Blues pull even, Penguins goalie controversy, and more hockey…

Entering Game 4, it was easy to write off the seemingly tired Blues, who had not scored since midway through the second period of Game 1. But the Blues jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period of Game 4 while adding two more goals midway through the second period for a 4-0 lead, not looking back in a 6-3 win.

This game was Martin Jones’ most forgettable game of the playoffs, as he allowed four goals on 19 shots before getting pulled. James Reimer finally made an appearance in the playoffs, meaning that each team in the Conference Final has played both goalies. Jones should be back in net for Game 5, so there’s no goaltending controversy here going forward. That’s so unlike at least a couple of other teams that will be mentioned here today.

At the other end, Jake Allen stopped 31 of 34 shots he faced in the win. Ken Hitchcock’s thinking entering this game could have been that he needed Allen to boost his team’s lack of scoring, I mean steal a victory for his tired team. Or perhaps Brian Elliott needed a rest. Whatever the case, Allen seems like a strong bet to start Game 5. And you expected one of these goalies to run the table through four rounds? With both goalies locked up for one more season each, it seems like more of the same next season.

Troy Brouwer scored two power-play goals for the Blues, while Kyle Brodziak scored a shorthanded goal and an even-strength goal – his first two goals of the playoffs. Brodziak had not scored a goal since April 4, a stretch of 19 consecutive games without a goal.

In spite of the loss, Joe Pavelski scored his tenth goal of the playoffs, which leads the playoffs in goals and sets a Sharks’ team record for most goals in a playoff year. Would it be out of line to sell Little Joe as a late first-round pick in 12-team single-season fantasy drafts next season? If he’s good for 40 goals and 80 points I might be interested.

An early key to Game 5: The Sharks’ power play, which went 0-for-5 in Game 4.  

#SJSharks Power Play in 2016 postseason

In 10 wins: 13-for-34 (38.2%)
In 6 losses: 2-for-23 (8.7%)

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 22, 2016

A couple of symptoms that the Blues are a tired team: Robby Fabbri hardly saw the ice at just 9:21 of action, while David Backes left during the first period and only saw 5:34 of action. According to NHL.com, Hitchcock said that both players will be okay, but we’ll have to wait and see for Game 5 on Monday. No doubt there are injuries, although remember that teams aren’t saying much at this time of year. Or to put it another way, even less than they do in the regular season.

Speaking of the Blues, my hockey read of the week is from Fort McMurray native Scottie Upshall for the Player’s Tribune. For any readers who have been affected by the fire, stay strong.

*

And we wait in suspense to find out whether the Penguins start Matt Murray or Marc-Andre Fleury for Game 5. If it happens to be Fleury, then I’ll emphasize my point even more from last weekend’s Ramblings regarding the Pens’ goaltending situation. Whatever the choice is, it’ll only affect the Pens’ entire season. Game 5 is sort of an important game to win. So no pressure with this decision.

When teams are tied 2-2 in a best-of-7 series, the winner of Game 5 has an all-time series record of 290-81 (78.2%) #StanleyCup @EliasSports

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 22, 2016

In the short term, Murray has earned the chance to start this game. But I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Fleury gets the nod. The Pens had to have gained a psychological advantage with Fleury between the pipes for the third period of Game 4, scoring three goals in turning a potential blowout into one of the more entertaining games of the playoffs. But psychological advantages can be fleeting during the ebbs and flows that are the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The status of Trevor Daley is probably more concerning for the Penguins. Daley has logged no fewer than 21 minutes during the playoffs, making him invaluable (not to mention a steal for the Penguins, considering they only had to give up Rob Scuderi to acquire him). It’s hard to believe that Mike Sullivan will get to choose from Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot for Game 5, but that’s how much their stock has fallen. Both appeared to have a very bright future in fantasy at one point, although they’re still very young and still could.

It looks like Maatta will replace Daley in Game 5, according to Renaud Lavoie.

*

Here’s something to bite on about Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos, from Hockey Night in Canada tonight. Never count out the Rangers when it comes to hitting a home run in free agency.

With @FriedgeHNIC reporting that Rick Nash might be available this summer…This might put NYR in the Stamkos bidding war.

📢 advertisement:

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) May 22, 2016

*

With 12 points in 9 games, Patrik Laine is one of the stars at this year’s World Hockey Championship. And he’ll have his chance to help Finland win gold at both the World Junior Championship and the World Hockey Championship if undefeated Finland can knock off Canada on Sunday.

The idea of Laine being picked first overall over Auston Matthews seems to be more about certain hockey writers stirring the pot to add drama to the draft. But there shouldn’t be any doubt that Winnipeg will choose him second overall at the much-anticipated NHL draft next month.

Given his ability to stand out among the grownups, Laine is a very likely NHL possibility next year. So that means we’ll have to start thinking about his projections as a rookie. The tough thing is that super rookie projections can be all over the map, since there’s no NHL track record on the player. I won’t try to do that yet, as I’d rather attempt a projection once he actually puts on the NHL jersey and hat of the team that selects him. But you know you’ll find those projections here later in the summer.

Here’s one example of Laine’s ability beyond his years, threading the needle on a pass on Jussi Jokinen’s goal.

Jussi Jokinen scores 2-1 for Finland after a beautiful pass by Patrik Laine. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/CRev3QvbO5

— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 21, 2016

And here’s Matthews scoring on a rising slapshot that caught the top corner on Cam Talbot in Saturday’s other game.

Auston Matthews scores his 6th goal of the tournament. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/d9jkhP59GA

— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 21, 2016

*

More highlights: watch this sick goal from Devils’ first-round pick John Quenneville at the Memorial Cup on Saturday.

WATCH THIS: @jaquinder88 with an unbelievable, jaw dropping, goal for @bdnwheatkings #MCMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/5X0jfA4l9h

— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) May 22, 2016

Unfortunately, the goal wasn’t enough for the Wheaties, who lost 5-3 to the QMJHL champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

The deadly line of Mitch Marner, Christian Dvorak, and Matthew Tkachuk was at it on Friday, leading London to a 6-2 win over the host Red Deer Rebels. Marner scored two goals and three assists, while Dvorak scored two goals with two assists. Tkachuk recorded just an assist, no doubt adding fuel to the fire of those who believe his draft stock is inflated because of the exploits of his current linemates. More on Tkachuk in this week’s Contrarian.

I’d be surprised if this London team isn’t playing for the big prize next Sunday. As for Red Deer (and other host teams), I wrote an article for Today’s Slapshot last year about a proposal to improve the tournament, which centers around removing the host team. I know having a host team can aid local interest in the tournament, but at the same time a different format would allow at least one top-level junior team a spot in the tournament.  

For more on the Mem Cup, the Dobber Prospects Ramblings has you covered.

Enjoy your Sunday. Follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding.