Well, I've proven an inability to predict much in the NHL playoffs, despite watching more games than the average Canadian. I went sub-500 and one of my favorites was upset in the first round, and 2 of my four 'contender' teams are gone. Oh well, I guess that's why they play the games.
Last night's games 7s were awesome. The usual pattern is that a team gets blown-out in game 7. Once one team or the other has the lead, the trailing team starts to gamble and things snowball. Not last night. The Caps/Rangers was especially good. A very tight game. Lundqvist showed-up and made some phenominal saves. But ultimately, the Rangers lacked firepower, despite doing a very good job of shutting down Ovechkin as they did in the first 2 games. It was a tight checking affair, but a Russian sniper ended things. Not Ovechkin, Semin, or even Kozlov. It was old man Fedorov. And how about Varlamov?! Who's that? Exactly. After a sub-par effort from Jose Theodore in game 1, and with backup Brent Johnson on injured reserve, Boudreau went with rookie goalie Varlamov. The guy simply shut down the Rangers allowing 7 goals in 6 games. Wow. Digging out of a 1-3 series deficit is not for the weak. The Caps will need that kind of goaltending against the Penguins.
Jersey got shocked. But what a great series. Back and forth wins through 7 games. A true battle. Jersey had a 3-2 lead well into the 3rd period. 'Canes tied it and OT was looming. Staal breaks down the wing and fires a shot that barely tips off a defenseman, but enough to fool Brodeur. With mere seconds remaning on the clock, Jersey (and myself) were in shock. Series over.
What a great night of hockey.
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