Where's Calgary?
No seriously? Where have the Flames been for the past two games? They weren't in Detroit yesterday afternoon. When Chicken Parm says he's apalled with your lack of performance..... that's not too good boys.
Well Miika Kiprusoff showed up, but unfortunately he was left out to dry by his teammates. In two games against the Detroit Red Wings, the Calgary Flames have allowed 99 shots on their goaltender. Kiprusoff faced 21 in a first period last night that seemed as though the Flames were on a perpetual penalty kill. Detroit opened up a two goal lead in the first on goals by Pavel Datsyuk, and Nicklas Lidstrom and pretty much left the Flames behind once again (there was a slight gleam of hope early in the second when Dion Phaneuf scored early in the second, but when your team only manages to take 15 shots on Dominik Hasek.... you may as well not take any).
Valtteri Filppula scored on a Johan Franzen rebound and sealed the 3-2 win for the Detroit Red Wings in the third. The Red Wings head to Calgary with a 2-0 series lead for Game 3. Maybe that's where the Flames are hiding?
Quick Shave:
Looks my Minnesota Wild upset of the Anaheim Ducks was a brilliant pick (unless the Wild run the table, which could be part of my plan.....). The Anaheim Ducks stifled the Wild 2-1 last night to take a 3-0 series lead and are set to go for the sweep on Tuesday night. Ducks keeper Ilya Bryzgalov made 19 saves for the win, and has been very steady for his club in the post season. Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco (he made 35 saves last night) blanked the Vancouver Canucks for 5 straight periods but they finally broke through late last night. Jan Bulis scored for the Canucks to tie the game in the third, and force overtime once again. Taylor Pyatt wrapped up the game less than eight minutes in to give the Canucks the 2-1 overtime win, and a 2-1 series lead. The Ottawa Senators bounced back hard, and bounced the Pittsburgh Penguins to the tune of a 4-2 win, and 2-1 series lead last night. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed 4 goals on 25 shots last night, and at times looked ordinary. I wonder if the young goaltender is succumbing to the pressure of the post season? Would Thibault be an upgrade at this point?
Game of the Night:
New Jersey at Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Buffalo at NY Islanders 7:30 PM
Nashville at San Jose 10:00 PM
Playoff Hockey is great. I'm salivating just looking at all of these matchups. I expect Martin Brodeur to be dominant tonight after being anything but in Game 2. The Islanders should expect to face a very inspired Sabres team tonight in Uniondale. Nashville and San Jose will be just outstanding. I hope that series goes to a game 7. Enjoy the games!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
I too picked the Wild over the Ducks...I just thought their offense would be a little too much. Man I was wrong!
Posted by: PredJoe | April 16, 2007 04:40 PM
The Wild were so hot coming into the playoffs, I expected that to continue, but it looks like they've run into a very hot goaltender in Bryzgalov.
Posted by: Cap | April 16, 2007 07:39 PM
Yeah, this is the Bryzgalov I drafted for my top fantasy goalie at the beginning of the season. That said, I won't be making that mistake again unless he or Giguere gets traded over the summer. But, yeah, Minnesota's done.
As for your question about Thibault over Fleury, it's an option sure but I don't know that it will make the defense in front of him any better. Fleury didn't make the huge saves we know he's certainly capable of, but there was a lot of bad coverage, bad penalties, and bad decisions by the rest of the team. I think Fleury needs the experience in these games, just as I think it was a mistake for Hartley to start Hedberg. If he's awful in game 4 then it might be worth a shot.
Oh and guess what? Tampa won again...
Posted by: Stache | April 16, 2007 09:51 PM
Tampa is owning Brodeur! What is up with that!!?
Posted by: Cap | April 16, 2007 10:39 PM