Game 6 Tonight!
The Hurricanes and Sabres face off for what could be the final time tonight. Carolina leads the series 3-2 and could finish off the Sabres and head to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in 4 years (I think it's been 4 years....against Detroit) and meet the Edmonton Oilers. However, I said this series would go 7 and be won by Buffalo, so tonight's game, I expect the boys from Western New York to do me proud and keep hope alive!
Laviolette is either a madman or a genius, but he is getting the very best from both of his goaltenders. Tonight will see Cam Ward between the pipes, the same man who was yanked and benched just 2 games ago. However his stellar performance may have been the difference between the Hurricanes being up 3-2 rather than being down 3-2 in the series.
My fellow 'PlayoffBeardians' have been bringing up some terrific points lately. The one comment I think that needs to be addressed was by Scotty, regarding Edmonton and the long layoff. I think it's going to hurt them. The one thing this team hasn't had is rest, and time to think. If the Sabres Hurricanes series goes 7 games, I suspect the Oilers will be very sluggish in the first game (and perhaps the second), much like Colorado, New Jersey, and Anaheim were.
I'd also like to give OLN some recognition. I think they've been doing a pretty damn good job on covering the NHL playoffs. They've also really embraced hockey. The hockey specials they've been broadcasting before and after the games have been terrific! I actually don't mind Bill Clement anymore either, and enjoy him as moderator between the periods (he and Gary Thorne used to make my ears bleed during their ESPN in game commentary). My only hope is that more people will be able to get the channel. I have a few friends that haven't seen most of the games, (except for the Saturday afternoon games on NBC) because OLN isn't part of their cable package. Other than that, keep it up!
Tonight's game:
Carolina at Buffalo 7:30 PM
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Dude-- how can't you like the Thorne-gasms that only Gary Thorne could put out?? I mean, you don't get as excited as he does when a defenseman is setting up a play behind his own net??
Posted by: Wazz | May 30, 2006 02:42 PM
Thorne....ugh.....he should have to apply Deep Woods Off to Clement's hairy chest in a two man tent for eternity.
Posted by: Captbosh | May 30, 2006 03:03 PM
Brokeback Sportscast? No thanks...But I never minded Gary Thorne. I guess I don't really mind Playoff Chest Clement either too much, though he was being an ass to Knuble a while back and there are others I like better (Buccigross and Melrose, I'm winking at you). Remember NHL 2night? Remeber how Bucci would always say things like "What Thom Yorke is to Radiohead, Mike Peca is to the Islanders"??? I miss that stuff. I think Bucci was the only hockey telecast guy who displayed INTENTIONAL humor. OLN has been great with the playoffs, but I miss the half hour nightly recap show. They should pick up that idea next year instead of more fishing, bull riding, and survivor reruns. And seriously - why hasn't Melrose had another shot at coaching in the NHL? I've never heard a legitimate reason, always just the mullet that gets blamed.
Anyway, game starts in 15 minutes!!! It's interesting reading on TSN how confident Buffalo is that they can turn the series around and how they're trying to psychologically put pressure on Carolina. Not a bad strategy, though I think a better one would be to simply STAY OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX. We'll see. I'm going to go ahead and make a finals prediction right now though. The Cup is staying in the East. The Oil are a great Cinderella story, but I think the clock strikes midnight in the next round.
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | May 30, 2006 07:16 PM