are playing tougher,and are getting to the puck a hair quicker,and i have to give them a very grudging respect,in how they are dissecting the Red Wings,not in total games,but at critical times,because Detroit has scored only five goals,in series,but Sharks have scored only eight goals,in this series... not a power-laden series,but just like a pier-six brawl,in a huge bar... both goaltenders are having good series,but Antti Niemi is making the key saves,in series,and Jimmy Howard is not making key saves,and weird bounces of the puck have gone the Sharks' way,with many goals in net off the Red Wings' sticks... Howard and Niemi,are having good series,but the Sharks are taking advantage of the Red Wings' momentary lapses in defense,and i mean exactly momentary,because,actually,that is the difference in the series,and a paper-thin advantage,for the Sharks...

Red Wings' news...

Sharks/Red Wings,game four,Friday...

commentary...

this was the Red Wings' best game,of this series,but San Jose exploited every weakness that the Red Wings had,and have gotten every major bounce,and break,in this game,and in the series... the last two goals,by Devin Setoguchi(in his hat trick),was bad bounces(one puck was mis-hit,and yet the puck knuckled off the left goalpost),and the other went off Henrik Zetterberg's stick,and deflected into net,for the game winner)... both goaltenders were just human in net,and Antti Niemi stopped enough pucks to win,including two great saves,in overtime... Mike Babcock said that they played defensively,in third period,and he was right,because the Sharks refused to lose,at all... Sharks' tying goal,by Dan Boyle,was on a great pass,and the one defensive breakdown,by Red Wings,in third period,and just a great play,by the Sharks... i just read in the NHL.com article,that this rally came on the one year anniversary of last year's game three rally,in which the Sharks came back from a two goal deficit,in third period,to win game three,last year,by a,guess what,4-3,score... hate this day!!!!! heartbreak,this day,in last two years...

game score,and commentary...

Devin Setoguchi hat trick beats Detroit,4-3,in overtime.... just got beat,by the Sharks... good game,by both teams... applauded Sharks,like i said... they just beat Red Wings,at own game... tough game,can not complain... i will be more critical of game,tomorrow...

commentary...

remember the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals:Red Wings won opening two games,but who won Stanley Cup? Pittsburgh... 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs,first round,Montreal beat Boston,in Boston,in first two games,but Boston won series,in seven games... so Red Wings are not out of the series,but mention last year,when Detroit lost to Sharks,in five,but you think back that game three was series breaker,and ball-breaker,to the Red Wings,when Red Wings dominated the first two periods,and almost had a 4-0 lead,in game,when Evgeni Nabokov stopped Henrik Zetterberg,on a penalty shot... that penalty shot was truly the turning point,in the series,because if the Red Wings score on that penalty shot-game over-that day,and then Red Wings destroyed Sharks,7-1,in game four... actually that series was closer than the series score-five games,four games,to one,Sharks... three 4-3 games,all wins by the Sharks,but pundits will not tell me that the Sharks were better,last year... if the Sharks do win series,i will applaud,out of respect,like i did,for the Sharks' last goal,last November 30th,remember,and take it like a true hockey fan... i have to give Antti Niemi respect,for the way that he is playing,against Detroit,with an unbelievable .966 save percentage,and he is the only reason that Red Wings are losing this series,but honestly,there are ways to beat him,by going to the net,and starting to dig for goals,and try to tip pucks,and block vision on the power play,and Detroit has not done much of that...

Red Wings' news...

Sharks/Red Wings,game three,tomorrow....

commentary...

my opinion of yesterday's game is that the Red Wings did absolutely nothing on offense,for fifty-four minutes,and played,"skate the puck",which means the Red Wings played like total wimps... they could have won both games easily,but they played scared,scoring only one goal,in both games... i am really disgusted by the way that they played yesterday,and Mike Babcock should be really pissed off,because they really did nothing for almost the entire game,on offense,and,really,any team who gives up only two goals per game,in playoffs,should be leading series,or tied,at least... the Sharks were beatable yesterday,because they did very little on offense,too,but Antti Niemi bailed them out,in both games... the only Red Wings' player that i will not denigrate,will be Jimmy Howard... the winning goal yesterday,tipped off his glove,and over his head,and i will not blame him for that,because San Jose was out-playing Red Wings,and i was totally disgusted with the effort that the Red Wings gave yesterday... when i said that the game was lost,when Sharks scored their second goal,with 18:21 left,in third period,i was disgusted,and saw that the Red Wings had absolutely no jump,and the way that they were playing were disgusting,with an effort that was simply embarrassing,and to be a Red Wings' player,today,is to bow their heads,and hide their faces,because the team stunk it up,on offense,for the first two games,because without Howard,they would have blown out,in both games,by the Sharks... they were lucky in not giving up more than two goals per game,because they really stunk,and yesterday's game was a low point,in their entire history... i am a true fan of real hockey,and simply will say that only the opening game,of the Nashville/Vancouver series,was worse,but just barely,by a hair... Sharks are beatable in this series,but Red Wings have to solve Antti Niemi,in both games,in Detroit,by shooting rubber,at him,for over sixty minutes,if need be,and rattle him in net,and putting people in front of him,to block his vision,when they shoot,because he is seeing everything,which he will stop 99%,of the time... the only two goals that Red Wings have scored are the only great shots,that the Red Wings have shot,in this series... in fact,the only shot that Red Wings had someone in front,of Niemi,was the first goal of the series,and the only goal,by the Red Wings,that they scored in game one... Henrik Zetterberg's goal was set up,by a great pass,but Red Wings have done very little offensively,in this series,and i am disgusted by their play,period...

game score,and comment...

Sharks 2 Red Wings 1... simply put,two goals in two games,does not win squat... Jimmy Howard,and Antti Niemi,are playing on their heads,but Detroit has sucked on offense,with a pathetic effort,period....