Kings vs. Devils Stanley Cup 2012

We're finally here, the long awaited destination for not only players and coaches, but fans everywhere as well. The 8th seed versus the 3rd, with the Kings being the regular season under dogs and post season dominators, it's hard to think of the New Jersey Devils as anything but hard working and under appreciated in playoff performance. With a 12-6 record they have played more games than LA and will have a shorter break as well. Not to say that LA won't be ready, at 12-2 they are used to the more lengthy breaks in between series, everything will depend on the players' abilities to stay focused and remember the ultimate goal.

La is a strong and powerful team, they like to work down low, set up from the corners and drive to the net. They're going to focus on working through holes in the New Jersey defence and over powering an aging Martin Brodeur. Quick, of course, needs no explaining what he can contribute to a team the only danger to his performance was the lack of shots and rusty ice in the defensive zone. The Devils will perform as they have throughout their series so far, silently and lethally with quick plays and sniping offense in Parise and Kovalchuk. I don't mean to criticize Martin Brodeur who has easily made some of the most vital and best looking saves in the playoffs so far, but it will be up to him to hold off the charging LA offense that has yet to meet a goalie they could not crack.

This series promises to be a physical and exciting series, I can't help but look forward to the ending more than the beginning. Here's to the final round of 2012.

The Dustin Brown knee on knee...

WHAT PENALTY?!?!?! Don't me mad, Doan, just cause you guys screwed up and let an LA player skate into the slot and burry a horrible rebound. Who was covering that guy, huh? Who?!

NHL Conference Finals 2012

Round 3 is well under way for the four remaining teams, each hoping to win yet another round and be one step closer to hoisting the Stanley Cup. The Rangers and Devils are making it an exciting series, tied 2-2 it is easy to predict a game 7 for the Eastern Conference. Game 4 was at a different intensity level than the rest, with a final tally of 66 PIM including Mike Rupp's shot at Martin Brodeur that caused the three misconduct penalties in the 3rd period. New Jersey easily controlled the flow of play during the game and the frustration of the Rangers was bound to explode at some point. Not unfamiliar with explosions, John Tortorella engaged in his own shouting match between the benches with Peter DeBoer. Neither commented on the incident after the game, but it is easy to see that the tension is being felt on both sides and emerging in different ways. Despite who they will face from the West one of these two teams will be hosting game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals, will Brodeur or Lundqvist start their next journey at home?

LA continues to dominate their series, well on their way to beating the Montreal Canadiens record of 16-4 in their Stanley Cup win year. Their loss in game 4 of this series is reminiscent of game 4 in Vancouver, allowing Phoenix to hold them at bay and maybe win their last game at home before a possible movement of the franchise. Phoenix continues to struggle in finding a hole in Quick's armour, taking every shot they can and being rewarded with tips not only from their team but from the defenders as well after all, no goal is a bad goal especially in the post-season. Game 5 promises to be a Goaltender and Goal scorer showdown, in a low scoring series, LA will throw their power forwards at the net and maybe battle a little harder than they did in their last shutout performance. Emotions are running high not only for Phoenix who is fighting to stay alive but for LA as well to make a statement after their last minute clinching of a playoff spot. 

Round 2 Goalie Analysis

We're finally into the second round of playoffs, one step closer to the raising of the Stanley Cup. Phoenix is up 2-0 on Nashville, after Rinne has a rough start in game 1, he doesn't get the ability to redeem himself last night in their 5-3 loss.With one Vezina nominee in one net and a future nominee at the other end of the rink, you would think this game would come down to whichever goalie could hold their team in it. This series is going to come down to the team that can learn to score the most goals and right now the Coyotes have figured out the secret to Pekka Rinne. Mike Smith is anxious on the other end, I'm sure, wondering when the Predators will swoop in attempt to break him down.

Philadelphia wins their first game against New Jersey, contrary to the PHX/NSH series where goalies are the stars, this series is full of doubts in both nets. Bryzgalov has had a rocky playoffs so far; double digit goals, bad five hole goals, bad puck control. It's hard to say how he will manage to hold himself together, whereas Brodeur's confidence has never been in question, only his ability to keep up with the new generation of hockey. After being pulled in Round 1, he has managed to redeem himself with their foray into Round 2, but realistically PHI should've won this game long before it was over. This series is going to come down to the goalie that makes the last save.

Jonathan Quick might be the one to skate out of this round with a victory. As the third Vezina nominee, his performance is definitely a focus for this series, and in game 1 he made it clear that St. Louis is going to have to work harder and faster to beat this agile goalie. After Halak's unexpected injury Elliot has stepped up and helped his team get into the second round, but will he have to step back after the announcement that Halak will only miss two games out of this series before he returns. Will his absence make him a good choice for first string goalie again or will he find it difficult to step back in? Can the eighth seed beat out the second in the second round?

Finally we will step into MSG and relive the 'Holtby Sucks' chant that went through the building after New York won their first game. Poor Braden Holtby, third strong goalie in for the playoffs, trying to make a name for himself. Yes, he has made some great saves these playoffs, but he's also let in some ugly goals. I find it hard to believe that he's going to be able to stand up to the Rangers as well as he did with Boston, who struggled to play well in their return to the playoffs. And in opposite net we have Henrik Lundqvist, the impeccably dressed goalie extrordinaire that has worked for years to be where he is, waiting for his opportunity to raise the cup. New York is the top seed in the East and an easy favourite for the Cup this year. Rookie vs. Veteran, whose team will take the win?

Patrick Roy back in the NHL?

Now, don't get too excited or too scared. There's no confirmation over whether Roy will actually return to the NHL, and in any case it would be in a coaching capacity instead of between the pipes. The QMJHL might hold no more interest for him after his Memorial Cup but I don't think the NHL is his next step. His level of playing and his experience coaching Major Junior hockey would be nothing in comparison to what he would be expected to do with an NHL team. As the father of two frighteningly violent and uncontrollable sons I find it difficult to believe that anyone would invite him in to their organization. Of course, his son's behaviour shouldn't be blamed on him but it would be hard not to remember his own antics as both player and coach. But maybe Montreal is so desperate for a French Canadian coach that they would hop on the bandwagon with two feet.

Crosby declines National Team invitation

After Crosby's last performance with Team Canada you would think that he would jump at the chance to skate again, especially after Pittsburgh's unexpected elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Much to my shock, he has declined the invitation in order to train and get himself to 100% again before competing.

Picturing the young boy he used to be, excited and happy to play hockey as a career, you have to wonder if bitterness is starting to creep in. After missing the majority of the season with a concussion and neck injury, his return just prior to playoffs put Pittsburgh back on top as far as Stanley Cup predictions went. Despite the high scoring series with Philadelphia, Crosby only had 1 G and 2 A. Not a stellar performance considering the 26 G that they managed to accumulate in 6 games. If he claims to not have been at 100% for these past few weeks, then I can only hope to see him at his best at the start of the 2012-2013 season.

4 teams in, 4 to go.

We're half way through Round 1 of playoffs. Nashville, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles are through. Of course, none make me happier than the fact that Vancouver was denied their Stanley Cup attempt, yet again. Congratulations to Quick, and good luck to him facing a strong St. Louis. The Penguins take a sad step back and Crosby focuses his attention to the IIHF scene where he could join Team Canada for the World's. Finally, Lidstrom is left to wonder what his future holds, a respectful retirement or one final shot at Stanley Cup glory.

St. Louis could be the team to watch this year, with their solid defensive positioning and hard hitting offense, it's hard to keep them under control much less score a goal on Brian Elliot, who despite having a deep lower back bruise, is playing like he has to. Could be one of my favourite rounds all playoffs. Good luck to both teams.

Two more series could be over tonight, Chicago is struggling to fight back for a game 7 and New York now has to face the return of Alfredsson. We will have to wait and see how his return goes, but he could be out for a little blood this time around.

Enjoy the front row seats, Torres.