Friday, April 22, 2011

Looking back at Thursday's Playoff Games...

Well, last night I went 3-for-3. I picked the Bruins, Blackhawks, and Sharks, and they all delivered. I kinda of did expect the Bruins game to be close, but they score on an empty netter again to end it. I did not expect the Blackhawks to blow out the Canucks, but I guess with Dave Bolland, that's why it's happening. Also, I fully expected the Sharks to beat up on the Kings after coming back down 4-0 in game 3. On to the analysis....

#3 Boston Bruins vs #6 Montreal Canadiens
I think the story of the playoffs has been the inability to hold a multiple-goal lead. The Canadiens had a 3-1 lead in the middle of the second period? Hm... does this sound familiar? and they couldn't hold it. Boston came back with goals by Ference and Bergeron. Then Subban gave the Habs the lead again, only to have Chris Kelly send this game into overtime. The rest they say... is history. Although, Andrew Ference got hit with a $2,500 fine for this very kind gesture.

Boston is playing with so much passion right now, it wouldn't be surprising to see them win the next two. Montreal just got embarrassed at the infamous Bell Center. They're going to have to figure out something for Game 5 in Boston

#8 Chicago Blackhawks vs #1 Vancouver Canucks
Where were the Blackhawks in the first three games of the series? They have figured out how to beat the Canucks and are beating the living hell out of them now. Vancouver has got to figure out a way to stop the Blackhawks because they're coming out every game and just knocking the Canucks over. It is quite possible that the Blackhawks could come back to win the series after being down 3-0. Vancouver has no answer to stopping the Blackhawks right now. You can either point to Dave Bolland coming back, or the fact Raffi Torres wasn't suspended for his hit on Seabrook in game 3. Either way, the Canucks need to figure out something before it comes back to Rogers Arena for Game 7, otherwise they'll be one of those teams on the wrong side of history. There were fireworks to end this game, and for sure they'll be fireworks before the end of next game between these two teams. Another point, last game Kevin Bieksa got in a fight with Stalberg, last night, be got in a fight with Troy Brouwer. Are we going to see another suspension? take a look and tell me what you think.


#2 San Jose Sharks vs #7 Los Angeles Kings
Remember how I picked the Sharks in 5? Here's a link if you forgot... Analyzing the Quarter-final matchups. You know you're going to have a bad night if this is how you let the first goal in.

Regardless, the Sharks have all the momentum. Los Angeles showed that they do not have the firepower to match-up with San Jose, and now that Niemi is back on his game, this is going to be a team to contend with. San Jose went up 3-0 halfway through the second period before the Kings scored two goals to make it a one-goal game going into the third. Then the doors just busted open, in three and a half minutes, it was a 5-2 game and the Sharks were on their way to heading back to the HP Pavilion with a 3-1 series lead and a chance to end this series now.

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