The Sky Is Falling!

Yea, that’s a familiar pose those of us here in Florida have seen many times before with Uncle Jack looking up at the Hockey Gods for some guidance, or a signal that everyting (that’s how he says it) will be ok.  Um, I don’t think so.  Usually when Martin is striking this pose he’s actually praying for the 16 ton weight that’s coming down to miss him and strike the “other guy”.  Sorry, even Wile E. Coyote got out of the way most of the time.  As for Martin, it usually hits him square in the head.  Or at least his goaltenders’.

No matter how much pride and effort his team may have, it’s beginning to look like the Capitals are going to blow right past the Habs.  The only place they’ll be going is the golf course!  Alex Ovechkin and veteran Mike Knuble (like that name) scored twice and Semyon Varlamov’s terrific goaltending last night led the Caps, who now have a 3-1 edge over Montreal.  This was the sixth straight loss on home ice for Montreal as not even a goaltending change could alter their results, as they face their second consecutive first round exit.  Varlamov was great last night as the Habs held a 33-18 shot advantage after two periods, including 21-9 in the second, but the score was only 2-2.

Washington however smelled blood, and came out on fire in the third, outshooting Montreal 20-6 and banged in four goals, only two of which got past Carey Price who was good, but not good enough in his only start of the playoffs so far.  Michael Cammalleri and Brian Gionta, two thirds of the Giant Mexican Squid Line (coined by our friends at Four Habs Fans) scored for Montreal.  The third part of that line would be Scott Gomez in case you didn’t know.  The Caps are doing this while their power play is a dismal 1-19.  The Bell Centre was pretty quiet as the third period wound down, and somewhat empty too.  Probably the last game of the year there.  Find out more on Friday from Washington. 

In Boston, the Devil scored the winner in double over time.  Well, not really the devil, but former Sabre Miroslav Satan scored only his second career playoff goal to lead the Bruins over the Sabres, putting Buffalo in a position that they never saw coming at the beginning of this series.  Satan’s goal, on the power play, due to a “too many men on the ice” call on the Sabres, is a haunting reminder for Bruins fans, who lost the Cup back in the 70’s on such a call.

Buffalo had a 2-0 lead going into the third frame, until David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron scored to tie things up, forcing the extra hockey.  Both goaltenders, Tuukka Rask for Boston and Ryan Miller for the Sabres were excellent, putting on quite the clinic.  But it was Rask in the end who stood taller with several crucial saves.  Once again, a game that Miller didn’t deserve to lose.  As for the Sabres and Drew Stafford, the culprit of the penalty, they’ve seriously got their backs against the wall.  Lindy Ruff took full blame for the situation, but let’s face it, players need to know when to come on the ice.

Note:  There have been 16 too many men on the ice calls already in the first round of the playoffs.  There were 17 all of last year’s postseason!

Finally in Los Angeles last night the Team Sweden Vancouver finally got some scoring from the “other” Sedin as Henrik made a nifty pass to his sister brother Daniel, got the puck back and slipped it past Jonathan Quick, and the Nucks are still alive.  The Canucks scored four times in the third period, and it seemed like the new line of the Sedins and Mikael Samuelsson worked about as well as Charlies Angels.  You know, always solving the crime!

Samuelsson scored for the fifth time as he seems to be making a statement playoff run to prove that he did belong in the Olympics.  Hey, whatever motivates you.  Bobby Lose Luo had a bounce back game making 22 saves and showing no ill effects of his sore fingernail hand from the other night.  It was a back and fourth contest with not much defence being played.  As well as L.A. scoring on it’s sixth consecutive power play opporunity.  Vancouver finally put a stop to that in the second, and Pavol Demitra scored on a 2 on 1 breakaway knoting the game at 2.  The Kings came back shortly after that on a goal by Anze Kopitar, but Vancouver kept coming back and would not go down losers.  So now this series is tied at 2 and we have a best of three.  Won’t be disappointing as this has been one of the more exciting matchups to watch.

Tonight four games on the tilt with this writer’s having stomach trouble the closer the Blackhawks and Predators game gets. 

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville is probably switching lines as I’m typing.  Opps, he just did it again. There’s talk about his job security already.  Easy folks.  It’s only three games so far, and Nashville has never won more than two in a series, and the Hawks typically rebound after a loss.  Although I have two questions should coach Q not survive.  What are the lines, and will the new guy have a mustache?

Go Hawks.  I really can’t focus on the other matchups tonight.

Don’t forget to tune into Rink Side Rants tonight at 9:00 P.M. Eastern as me and the boys talk playoff hockey.  Tonights show is 45 minutes loing as there’s alot of playoff hockey to talk about.  Give us a listen, and call in ask a question.

Thanks for reading.

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers