There are two goalies in the National Hockey League that need more playing time right now. For different reasons.
One is on a team that has wandered out of the wilderness and looking for it's first playoff berth in more than a decade. The other is for a team that was once dominant, but is now rebuilding.
One is at the end of his career. The other is about in the middle of it.
One has a whole lot of experience. The other would cherish that, if given an opportunity.
Craig Anderson is the type of goalie who has seen peaks and valleys during his career. It's not necessarily his play, but rather the men in front of him. Their play has not always been up to par. But he's helping guide the Buffalo Sabers back to respectability.
Alex Stalock is the classic example of a goalie who has never quite found a home (Think Gary "Suitcase" Smith). It all started for him in San Jose a while back. Here Alex was, playing just a single National Hockey League game in 2010/11, but having at least some satisfaction that he made the big leagues.
It wasn't exactly what Stalock had hoped. The game was really a half game. The rookie played 29 minutes and 47 seconds for the San Jose Sharks on February 11th. The native of St. Paul, Minnesota would more than hold his own for the Sharks that night. The Minnesota Wild threw nine shots at him. The Wild had a 3-0 lead when the new goalie took over from Antti Niemi. From there, San Jose scored five goals, and Stalock had a most unexpected win, Elroy Face style, in his first NHL game.
So most of the season, 61 games, was spent at Worcester, San Jose's AHL team. Sure, the kid needed some playing time, but Alex would soon finding himself needing some National Hockey League action. But Stalock would see none of that in 2011/12, and only two NHL games in the strike-shortened 12/13 season.
Patience paid off, as he had an excellent rookie season in 2013/14. 1.87 goals-against average, .932 save percentage. A 12-5-2 record. The big problems was, Alex Stalock was merely a back-up netminder. He'd play 24 games that year, and another 22 the next. His performance dropped a bit, and that certainly didn't help.
The Sharks traded the kid to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that brought San Jose James Reimer. Reimer, by the way, was one of my favourites, and I was sad to see him go. But, looking back, I feel bad for Alex Stalock, too. He would not play a single NHL game for Toronto.
So it was on to Minnesota as a free agent for Stalock. There, things seemed to improve. He even appeared in a career-best 38 games in 2019/20. Alex won 20 games that season.
Now, you'd think Stalock was set to stay with the Wild. Instead it would be back to San Jose after a stop in Edmonton which saw the goalie play not a single NHL game. Were things better the second time around for Stalock? Alex played one game in 2021/22. It was tough, as the goaltender was suffering from myocarditis during 20/21. It seemed like hockey life wasn't offering him enough action.
The Chicago Blackhawks might have been the last place Alex wanted to go to. They'd fallen a long way by the time Stalock signed with them for 2022/23. But the 22/23 season has been a lot better than you would have figured.
There was a concussion. There was oculomotor dysfunction. Alex missed several games between those two issues. But the goalie, who turned 35 years old on July 28th of 2022, turned each of those into temporary setbacks. The team in front of him was not good, but he persevered.
A December 23rd win capped of a strong streak, dating back to October 21st, that Chicago's new goalie went 4-1-1 with a credible .905 save percentage. The tough time were inevitable for a team that looked to unload the contracts of their two big guns (Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews), and soon the poor newcomer to the Blackhawks to the patience test.
On the last day of February, a 4-1 loss to Arizona officially dropped Alex Stalock's season record under .500 (6-7-1). However, earlier this year, Alex shutout the Coyotes. And just the other day (March 6th), Stalock was awesome, stopping all 35 shots against in a 5-0 win over the surging Ottawa Senators.
The magic appeared to carry over to last Wednesday's game. It's a bit of a tough time in Chicago. Sure, they'd won five in a row from February 17th to 25th. Reality was, the Blackhawks were still only 21-32-5 despite their recent hot streak. Patrick Kane was going all out for Chicago, as he and Jonathan Toews were in their final year of their contracts. Toews, suffering from illness that Covid is a part of, has not played since January 28th, was on hot streak, with eight points in his last ten games. Chicago did not trade him at the deadline, but dealt Kane to the New York Rangers, and that sort of marked the end of an era.
With that said, it's not like having Toews around again, even just until the end of the season, wouldn't give the team a lift. He's one of the last links to the glory days of the Blackhawks, with Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. This is probably the toughest stretches of the season for Chicago, who has endured not one, but two eight-game losing streaks in 2022/23.
So it was up to the kids to respond. The game against Detroit appeared to be a good one for Chicago, as they took an early 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Taylor Raddysh. Reality set in, and Detroit roared back to win, 4-3.
A tough loss for this young Blackhawks team. But their 35-year old goalie Alex Stalock had performed admirably. 41 shots against, 37 saves. And a close look at Alex's record to date bears that this was typical of him all year. His save percentage is now an excellent .920, fifth in the National Hockey League among goalies who have appeared in fifteen or more games. The loss dropped his record to 7-8-1, but it's been quite a season for this veteran.
Who knows what will happen to Alex at the end of the season. A kid, Jaxon Stauber, who's father Robb played in the NHL, opened some eyes by going 5-1-0 in a short stint with the Blackhawks this season. Petr Mrazek is signed through 2023/24, but has really struggled. Stalock was only signed for a one-year deal. Mrazek has been having his problems in the Chicago net.
In order to qualify for for the save percantage title, a goalie must play at least 26 games (In an 82-game season). That's the other thing: Shouldn't Chicago make the kind jester to allow one of their better players to possibly lead the league in a positive stat?
Alex has been one of Chicago's lone bright spot, and given his vagabond-like career, it would be nice to see it end the right way in the Windy City. Obviously, the chance to draft a player like Connor Bedard is good a prospect to pass up, but with a guy like Jonathan Toews winding down his Chicago career, it would be nice to see the Blackhawks putting out their best team on the ice.
Craig Anderson is 41, with his next birthday looming in May. Unlike Stalock, Anderson has seen it all. His own NHL career started way back in 2002/03. Back when scoring was low, and with Alex Stalock's current team.
Anderson didn't really impress with the Blackhawks, but that was alright. The native of Park Ridge, Illinois was a classic case of a late bloomer. His next stop was in Florida, where he flourished. It seemed to all come together in Colorado in 2009/10, as Craig made 71 appearances, winning 38.
Though the Avalanche lost in the first round of the playoffs, Anderson impressed there, too. His .933 save percentage was tops among goalies in the postseason. It was no fluke.
Craig went on to Ottawa, where he'd some good and some bad teams. Anderson seemed to be the one constant good player on the team who would bring it every night. Never was that more evident than in the 2017 postseason. It had been a tough year for him. His wife Nicholle had battled throat cancer that season, and Craig was there at her side. When he returned to the Senators, he was ever the goalie, taking them to within a goal of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Anderson's time in Ottawa ended after the 2019/20 season. Washington signed him the next season, but really didn't seem to think he could help. In limited time (Four appearances), Craig went 2-1 with a .915 save percentage. He also made two playoff appearances against Boston, his first postseason in four years. Anderson's save percentage in those two games was .929. Did he still have it? Or was it time, now around 40, to call it?
Well, Buffalo had been a team that had struggled for so long. There had been Craig Anderson in 2012/13, 12-9-2, league-leading .941 save percentage and 1.69 goals-against average. Craig was helping Ottawa that season, but not Buffalo, who limped home to a 21-21-6. It would be their last .500 season to date.
The 21/22 team was seemingly going nowhere when they signed Craig Anderson. Could the old man get through the season? He sure did. And though Buffalo only won 32 games in 2021/22, Craig had made a big difference. The Sabres were 15-34-7 in 2020/21, so this was a huge improvement, 32-39-11. Anderson wasn't quite the goalie he'd used to be, as his save percentage was below .900 (.897) and his goals-against average was above three, (3.12), but his record was very good. 17-12-2. Put in perspective, backup goalie Dustin Tokarski was 10-12-5, with a .899 save percentage and 3.27 GAA. Craig found ways to win games that Dustin could not. The team had to scrape and claw their way to victories most nights, as Buffalo was only 22nd in goals for (232) and allowed 290 goals against (Only seven teams allowed more)
But Craig basically said, in regards to his solid 2021/22 season, "If you think that's good, wait until you see what's next!" Next, as in "Next season." It's been one of those years where many things have come together for Buffalo. Tage Thompson, who is from Phoenix, Arizona, seems poised to top the 50 goal, 100 point mark. His previous high in goals was 38. Then, there was defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. He'd had a pretty good season for the Sabers in 2021/22, with 13 goals and 40 assists in 80 games. But now, just a year later, and in only 60 games, Rasmus already has 63 points.
Buffalo has been an offence juggernaut this year. But in order to win games, you need goaltending. That's where Craig Anderson comes into play.
He's just 9-9-2. But the big numbers are back to vintage Anderson: .918 save percentage and 2.78 goals-against average (Those numbers would unquestionably be better if Buffalo wasn't such a young team)
And it's paying dividends for the Sabers. Their other goalies are too young and inexperienced to carry a budding team. At least to take in the bulk of the work. The Sabres have actually employed three primary netminders, with Craig Anderson sometimes the forgotten man.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in just his third season in the National Hockey League. His win-loss record is pretty much what you'd expect from a newbie on a poor team. 1-3-0 in 2020/21. 2-5-2 in 21/22 despite a fine .917 save percentage and 2.74 goals-against average.
This year has been a bit of a struggle for Luukkonen. Though he's the big winner on the Sabres with fifteen W's (So far), his save percentage (.893) and GAA (3.61) have not been up to par prior to Saturday's game against the New York Rangers. The 15-10-2 record is not complimented his overall numbers. Having said that, Ukko-Pekka gave a pretty good performance in a 2-1 overtime loss against New York two days ago.
The Sabres third goalie is Eric Comrie, who has had quite an NHL adventure. Not too far off Alex Stalock's. Two tour of duties with the Winnipeg Jets. Stops in Detroit and New Jersey. Here, in Buffalo, it's been tough. Despite an 8-9-0 record, Eric might not be NHL-ready just yet. His S% is only .877 and his GAA is 3.87. And Comrie has battled injuries.
First, there was a lower body injury in November. And just recently, after being pummeled for ten goals on forty-nine shots against Dallas on Friday (March 9th), there was another injury, again to the lower body. He is listed as week-to-week.
So this opens the door for Craig Anderson. The Sabres are in a bit of a slump, currently sitting at sixth place in their division. Now, it all depends how you look at it. They are but four points back of the Florida Panthers, but Buffalo has two games in hand. They trail the fifth-place Ottawa Senators by just a point (70-69), but with a game in hand.
Getting to fourth place would be an amazing accomplishment for the Sabres, however that does not guarantee them a playoff spot. Spots seventh and eighth (The two wild-card positions) in the Eastern Conference are currently occupied by Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders. The Pens appear to have things in order, 34-22-10, having gone 7-2-1 in their last ten contests. That's put Pittsburgh up to 78 points in 66 games. Very unlikely that Buffalo can catch them.
The New York Islanders are a different matter. They have 76 points, but have played three more games than the Buffalo Sabres (68-65). So there is still a chance for Buffalo to catch them. The Sabres need to start winning, as the Islanders, too, are heating up (6-3-1 in their last 10 contests, compared to the Sabres 4-5-1 in that span).
With Comrie out, Craig Anderson steps back into the picture. He's been here before. Think back to 2014/15, when he was the forgotten man when Andre Hammond came up from the minors, and guided Ottawa to the playoff spot. But that's where things got tough. Anderson returned in the playoffs, going 2-2 to go along with a .972 save percentage and a 0.97 goals-against average. The Senators sort of just sneaked in the playoffs in 2015, which is what the Sabres are trying to do eight years later.
Eric Comrie's injury opens the door for Craig Anderson. As you can see, there are Craig's numbers, and then there are every other goalie for Buffalo's numbers. Two vastly different levels. And then there is Anderson's playoff numbers (24 wins, 23 losses, .929 save percentage, 2.36 goals-against average). Who'd you rather have in there come late March on?
If the Sabres are to sneak into the playoffs, they will need goaltending down the stretch (Sixteen games) to get there. Buffalo has it on offence, as their team has lit the red lamp 238 times this year (Good enough for third overall in goals for). I dread, for other NHL teams' sake, to think what this mostly-young Sabres team will be like to play against in a few seasons.
Getting back to Anderson, it's still up in the air if he wants to continue after this season. In an interview with Elliote Friedman that he is leaning towards retirement after this season, feeling the lure of spending more time with his children. But that was back in November. From his first December appearance in 2022 to his narrow 3-2 loss to Edmonton in Craig's last game (March 6th), it's been great for Anderson. 6-6-2, an amazing 40-save shutout performance included. Another game more recently where Craig stopped 49 out of 50 Florida shots. So in the last sixteen games, all he's done is record a .921 save percentage and a 2.75 goals-against average. Craig has lost some close games, too. Which is what you'd expect if you are on a young team that is still learning about the finer points of defence.
Craig could choose to go the Johnny Bower route in hockey. Bower continued to excel well past his 40th birthday. The Leafs' old warhorse of the 1960s continued to be one of the best goalies in the National Hockey League past the big 4-0, lasting six more seasons. Anderson will take on Bower's old team tonight. Buffalo is a little short on goalie talent right now, and Craig not only clearly the best goalie on the Sabres, but the most consistent one.
References
“Alex Stalock Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats.” Cap Friendly, CapFriendly.com, https://www.capfriendly.com/players/alex-stalock. 13 Mar. 2023.
CBSSports.com, Columbia Broadcasting System, https://www.cbssports.com/. 13 Mar. 2023.
Hoppe, Bill. “Goalie Eric Comrie Injured Again in Rough First Season with Sabres.” Buffalo Hockey Beat, Olean Times Herald, 13 Mar. 2023, https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/goalie-eric-comrie-injured-again-in-rough-first-season-with-sabres/. 13 Mar. 2023.
Lazerus, Mark. “Five Blackhawks Thoughts, from Pride Night to Jonathan Toews’ Pending Return.” The Athletic, The Athletic Media Company, https://theathletic.com/4290143/2023/03/08/blackhawks-loss-red-wings-pride-jonathan-toews/. 13 Mar. 2023.
NHL.com. “Official Site of the National Hockey League.” NHL.com, The National Hockey League, https://www.nhl.com/. 13 Mar. 2023.
Roumeliotis, Charlie. “When Healthy, Stalock Has Been One of Best Goalies This Season.” NBC Sports, National Broadcast Company , 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/ when-healthy-alex-stalock-has-been-one-nhls-best-goaltenders-season. 13 Mar. 2023.
Smith, Connor. “Blackhawks Would Be Wise to Extend Alex Stalock.” The Hockey Writers, The Hockey Writers, 10 Mar. 2023, https://thehockeywriters.com/blackhawks-alex-stalock-extension-wise-decision/. 13 Mar. 2023.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. https://www.hockey-reference.com/. 13 Mar. 2023.
Sportsnet, "32 Thoughts: Craig Anderson Reflects On Career Path, If He'll Be Back Next Season & More." YouTube, 23 Nov. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NwQLPYRyzo. 13 Mar. 2023.
Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/. 13 Mar. 2023.
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Showing posts with label current hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label current hockey. Show all posts
Monday, March 13, 2023
Anderson And Stalock: Why They Need To Play More!
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Common Denominator: Pittsburgh And Las Vegas!
"At one point in their careers, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, in 2018, on the Stanley Cup Finalist, Vegas Golden Knights."
The Golden Knights face off against the Capitals, with the extravaganza starting on May 28th. But the Knights have something up their sleeve: The have some former members of Washington's old nemesis, Pittsburgh.
For starters, let's look at Marc Andre Fleury and Ryan Reaves. Reaves was traded to Pittsburgh by St. Louis in the 2017 offseason. But 58 games into his tenure with the Penguins, it was adios to Ryan. He went west to the Golden Knights.
Fleury was exposed in the expansion draft of 2017. The goalie got Pittsburgh through the first two rounds in their Stanley Cup-winning season of 2016/17. Matt Murray took over in the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa. The Pens didn't use Fleury past game 3, there. But he's sure helped Vegas. Fleury also has a 2009 playoff-series win over Washington in his resume.
James Neal lost, as a member of the Nashville Predators, to Matt Murray and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. A tough six-game finals which nevertheless gave him his first taste of a championship series. The 2018 finals will be the second straight year he plays in one. James played for Pittsburgh from 2010/11 to 2013/14.
David Perron played just a half season (43 games) for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014/15. He scored 12 goals and added 10 assists, but was pretty much a non-factor in their five-game playoff loss to the New York Rangers that season.
Derek Engelland is the oldest member of the brand new expansion team in Vegas. He played for the Pens from 2009/10 to 2013/14 seasons. Though he never won a Stanley Cup, or played in the finals with them, he was a teammate of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for five seasons. At the age of 35, he's finally in the finals.
So the Vegas Golden Knights have connections to Sid and Evgeni. Now, does this tip the odds in their favour come this Monday? We shall see. The Capitals finally got by the Penguins in six games in the Metropolitan Division Finals. It was the Caps first playoffs series win over the Pens in 24 years. Now, the Caps are back in the finals for the first time in 20 years. Alexander Ovechkin and his teammates are in uncharted waters, as of course are the Vegas Golden Knights. There will be a familiar foe in the nets, from playoff battles past. Can Vegas get back what seems like a team of destiny? Again, we shall see.
References
Dividock, Kaitlyn. “The Penguins' Cup Defense Is over, but Their Exes Are Still Playing.” SBNation.com, Sports Blog Nation, Vox Media. Web. 26 May 2018, www.sbnation.com/nhl/2018/5/26/17375620/vegas-golden-knights-former-penguins.
“Official Site of the National Hockey League.” NHL.com, The National Hockey League, www.nhl.com/. Web. 26 May. 2018.
The Golden Knights face off against the Capitals, with the extravaganza starting on May 28th. But the Knights have something up their sleeve: The have some former members of Washington's old nemesis, Pittsburgh.
For starters, let's look at Marc Andre Fleury and Ryan Reaves. Reaves was traded to Pittsburgh by St. Louis in the 2017 offseason. But 58 games into his tenure with the Penguins, it was adios to Ryan. He went west to the Golden Knights.
Fleury was exposed in the expansion draft of 2017. The goalie got Pittsburgh through the first two rounds in their Stanley Cup-winning season of 2016/17. Matt Murray took over in the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa. The Pens didn't use Fleury past game 3, there. But he's sure helped Vegas. Fleury also has a 2009 playoff-series win over Washington in his resume.
James Neal lost, as a member of the Nashville Predators, to Matt Murray and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. A tough six-game finals which nevertheless gave him his first taste of a championship series. The 2018 finals will be the second straight year he plays in one. James played for Pittsburgh from 2010/11 to 2013/14.
David Perron played just a half season (43 games) for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014/15. He scored 12 goals and added 10 assists, but was pretty much a non-factor in their five-game playoff loss to the New York Rangers that season.
Derek Engelland is the oldest member of the brand new expansion team in Vegas. He played for the Pens from 2009/10 to 2013/14 seasons. Though he never won a Stanley Cup, or played in the finals with them, he was a teammate of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for five seasons. At the age of 35, he's finally in the finals.
So the Vegas Golden Knights have connections to Sid and Evgeni. Now, does this tip the odds in their favour come this Monday? We shall see. The Capitals finally got by the Penguins in six games in the Metropolitan Division Finals. It was the Caps first playoffs series win over the Pens in 24 years. Now, the Caps are back in the finals for the first time in 20 years. Alexander Ovechkin and his teammates are in uncharted waters, as of course are the Vegas Golden Knights. There will be a familiar foe in the nets, from playoff battles past. Can Vegas get back what seems like a team of destiny? Again, we shall see.
References
Dividock, Kaitlyn. “The Penguins' Cup Defense Is over, but Their Exes Are Still Playing.” SBNation.com, Sports Blog Nation, Vox Media. Web. 26 May 2018, www.sbnation.com/nhl/2018/5/26/17375620/vegas-golden-knights-former-penguins.
“Official Site of the National Hockey League.” NHL.com, The National Hockey League, www.nhl.com/. Web. 26 May. 2018.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey
Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. 26 May. 2018.Web.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Common Denominator: St. Louis And Las Vegas
"Expansion teams, won 8 postseason games their first year in the National Hockey League."
The great expansion of 1967/68 saw the NHL double in size from six teams to twelve. One of the new teams was the St. Louis Blues, who were coached by some chap named Scotty Bowman. They had Glenn Hall in net, plucked away from Chicago in the expansion draft.
The team itself was full of many of these castoffs, but Hall certainly was a steal. Amazingly enough, the Blues would be the third team he took all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. How long did it take Glenn to do that? Only 13 seasons. In 1961, he beat Montreal single-handily in the semi-finals and then nailed the door shut on Detroit (His old team) a round later. Just the type of goalie a new team needs.
Now, the Blues W-L-T record wasn't very good, 27-31-16. Put in perspective five of the Original Six teams (Boston, Chicago, Montreal, New York and Toronto did better than that. Two other new teams topped it for good measure. But neither the Philadelphia Flyers or Los Angeles Kings would make the Stanley Cup finals that year.
Philadelphia, with their 31-32-11 record for...first place in the Western Conference (Home of all the newbies) got St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs. It was now three rounds to win for the Stanley Cup. Previously, it had been only two.
Red Berenson had led the Blues in scoring with just 51 points. Their team captain, btw, was none other than future legendary coach Al Arbour. Amazingly enough, he'd been to the Stanley Cup finals with three teams himself. And St. Louis would be the fourth.
It took seven games, but St. Louis had an upset. They stole it 3-1 in game 7 on the road. Minnesota was next, but this time, guess who had home ice advantage? St. Louis did. They needed it, too, as Ron Schock's double-OT winner in game seven sent the Blues into the finals against the Montreal Canadians.
Now, here's where it's not fair. An established team vs. a new team. A current greats vs. a bunch of "has beens"? St. Louis wasn't exactly the latter, but they were swept!
But then again, every game was close. One goal decided every game, in fact. Games one and three went into OT. Glenn Hall? He walked away with the playoff MVP (Conn Smythe Award). The team had nothing to be ashamed of.
50 years later, the Las Vegas Golden Knights were the one and only newbies in the NHL, which was now at 31 teams, if you can believe it. You know what team was the worst? Why the Golden Knights. Only, they didn't exactly play like that in 2017/18, did they?
They didn't.
How long did it take them to win their 27th game? Only 38 contests were needed for Las Vegas to get that. At the time, the Golden Knights were 27-9-2. Wow!
Soon, the expansion team won their 34th game of the season, a new National Hockey League record for first-year organizations. Vegas didn't stop there. When the smoke had cleared after 82 regular season games, the new kids were 51-24-7. 1st place in the Pacific. Third overall in the Western Conference. Hmmm...Where have I heard that one before?
When the playoffs started, Vegas rode a strong team effort to sweep the Los Angeles Kings in round #1. But here we go again. All four games were decided by one goal.
The San Jose Sharks was once an expansion team not that long ago. 1991/92 to be exact. Hey, Gary Bettman wasn't even around back then and the NHL was 75 years old. Not 101.
Getting back to it, no sweep here. The Sharks, coming off a sweep of their own of the Anaheim Ducks, stayed with the Knights. After losing the first game by a lopsided score of 7-0, they bounced back with some overtime magic to steal game two. The new guys were undaunted. They won an OT game of their own in the third contest, but couldn't get anything past Martin Jones in the fourth one. The 4-0 win by San Jose at home leveled this, 2-2 in games.
Here's where Las Vegas was expected to fold. But they held on to their nerves. A 4-0 lead was nearly erased, and the home team needed a Jonathan Marchessault empty net goal to prevail 5-3. The series then shifted back to San Jose and Marc Andre Fleury was through giving up goals to the Sharks. His team scored three, but Marc needed only one. The 3-0 win moved 'em into the Conference Finals. Winnipeg was up next!
So, do the wheels finally come off the chariot here? Just like it did in the third round for St. Louis 50 years ago? Could very well have. Game one went to the home team, the Jets.
If the new guys want to make it a series, Las Vegas will have to steal game two on the road. Coach Gerald Gallant will have to be a mastermind ala-Scotty Bowman. Nonetheless, years after the first expansion experiment produced the lovable Blues, the Knights are trying to write their own history. For now, they'll have to settle with a shared spot in NHL history for postseason wins by a first year expansion team.
References
Maguire, Liam. What's The Score? Random House Canada, 2001. Print
“Official Site Of The National Hockey League.” NHL.com. The National Hockey League. Web. 13 May. 2018. <www.nhl.com/>.
The great expansion of 1967/68 saw the NHL double in size from six teams to twelve. One of the new teams was the St. Louis Blues, who were coached by some chap named Scotty Bowman. They had Glenn Hall in net, plucked away from Chicago in the expansion draft.
The team itself was full of many of these castoffs, but Hall certainly was a steal. Amazingly enough, the Blues would be the third team he took all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. How long did it take Glenn to do that? Only 13 seasons. In 1961, he beat Montreal single-handily in the semi-finals and then nailed the door shut on Detroit (His old team) a round later. Just the type of goalie a new team needs.
Now, the Blues W-L-T record wasn't very good, 27-31-16. Put in perspective five of the Original Six teams (Boston, Chicago, Montreal, New York and Toronto did better than that. Two other new teams topped it for good measure. But neither the Philadelphia Flyers or Los Angeles Kings would make the Stanley Cup finals that year.
Philadelphia, with their 31-32-11 record for...first place in the Western Conference (Home of all the newbies) got St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs. It was now three rounds to win for the Stanley Cup. Previously, it had been only two.
Red Berenson had led the Blues in scoring with just 51 points. Their team captain, btw, was none other than future legendary coach Al Arbour. Amazingly enough, he'd been to the Stanley Cup finals with three teams himself. And St. Louis would be the fourth.
It took seven games, but St. Louis had an upset. They stole it 3-1 in game 7 on the road. Minnesota was next, but this time, guess who had home ice advantage? St. Louis did. They needed it, too, as Ron Schock's double-OT winner in game seven sent the Blues into the finals against the Montreal Canadians.
Now, here's where it's not fair. An established team vs. a new team. A current greats vs. a bunch of "has beens"? St. Louis wasn't exactly the latter, but they were swept!
But then again, every game was close. One goal decided every game, in fact. Games one and three went into OT. Glenn Hall? He walked away with the playoff MVP (Conn Smythe Award). The team had nothing to be ashamed of.
50 years later, the Las Vegas Golden Knights were the one and only newbies in the NHL, which was now at 31 teams, if you can believe it. You know what team was the worst? Why the Golden Knights. Only, they didn't exactly play like that in 2017/18, did they?
They didn't.
How long did it take them to win their 27th game? Only 38 contests were needed for Las Vegas to get that. At the time, the Golden Knights were 27-9-2. Wow!
Soon, the expansion team won their 34th game of the season, a new National Hockey League record for first-year organizations. Vegas didn't stop there. When the smoke had cleared after 82 regular season games, the new kids were 51-24-7. 1st place in the Pacific. Third overall in the Western Conference. Hmmm...Where have I heard that one before?
When the playoffs started, Vegas rode a strong team effort to sweep the Los Angeles Kings in round #1. But here we go again. All four games were decided by one goal.
The San Jose Sharks was once an expansion team not that long ago. 1991/92 to be exact. Hey, Gary Bettman wasn't even around back then and the NHL was 75 years old. Not 101.
Getting back to it, no sweep here. The Sharks, coming off a sweep of their own of the Anaheim Ducks, stayed with the Knights. After losing the first game by a lopsided score of 7-0, they bounced back with some overtime magic to steal game two. The new guys were undaunted. They won an OT game of their own in the third contest, but couldn't get anything past Martin Jones in the fourth one. The 4-0 win by San Jose at home leveled this, 2-2 in games.
Here's where Las Vegas was expected to fold. But they held on to their nerves. A 4-0 lead was nearly erased, and the home team needed a Jonathan Marchessault empty net goal to prevail 5-3. The series then shifted back to San Jose and Marc Andre Fleury was through giving up goals to the Sharks. His team scored three, but Marc needed only one. The 3-0 win moved 'em into the Conference Finals. Winnipeg was up next!
So, do the wheels finally come off the chariot here? Just like it did in the third round for St. Louis 50 years ago? Could very well have. Game one went to the home team, the Jets.
If the new guys want to make it a series, Las Vegas will have to steal game two on the road. Coach Gerald Gallant will have to be a mastermind ala-Scotty Bowman. Nonetheless, years after the first expansion experiment produced the lovable Blues, the Knights are trying to write their own history. For now, they'll have to settle with a shared spot in NHL history for postseason wins by a first year expansion team.
References
Diamond,
Dan. Total Stanley Cup: An Official
Publication Of The National Hockey League. Toronto: Published in Canada by
Total Sports Canada, 2000. Print.
McFarlane, Brian. Brian McFarlane's History Of Hockey. Sports Publishing Inc., 1997. Print.
Irvin, Dick. The Habs: An Oral History Of The Montreal Canadiens, 1940-1980. McClelland & Stewart, 1992. Print.
Maguire, Liam. What's The Score? Random House Canada, 2001. Print
“Official Site Of The National Hockey League.” NHL.com. The National Hockey League. Web. 13 May. 2018. <www.nhl.com/>.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey
Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 13 May. 2018.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2016: Lightning Should Be Happy!
All things considered, I'm not sure anyone should have expected the Tampa Bay Lightning to make it this far into the playoffs. Why, with the next two games at home, and the team only three wins away from their second consecutive berth in the Stanley Cup Finals, I'd tip my hat.
Personally, I wasn't about to bet the farm that Tampa made it through two rounds. There was the never-ending Steven Stamkos saga. Will he be back next year? Had he played his last game (In the regular season, no less) for the Lightning. Without him, the Lightning were the favourites still over the Red Wings in the first round. And due to their lack of experience, you would have picked the Islanders to lose to the Lightning in the Conference Semis. A tough long series each, though. Without Stamkos, there always seemed to be that feeling that they were upset prone.
Then we forgot about Ben Bishop. The tall goalie proved last year that he could get in shooters' heads in the playoffs. At least, that's what it appeared to me. You could just see Detroit, Montreal, New York (Rangers) and even Chicago in the finals get a little flustered by the tall goaltender. The question was, despite his strong regular season in 2015/16, "Was it all a fluke?" We soon found out.
He slammed the door shut on Detroit. Last year, it took Ben seven games to help Tampa win. This year, just five. But, the games were close. The upstart Islanders stole game one on the road, and looked poised to give the Lightning all they could handle the rest of was surely going to be a long series. But Tampa was clutch. The won both games three and four in overtime on enemy ice, then finished 'em off via a 4-0 Bishop shutout. In just ten games, they were back in the conference finals.
So, next came the Pittsburgh Penguins. In game one (On the road), Bishop was Bishop again, making many-a-rapier-style saves. The Pens had a five-minute man advantage, and Ben wasn't letting 'em in or letting up. But then, at 12:22 of the first, after extending his consecutive shots stoppped streak to 59 with 9 thwarts, it was the tall goalie going down in agony. Ben had to be stretchered off. Were the Bolts done? No way. In to the Tampa net came Andrei Vasilevskiy, and he picked up where Ben Bishop left off.
The Lightning seemed to be inspired by the new netminder, playing in just his sixth career postseason contest. He turned aside 25 of 26 shots (The only one that got past him was scored late in the second, by which time it was 3-0 Tampa), giving the Tampa Bay twosome a combined 34 saves on the night. And they stole one in enemy territory. Again.
Vas, the great #88, was awesome again in the second contest. He gave up a pair of early goals, and then stopped everything that came his way through sixty minutes. 38 of 40 shots. The team has line depth. Apparently, the Lightning also have depth in goal. Down 2-0, Tampa Bay tied the game before the first period was even over, and stayed with Pittsburgh all the way until forty seconds of overtime. There, Sidney Crosby scored his first goal of the series (Amazingly enough, at the exact same time that the great Bobby Orr scored his famous OT winner against St. Louis way back in 1970). But really now, the Lightning got a split. Sure, 2-0 heading home is great, but does anyone here think Pittsburgh is taking both games on the road? The longer this series goes, the better Tampa's odds are if you ask me.
Bishop isn't playing in game three. The way Vasilevskiy has played, he might not have to play again this series. The Penguins are going with their third-string goalie named Matt Murray, who in my opinion has been outplayed in the last four games (Yes, even in the Washington series, he was the second best goalie the last two contest, although he played great in the clinching, sixth game). Yes, he too has risen to the occasion. But this series is destined for six or seven games (Maybe fewer if Tampa captures 'em both at home), and it could lead to the return of both Ben Bishop and Steven Stamkos. The Pens big guns of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren't playing up to their capabilities, and as long as that continues the Lighting have the edge. Jonathan Drouin had all sorts of problems with immaturity earlier this season, and appeared to be on his way off the Tampa Bay Lightning. All he's done since his return is collected 11 points in 12 games, doing just as well as Crosby and getting better with every game. Earlier this year, he acted a bit like a two-year old. Now, the 21-year old has contributed and carried the slack in Stamkos' absence, much the same as Vasilevskiy has in Bishop's time away. This Lightning team is appearing in their third Conference Finals this decade alone, having also lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games back in 2011 (The team won in 2004, although no player from that team is on the current roster). Those two have another partner in crime. Tyler Johnson had just 38 points in 69 games in the regular season. But here in the 2016 postseason, Johnson is tops on Tampa with 13 points in 12 games played. He's one of five players with 10 or more points on the Lightning.
References
"NHL Fights From May 13, 2016 Tampa Bay-Pittsburgh." Drop Your Gloves: Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. 13 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://dropyourgloves.com/Fights/ GameEvents.aspx?Game=559057>.
"Official Site of the National Hockey League." NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 18 May 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Rosen, Dan. "Lightning Not Satisfied With Split To Open Series." Official Home Of The Tampa Bay Lightning. National Hockey League. 18 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 18 May 2016.
Personally, I wasn't about to bet the farm that Tampa made it through two rounds. There was the never-ending Steven Stamkos saga. Will he be back next year? Had he played his last game (In the regular season, no less) for the Lightning. Without him, the Lightning were the favourites still over the Red Wings in the first round. And due to their lack of experience, you would have picked the Islanders to lose to the Lightning in the Conference Semis. A tough long series each, though. Without Stamkos, there always seemed to be that feeling that they were upset prone.
Then we forgot about Ben Bishop. The tall goalie proved last year that he could get in shooters' heads in the playoffs. At least, that's what it appeared to me. You could just see Detroit, Montreal, New York (Rangers) and even Chicago in the finals get a little flustered by the tall goaltender. The question was, despite his strong regular season in 2015/16, "Was it all a fluke?" We soon found out.
He slammed the door shut on Detroit. Last year, it took Ben seven games to help Tampa win. This year, just five. But, the games were close. The upstart Islanders stole game one on the road, and looked poised to give the Lightning all they could handle the rest of was surely going to be a long series. But Tampa was clutch. The won both games three and four in overtime on enemy ice, then finished 'em off via a 4-0 Bishop shutout. In just ten games, they were back in the conference finals.
So, next came the Pittsburgh Penguins. In game one (On the road), Bishop was Bishop again, making many-a-rapier-style saves. The Pens had a five-minute man advantage, and Ben wasn't letting 'em in or letting up. But then, at 12:22 of the first, after extending his consecutive shots stoppped streak to 59 with 9 thwarts, it was the tall goalie going down in agony. Ben had to be stretchered off. Were the Bolts done? No way. In to the Tampa net came Andrei Vasilevskiy, and he picked up where Ben Bishop left off.
The Lightning seemed to be inspired by the new netminder, playing in just his sixth career postseason contest. He turned aside 25 of 26 shots (The only one that got past him was scored late in the second, by which time it was 3-0 Tampa), giving the Tampa Bay twosome a combined 34 saves on the night. And they stole one in enemy territory. Again.
Vas, the great #88, was awesome again in the second contest. He gave up a pair of early goals, and then stopped everything that came his way through sixty minutes. 38 of 40 shots. The team has line depth. Apparently, the Lightning also have depth in goal. Down 2-0, Tampa Bay tied the game before the first period was even over, and stayed with Pittsburgh all the way until forty seconds of overtime. There, Sidney Crosby scored his first goal of the series (Amazingly enough, at the exact same time that the great Bobby Orr scored his famous OT winner against St. Louis way back in 1970). But really now, the Lightning got a split. Sure, 2-0 heading home is great, but does anyone here think Pittsburgh is taking both games on the road? The longer this series goes, the better Tampa's odds are if you ask me.
Bishop isn't playing in game three. The way Vasilevskiy has played, he might not have to play again this series. The Penguins are going with their third-string goalie named Matt Murray, who in my opinion has been outplayed in the last four games (Yes, even in the Washington series, he was the second best goalie the last two contest, although he played great in the clinching, sixth game). Yes, he too has risen to the occasion. But this series is destined for six or seven games (Maybe fewer if Tampa captures 'em both at home), and it could lead to the return of both Ben Bishop and Steven Stamkos. The Pens big guns of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren't playing up to their capabilities, and as long as that continues the Lighting have the edge. Jonathan Drouin had all sorts of problems with immaturity earlier this season, and appeared to be on his way off the Tampa Bay Lightning. All he's done since his return is collected 11 points in 12 games, doing just as well as Crosby and getting better with every game. Earlier this year, he acted a bit like a two-year old. Now, the 21-year old has contributed and carried the slack in Stamkos' absence, much the same as Vasilevskiy has in Bishop's time away. This Lightning team is appearing in their third Conference Finals this decade alone, having also lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games back in 2011 (The team won in 2004, although no player from that team is on the current roster). Those two have another partner in crime. Tyler Johnson had just 38 points in 69 games in the regular season. But here in the 2016 postseason, Johnson is tops on Tampa with 13 points in 12 games played. He's one of five players with 10 or more points on the Lightning.
References
"NHL Fights From May 13, 2016 Tampa Bay-Pittsburgh." Drop Your Gloves: Hockey Fights, Stats, Reviews And Trading. 13 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016. <http://dropyourgloves.com/Fights/ GameEvents.aspx?Game=559057>.
"Official Site of the National Hockey League." NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 18 May 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Rosen, Dan. "Lightning Not Satisfied With Split To Open Series." Official Home Of The Tampa Bay Lightning. National Hockey League. 18 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Fleury and Reimer: Have You Seen These Missing Goalies?
Marc-Andre Fleury and James Reimer are two goalies in the same situation in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, of course, their stats are identical. What brought them to there is quite a different story.
Now, to get it out of the way fast, Reimer isn't the goalie Fleury is. Fleury, of course, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup back in 2009, and make it all the way to the finals the previous year. Although the next few years were a struggle in the playoffs for Marc, he has shown life in the playoffs. Many were hoping that this was the year he regained his form in the playoffs. Although the Pens lost in the second round in 2014 and the first round last season, Marc's play was very good. Healthy, it was thought that he could contribute.
But Marc suffered two concussions this season, the second of which occurred on March 31st, late in the season. It was a shame. He'd won 35 of 58 games (All of them starts), and was in the top ten in save percentage (,921). Actually, that tied his career high. Pittsburgh roared into the playoffs after a bad start, and seemed poised for a deep run. Fleury went down, the Pens tried two goalies in their first round series vs. the Rangers.
Rather than lose it, it was Pittsburgh winning in five (and exact reverse of last season's result, and a repeat of the 2008 Conference Finals). The Pens settled on Matt Murray, rather than the experienced Jeff Zakoff. The move proved to be wise. Although Fleury was back on the bench in the second round series vs. Washington, he never got into any games. This series was excellent, with both Murray and Bradon Holtby providing some real top-notch goaltending. The Pens managed to hold the fort and prevail in six, despite blowing a 3-0 lead at home in the final contest.
The Eastern Conference Finals saw Murray in net against the Tampa Bay Lightning. At Pittsburgh proceeded to lose 3-1. Murray gave up the three goals on 20 shots. But it all likelihood, it will be Murray again in the second contest. Fleury has yet to appear in a single playoff game this postseason. And the Pens have played 12 games so far.
James Reimer is a different story. He hasn't had the stellar career yet that Fleury has. His one venture into the postseason ended with a heartbreaking game seven loss to Boston in 2013. Back then, he was a Toronto Maple Leaf. And he was still there when this season started. But he wasn't the #1 guy.
The Leafs go off to a sluggish start. But then something interesting happened. Toronto, who'd changed coaches in the offseason, started playing him. And he, if nothing else, kept the Leafs in many-a-game. With Toronto's other netminder, Jonathan Bernier struggling, the Leafs actually called up another goalie, Garrett Sparks to play. Garrett was too green to be the main man in the Toronto net.
Reimer played. He got hurt. He came back. He persevered. The Leafs were about a .500 team at the midway point of the season, and James looked like he'd won the job back that had been his back in 2013.
Then came a shocking trade to San Jose. Reimer had been below .500 (11-12-7), but had a .918 S% and low GAA 2.49. Once he got to the Sharks, those number became even better. From there, he went 6-2-0, 1.62, .938! It was truly a remarkable finish. Oh, and he tossed in three shutouts in his eight starts.
But San Jose got him to be the backup. Would you rather be a 1A or 1B on a not-so-good team like Toronto or a backup on a great team like San Jose? Well, in the playoffs, the Sharks turned to Martin Jones for the goaltending duties. Reimer was destined to ride the pines. The Sharks needed just five games to polish off Jones' old team, the Kings. Then, San Jose needed six games to beat the stubborn Nashville Predators. That took them to the Western Conference Finals. They gave the St. Louis Blues all they could handle in the opening tilt, only to lose 2-1. However, the signs here point to a long Conference Finals.
So, will either Fleury or Reimer play? Well, in Reimer's case, I think the answer is only in a relief role. So if Jones get shelled, he'll come in. But Martin has played very well so far, and you have to go with the hot hand (The same, of course, applies to Matt Murray). This is his first ever playoff series (Ditto for Murray) and he has responded well. But the Blues will undoubtedly be his toughest test. Maybe if St. Louis routs San Jose in game two. But I think the Sharks will steal the second contest and look to get ahead of the Blues at home.
Fleury could be a little closer. Is Murray just playing over his head? Well, I though he was the second best goalie out there in the last two games vs. Washington. Tampa Bay's goalie Ben Bishop left the game with an injury in the first game of the Conference Finals. He's listed as day-to-day. But his backup, Andrei Vaslevskiy, took over (Bishop had made nine saves, many of them spectacular before his injury) and was brilliant. Vas stopped 25 of the 26 shots that came his way, and Pittsburgh didn't get one by him until after they were behind 3-0. Game two is a big one. Tampa wants to steal another in Pittsburgh for two reasons: They can wait on Bishop and Steven Stamkos is rumoured to be on the comeback trail, this series! His return will give Tampa a huge boost. The Pens probably want this series in six or less, and losing game one made that just a little bit tougher to accomplish. But if Murray gets off to a bad start in the second game, Fleury will not only be back in the crease, but he'll probably get the nod in game three, as well!
References
The Canadian Press. "Jonathan Bernier Back In Leafs' Net After Minors Stint." CBC.ca Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 Dec. 2015. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/jonathan-bernier-maple-leafs-1.3366303>.
Gretz, Adam. "Marc-Andre Fleury Will Be Matt Murray's Backup For Pens In Game 3." CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. 2 May 2016. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/ eye-on-hockey/25575399/marc-andre-fleury-will-be-matt-murrays-backup-for-pens-in-game-3>.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 16 May 2016.
"Official Site of the National Hockey League." NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 16 May 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Now, to get it out of the way fast, Reimer isn't the goalie Fleury is. Fleury, of course, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup back in 2009, and make it all the way to the finals the previous year. Although the next few years were a struggle in the playoffs for Marc, he has shown life in the playoffs. Many were hoping that this was the year he regained his form in the playoffs. Although the Pens lost in the second round in 2014 and the first round last season, Marc's play was very good. Healthy, it was thought that he could contribute.
But Marc suffered two concussions this season, the second of which occurred on March 31st, late in the season. It was a shame. He'd won 35 of 58 games (All of them starts), and was in the top ten in save percentage (,921). Actually, that tied his career high. Pittsburgh roared into the playoffs after a bad start, and seemed poised for a deep run. Fleury went down, the Pens tried two goalies in their first round series vs. the Rangers.
Rather than lose it, it was Pittsburgh winning in five (and exact reverse of last season's result, and a repeat of the 2008 Conference Finals). The Pens settled on Matt Murray, rather than the experienced Jeff Zakoff. The move proved to be wise. Although Fleury was back on the bench in the second round series vs. Washington, he never got into any games. This series was excellent, with both Murray and Bradon Holtby providing some real top-notch goaltending. The Pens managed to hold the fort and prevail in six, despite blowing a 3-0 lead at home in the final contest.
The Eastern Conference Finals saw Murray in net against the Tampa Bay Lightning. At Pittsburgh proceeded to lose 3-1. Murray gave up the three goals on 20 shots. But it all likelihood, it will be Murray again in the second contest. Fleury has yet to appear in a single playoff game this postseason. And the Pens have played 12 games so far.
James Reimer is a different story. He hasn't had the stellar career yet that Fleury has. His one venture into the postseason ended with a heartbreaking game seven loss to Boston in 2013. Back then, he was a Toronto Maple Leaf. And he was still there when this season started. But he wasn't the #1 guy.
The Leafs go off to a sluggish start. But then something interesting happened. Toronto, who'd changed coaches in the offseason, started playing him. And he, if nothing else, kept the Leafs in many-a-game. With Toronto's other netminder, Jonathan Bernier struggling, the Leafs actually called up another goalie, Garrett Sparks to play. Garrett was too green to be the main man in the Toronto net.
Reimer played. He got hurt. He came back. He persevered. The Leafs were about a .500 team at the midway point of the season, and James looked like he'd won the job back that had been his back in 2013.
Then came a shocking trade to San Jose. Reimer had been below .500 (11-12-7), but had a .918 S% and low GAA 2.49. Once he got to the Sharks, those number became even better. From there, he went 6-2-0, 1.62, .938! It was truly a remarkable finish. Oh, and he tossed in three shutouts in his eight starts.
But San Jose got him to be the backup. Would you rather be a 1A or 1B on a not-so-good team like Toronto or a backup on a great team like San Jose? Well, in the playoffs, the Sharks turned to Martin Jones for the goaltending duties. Reimer was destined to ride the pines. The Sharks needed just five games to polish off Jones' old team, the Kings. Then, San Jose needed six games to beat the stubborn Nashville Predators. That took them to the Western Conference Finals. They gave the St. Louis Blues all they could handle in the opening tilt, only to lose 2-1. However, the signs here point to a long Conference Finals.
So, will either Fleury or Reimer play? Well, in Reimer's case, I think the answer is only in a relief role. So if Jones get shelled, he'll come in. But Martin has played very well so far, and you have to go with the hot hand (The same, of course, applies to Matt Murray). This is his first ever playoff series (Ditto for Murray) and he has responded well. But the Blues will undoubtedly be his toughest test. Maybe if St. Louis routs San Jose in game two. But I think the Sharks will steal the second contest and look to get ahead of the Blues at home.
Fleury could be a little closer. Is Murray just playing over his head? Well, I though he was the second best goalie out there in the last two games vs. Washington. Tampa Bay's goalie Ben Bishop left the game with an injury in the first game of the Conference Finals. He's listed as day-to-day. But his backup, Andrei Vaslevskiy, took over (Bishop had made nine saves, many of them spectacular before his injury) and was brilliant. Vas stopped 25 of the 26 shots that came his way, and Pittsburgh didn't get one by him until after they were behind 3-0. Game two is a big one. Tampa wants to steal another in Pittsburgh for two reasons: They can wait on Bishop and Steven Stamkos is rumoured to be on the comeback trail, this series! His return will give Tampa a huge boost. The Pens probably want this series in six or less, and losing game one made that just a little bit tougher to accomplish. But if Murray gets off to a bad start in the second game, Fleury will not only be back in the crease, but he'll probably get the nod in game three, as well!
References
The Canadian Press. "Jonathan Bernier Back In Leafs' Net After Minors Stint." CBC.ca Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 Dec. 2015. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/jonathan-bernier-maple-leafs-1.3366303>.
Gretz, Adam. "Marc-Andre Fleury Will Be Matt Murray's Backup For Pens In Game 3." CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. 2 May 2016. Web. 16 May 2016. <http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/ eye-on-hockey/25575399/marc-andre-fleury-will-be-matt-murrays-backup-for-pens-in-game-3>.
"Official Site of the National Hockey League." NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 16 May 2016. <https://www.nhl.com>.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Hammond And Bernier: Don't Give Up On Them Yet!
A few weeks back I wrote about Craig Anderson and James Reimer. They were back where they belonged after being usurped. For Reimer, it's been a two year wait. For Anderson, it was The Kid with an amazing run. Ottawa and Toronto will need these two.
Jonathan Bernier, who assumed the number one role from Reimer two seasons ago, appears to be making the turnaround. He's found himself in the minor leagues. Well, Jonathan doesn't have to worry about not playing now, as his backup is the zamboni driver (Are the Leafs trying to motivate him?). But seriously, he's posted back-to-back shutouts and is definitely going to get the call. And a short drive, if you know what I mean.
It's still early in the season, but their is plenty of time for Bernier, with a few good starts at the NHL to turn it around. He played very well in 2013/14 for Toronto, but an injury suffered late in the season didn't help. He played more the next season, 58 games compared to 55 in 13/14, but his play dropped. Jonathan was still the number one guy when the Leafs' season started this year, in spite of some serious off-season changes to Leafland management.
But then a funny thing happend.
James Reimer started to play. And play well. Bernier wasn't winning games or getting any goal support. You know, like the stat run support in baseball? James just seemed to hit his stride. But then he got hurt, which opens the door for Bernier.
Right now, Toronto is using Garrett Sparks, who wasn't even alive when the Leafs made it to within a game of the Stanley Cup finals back in 1993. That gives you an idea of his age. So far, so good. 2-1, 2.33, .920, and a shutout to boot. But there's no way Toronto can go with this kid, unless he's the second coming of Andrew Hammond (More on him later).
But Bernier has experience. He played well as a backup with the Los Angeles Kings before Toronto acquired him for Ben Scrivens and Matt Frattin. His time in Los Angeles impressed the Leafs' brass, and made Scrivens expendable. Even if the situation in Toronto is that the Leafs never make him the #1 guy, he's under contract for two years. Maybe he will regain that status with Reimer hurt. Regardless, we have not heard the last about Bernier in Toronto.
Andrew Hammond came out of nowhere to go 20-1-2 last season. He's 2-0-2 this season, proving that last year was no fluke for the Senators' netminder. But really, the job was always Craig Andesons's and last years' playoff sort of proved it. While he is 34, Craig's shown no signs of slowing down. And while his stats aren't eye-popping this season (Yet, but just watch, they will), he's proven himself in stealing games over and over again. Usually, the goalie who "wins" you games is the number one guy, where as the guy that can also stop pucks in the backup. That's the way it goes in the NHL.
Hammond, though, suffered a concussion (Goalies are always at risk for that in a crowded crease) back in mid-November, and might be gone for a time. But his real numbers this year (.930 SV% despite the opposition averaging nearly 36 shots on goal a night) are enough to make me feel like he'll be around a while when he comes around. The Sens third-stringer, Matt O'Connor, has been used just once this season, and it's been all-Anderson even in back-to-back nights. Ottawa is not sold on O'Connor at this point.
References
“Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. (07 Dec. 2015). http://www.nhl.com/
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. (7 Dec. 2015)
Jonathan Bernier, who assumed the number one role from Reimer two seasons ago, appears to be making the turnaround. He's found himself in the minor leagues. Well, Jonathan doesn't have to worry about not playing now, as his backup is the zamboni driver (Are the Leafs trying to motivate him?). But seriously, he's posted back-to-back shutouts and is definitely going to get the call. And a short drive, if you know what I mean.
It's still early in the season, but their is plenty of time for Bernier, with a few good starts at the NHL to turn it around. He played very well in 2013/14 for Toronto, but an injury suffered late in the season didn't help. He played more the next season, 58 games compared to 55 in 13/14, but his play dropped. Jonathan was still the number one guy when the Leafs' season started this year, in spite of some serious off-season changes to Leafland management.
But then a funny thing happend.
James Reimer started to play. And play well. Bernier wasn't winning games or getting any goal support. You know, like the stat run support in baseball? James just seemed to hit his stride. But then he got hurt, which opens the door for Bernier.
Right now, Toronto is using Garrett Sparks, who wasn't even alive when the Leafs made it to within a game of the Stanley Cup finals back in 1993. That gives you an idea of his age. So far, so good. 2-1, 2.33, .920, and a shutout to boot. But there's no way Toronto can go with this kid, unless he's the second coming of Andrew Hammond (More on him later).
But Bernier has experience. He played well as a backup with the Los Angeles Kings before Toronto acquired him for Ben Scrivens and Matt Frattin. His time in Los Angeles impressed the Leafs' brass, and made Scrivens expendable. Even if the situation in Toronto is that the Leafs never make him the #1 guy, he's under contract for two years. Maybe he will regain that status with Reimer hurt. Regardless, we have not heard the last about Bernier in Toronto.
Andrew Hammond came out of nowhere to go 20-1-2 last season. He's 2-0-2 this season, proving that last year was no fluke for the Senators' netminder. But really, the job was always Craig Andesons's and last years' playoff sort of proved it. While he is 34, Craig's shown no signs of slowing down. And while his stats aren't eye-popping this season (Yet, but just watch, they will), he's proven himself in stealing games over and over again. Usually, the goalie who "wins" you games is the number one guy, where as the guy that can also stop pucks in the backup. That's the way it goes in the NHL.
Hammond, though, suffered a concussion (Goalies are always at risk for that in a crowded crease) back in mid-November, and might be gone for a time. But his real numbers this year (.930 SV% despite the opposition averaging nearly 36 shots on goal a night) are enough to make me feel like he'll be around a while when he comes around. The Sens third-stringer, Matt O'Connor, has been used just once this season, and it's been all-Anderson even in back-to-back nights. Ottawa is not sold on O'Connor at this point.
References
“Official Site of the National Hockey League” NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. (07 Dec. 2015). http://www.nhl.com/
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. (7 Dec. 2015)
Canadian Press. "Bernier Starts for Marlies,
Zamboni Driver Signed as Backup - Sportsnet.ca." 04 Dec. 2015. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bernier-starts-for-marlies-zamboni-driver-signed-as-backup/.
Web. (07 Dec. 2015).
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Anderson And Reimer: Reclaiming Thrones That Shouldn't Have Had Usurpers!
Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators and James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs guard the nets for Ontario NHL teams. They each showed up one fine day during the 2010/11 season for struggling franchises, although that is as far as the similarities (Save for one more obvious one) go. Craig is 34. Reimer is 27. Craig has been in the NHL since way back in 2002/03, whereas Reimer's '10/11 season was his rookie campaign.
Their paths have been very different since that 2010/11 season. Reimer looked good that year, 20-10-5, 2.60, .921. It wasn't enough to get him much Vezina, Hart or even Calder consideration. Yet, from that moment, he has build up a strong following in Toronto. Anderson arrived in Ottawa with the Sens out of the playoff picture (Toronto also missed, but just barely, that season). He had lost his previous six games with the Colorado Avalanche. And for this reason, he supposedly wasn't a good goalie. The Senators were struggling. They were just 18-31-9 on February 18th of that season. Anderson played the next night for his Sens debut. In the irony of ironies, he faced the Leafs in Toronto with James Reimer in net. Both goalies got the shutout, but Anderson won the shootout (The last time, as of this writing, that Ottawa and Toronto met, the two goalies were again in net, and again the Sens took it in a shootout). The Sens didn't look back. They went 14-9-1 in their last 24 games, as Anderson was the difference. Ottawa used six goaltenders that season. Five of them had losing records. Craig Anderson went 11-5-1, 2.05, .939 for his new team that season. Ottawa had a long history of good, sometimes great goaltending. But not the kind of netminding that steals you games.
The shootout loss to Ottawa dropped Toronto to just 25-27-7, but the Leafs rallied, going 12-5-4 over their next 21 games, before dropping the last two games of the season in regulation time. Still, that and the coming of Optimus Reimer was a good sign that the franchise's goaltending woes were also over. Toronto didn't get into the playoffs, of course.
Reimer saw his game falter the next season, as did the Leafs' team. Anderson also faltered a bit, but nonetheless, given his first taste of a postseason in an Ottawa uniform, the 30-year old nearly fashioned a stunning upset of the New York Rangers. Craig was nothing short of excellent that postseason.
Reimer has only experienced the postseason once. That was back in 2013, and until the Leafs squandered a two-goal lead late in game seven versus the Boston Bruins, it was all looking up. Meanwhile, Anderson beat the Montreal Canadians almost single-handily.
The next season was a rough one for both franchises and both goalies. Anderson still fashioned a winning record, but saw his goals-against-average rise to 3. Reimer's ended up well over that, 3.16. Worse still, he lost the #1 job to newcomer (From Los Angeles) Jonathan Bernier. Reimer was just 12-16-1. Leaf fans showed impatience with him and vented towards his wife on twitter. Reimer had seemingly had enough. He requested a trade, but later withdrew it. The next season went no better for him, as he again lost 16 games. But (for him) two good things happened that potentially kept him a Leaf. Bernier struggled in his second tour of duty for Toronto. Reimer played 35 games, again lost 16 of them, but did the right things off the ice. With the Maple Leafs (Make Me Laughs, for sure at this point), James kept his composure, and kept a positive attitude. Which was refreshing on the whole. Toronto had one dreary finish to the season. Wholesale changes were in order in the offseason. But James Reimer was still a Leaf to start the 2015/16 season.
Craig Anderson, though, bounced right back in a big way on the ice, while being a strong veteran presence off the ice for the Senators in 2014/15. He finished seventh in the league in save percentage, .923. Can you believe it though, he was almost swept under the rug come playoff time?
The Senators enjoyed a tremendous second half. Alas, our boy was hurt during most of it. Worse, the story in the NHL at this time was Andrew Hammond. Andrew stepped into the spotlight for Ottawa in goal and was nothing short of brilliant. 20-1-2. That was his record. Was this the end of Anderson?
When the Sens fell behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoffs vs. the Habs, it looked pretty bad for Ottawa. Anderson was needed. He lost a tough game in overtime to put the Senators on the brink of elimination. But from there, Craig showed the Sens the way. With a brilliant performance over the course of the remaining three games, Anderson got Ottawa all the way back to a game six, finishing the playoffs with a remarkable SV% of .972. Sens fans were left to ponder the outcome of the postseason had Andy been in there from the get-go.
As for Hammond, he's been hurt this season. Oh, he's 2-0-2, so he can't lose. Anderson, however, is continuing to prove he's The Man in Ottawa. In Hammond's absence, all Craig Anderson has done is gone 10-5-3. While his GAA is 2.78 and his SV% is only .916, it doesn't look like (baring injury) that Hammond is needed as Craig continues to win (Actually steal) the big games. A recent stretch has seen him post back-to-back shutouts. Craig isn't giving up his post.
Reimer was looking at the life of a backup. But then this season started, and Bernier was 0-8-1. James was given the ball, and he ran with it. A recent injury has sidelined him. But all James has done is go 7-3-4, 2.07, .934. Is the James Reimer of old back? Time will tell, obviously. Toronto is in a rebuild mode this season, but has new personnel. Most notably, coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello, both of whom are welcome additions to a Leaf team that seemingly had no direction prior to this year.
It's a rebuilding time for the Toronto Maple Leafs, whereas the Ottawa Senators are building after their stunning playoff appearance of last season. But if the "Battle Of Ontario" is to ever resume (And wasn't it great back in the early 2000s? Wait...It's been that long?) it will need the top-notch goaltending to get the fans' attention. The Masked Marvels of the ice are the last line of defence and often the difference between winning and losing. It's like pitching in baseball. In order to be successful, you have to have it. While Ottawa and Toronto might not think that Craig Anderson or James Reimer can win every game, at this point it's pretty obvious that when their in the crease, the odds of winning go up significantly.
References
“Official Site Of The National Hockey League.” NHL.com, National Hockey League, 1 Dec. 2015, www.nhl.com/.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Youtube. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/>.
Their paths have been very different since that 2010/11 season. Reimer looked good that year, 20-10-5, 2.60, .921. It wasn't enough to get him much Vezina, Hart or even Calder consideration. Yet, from that moment, he has build up a strong following in Toronto. Anderson arrived in Ottawa with the Sens out of the playoff picture (Toronto also missed, but just barely, that season). He had lost his previous six games with the Colorado Avalanche. And for this reason, he supposedly wasn't a good goalie. The Senators were struggling. They were just 18-31-9 on February 18th of that season. Anderson played the next night for his Sens debut. In the irony of ironies, he faced the Leafs in Toronto with James Reimer in net. Both goalies got the shutout, but Anderson won the shootout (The last time, as of this writing, that Ottawa and Toronto met, the two goalies were again in net, and again the Sens took it in a shootout). The Sens didn't look back. They went 14-9-1 in their last 24 games, as Anderson was the difference. Ottawa used six goaltenders that season. Five of them had losing records. Craig Anderson went 11-5-1, 2.05, .939 for his new team that season. Ottawa had a long history of good, sometimes great goaltending. But not the kind of netminding that steals you games.
The shootout loss to Ottawa dropped Toronto to just 25-27-7, but the Leafs rallied, going 12-5-4 over their next 21 games, before dropping the last two games of the season in regulation time. Still, that and the coming of Optimus Reimer was a good sign that the franchise's goaltending woes were also over. Toronto didn't get into the playoffs, of course.
Reimer saw his game falter the next season, as did the Leafs' team. Anderson also faltered a bit, but nonetheless, given his first taste of a postseason in an Ottawa uniform, the 30-year old nearly fashioned a stunning upset of the New York Rangers. Craig was nothing short of excellent that postseason.
Reimer has only experienced the postseason once. That was back in 2013, and until the Leafs squandered a two-goal lead late in game seven versus the Boston Bruins, it was all looking up. Meanwhile, Anderson beat the Montreal Canadians almost single-handily.
The next season was a rough one for both franchises and both goalies. Anderson still fashioned a winning record, but saw his goals-against-average rise to 3. Reimer's ended up well over that, 3.16. Worse still, he lost the #1 job to newcomer (From Los Angeles) Jonathan Bernier. Reimer was just 12-16-1. Leaf fans showed impatience with him and vented towards his wife on twitter. Reimer had seemingly had enough. He requested a trade, but later withdrew it. The next season went no better for him, as he again lost 16 games. But (for him) two good things happened that potentially kept him a Leaf. Bernier struggled in his second tour of duty for Toronto. Reimer played 35 games, again lost 16 of them, but did the right things off the ice. With the Maple Leafs (Make Me Laughs, for sure at this point), James kept his composure, and kept a positive attitude. Which was refreshing on the whole. Toronto had one dreary finish to the season. Wholesale changes were in order in the offseason. But James Reimer was still a Leaf to start the 2015/16 season.
Craig Anderson, though, bounced right back in a big way on the ice, while being a strong veteran presence off the ice for the Senators in 2014/15. He finished seventh in the league in save percentage, .923. Can you believe it though, he was almost swept under the rug come playoff time?
The Senators enjoyed a tremendous second half. Alas, our boy was hurt during most of it. Worse, the story in the NHL at this time was Andrew Hammond. Andrew stepped into the spotlight for Ottawa in goal and was nothing short of brilliant. 20-1-2. That was his record. Was this the end of Anderson?
When the Sens fell behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven playoffs vs. the Habs, it looked pretty bad for Ottawa. Anderson was needed. He lost a tough game in overtime to put the Senators on the brink of elimination. But from there, Craig showed the Sens the way. With a brilliant performance over the course of the remaining three games, Anderson got Ottawa all the way back to a game six, finishing the playoffs with a remarkable SV% of .972. Sens fans were left to ponder the outcome of the postseason had Andy been in there from the get-go.
As for Hammond, he's been hurt this season. Oh, he's 2-0-2, so he can't lose. Anderson, however, is continuing to prove he's The Man in Ottawa. In Hammond's absence, all Craig Anderson has done is gone 10-5-3. While his GAA is 2.78 and his SV% is only .916, it doesn't look like (baring injury) that Hammond is needed as Craig continues to win (Actually steal) the big games. A recent stretch has seen him post back-to-back shutouts. Craig isn't giving up his post.
Reimer was looking at the life of a backup. But then this season started, and Bernier was 0-8-1. James was given the ball, and he ran with it. A recent injury has sidelined him. But all James has done is go 7-3-4, 2.07, .934. Is the James Reimer of old back? Time will tell, obviously. Toronto is in a rebuild mode this season, but has new personnel. Most notably, coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello, both of whom are welcome additions to a Leaf team that seemingly had no direction prior to this year.
It's a rebuilding time for the Toronto Maple Leafs, whereas the Ottawa Senators are building after their stunning playoff appearance of last season. But if the "Battle Of Ontario" is to ever resume (And wasn't it great back in the early 2000s? Wait...It's been that long?) it will need the top-notch goaltending to get the fans' attention. The Masked Marvels of the ice are the last line of defence and often the difference between winning and losing. It's like pitching in baseball. In order to be successful, you have to have it. While Ottawa and Toronto might not think that Craig Anderson or James Reimer can win every game, at this point it's pretty obvious that when their in the crease, the odds of winning go up significantly.
References
“Official Site Of The National Hockey League.” NHL.com, National Hockey League, 1 Dec. 2015, www.nhl.com/.
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Youtube. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/>.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Stanley Cup Finals 2015: Some "Other" Players To Watch
So it's down to the final twosome in the quest for Lord Stanley's Mug. The Tampa Bay Lighting have beaten three straight original six teams, and now face a fourth. The Chicago Blackhawks. For the record, no team in NHL history has ever beaten four Original Six teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa will have to do that if they want to win. This is also the first time since 1964 that both teams won the semi-finals on the road.
So who to keep an eye out for in the finals. Well, we all know about Stamkos, Toews, Kutcherov and Kane. But how about some of the others?
Zack Johnson is a small guy, who gets better every year. And this year, he's been doing it from the get-go of the regular season and continuing it through the first three playoff rounds. Small in stature, 5'9, but quick on the ice, he's in only his third year in the league, yet is leading the playoffs in scoring with 21 points. Look for that to continue in the finals.
Another player impressing me for Tampa Bay in the playoffs has been Nikita Kucherov. Although only 5'11 himself, and also in his sophomore season in the NHL, he had 65 points from the right wing position in the regular season, and 19 more so far in the playoffs. He also lead the NHL in +/- in the regular season, as that probably comes as a surprise to many. Nikita finished at +35. He's a +7 so far in the postseason.
But put all those players and some more aside, and it's gotta be Ben Bishop that stands out. Actually, he stands 6'7 in net. A player that Johnson and Kucherov look up to in more ways then one. Funny, coming into this postseason, he'd never actually played a single NHL playoff game. And now, it's as if he's been there a while. Big Ben has the poise, confidence, and even skills of a veteran of many-a-playoff game. At least that's what it looks like on television. He leads the playoffs in wins (And sadly, losses, too), shutouts and games played. All of this experience will benefit him and the Lightning down the road.
Meanwhile, Chicago has got some faces at work in this postseason. Jonathan Toews is actually second on the team in scoring with 18 points in 17 games. But it's Patrick Kane with the team lead with 20 points. But here's where someone else is having the postseason of his life. Duncan Keith, the defenseman, is 31 years old and averaging better then a point-a-game this postseason! He's been in Chicago since way back in 2005/06, along with Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp. Back in the dark days of the Hawks.
Due in part to some injuries, Sharp had a bit of an offseason this year in terms of point production. But in the playoffs, he's back to his usual self with 12 points in 17 games. Look for him, Marian Hossa (Playing in his fifth(!) Stanley Cup Finals in the last eight years), and Sharp to provide the experience necessary in the finals. He's also gotten six points in his last eight games and provided some clutch scoring in recent do-or-die games.
How about Chicago goaltending?
For now, smooth sailing. It did, however, seem like Corey Crawford was overmatched and overwhelmed against Nashville and Anaheim. Against the Predators, he was swept under the rug in favour of Scott Darling, who played well. However, when Darling faltered in game six, Crawford came in and got the win in relief. The job has been his ever since.
Even so, it's Bishop with the better SV%, .920 to Crawford's .919. Not much of a difference. But I've seen Bishop make so many unreal saves, it's hard to look past him. Especially with his height. This finals has the potential of being a great goalie duel!
I look forward to it!
References
http://www.nhl.com
http://www.hockey-reference.com/
http://www.hockeydb.com/
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/how-marian-hossa-is-an-ageless-wonder-for-chicago-blackhawks--trending-topics-132740319.html
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/02/sharp-deflects-dynasty-talk-but-acknowledges-hawks-group-is-something-special/
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/star-spotlight-corey-crawford-vs-ben-bishop/
So who to keep an eye out for in the finals. Well, we all know about Stamkos, Toews, Kutcherov and Kane. But how about some of the others?
Zack Johnson is a small guy, who gets better every year. And this year, he's been doing it from the get-go of the regular season and continuing it through the first three playoff rounds. Small in stature, 5'9, but quick on the ice, he's in only his third year in the league, yet is leading the playoffs in scoring with 21 points. Look for that to continue in the finals.
Another player impressing me for Tampa Bay in the playoffs has been Nikita Kucherov. Although only 5'11 himself, and also in his sophomore season in the NHL, he had 65 points from the right wing position in the regular season, and 19 more so far in the playoffs. He also lead the NHL in +/- in the regular season, as that probably comes as a surprise to many. Nikita finished at +35. He's a +7 so far in the postseason.
But put all those players and some more aside, and it's gotta be Ben Bishop that stands out. Actually, he stands 6'7 in net. A player that Johnson and Kucherov look up to in more ways then one. Funny, coming into this postseason, he'd never actually played a single NHL playoff game. And now, it's as if he's been there a while. Big Ben has the poise, confidence, and even skills of a veteran of many-a-playoff game. At least that's what it looks like on television. He leads the playoffs in wins (And sadly, losses, too), shutouts and games played. All of this experience will benefit him and the Lightning down the road.
Meanwhile, Chicago has got some faces at work in this postseason. Jonathan Toews is actually second on the team in scoring with 18 points in 17 games. But it's Patrick Kane with the team lead with 20 points. But here's where someone else is having the postseason of his life. Duncan Keith, the defenseman, is 31 years old and averaging better then a point-a-game this postseason! He's been in Chicago since way back in 2005/06, along with Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp. Back in the dark days of the Hawks.
Due in part to some injuries, Sharp had a bit of an offseason this year in terms of point production. But in the playoffs, he's back to his usual self with 12 points in 17 games. Look for him, Marian Hossa (Playing in his fifth(!) Stanley Cup Finals in the last eight years), and Sharp to provide the experience necessary in the finals. He's also gotten six points in his last eight games and provided some clutch scoring in recent do-or-die games.
How about Chicago goaltending?
For now, smooth sailing. It did, however, seem like Corey Crawford was overmatched and overwhelmed against Nashville and Anaheim. Against the Predators, he was swept under the rug in favour of Scott Darling, who played well. However, when Darling faltered in game six, Crawford came in and got the win in relief. The job has been his ever since.
Even so, it's Bishop with the better SV%, .920 to Crawford's .919. Not much of a difference. But I've seen Bishop make so many unreal saves, it's hard to look past him. Especially with his height. This finals has the potential of being a great goalie duel!
I look forward to it!
References
http://www.nhl.com
http://www.hockey-reference.com/
http://www.hockeydb.com/
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/how-marian-hossa-is-an-ageless-wonder-for-chicago-blackhawks--trending-topics-132740319.html
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/02/sharp-deflects-dynasty-talk-but-acknowledges-hawks-group-is-something-special/
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/star-spotlight-corey-crawford-vs-ben-bishop/
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Bishop And Andersen: Making A Big Splash In Uncharted Waters
So, as the Stanley Cup dwindles down to the "Final Four", there are two goalies that were there (or further) from last season, and two more keepers who haven't been there at all. Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop and Anaheim's Fredrik Andersen.
Andersen, from Denmark, is playing in his second NHL season, and his second NHL playoffs. He's gotten much experience from the past two seasons, though. He (And Jonas Hiller) helped Anaheim get to the second round in 2014 before eventually he got hurt and Los Angeles prevailed in seven games. John Gibson took over in net for him after the injury and performed admirably. This season, Gibson played 23 games and went 13-8-0 while Andersen went 35-12-5. Both posted a S% of .914, but the job is clearly Andersen's. And the way he's playing the playoffs so far, it's his to lose.
All he's done is help the Ducks get by Winnipeg in four, then beat Calgary, needing just one more game to do that. A win in game one of the Conference finals vs. Chicago and his playoff record is 9-1 (He was 3-2 last season). The Ducks needed three goalies last year to get to game seven of the second round, but Andersen beat Jonas Hiller and the Flames this year, which must have added an exclamation mark to his status as the go-to goalie. He's also taken great strides in his game. His S% of .930 is sixth best right now.
Tampa Bay finished a strong third in the Eastern Conference, behind Montreal and New York. The looked like they were going to be out early against Detroit in the first round. They kept falling behind. However, they also kept coming back. The Red Wings took game one right there in Tampa. After losing game two, Detroit took game three then led by two goals in a pivotal game four. Tampa came back to win, only to drop game five, which was also pivotal. Now down 3-2, they needed to pull it off in Detroit to send it to seven.
Ben Bishop. Tall. Talented. Imposing. But never having won a playoff series...
Game six in enemy territory was a do-or-die affair, not only for the Lightning, but also for Bishop. He needed this game and would need to be great in game seven. Tampa took a 3-0 lead late into the second period. But they nearly lost it. Detroit scored late in that period and very early in the third. While Tampa scored twice more, this thing was in doubt until the very end, trust me. Bishop turned in a 31-save performance in a game seven shutout. With that, he had won his first ever playoff series. But this series was also his very first postseason experience at NHL level. Not a bad way to win it, eh?
Against Montreal, there were doubters. The Canadians had swept Tampa last season (But Bishop had missed all four games due to injury). The Lightning had swept the season series, but Montreal had Carey Price, who's probably going to be MVP.
Bishop matched him save for save in game one in Montreal. The Lighting took it, 2-1 in overtime. A 6-2 win by Tampa in game two gave Bishop even more confidence. Game three in Tampa went the way of the home team on a last-second goal by Zack Johnson. Montreal was not done and took the next two games, before bowing out 4-1 in game six. Anderson had been brillant all series long sans game five.
New York is obviously a big challenge for Bishop. They finished in first place overall. And to prove that, they handed Bishop and Tampa 2-1 in game one of the Conference Finals. But no one is saying this thing is over. Not with Bishop playing so well.
Bishop has been intimidating shooters, staring them down and daring them to try to hit the corner of the net. Any of the four corners. Against Montreal, they hit the post what seems like a hundred times. Big Ben is a tough goalie to score against. And for good reason: At 6'7, he's the tallest goalie in NHL history!
And right now, he's on the cusp of greatness.
References
Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 17 May 2015. <https://www.nhl.com>
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 17 May 2015
Andersen, from Denmark, is playing in his second NHL season, and his second NHL playoffs. He's gotten much experience from the past two seasons, though. He (And Jonas Hiller) helped Anaheim get to the second round in 2014 before eventually he got hurt and Los Angeles prevailed in seven games. John Gibson took over in net for him after the injury and performed admirably. This season, Gibson played 23 games and went 13-8-0 while Andersen went 35-12-5. Both posted a S% of .914, but the job is clearly Andersen's. And the way he's playing the playoffs so far, it's his to lose.
All he's done is help the Ducks get by Winnipeg in four, then beat Calgary, needing just one more game to do that. A win in game one of the Conference finals vs. Chicago and his playoff record is 9-1 (He was 3-2 last season). The Ducks needed three goalies last year to get to game seven of the second round, but Andersen beat Jonas Hiller and the Flames this year, which must have added an exclamation mark to his status as the go-to goalie. He's also taken great strides in his game. His S% of .930 is sixth best right now.
Tampa Bay finished a strong third in the Eastern Conference, behind Montreal and New York. The looked like they were going to be out early against Detroit in the first round. They kept falling behind. However, they also kept coming back. The Red Wings took game one right there in Tampa. After losing game two, Detroit took game three then led by two goals in a pivotal game four. Tampa came back to win, only to drop game five, which was also pivotal. Now down 3-2, they needed to pull it off in Detroit to send it to seven.
Ben Bishop. Tall. Talented. Imposing. But never having won a playoff series...
Game six in enemy territory was a do-or-die affair, not only for the Lightning, but also for Bishop. He needed this game and would need to be great in game seven. Tampa took a 3-0 lead late into the second period. But they nearly lost it. Detroit scored late in that period and very early in the third. While Tampa scored twice more, this thing was in doubt until the very end, trust me. Bishop turned in a 31-save performance in a game seven shutout. With that, he had won his first ever playoff series. But this series was also his very first postseason experience at NHL level. Not a bad way to win it, eh?
Against Montreal, there were doubters. The Canadians had swept Tampa last season (But Bishop had missed all four games due to injury). The Lightning had swept the season series, but Montreal had Carey Price, who's probably going to be MVP.
Bishop matched him save for save in game one in Montreal. The Lighting took it, 2-1 in overtime. A 6-2 win by Tampa in game two gave Bishop even more confidence. Game three in Tampa went the way of the home team on a last-second goal by Zack Johnson. Montreal was not done and took the next two games, before bowing out 4-1 in game six. Anderson had been brillant all series long sans game five.
New York is obviously a big challenge for Bishop. They finished in first place overall. And to prove that, they handed Bishop and Tampa 2-1 in game one of the Conference Finals. But no one is saying this thing is over. Not with Bishop playing so well.
Bishop has been intimidating shooters, staring them down and daring them to try to hit the corner of the net. Any of the four corners. Against Montreal, they hit the post what seems like a hundred times. Big Ben is a tough goalie to score against. And for good reason: At 6'7, he's the tallest goalie in NHL history!
And right now, he's on the cusp of greatness.
References
Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 17 May 2015. <https://www.nhl.com>
Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com/. Web. 17 May 2015
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