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…

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.