April 21, 2011
Jeff Angus
2011-04-21
I have been impressed with Kyle Turris this series – he has been one of the better Coyote forwards. Phoenix rushed him, but that doesn't mean that he's a bust. Still lots of time to develop.
Interesting parallel? San Jose defeated Detroit in five games last year in the second round. The only game Detroit won was Game Four, 7-1. Chicago won 7-2 in Game Four.
Henrik Sedin is playing with an undisclosed injury. He hasn't been practicing regularly and has had a below average series for the Canucks.
My Top 10 Keeper League LW list will be out this weekend. I am using Yahoo! Rankings when applicable (Datsyuk counts as a LW, as does Marleau). Any guesses?
I haven't been writing the ramblings during the recent suspension debacles, but I have no idea how Chris Kunitz gets one game for his vicious head shot on Simon Gagne (who has a history of concussions). Lateral hit, and a complete elbow. He didn't even make contact with any other part of his body aside from his elbow!
Brandon McMillan looked good filling in for Bobby Ryan on the top line – a goal and a helper. McMillan is a solid player with no real weaknesses. With Ryan set to return next game, look for him to slide down to the third line.
Anaheim scored three goals on Pekka Rinne in the first seven minutes of the third period last night – very uncharacteristic of the Vezina candidate.
Martin Erat left and didn't return after receiving a hit from Jarkko Ruutu.
Ray Emery was decent in the win (three goals allowed), but he moves like a sloth in the net. Any lateral movement and he is done for.
Jonas Hiller has suffered a setback – if the Ducks are going to do anything this Spring, it won't be with him. I wonder if his career is at risk at all? The doctors are stumped as to what caused/is causing his vertigo.
Every high seed has a nightmare of running into a strong goalie, and the Flyers are having nightmares starring Ryan Miller. He committed larceny on more than a few occasions last night.
Brian Boucher had a great game in the loss, allowing a single goal on 29 shots.
Patrick Kaleta must lead the league in major penalties drawn – Richards elbowed him and was given five minutes last night.
Martin St. Louis is such a special player – if he played in a market like Vancouver or Toronto, he'd be up there when discussing the best players in the league.
James Neal scored the OT winner for the Penguins – only his second goal since being acquired back in March.
Marian Gaborik floated his way through another game – the Rangers are getting the effort from the likes of Fedotenko and Dubinsky (in the past two games, at least), but their top gun has been firing blanks.
Gaborik did have a goal, but he hasn't been anywhere near the impact player we have come to expect. Playing hurt, perhaps? Doesn't seem to have his usual jump.
Marcus Johansson had two goals for the Caps – he was flying all night long. Could hit 60 points next year centering Washington's second line?
Alex Ovechkin was third in ice time among Washington forwards, trailing Backstrom and Laich.
Darren Archibald was recently named OHL Player of the Week. The undrafted forward signed a pro contract with Vancouver earlier this season. Archibald had 66 points in the regular season and currently has 10 goals in 10 playoff games for the Niagara Ice Dogs.
He's got great size (6'3", 210 pounds) and uses it to his advantage. The Canucks are pretty deep up front but he is a prospect you should get on your radar.
Archibald's teammates include Dougie Hamilton, who is touted as a top four or five pick at the 2011 Entry Draft this June, and Ryan Strome, a likely top 10 pick.
Broad Street Bully (a great Flyers site) has a very interesting breakdown on zone entries – dump ins, carry ins, and so on. An eye-opening read and something that has a lot of potential to be useful in player (and team) evaluation.
Copper and Blue with an in-depth look at Ryan Whitney's season – is he a true number one defenseman for the Oilers?
History Will Be Made – the newest commercial: