April 27, 2015

Dobber

2015-04-27

Thoughts on Hitchcock, Pageau, Price, Penguin injuries and more …

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They’re dropping like flies now, eh?

But I’m happy to see that I’m six-and-oh with my calls so far. Wild, Blackhawks, Ducks, Flames, Rangers, Canadiens move on. And as I suspected, the Caps – Isles series is too close to call. But again, as close as that one is to call, Ovechkin will still be labeled a choker if his team loses. Ah, the justice that hockey fans dispense on their idols…

Brian Elliott finally got a taste, but unfortunately his team is now out. Jake Allen got pulled after 13 shots. But the Wild are just in the zone plain and simple. So would you fire Ken Hitchcock?

Hitchcock:

– seven years with Dallas, went to the Final twice and won a Cup once

– four years (well, three and a bit) with Philly, never got past third round

– four years with Columbus and missed the playoffs twice, out first round the other time.

– four years with St. Louis and out second round, first round, first round, first round. Goodbye?

Here’s what I think. Yes, he’ll be fired. No, he won’t deserve it. The Blues needed to give him a true starting goalie. Elliott is just a glorified backup who plays awesome when he isn’t considered the starter, but can’t handle the pressure if he is. Oh, Halak’s the starter? Okay then, Elliott is awesome. Halak is gone? Okay, Elliott is mediocre. But in the Blues’ defense, top goalies don’t grow on trees.

So who’s to blame in terms of offense? Well, not Vladimir Tarasenko, who had six goals. Not Kevin Shattenkirk who had seven assists. Not Patrik Berglund who had four points in five games. Berglund had seven points in nine games in the 2012 playoffs so he’s stepped up like this before.

But TJ Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo and Paul Stastny managed just one point each.

Interesting points here over at Copper n’ Blue. They say that Peter Chiarelli really liked to load up at center in Boston, even sticking a bunch of them on the wing. So he will probably not move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but may instead move a winger or defenseman (i.e. Justin Schultz). Another interesting thought, though I doubt it, is a possible offer sheet for Dougie Hamilton. And wouldn’t that just push the Oilers closer to greatness…

Some interesting notes from out of Pittsburgh.

Pascal Dupuis was hoping to be back for the fourth round, had the Pens made it that far. I think he’ll bounce back next season, but I doubt “bounce back” means he’s back on the top line. I think it means you can safely assume at least 65 games and 40 points, to as many as 75-plus and 50 points. Do not bank on more than that.

Kris Letang was going to miss the playoffs regardless, but he’s working his way back, things are on track and he expects to be 100 percent for training camp. Letang didn’t miss most of 2013-14 because of a concussion remember – he missed it due to a stroke/blood clot. That being said, it would be folly to pencil him in for any more than 65 games next season at the best of times.

Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby were apparently injury-free. So how about that. Malkin gets zero playoff points. Disgusting? Disgusting. I’m beating a dead horse here, but I blame the power-play (and thus the assistant coaches) for the lack of scoring punch from these two. I really hope the Pens shake that up and bring in some new coaches with better ideas/vision.

Quick thought – but it will be interesting to see the impact (short and long-term) of Sidney Crosby playing for Team Canada with Nathan MacKinnon. Both are from Cole Harbour, N.S.

This weekend I fought off a sinus infection and ‘celebrated’ (if you can call shivering under a blanket celebrating) my 10th wedding anniversary. But I also broke ground on the 2015 DobberHockey Fantasy Prospects Report. Yes, it’s that time of year! This will be available for pre-sale in four days, as well as the Ultimate Fantasy Pack. So watch for it. A must for keeper leaguers, especially for the price.

Heading into Game 6, Craig Anderson was 6-2, 1.47 and 0.960 in eight playoff games against the Habs in his career. Just one went by him Sunday, but that was enough.

I think J-G Pageau is the most impressive zero-point player I’ve ever seen in the playoffs. What an animal. But he’s so good in other areas, that his niche is looking more and more as though it’s not on a scoring line. But just an important, key player who would offer scoring depth to go with the intangibles.

Awesome signing by the Sens – David Legwand. I’m sure he’s happy to come off a 51-point year to garner just 27 points and get scratched in the playoffs. His ice time this season was at the lowest in his career. And he started in 1999.

Would Ottawa have won either Game 1 or 2 with Anderson in net? The coach had no choice but to play Andrew Hammond in the first game, but the second game was apparently a tough decision. Cameron was apparently considering Anderson. Hammond, meanwhile, lost his two playoff starts – that’s more losses than in his 24 regular season games.

By now you know that Carey Price was nominated for the Vezina along with Devan Dubnyk and Pekka Rinne. This is one award that I did not get to vote on, but it’s the easiest award to call. Price will win and he’ll probably double the points that second place gets. The votes were in before the first game the playoffs started, so his 43-save performance last night won’t impact.

PA Parenteau got back into the lineup, had three hits and two shots and saw first unit PP time.

When the awards are handed out, I’ll release to you my ballot and explain why I voted what I voted.

Did the Senators tie it here? How fast was this whistle? Game changer. Series changer. (But the experts say the ref was right to blow it quick)