I was 2 for 3 today, which is okay, considering how good my picks have been recently. I'm thinking that Buffalo's meltdown on defense is the answer as to why they couldn't win their game. Interesting note however, since the lockout, no team that was won their first round in 7 games has ever made it to the Stanley Cup. Last four teams to do that were Calgary in 2004, Vancouver in 1994, Pittsburgh in 1992, and Edmonton in 1990. Obviously if history serves you well, Pittsburgh and Edmonton won the cups their respective years, but in the new NHL, you're not going to the Stanley Cup if your first round series lasts 7 games, much less win it.
#2 Philadelphia Flyers vs #7 Buffalo Sabres
Before I make any analysis, let me just say this. Derek Roy is back. Derek Roy will be suiting up for the Sabres in game 7. Chris Pronger showed up for game 6 and the Flyers won. Who knows what will happen with Derek Roy?
Anyways, back to the game, the Sabres had built a 3-1 lead in the first period, and what will hopefully be for the last time, the Flyers swapped goalies, pulling Leighton for Boucher. The Flyers rallied around Boucher, scoring two goals to draw the game before Gerbe snapped one home on a defensive breakdown to give the Sabres the 4-3 lead. Hartnell tied the game in the 3rd and Leino took it home for the win in OT. This game's going back to Philly for game 7!. However, on a more serious note, Tim Connolly will be out after taking this nasty hit.
The Flyers are already without Jeff Carter and may be without Richards after he took two hands and shoved Connolly headfirst into the boards. We'll have to see how Colin Campbell rules on the hit. One thing's for certain, this series is going to have an explosive end.
#4 Anaheim Ducks vs #5 Nashville Predators
You know... I did pick Nashville to win this series... that's three for three on my picks for the quarterfinal games. Pekka Rinne did it again, he played out of his mind and that's why the Preds won. The Ducks had so many chances to score, and for once, the team that scored first didn't win. Teemu Selanne played like he's 20 years younger and had a monster series, but got himself thrown out with 10 seconds left in the game. Hopefully we'll see him next year. The Predators as a team beat the Ducks, it took contributions from everyone and as a result, they won this series, although Rinne helped out a lot.
#1 Vancouver Canucks vs #8 Chicago Blackhawks
Right before the game, Cory Schneider was announced as the starting goalie against the Chicago Blackhawks and maybe that would've thrown the Hawks out of their gameplan... except Schneider cost his team the game. Twice, when trying to play the puck, he left his defensemen out to dry, and as a result, the puck got turned over and a goal was scored. When Frolik got hauled down in front of Schneider and was awarded a penalty shot, he didn't just beat Schneider, Schneider got injured trying to make a save and as a result, Luongo had to come back in. The Blackhawks weren't perfect, and this was far from the blowouts we'd seen in the past two games, but they won and this is going back to Vancouver for Game 7! Luongo will most certainly be starting for the Canucks and he'll have to play the game of his life if they are to advance to the conference semi-finals.
the stat about no team going to the cup after a 7 game round 1 series since the lockout doesn't have a large enough sample size to be statistically significant. You're talking about 5 seasons, which is not nearly enough to worry about.
ReplyDeleteI also pointed out that only four teams have done it since 1990, so although the original sample size is small, the larger sample size from which I cited the four teams, should indicate something to the readers. Although, this could be the first time since the lockout that a team plays 7 games in the first round and advances to the Stanley Cup
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