April 22 2015
Dobber
2015-04-22
Playoff hockey – thoughts on Mrazek, Darling, Beaulieu, Ehlers, Wilson and more …
***
Tampa Bay can’t score? Who saw that coming? The most potent offense in the league boasts a superstar on one line, the best trio of youngsters in the league on another line, and solid potential 55-point guys (at least) on a third line. How do you stop all three of these lines? You’ll have to ask the Red Wings, who almost completely shut them down in Games 1 and 2.
My theory? Physical play. Toughness vs. speed, which is kind of odd to say about Red Wings team. But next to TB, Detroit is far grittier. They outhit the Lightning 48-26 and topped them 10-5 in BLKSn
Steven Stamkos hasn’t found the net yet and has just one assist at even strength. He does have 11 shots on goal in the series, so perhaps it’s just a matter of time.
And speaking of ‘matter of time’, how many games could Ondrej Palat possibly go without a point? He’s pointless in his last four. Two other occasions he went that long this year – six games in January and four in November.
*
Let’s talk some Petr Mrazek now. He’s given up six goals in three games now, with two wins and his first career playoff shutout. If Jimmy Howard is healthy throughout 2015-16, I still see Mrazek taking 60 percent of the starts. But this projection changes quickly if a new coach comes in.
Brendan Ross is slipping into Prospects Report mode, working on that gold you love to read every summer. So his ramblings from Tuesday night (here) will be a rare one when it comes to the next four weeks. Enjoy!
*
The Black Aces are getting called up now that the AHL season is over. Some of the interesting names:
Shea Theodore, stud prospect defenseman for the Ducks. Read up on Theodore here.
Michael Keranen, Jonathan Blum for the Wild. Blum is interesting in that he could actually see action if two injuries happen on defense. Keranen had been called up by the Wild in February but never got into a game, so we won’t see him unless a couple of injuries happen up front. Read up on Keranen here.
*
Nathan Beaulieu wasn’t himself last game after taking a couple of massive hits. At least one of those hits was to the head (albeit a clean hit though – I showed the video in the Monday ramblings). He spent his next few shifts running around like an idiot, looking for retribution until he was stapled to the bench. But maybe he wasn’t stapled to the bench as punishment – he’s now listed as injured (upper body) and out for the series. Greg Pateryn will take his spot.
*
Derrick Pouliot has been out with a UBI but he was back skating with the team yesterday. The team won’t tip their hand as to if he will play in Game 4, but they could sure use him. I suspect he will be back for Game 5, but not Game 4.
*
Interesting Tweet from Elliotte Friedman last night:
Nik Ehlers QMJHL season ended tonight. Jets will discuss his future tomorrow, but he will not be in the Game 4 lineup vs ANA
Ehlers has been surging up my Fantasy Prospects List, from 19th two months ago to 12th last month, and is currently fourth.
*
Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler and Anze Kopitar have been named Lady Byng finalists. Two of those three made my ballot – as you know, I got to vote on the NHL awards for the first time this year. Kopitar did not make my ballot (we list our Top 5 for each award). I had Logan Couture as No. 2.
*
More class from the Isles fans. Just days after keying a Caps fan’s car and bullying a group of them – another idiot throws beer at Brooks Orpik: