Thursday's action saw many of the playoff hopefuls fall under pressure. Teams chasing the last playoff spots like Anaheim, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Colorado, all took losses that at this point may prove to be very costly. Anaheim Ducks have the worst of these and their hopes for the playoffs hang on a thin thread. Basically they need to win all of the remaining games. And that won't happen.
Washington Capitals managed to overtake Tampa Bay with a crucial inter divisional battle for the playoff spot. The game went to overtime so also the Lightning got something out of this contest. Meanwhile, Winnipeg Jets suffered a heartbreaking one goal loss to Vancouver Canucks and had to give up the last playoff position for the Capitals for now.
San Jose's miserable run in the West continued with another shootout loss. One point salvaged and still hanging on the final playoff spot, but looking terribly shaky.
This is the time, where teams have to dig deeper than before and grind out the necessary victories to make it to the playoffs. The value of experience and cool nerves goes up in the market.
On the top of the league, some teams keep on making even stronger statements for the playoff expectations. Philadelphia Flyers' troubled 10 million dollar goalie, Ilya Bryzgalov, seems to have finally found the necessary calmness to be the backbone of the team. Another shutout under his belt and convincing 5-0 victory for the Flyers over Panthers. Also the New Jersey Devils are on a great run. This time they beat lowly Islanders easily with their superstar forward Ilya Kovalchuk leading the pack with a hattrick.
No matter how hard the bubble teams fight to get into the playoffs, it's very unlikely they will survive on the first round in the hands of these continuously stellar teams leading the league.
Showing posts with label Tampa Bay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tampa Bay. Show all posts
2012/03/03
Playoff race - Mar 3 - Carlyle, Parise and the Lightning
March 3rd provided the anticipated move in Toronto. Coach Ron Wilson got sacked and was immediately replaced by Randy Carlyle, who was dumped by Ducks earlier this season. Funny how it works again that the coach who couldn't get a brilliant Anaheim roster to work at all, is all of a sudden again trusted with another franchise. These guys truly are untouchable. This just makes it harder for anyone to break into the head coaching in NHL, no matter how you're doing in other leagues. Spots open mostly through retirement. I wrote about this earlier on a separate post on coaching in NHL. Toronto is way too late for anything spectacular this season. They were one of the biggest surprises for a long period, but have pretty much fallen out of the competition in the latest slide. Miracles happen, but not likely for the Leafs.
The New Jersey Devils pulled off another solid performance, thrashing the disappointing Washington Capitals 5-0. They're on pace for the playoffs again and will be a tough opponent for anyone. Team captain and superstar Zach Parise was crushed on a check by two Capitals' players and had to leave the game. If he misses any time, it's a big blow to the spirits and game chemistry for the Devils. Parise was in good spirits after the game, but it wouldn't be the first time when players misinterpret the effects of a big hit.
Led by scoring machine Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning took another step in their late push for the playoffs. They're way behind in the points charts, but luckily have the door open through the lowly Southeast division. Tampa Bay still has the chance to sneak into the postseason by outplaying Florida, Winnipeg and Washington in the final month of the regular season. The big difference is that the Bolts seem to be enjoying their game right now and are scoring like they should with that lineup. At the same time all the others fighting for that lone spot in the postseason seem to struggle in various degrees. There's still a lot of four point games to play against the division foes, so this might get interesting in the coming weeks.
The New Jersey Devils pulled off another solid performance, thrashing the disappointing Washington Capitals 5-0. They're on pace for the playoffs again and will be a tough opponent for anyone. Team captain and superstar Zach Parise was crushed on a check by two Capitals' players and had to leave the game. If he misses any time, it's a big blow to the spirits and game chemistry for the Devils. Parise was in good spirits after the game, but it wouldn't be the first time when players misinterpret the effects of a big hit.
Led by scoring machine Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning took another step in their late push for the playoffs. They're way behind in the points charts, but luckily have the door open through the lowly Southeast division. Tampa Bay still has the chance to sneak into the postseason by outplaying Florida, Winnipeg and Washington in the final month of the regular season. The big difference is that the Bolts seem to be enjoying their game right now and are scoring like they should with that lineup. At the same time all the others fighting for that lone spot in the postseason seem to struggle in various degrees. There's still a lot of four point games to play against the division foes, so this might get interesting in the coming weeks.
2011/05/19
Then there was four
Okay, been like this for a week now, but better late than never.
Just going to post some thoughts on the remaining teams in the hunt for the cup. The teams are good, all of them capable of winning it all, battle tested.. and bearded.
BOS-TB series is now even 1-1. However, Tampa pulled their victory somewhat effortlessly and made Boston look bad in the first game. The second game reminded of some exhibition games with high scoring and very sloppy defence. Boston ended up taking it by one goal, but only after letting Tampa back from a four goal deficit. Not really convincing there either.
My guess is that Tampa Bay Lightning is going to take this series and will go to the finals. They might do that even in five. The leadership is just so much wider and more talented in Tampa's team that Boston cannot compare. Tim Thomas seems to be even with Roloson, Chara rules above anyone else on defence, but the difference in the offensive talent is just too big. Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos are going to rip the Bruins to pieces. It's fun to see Sean Bergenheim put in the effort of his career so far and making a big impact from a grinder line.
VAN-SJ slipped to 2-0 for Vancouver. Before the series I thought San Jose might actually have a better combination of experience and youth after previous rounds' challenges. Now I don't anymore. After seeing what the Canucs did on game 2, destroying the Sharks on every level, I can't imagine a comeback. Another performance like that and I might lift the Canucks to the final favorite too!
Now the Sedins seem to be back in the mood and there's a plenty of secondary scoring.. if one can call Ryan Kesler secondary after leading the whole league in scoring. Anyway, lots of people in the Vancouver team seem to be capable of carrying the weight and that really is a solid recipe for success.
So, Vancouver - Tampa Bay in the finals, well rested after finishing semis in five games. And the hockey fans are in it for a great show for the end of the stretch. I'd like to see cup ending up in Vancouver and Canada for a change.
Just going to post some thoughts on the remaining teams in the hunt for the cup. The teams are good, all of them capable of winning it all, battle tested.. and bearded.
BOS-TB series is now even 1-1. However, Tampa pulled their victory somewhat effortlessly and made Boston look bad in the first game. The second game reminded of some exhibition games with high scoring and very sloppy defence. Boston ended up taking it by one goal, but only after letting Tampa back from a four goal deficit. Not really convincing there either.
My guess is that Tampa Bay Lightning is going to take this series and will go to the finals. They might do that even in five. The leadership is just so much wider and more talented in Tampa's team that Boston cannot compare. Tim Thomas seems to be even with Roloson, Chara rules above anyone else on defence, but the difference in the offensive talent is just too big. Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos are going to rip the Bruins to pieces. It's fun to see Sean Bergenheim put in the effort of his career so far and making a big impact from a grinder line.
VAN-SJ slipped to 2-0 for Vancouver. Before the series I thought San Jose might actually have a better combination of experience and youth after previous rounds' challenges. Now I don't anymore. After seeing what the Canucs did on game 2, destroying the Sharks on every level, I can't imagine a comeback. Another performance like that and I might lift the Canucks to the final favorite too!
Now the Sedins seem to be back in the mood and there's a plenty of secondary scoring.. if one can call Ryan Kesler secondary after leading the whole league in scoring. Anyway, lots of people in the Vancouver team seem to be capable of carrying the weight and that really is a solid recipe for success.
So, Vancouver - Tampa Bay in the finals, well rested after finishing semis in five games. And the hockey fans are in it for a great show for the end of the stretch. I'd like to see cup ending up in Vancouver and Canada for a change.
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