May 15, 2011
Jeff Angus
2011-05-15
Since 1940, Kesler, Gretzky, Hull & Oates only players in on 75%+ of team’s goals in a single playoff series. Per Jeff Patterson (Team 1040).
Robin Lehner continued his fantastic playoff run for Binghamton with a 35 save shutout last night. The Baby Sens now have a two game lead over the Charlotte Checkers.
Ryan Potulny had two goals and leads the league in scoring. He impressed me during his brief stint with the Oilers. Probably a tweener at this point (too good for AHL, not big/strong enough for NHL), but I’d like to see a team give him an honest shot.
Minnesota prospect Matt Hackett made 38 saves in game one of the AHL West final yesterday.
Ther 20-year-old Hackett was drafted in the third round back in 2009 and posted impressive numbers in his first professional season. Seems like a solid goalie prospect – the Wild don’t need to rush him but he could be backing up Backstrom in a couple of years.
Interested to see how San Jose decides to match lines. Obviously Kesler is the engine on offense right now, and the Sedins have been passengers through two rounds. On defense, who do they match up against Kesler? Vlasic? Or do they use him against the Sedin twins?
Joe Thornton and Ryan Kesler better get ready to see a lot of each other over the next week or two.
Lots more on the way in the afternoon…. stay tuned. I am covering the next few days for Dobber as he spends time with his new daughter.
Bruin killer Simon Gagne had a great game last night (empty net goal as well). Equally impressive, he also survived a massive Johnny Boychuk hit without getting concussed.
Dwayne Roloson became the first 40-plus goaltender since 1969 to win eight straight playoff starts.
Tyler Seguin had a good game for the Bruins, including a beauty of a goal. The Bruins need to get him on their abysmal PP – his shot and offensive skills are better than most of the other Boston forwards.
Speaking of abysmal, is Tomas Kaberle trying to lose or something? Brutal turnover, brutal game, brutal stint with Boston.
Beauty Seguin goal: