Official Inside Sports

LA KINGS Hockey Fest 2009

2009-07-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 4, 2009

FORMER KINGS KELLY HRUDEY AND
RAY FERRARO JOIN KINGS BROADCASTER
JIM FOX TO HEADLINE SPECIAL
“NHL EXPERTS PANEL”
AT LA KINGS HOCKEY FEST ‘09

THE KINGS’ FIRST-EVER SEASON KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
OF HOCKEY TO FEATURE KINGS PLAYERS, ALUMNI
AND MUCH MORE AUGUST 28-30 AT LA LIVE

LOS ANGELES – Former Los Angeles Kings goalie Kelly Hrudey and former Kings forward Ray Ferraro will return to Southern California and join Kings television color commentator and former Kings forward Jim Fox to headline a special “NHL Experts Panel” at LA Kings Hockey Fest ’09, a new three-day interactive festival celebrating the Kings and the game of hockey from August 28-30. The NHL Experts Panel will be one of seven special programming series that will be a part of the event.

LA Kings Hockey Fest ‘09, which was originally announced in March, will feature Kings’ players, coaches, alumni, hockey dignitaries, special Kings’ merchandise, hockey memorabilia, special Q&A sessions with players and autograph sessions. All activities and events during the LA Kings Hockey Fest ’09 will take place at LA Live in the heart of downtown Los Angeles .

Hrudey works as an analyst for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and as a co-host of the nationally syndicated Hockey Night in Canada radio show. He played for the Kings from 1988-96 and helped lead the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. He also ranks second on the Kings all-time in games (360), second in wins (145), tied for fourth in shutouts (10), 10th in goals-against-average (3.47) and tied for seventh in save percentage (.896).

Overall, Hrudey posted a 271-265-88 record, a 3.43 goals-against-average and 16 shutouts in 677 career regular season NHL games with the Kings, Sharks and Islanders.

Ferraro works as an analyst for TSN and for Team 1040 Radio in Vancouver . He played for the Kings from 1995-99 and he led the Kings in goals (25) during the 1996-97 season. In 1,258 regular season NHL games with the Kings, Blues, Thrashers, Rangers, Islanders and Whalers, Ferraro recorded 898 points (408-490=898) and 1,288 penalty minutes.

Both Ferraro and Hrudey will also take part in an autograph session during the event.

Fox is set to enter his 20th season as the color commentator for all televised Kings games on FS West. This past season he was named the top Pre and Post-Game Television Host by the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association, and he was named the best TV color commentator in Southern California by the Los Angeles Daily News and columnist Tom Hoffarth for the eighth time in the last nine years. He also works as an NHL contributor to Yahoo! Sports, has served as co-host of the Los Angeles-area Emmy-Award winning Kings Live! pre-game show, and in 2006 Sports Illustrated named Fox the best analyst in hockey.

He played for the Kings from 1980-90 and is eighth on the club’s all-time scoring list with 479 points. In 578 career regular season NHL games with the Kings, Fox recorded 479 points (186-293=479) and 143 penalty minutes.

Tickets for LA Kings Hockey Fest ’09 are currently on-sale and cost $60. Each ticket allows admittance into all LA Kings Hockey Fest ’09 events for the weekend. ESPN’s John Buccigross, who used to team with Ferraro on the ESPN show NHL 2Night, will serve as the “official host” of the event, will moderate the NHL Experts Panel series.

For more LA Kings Hockey Fest ‘09 details, visit LAKings.com/hockeyfest. To view the event’s official poster, visit LAKings.com/hockeyfest09poster.

STANLEY CUP FINAL II - The Rematch

2009-05-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

The much-anticipated Stanley Cup final rematch is now upon us. Last season, the Pens went down in six games. In fact, they were shut out in the first two games before they finally broke through and won game three. Their playoff run was fueled by the bold move of acquiring Marian Hossa at the trade deadline. Many speculated the Pens had Mortgaged their future (Colby Armstrong) for one, all-or-nothing shot at glory.

That seemed to be the case up until this season's trade deadline when the Pens acquired Bill Guerin and hard-nosed winger Chris Kunitz. Those two now flank Sidney Crosby on the top line. MVP candidate Evgeni Malkin now centers the second line with Ruslan Fedotenko. Playmaking defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who seems to have sipped from the fountain of youth last season continues his amazing play this season.

In Detroit, the song remains the same. No less than seven All-Star caliber forwards, the best defenseman since Bobby Orr in Nik Lidstrom, and possibly the most underappreciated playoff goaltender in history in the person of Chris Osgood.

The rich definitely got richer after winning the Cup last year when All star forward Marian Hossa ditched the Pens after last year's final and brought his show to Detroit where he is now once again on the cusp of his first championship. The Pens have the chance to deny Hossa his ring. Hossa has a chance to prove he made the right decision when he joined the conquering army. There is still some lingering bitterness between Hossa and the Pittsburgh fans, which will definitely add some fuel to the fire when the teams go to Pittsburgh for games three and four.

Both teams have already been tested by high octane offensive teams. Pittsburgh faced a lot of firepower when they faced Washington in the Conference semi final, which they came back to win in seven games after dropping the first two.

The Wings faced the high powered Chicago Blackhawks in their recently completed Conference final and outscored them 19-10 in the series, putting the kids to bed in only five games.

Prediction: This is a much better, deeper and well coached Pens team than the team that lost in the Stanley Cup final last year. Rookie coach Dan Bylsma has had this team playing like champs since taking over late in the season. Sid the kid and Evgeni Malkin are playing truly inspired hockey and Jordan Staal is tough as nails. That said, the Pens are again going to come up agonizingly short. Detroit is a well-oiled machine. The Pens may well be able to match the offensive intensity of the Wings, but Detroit is the league's best at controlling play in the neutral zone, thus allowing them to both create and prevent more scoring opportunities than their opponent. It's going to be the intangibles, all those little things that don't appear on the score sheet which will ultimately make the difference in this series. The health of Pavel Datsyuk and Nik Lidstrom may be an issue, but trust Ozzie to be strong between the pipes.
RED WINGS in 6

Let's All Show Ozzie Some Love.

2009-05-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

He has three Stanley Cup rings, two as a starter (1998, 2008), one as a backup (1997). Coming into this postseason, he has a lifetime playoff save percentage of 91.5 %. His lifetime playoff goals against average of 2.10 is better than that of Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, and Curtis Joseph. Only Patrick Roy has more rings. Of the others, Belfour has one title and Cujo, none.

That said, Detroit Red Wings' goaltender Chris Osgood still gets almost no respect and is generally not involved in any discussions revolving around so-called "money" or "clutch" playoff goaltenders past or present. He is not even viewed in the same light as regular season marvels like Jose Theodore or Cristobal Huet even though they continually fold like lawn chairs in the playoffs.

After a mediocre 2008-2009 regular season in which he split time with backup Ty Conklin, Ozzie again has gotten into playoff form. His lackluster 3.09 regular season GAA is now an impressive 2.17, his unflattering 88.7 % regular season save percentage is now a sparkling 92%. He now tops all remaining goaltenders in both categories as he leads his mighty Detroit Red Wings toward the promised land. Lead? Osgood? Absolutely. Is this merely an aberration? I think not.

Last season, after a terrific regular season of 2.09 GAA and 91.4% save percentage while splitting time with Dominik Hasek, Ozzie took over down the stretch and in the playoffs, lowered his GAA to a miniscule 1.55 GAA and raised his save percentage to 93% as his Wings hoisted the Cup. It's called playoff time folks, and when the regular season ends, and all the chips are down, Ozzie turns into a completely different animal. Yes, he does give up the occasional soft goal, but then again, what great goaltender hasn't?

Playoff goaltending is all about making timely saves. Let's look at the cold hard facts. Ozzie has again this year made a habit of winning pivotal games. He allowed but one goal in game 5 of the tough conference semifinal against Anaheim as he stopped 16 of 17 shots in a solid 4-1 victory. In the conference final against Chicago, his team now leads the series three games to one courtesy of a Motown style beatdown administered on the road in a crucial game 4 in which Ozzie stopped 18 of 19 shots before he succumbed to dehydration and was replaced by Conklin in the third period of a 6-1 win. This was a crucial game which the Wings had to win without the services of MVP candidate Pavel Datsyuk and Norris trophy candidate Niklas Lidstrom. Ozzie was again equal to the task.

Should the Wings win the Cup again this year, what would it take for Ozzie to be declared the hero? Last year, a 1.55 overall playoff GAA and two shutouts in the Cup final against Pittsburgh were not enough for him to be named playoff MVP, that honor went to teammate Henrik Zetterberg. On the other side of the coin however, had they not won it all last year, or if they don't this year, he would almost certainly be declared the goat. No one ever said life was fair.

Of those who picked Anaheim to upset Detroit in the conference semifinal, many pointed to the combination of Anaheim sharpshooters on the ice and Chris Osgood in goal as the deciding factor. In short, he was supposed to be the reason they would lose that series. He wasn't.

Many of those who picked Chicago in the conference final felt that Nik Khabibulin would stand tall, and Ozzie would buckle under the Blackhawks constant offensive pressure. So far, it hasn't even been close, on either front.

I admit, it took me a long time to believe in Ozzie, but I have now seen the light.

Ozzie will turn 37 in November. After 15 years in the league and three rings, it's time we all gave the man his props. There are goalies who thrive in the regular season, and goalies who thrive in the playoffs, Ozzie is the latter. Always give credit where credit is due.

Consider he has now won championships ten years apart. He signed with the Islanders in 2001 and stayed there two seasons before being traded to St Louis in 2003. He then missed the entire 2004-2005 lockout season, and was again signed by Detroit as a free agent in 2005. Last year was his first playoff action since that re-signing, meaning he hadn't seen a playoff game in four years. That should at least qualify as a feel-good story. Where would Detroit have been without him last season? Detroit has seen the light and now has Ozzie under contract through the 2010-2011 season.

Career post season GAA is 2.10, career post season save percentage is 91.5%. Come playoff time, I'll take Chris Osgood over a Jose Theodore/Cristobal Huet- type any day of the week.
You can take that to the bank.

2009 Stanley Cup - MALKIN RULES !

2009-05-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

ERIC STAAL Overshadowed Again

2009-05-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

MAY 12, 2009 -- The Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006. When you ask random hockey fans to name the key players on that team, you will probably be met with silence and then, “Oh yeah, Doug Weight, umm, Rod Brind'Amour, uhh, Ron Francis, oh no, he retired that season, hmmm, Mark Recchi, and that defenseman with all the hair, uhh Mike Commodore…and, uhh, Erik uhh Cole, and that rookie goalie Cam Ward, who won the Conn Smythe trophy. They came outta nowhere. I think that's all of them.”

The forgotten man is, of course, Eric Staal.

He led his team in playoff scoring that season. Eric Staal? Isn't he related to Jordan Staal of Pittsburgh, and Mark Staal of the New York Rangers? Yes he is, and he is also the best hockey player of the trio. Brother Jordan plays with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on a rather high profile team. Speaking of high profile, brother Mark plays for the Rangers. Eric however, plays in relative obscurity in a southern state which is best known for being home to the most heated rivalry in all of college basketball (North Carolina/Duke) and prior to the hockey team being relocated there from Hartford in 1996, no real hockey tradition. Thus, both of his brothers tend to get more ink.

In all fairness, in the 2005-2006 season, the NHL was coming back after losing a full season due to the players’ inability to think for themselves, and all eyes were on the rookie of the year race between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin took the honors, though neither of their teams made the postseason. Sidney Crosby had 39 goals that season, Ovechkin had 52.

Amidst all that hype, almost no one noticed that Staal - in only his second season - had increased his regular season goal production from 11 to 45 and his regular season point total from 31 to 100.

Eric won the Stanley Cup in only his second NHL season. He also led his team in goals (45), and points (100) during the regular season. His 19 regular season power play goals tied Rod Brind'Amour for the team lead. There would be no letdown in the playoffs, as Staal had 19 assists to go along with his nine goals (seven on the power play) as he led his team in post-season scoring en route to hoisting the Cup. With venerable NHL veterans Doug Weight and Rod Brind'Amour finally picking up their first championship rings and Mark Recchi his third, with a rookie goalie was named playoff MVP, Staal was effectively overshadowed.

Fast forward to present. Staal is one of only eight remaining players from that 2006 championship team. After this, his second 40-goal regular season, the 24 year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is again leading his team in playoff scoring with nine goals and twelve total points. He is also once again being overshadowed by Crosby and Ovechkin, whose teams are currently locked in mortal combat in the other (higher profile) Eastern Conference semi-final.

The durable Staal has missed only one regular season game during his five-year career. Only in his rookie season did he fail to score at least 30 goals. His young career has already yielded 164 goals and 194 assists. He was the second overall draft pick in 2003, right behind Marc-Andre Fleury. He played his first NHL game at age 19 and went on to play 81 games in his rookie season. Jordan and Mark are both on their way to becoming solid NHL players. The final “InSTAALment” arrives in the form of youngest brother Jared, who should be arriving soon to the Phoenix Coyotes, who drafted him 49th overall last June.

The Staal brothers were raised on a sod farm in Northern Ontario, work ethic ingrained in this hardscrabble bunch. When all is said and done, this quartet from Thunder Bay Ontario may supplant the six Sutter boys from Viking, Alberta as the best brother act in NHL history. If this does come to pass, it will be due to the iron-clad Staal pedigree established by Eric as he shows his brothers the way with his exemplary grit, toughness and terrific work ethic much like Brian Sutter did for his brothers some 33 years ago.

DUCKS vs RED WINGS-Conference Semifinal

2009-05-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

Game 4 Interviews with Franzen, Hossa, Lidstrom and both coaches.

DUCKS over SHARKS-Interviews

2009-04-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

NHL Conference Semifinals

2009-04-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

PITTSBURGH in 6
BOSTON in 7
ANAHEIM in 7
VANCOUVER in 5

PENS vs CAPS
If the NHL knew anything about how to promote their Sport, your television would be flooded with promos of Sid the Kid vs. Alexander the Great. There would be banners, painted bus benches, billboards and sky-writing. This promises to be the type of high octane series which can make non hockey fans into casual hockey fans, and casual fans into die-hard fans. This series could actually lay a foundation for the future of the sport. This is modern day Gretzy/Lemieux or Magic/Bird. Wayne and Mario of course never met in a playoff series, but Larry Bird and Magic Johnson met in three memorable NBA Finals.
This is the stuff of dreams. The hockey Gods have delivered the ultimate marquee matchup. Promoting this is beyond being a no-brainer. Hello, Mr. Bettman ? Paging Gary Bettman; Mr. Bettman, if you are out there, can you please report to the lost and found and retrieve your common sense ? Thank you. Did I mention Evgeni Malkin and Ovechkin are MVP finalists ?
This series will be talked about long after Sid, Evgeni and Alex are all retired. Don't miss it. Penguins march on.

CAROLINA vs BOSTON
This is really the battle of goaltenders Cam Ward and Tim Thomas. Carolina was more than courageous in their series comeback against New Jersey, Carolina defeated one of the best playoff goaltenders in NHL history in Martin Brodeur. The fact of the matter is, though the 'Canes were valiant, Brodeur simply wasn't the Brodeur we're used to seeing in the post season (for the second straight year). Tim Thomas now has a chance to move into elite status amongst NHL goalies and will not fold. All due respect of course to Carolina goalie Cam Ward, but this one belongs to the Bruins. The long suffering Bruins fans will continue cheering.

DUCKS vs RED WINGS
Fresh off their annihilation of the Sharks, the Anaheim Ducks now have their sights set o the defending Stanley Cup-champs. The rich got richer when the Champs added Marian Hossa in the off season, and Pavel Datsyuk is a finalist for league MVP. That said, keep in mind that during the regular season, the Wings did score 50 more goals than the Ducks. The real difference is in goals allowed. The Wings allowed 244 goals to the Ducks' 238. In fact only five teams in the Western Conference gave up more goals than did the Wings, and none of them made the playoffs. Goals are harder to come by in the playoffs and the Ducks have the snipers to take advantage of any defensive miscues. The Wings obviously have plenty of firepower so the Ducks are going to have to stay out of the penalty box or pay a heavy price. It's going to be great, sit back and enjoy. Ducks continue with 2003 upset magic and move on.

VANCOUVER vs CHICAGO

Okay, the young Blackhawks did show more grit than I thought they would in the series against Calgary but the Canucks are an entirely different animal. Much like Tim Thomas , this is Roberto Luongos' chance to truly cement his place amongst the elite. Luongo was lights out against St Louis in the first round. The Blackhawks are going to need their talented youngsters to stay patient and not succumb to frustration against Luongo, and Nikolai Khabibulin will need to be at his best to keep the 'Hawks confident. Look for the strength of Luongo and the patience and experience of the Canucks' veteran roster to be the difference in the series. The 'Hawks have a great future, but for now, Canucks move on.

SHARKS DROWN EARLY (Again)

2009-04-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

APRIL 29, 2009 -- ANAHEIM -- It's hard to believe, but yet again the most decadent post-season meal has again been consumed way too early.

I am of course speaking of Shark. That tender, delicious San Jose meal cultivated through many months of regular season games. It seems a dish this perfectly seasoned should not, could not and would not be consumed until at least the Stanley Cup final but alas; it never ends quite that way.

Instead of the proverbial "Save the Best for last", this tasty culinary main course was yet again treated as an appetizer and devoured with extreme prejudice. The paradox is that the regular season should toughen, not tenderize, the team. It all started in 2004 when the Sharks had its first truly impressive regular season, but lost to a lower seeded team in the Conference finals.

Prior to 2004, the team had twice entered the playoffs as the eighth-seeded team and pulled off shocking first round upsets (1994 vs. Detroit and 2000 vs. St. Louis). The team had a reputation of being a tough team to meet in the post-season. They increased their regular season point totals an unprecedented five straight seasons and appeared destined for greatness. One could only imagine what this team could accomplish in the playoffs should they ever develop and or acquire a significant amount of true world class talent.

Keep in mind the fact that the great Colonel Harland Sanders had 10 herbs and spices which made his chicken delectable, but it wasn't until he added that 11th spice that his fried chicken became the culinary masterpiece called "Kentucky Fried Chicken", and thus the legend was born. That 11th spice remains a mystery to this day.

The Head Chef of the Sharks is team President/GM Doug Wilson, who after watching his second seeded Sharks lose in seven games to the sixth seeded Calgary Flames in the 2004 Conference final, went searching for his own 11th spice. Although it seemed so close, little did anyone know just how elusive that mystery spice would be.

When the team acquired Joe Thornton at the 2006 trade deadline, it seemed as though that spice had been added. Not so fast, the eighth-seeded Edmonton Oilers ravenously feasted on the Sharks in the second round en route to the Stanley Cup final. This was viewed as an aberration and therefore, no need to panic.

The 2006-2007 season brought a second round encounter with the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings put on their bibs and dined heartily on shark fin soup as would a death row inmate on his final meal. Patrick Marleau was held scoreless in the series.

Okay, still no need to panic…Wilson then acquired smooth skating All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell (would he be the 11th spice?) for the 2008 playoff run. Again, the seemingly perfect dish would prove bland, uninteresting and eagerly consumed, this time by the Dallas Stars in six games.

Enough already. Wilson again went to work to again tweak and improve his recipe.

The team entered the 2008-2009 season sans Brian Campbell who had also proved not to be the missing spice. Coach Ron Wilson (no relation) was also given his walking papers. The blueline was then fortified with Dan Boyle and Rob Blake to offset the loss of Campbell. This season also marked the rise of 22 year old Devin Setoguchi who chipped in 31 goals while playing on the top line with San Jose studs Thornton and Marleau. Rookie head Coach Todd McLellan seemed to be living the good life. The strong second line of Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, and Milan Michalek proved more than capable during the regular season as the trio combined for 70 goals to nicely complement the 94 goals scored by the top line. The Sharks finished with the best record in the league. Late in the season, the Sharks even dusted off a relic, when 43 year old 4 time Stanley Cup champ, former playoff MVP and reputed miscreant Claude Lemieux, who came out of retirement and was added to the roster to provide the added grit and experience needed for the stretch run. At long last, the perfect blend.

The Sharks had been knocked out in the second round each of past three seasons, but this time around, they had raced off to the best record in the regular season for the first time in franchise history and won home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

We all know what happens next, this time at the hand of the Anaheim Ducks. The eighth-seeded Ducks did not even clinch a playoff spot until game 80 of the 82 game regular season and were the lowest overall seed in the playoffs, but took the first two games of the series on the road in this opening round series, which they would win in six games.

All the Sharks got for their great season was a first, instead of second round exit. That the Sharks lost in six games was not even the story, the real story is just how thoroughly they were whipped. This failure was the apex of their underachievement.

Shutout 2-0 and 4-0 in games one and four respectively, the Sharks were also outscored 18 - 10 in the series while losing two of three on home ice. Although Marleau did provide overtime heroics in game 5 to stave off elimination, the Joe Thornton line managed only 4 goals (three of which came in game 5) in the six games and were thoroughly outplayed by the Ducks' top line of Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, and Corey Perry. Ryan alone equaled the 4 goal total of the Thornton line.

In an act born of sheer desperation, Joe Thornton tried to prove his toughness by making a pugilistic challenge to Getzlaf at center ice just two seconds into the decisive sixth game. Though the fight was for the most part, a draw, Getzlaf responded with a goal and an assist while Thornton and his linemates were again held scoreless and pointless (figuratively and literally) while ending up on the short end of a 4-1 final score.

There are many theories as to why the Sharks have constantly been appetizers rather than the main course. Some say Joe Thornton although a tremendous talent, is simply too soft to impose his will during the grind of the playoffs. Some say Team Captain Patrick Marleau needs to be shipped out. Whatever the reason, it is likely going to be the most tumultuous off season Doug Wilson has faced to this point. There is seemingly no clear answer. Acquiring a Superstar (Thornton) wasn't the answer, signing an All Star puck moving defenseman (Brian Campbell) was not the answer, finding an even better one (Dan Boyle) was not the answer, firing head coach Ron Wilson was not the answer. Perhaps the only answer for President/GM Doug Wilson is to take his impressive resume elsewhere and just realize that although agonizingly close, it just will not happen, not in San Jose. When Star players were added to this overachieving team, they immediately became an underachieving team.

No New York Rangers comparisons please, this is an entirely different situation. The Sharks have a great system of player development and the roster is full of young talent but somehow, the better the regular season performance, the worse the post-season. Go figure.

So, that 11th spice continues to remain a mystery for a frustrated Doug Wilson. There shall be no glory for these Sharks and no rewards for their tremendously supportive fan base, but I hear that Marian Gaborik and Ryan Smyth are available this off season.

GOD, LOYALTY, and KINGS FANS

2009-04-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

God, loyalty and Kings fans
By Charles Smith
Hockeytalk.biz
APRIL 13, 2009 -- LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings fan. One of the most misunderstood creatures ever to walk the planet. People laugh and point and make strange faces as would a child when first he lays eyes upon a Duck-billed Platypus. “The Los Angeles Kings are nothing but losers,” say the critical masses of humanity. “Why do you waste your time,” they wonder? My all time favorite is "How could anyone be a Kings Fan?" Believe it or not, I actually heard that from a Detroit Lions Fan!

So, are Kings Fans crazy? Disillusioned? Maybe just gluttons for punishment whose self loathing makes them thrive on being scorned by society? No.

Believe it or not, the answer is biblical, yes, biblical. As it is written in the Good Book, Romans Chapter 12 verse 12 "Rejoicing in Hope; Patient in Tribulation" thus is the Mantra of the Kings fan which has now surpassed a generation.

Believe it or not, the answer is biblical..."Rejoicing in Hope; Patient in Tribulation" thus is the Mantra of the Kings fan...

Historically, the making of the modern day Kings fan was a playoff series in April of 1976 when the underdog Kings having eliminated the Atlanta Flames in the first round, then pushed the heavily favored Boston Bruins to a seventh and deciding game before they finally succumbed 3-0 in the decisive game. The series was televised on local TV and featured all the drama and excitement for which one could hope. Stellar goaltending by Rogie Vachon; Boston goalies Gerry Cheevers and Gilles Gilbert combined for three shutouts, there were overtime heroics by Butch Goring, and two goals scored by journeyman Mike Corrigan, which as it turned out were the only goals he would score in his entire postseason career. Marcel Dionne's first ever postseason hat trick in game three, which the Kings won 6-4.

Though the Kings lost the series, their gusty effort against insurmountable odds cemented their place in the hearts of many who watched, and actually made fans of the casual viewer. Although the Kings had been a team since 1967, many older Kings fans will point to this series as the significant moment when they truly became fans, despite the loss.

This gave hope, but alas it was followed by six long years of tribulation although the Kings fans did get the thrill of seeing the Triple Crown Line (Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, Charlie Simmer) introduced together to play together as a line in the 1981 NHL All-Star Game, at home in the Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles.

Then came April 1982 when The Kings faced a juggernaut called the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the Playoffs.

Wayne Gretzky was coming off a terrific regular season in which he tallied 92 goals and 120 assists in first of his four 200+ point seasons, while leading his team to the second best overall record in the league. Meanwhile the Kings had barely qualified for the playoffs, ranked 15 of the 16 qualifying teams. The series opening proved auspicious as the Kings rallied from a four goal deficit behind a four point effort by rookie Daryl Evans to beat the Oilers, in Edmonton 10-8, yes, 10-8. The Oilers took game 2, 3-2 in OT, and then the stage was set for the greatest comeback in Stanley Cup Playoff history, known since as the “Miracle on Manchester,” April 10th 1982.

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Kings trailed 5-0 going into the final period. The Kings were lifeless, out-gunned, over-matched and humiliated. Not only were they trailing, but they had actually given up two short-handed goals during the same Power Play.

There are many theories of how and why what happened next happened. This is mine.

The turning point came some five minutes into the third period when Jay Wells absolutely buried Oilers Tough Guy Dave Semenko with a bone-jarring, teeth-rattling, spine-tingling open-ice check. It was after this hit the Kings finally showed some signs of life. Their furious third period comeback was completed when rookie Steve Bozek scored with less than a minute to play. Then came the unthinkable. In overtime, rookie Center Doug Smith took the draw at the right face off dot, drew the puck back to fellow rookie Daryl Evans who deftly buried a game-winning shot over the shoulder of Oilers Goaltender Grant Fuhr. the game would be forever referred to as "The Miracle on Manchester". Although the Kings lost the next game at home, they would go on to win the series 3 games to 2, defeating the Oilers in Edmonton 7-4 in the decisive 5th game.

There was hope abound for the next series against the Vancouver Canucks, but alas the Canucks were making their own history that year as they beat the Kings in four straight games to take the series after a 3-1 loss in the opening game and ultimately advance to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance, where they would fall victim to the reigning dynasty known as The New York Islanders.

The Kings would again face the Oilers in 1985 and 1987, but by then the Oilers were grizzled, battle tested Champions who dropped only one game to the Kings in both playoff years combined and captured the Holy Grail in each season to boot.

Tribulation would again turn to hope after the Kings acquired Wayne Gretzky from the defending Stanley Cup Champion Oilers in August 1988.

During that first season of the Gretzky Era, Kings Star Forward and Fan favorite Bernie Nichols notched 70 goals and 80 assists to nicely compliment the 54 goals and 114 Assists tallied by The Great One. As fate would have it, the Kings would match yet again with their old nemesis (and now Gretzky's former team), the Edmonton Oilers in the 1st round of the Playoffs. Gretzky was fresh off of having led the Oilers to four Cups in the past 5 seasons. The Kings appeared to be floating belly-up after the Oilers beat them 4-3 in game four to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

What happened next was another of those galvanizing moments in Kings history. The Kings returned home and beat the Oilers 4-3 in game 5 and then took to the road and whacked the Oilers 4-1 in front of a stunned Edmonton Oilers crowd. When interviewed after the win, an ecstatic Wayne Gretzky said "Game seven is in L.A. and L.A. is gonna be rockin’". The Stage was set for a truly memorable game seven at home in Los Angeles. What Gretzky predicted was an understatement. The Kings came out on fire in front of a raucous sellout crowd, and left the defending champs feeling like road kill after a 6-3 drubbing ended their championship hopes and propelled the Kings into the second round of the Playoffs against the Calgary Flames.

Hopes ran high as the series began, but after the Kings pushed game one to overtime before losing 4-3, the series was hardly even competitive as the Flames dismissed the Kings in a four-game series sweep, outscoring them 22-11 as the Flames marched to their first-ever Stanley Cup title.

The 1990 playoffs again offered high drama as the Kings would again eliminate the defending Stanley Cup Champs, this time defeating the Flames in six games, courtesy of a 4-3 double overtime home victory in game six. The victory came with a high price as the injury depleted Kings would then face the Oilers in the 2nd round. The Kings would ultimately lose the series in four games with an injured Wayne Gretzky sitting out the decisive game four in Los Angeles. Oh, if only the team had been healthy. If only.
Alas, hope was just over the Horizon. After just two more seasons of tribulation both again ending with series losses to the Edmonton Oilers, all the Kings Horses and all the Kings Men were finally rewarded with a trip to the Finals.

The 1992-93 regular season was rather indifferent as the Kings finished only third in their division. In this 75th anniversary of the NHL, the Kings would again be Underdogs and this time would not have Home Ice advantage in any series. After dispatching the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks respectively in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Kings then embarked on a seven-game conference finals confrontation with the Toronto Maple Leafs which is still, to this day, classic. Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, Dave Andreychuk and former Oiler Glenn Anderson anchored the potent Maple Leafs attack.

The Kings were decided underdogs entering this series. After splitting the first four games, Glenn Anderson scored in Overtime to push the Kings to the brink of elimination. The Kings returned home to L.A. and also returned the favor with a 5-4 Overtime victory of their own to force a decisive game seven in Toronto. During that series, Bob MacKenzie, a very well-respected hockey writer in Canada (now with TSN), had written that Wayne Gretzky was skating as if he had a piano on his back. After a magnificent game seven in which Gretzky tallied a hat trick and led his team to victory, The Great One was crowing "How's the Piano Man sound now?" Nuff said, on to the Finals.

The Kings looked like world beaters as they took the ice and beat down the Canadiens 4-1 in Montreal in game one. The Kings and their fans could almost taste the bubbly as game two wore down and the smooth skating Kings held a 2-1 lead in the final minute. Then, it happened, just like that, from the apex of hope to the depths of Tribulation, Marty McSorley was caught playing with an illegally curved stick and given a 2 minute penalty. The Canadiens tied the game on the ensuing power play and then scored the game winner in OT. The Canadiens would then travel to L.A. and win the next 2 games in OT before returning to Montreal to close out the series.

Yes, the Kings did lose again, but Kings fans watched their team valiantly outplay the Canadiens in the first four games although there was little to show for it. For Kings fans, this was OUR Cup, but goaltender Patrick Roy (Playoff MVP) stole it from us. We played hard, we deserved it, the only game in which the Kings were truly outplayed as a team was the decisive game five. This gave us more hope than ever before. We now know that it IS indeed possible for a Kings Team to play Cup-winning caliber hockey. We now know the impossible can happen. This was the Apex of the Gretzky Era. We had hope going forward, and the next Generation of Kings fans now had their moment just as the generation before had theirs in 1976 and 1982. Now there would be Tribulation for all as the Kings would not even qualify for the playoffs again until 1998 when they would be swept by the St. Louis Blues in the first round. The Kings then missed the Playoffs in 1999 and were swept by Detroit's Red Wings in 2000.

As the 2001 Playoffs rolled around, it had been eight years since the Kings had even won a Playoff Game, let alone a series. The Kings were matched up with same Red Wings Team which unceremoniously dumped them one year earlier. Kings fans were hanging their heads after Detroit took the first two games by a combined score of 9-3 after a four-0 game two shutout. Ah, but hope springs eternal. After returning home and winning 2-1, the Kings found themselves down 3-0 in the third period of game four with only Six minutes to play. No problem. In a span of just over 5 minutes, John Thomas, Jozef Stumpel, and Brian Smolinski all scored to tie the game and send it into OT where it took rookie Eric Belanger just 2:36 min to win it. The Kings would go on to win the next two Games and the series 4-2. The elation would end in the next series which although hard fought, the Kings lost to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche in seven games. The Avalanche goaltender? Patrick Roy.

As another season closes, and the playoffs begin without their beloved underdogs, it has now been six seasons since the Kings have even qualified for postseason play. However, the Kings’ faithful dutifully endure the tribulation and rejoice in hope. Hope that Jonathan Quick and Erik Ersberg are finally the answer in Goal. Hope that Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov, Drew Doughty, and Jack Johnson are the foundation upon which future glory can and will be built. Hope that GM Dean Lombardi can build this franchise as he built the San Jose franchise. Hope that goaltending coach Bill Ranford, a two-time Stanley Cup champ can instill in Quick and Ersberg the same confidence and iron will he had in net.

1976, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2001. Kings fans know they are now overdue. Tribulation is tough, but it will just make the moment that much sweeter.

As it is written, Kings fans continue rejoicing in hope while maintaining patience in tribulation. It has only been six seasons.

2009 NCAA Basketball Champs-UNC TARHEELS !

2009-04-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

GLEN SATHER MUST GO

2009-03-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

Having played 67 games, the New York Rangers are flirting with the unthinkable yet very real possbility of not making the Stanley Cup Playoffs because despite a solid veteran lineup and the solid goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist this is a team of chronic underachievers (yet again).
Proven Star players and Team leaders Scott Gomez(-5), Chris Drury(-11),and Markus Naslund(-10) are seemingly not the answer. Nikolai Zherdev(+7) leads the team with 50 points and is the one and only plus rated player on the entire roster.
As General Managers never actually blame themselves for a team's failure, GM Glen Sather fired Coach Tom Renney on February 23rd and replaced him with John Tortorella who ld Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004. To date, J.T. is only 3-2-1 since assuming the helm. It is early, but even so it is doubtful J.T. is the answer, nor was Renney the problem.
The issue is with a Guy who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997. I am of course speaking of Rangers' President/GM Glen Sather whom since his hiring in 2000 has wielded absolute power in New York and whose job is somehow secure despite the fact he began his tenure by missing the Playoffs four straight seasons and has since turned the team into little more than a turnstile of underachieving veteran Superstars. Sather has actually had two stints as coach of the team, going a combined 33-39-11-7 (No more successful behind the bench than the coaches he has fired).
Glen Sather did bring with him quite an impressive resume from the legend he built after assuming President/GM/Coaching duties from 1979 - 1990 with the Edmonton Oilers. Sather was deeply involved as he built a Juggernaut Team which took 5 Stanley Cups in 7 Seasons from 1984 - 1990. His draft picks were remarkeable; Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson in 1979,Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri in 1980, and then Steve Smith and Grant Fuhr in 1981 as well as Esa Tikanen in 1983. He seems to have changed his philosophy since joining the Rangers and is now determined to build through Free Agency (Eric Lindros ? Pave Bure ? Bobby Holik ? Jaromir Jagr ?) instead of the draft, and it just ain't workin'. His only notable draft picks since joining the Rangers have been Henrik Lundqvist in 2000, Brandon Dubinsky in 2004 and Mark Staal in 2005. Perhaps the Rangers should have considered the 10 fruitless seasons Sather had with the Oilers from 1990 - 2000 before giving him total control.
When Renney was fired and Tortorella hired as Rangers Head Coach on February 23rd, one would think the GM would want to show support for his new coach, right ?
Here is a taste of support - Sather Style. Sean Avery, a talented headcase had been released by the Rangers after the 2008 season. Avery was picked up by the Dallas Stars and wound up getting suspended by the NHL and ultimately waived by the Dallas franchise in the midst of this current season. Back in December, after Avery was suspended by the league for crude comments about his ex-girlfriends, Tortorella (Not yet Rangers Coach) said: "Enough is enough. He's embarrassed himself, he's embarrassed the (Dallas) organization, he's embarrassed the league and he's embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn't belong in the league."
Sather then reacquired Sean Avery off waivers a week after hiring Tortorella, simply saying of his new coaches past comments regarding Avery,"He doesn't have the history with Sean that we do. Over time you learn to love him, just like I do." Gee Glen, if you say so . .
Glen Sather is definitely an NHL legend because of the incredible legacy built in his first 10 seasons with the Oilers, but bottomline is, harsh though it may seem, Glen Sather has not accomplished anything significant in Hockey since 1990 - that's 19 years. Enough is enough, the game has seemingly passed him by and he seems unwilling to change and content to live on past glory. This proud original six franchise deserves better. Sather can always go visit his Plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but his time has passed.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT ! !

2009-02-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

JIM RICE, RICKEY HENDERSON - 2009 MLB HALL of FAME

2009-02-10T22:49:00.000-08:00

Goal of Year - Bobby Ryan vs Kings 01/08/09

2009-01-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

Caps beat Ducks 11/19/08,Donald Brashear

2008-12-09T20:44:00.001-08:00

GIVE BLOOD PLAY HOCKEY 2008

2008-12-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

"Give Blood Play Hockey" is an Annual Charity Roller Hockey Tournament in Southern California which raises awareness about the importance of donating blood and leukemia screening. Watch and enjoy.

PLAXICO must Go !

2008-11-30T20:13:00.000-08:00

The end draws nigh. Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants will always have his Super Bowl winning Touchdown catch against the Patriots. If you'll remember, he also predicted his Team would win by 4 points despite be a double digit underdog in said Super Bowl.
The Giants became Champions last season despite the absence of two offensive players (Jeremy Shockey - Broken Leg & Tiki Barber - Retirement) considered by many to be irreplaceable. As of the writing of this article, the Giants have amassed a season record of 11-1 despite the absence of two defensive players (Osi Umenyiora - torn ACL & Michael Strahan - Retirement) considered by many to be irreplaceable. This team can also live without Burress.
Plaxico Burress has finally outdone himself. A self-inflicted gunshot wound at a New York Nightclub ? First of all, why go somewhere where one needs to carry a Gun ? Also, why would you have a round in the chamber ? And lastly, if you are going to have a round in the chamber, why wouldn't you have the safety on ?
Plaxico has a long history of disciplinary issues going all the way back to his days as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and coming forward to the 25 - 30 times he has been fined since joining the Giants as a Free Agent in 2004.
This is the final straw, Plax' saving grace has always been his willingness to give 100% on gameday, but he has finally gotten to the point of being a Public embarrassment not only to his team and himself, but also to the National Football League itself. Giants Coach Tom Coughlin has always been known as a strict disciplinarian. Add to that, the no-nonsense approach of NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell and this latest incident (which should also include a felony charge of carrying a firearm without a license), not to mention the emergence of Wide Receiver Dominik Hixon and you have the Perfect Storm. The Giants will be fine, Plax will become the next Pacman Jones, and in another season or two, the Oakland Raiders may very well be sporting a couple of new Receivers - Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress.
Through it all, Plax should consider himself extremely lucky. He only shot himself in the Thigh, a few more inches this way or that way, and he might be singing soprano.
See Ya'

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2007-FINALS

2007-05-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

Anaheim vs. Ottawa. Two teams, both of whom have never in their respective histories, sipped from Lord Stanley's silver chalice. This is the finals matchup that should have happened in 2003. If you would like to know why it didn't, find an old tape of the final minute of the 2003 Eastern Conference game 7, or just ask Wade Redden directly. That said, I have to say I am rather impressed with the Playoff run of the Ottawa Senators. They have beaten 3 teams ( Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Buffalo ) with distinctively different styles to reach this point. The Anaheim Ducks, heartbroken by their 5 game loss to Edmonton in the Western Conference Finals last season made the necessary moves, or should I say move (Chris Pronger), to propel themselves into the Finals. The Ducks are a deeper team than Ottawa as were the Buffalo Sabres whom were dismissed by the Sens in 5 games in this year's Conference Final matchup. The main difference however, is that the Sens were able to expose a lack of skill players on an otherwise solid Buffalo squad. When it came down to crunch time and Buffalo needed to score, they simply didn't have the individual skill players for those moments when a hero is needed, all due respect to Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, and Ryan Miller of course. The Sens top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley simply overwhelmed the Sabres who seemed to have no answer for players of that skill level. The Ducks have no such deficiencies. Their top checking line of Rob Neidermayer, Samuel Pahlsson & Travis Moen was able to hold Detroit's top line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom in check and with such skill players as Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf and Andy McDonald to provide scoring punch. The Ducks are, as a team, a complete package. Just as Detroit's top line was not sufficient to overcome the superior depth of the Ducks, neither shall the top line of the Sens. I've yet to mention the Ducks' defense or goaltending, both of which can also be considered superior to that of Ottawa. Speaking of which, I do expect Ottawa Goaltender Ray Emery to steal a game in this series, but ultimately the Ducks to prevail in 5 games; 6 at the most. If by some miracle the Senators do win this series, expect Ray Emery to take home the Conn Smythe trophy (Playoff MVP). All of Canada may be upset with my commets, but I'm just keepin' it real. It is what it is. See ya'

2007 STANLEY CUP - Conference Finals

2007-05-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

We have arrived at the final four. The New Jersey Devils have answered the question "What happens when a 35 year old goaltender (Martin Brodeur) plays 78 regular season games ?" The answer of course ? He has nothing left by the 2nd round of the playoffs. All due respect to the Ottawa Senators, but Marty was toast in the series & a mere shell of his former self as his Devils were squashed by the Sens. Perhaps the Sens have finally turned the corner, maybe after all these years of playoff disappointment, they are ready for big time hockey. Maybe. In any case, they have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
No surprise as the Buffalo Sabres ousted the New York Rangers to earn their way into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Out West, the Anaheim Ducks dispatched Vancouver in five games made close by the stellar goaltending of Vancouver's Roberto Luongo. The Canucks did the best they could with what they had, but the Ducks are just way too deep. The surprise was the Detroit Red Wings rather easily dismissing the San Jose Sharks. It seemed to be a case of the Sharks (youngest average age in the league) being simply outfoxed by the wily veteran Red Wings. The baby-faced defensive corps of the Sharks seemed at times bewildered while the veteran Red Wings methodically dismantled them. It also didn't help that Sharks' Captain Patrick Marleau had nary a point in the series. Wings defenseman Niklas Lidstrom may not win the Norris trophy this season, but proved his is amongst the best to ever lace 'em up. Let's match them up.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings - The Wings conquered a deeper team in the San Jose Sharks while the Ducks have yet to play a series in which they were not decisive favorites. This will be the first real test for the Ducks. The Wings again appear to be at least slightly overmatched against the Ducks who have a deeper bench and should have Center Todd Marchant back for this series. There will be immense pressure on the Red Wings top line of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, & Tomas Holmstrom. There are a million subplots here. The three Norris trophy finalists (Niklas Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer & Chris Pronger) will all be playing in this series. The Ducks coach Randy Carlyle is himself a former Norris trophy winner. Wings coach Mike Babcock coached the Ducks in 2003 when the upset the heavily favored Red Wings while enroute to the Stanley Cup Finals. The goaltending is strong on both sides, Dominik Hasek seems to really want to get his name on the Cup a second time. This series is hard to call, but I'd have to go with the depth of the Ducks. This will be an entertaining tilt. It may go seven games, and we all know Hasek even at age 42 is still capable of stealing a series, but then again, so is the younger Jean-Sebastien Giguere (as he did in 2003 vs. Red Wings). Do you think the Red Wings remember ? You bet they do, but the Ducks shall prevail.
Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres - Ottawa's Senators should have played for the Cup in 2003. They did prove themselves adaptable in the first two series as they first shut down a creative wide open Pittsburgh Penguins team, and then shut down the shut-downers when the beat New Jersey in round two. Are these notoriously soft Senators ready to step up and take down the Buffalo Sabres, an ultra-fast juggernaut of a team which went virtually wire to wire in establishing the league's best record during the reguler season ? It will depend on two key aspects, the goaltending of Ray Emery & the continued strong play of Ottawa's top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley & Jason Spezza. If these things fall into place, Ottawa could pull the upset. Remember, Ottawa was the number one seed in the East last season when Buffalo dismissed them in five second round games. Ottawa now has a shot at redemption, but it ain't gonna happen. Buffalo will face the Ducks for the ultimate prize. But this series should been fun. Strap yourself in, and enjoy. See ya'

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2007-2nd Round

2007-04-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Anaheim vs. Vancouver - The Ducks dismissed the Minnesota wild in 5 games which earned them a healthy six day rest between series while the Canucks battled down to the wire with Dallas. Much of the Canucks' first round playoff success was due to the stellar goaltending of Roberto Luongo. Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Markus Naslund led the team in regular season scoring but were mysteriously absent in the 1st playoff series. The Sedin boys had points only in games 1 and 7, Captain Markus Naslund did not have a point after the first game. The Ducks simply have too much depth for Vancouver. The Ducks are deeper at forward, deeper on defense and with J.S. Giguere/Ilya Bryzgalov in net, they also have better goaltending. Look for the Ducks shutdown line of Rob Niedermeyer, Samuel Pahlsson & Travis Moen to further frustrate Henrik & Daniel Sedin. Luongo may steal a game or two, but Vancouver is no match for Anaheim. They do not have the horses. Ducks are headed to the Western Conference finals.
Detroit vs. San Jose - On paper, this is about as even as it gets. Detroit scored 254 goals in the regular season, San Jose 258, while both teams allowed 199. Detroit won 50 games, San Jose won 51. Both teams added scoring & toughness at the forward position, the Sharks added Bill Guerin, Detroit added Todd Bertuzzi. Both were knocked out of last years' playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. That however, is where the similarities end. On Defense, Detroit is anchored by two cagey future hall of famers in Niklas Lidstrom & Chris Chelios as well as veteran Mathieu Schneider. The defensive corps of the Sharks is led by veterans Scott Hannan and Kyle McLaren who are mentoring a talented group of young protege' which includes two sensational rookies in Matt Carle & Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose is the youngest team in the league and with Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, Joe Thornton and Bill Guerin up front, the Sharks appear to be the deeper team. In order for the Red Wings to have a shot, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom & Pavel Datsyuk will need to continue to produce. If those three can produce, this will be an entertaining series if not, then it may end in four. We know about the goaltending of Dominik Hasek who at age 42, continues to amaze. The Sharks' goaltending tandem of Evgeni Nabokov & Vesa Toskala is also battle-tested. This series is San Jose's to lose, they are the deeper of the two teams. San Jose will advance.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Buffalo vs. New York - The Rangers outclassed the Atlanta Thrashers in their first round matchup and, in fact do have more skill players on their roster than do the Buffalo Sabres which means they probably will not get swept. The Sabres have the deepest team in the playoffs as well as possibly the best team concept/system this side of the New Jersey Devils. Rangers Goaltender Henrik Ludqvist is capable of truly spectacular play, and we already know about their talented forwards Jaromir Jagr, Michael Nylander and Martin Straka. Power forward Brendan Shanahan is still effective and a future hall of famer. Buffalo's gritty squad is led by Chris Drury and Daniel Briere. Drury has always been "money" come playoff time. The Sabres also added strong skating forward Dainius Zubrus. Ryan Miller is solid in goal. This is a good matchup, the skill of New York vs. the four-line system of the Buffalo Sabres. There will be some anxious moments and a lot of drama, but ultimately the depth of Buffalo will overwhelm the New York Rangers who will be playing golf in the early part of May.
Ottawa vs. New Jersey - This is one of those looming tough tests which historically has preceded the playoff demise of the Senators. This year will be no different. The New Jersey Devils are stronger, tougher & have better mental discipline than do the Senators. No further analysis needed. It may take seven games, but the Devils will prevail.
See ya'

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2007-1st Round (recap)

2007-04-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

The 1st round is over, not many surprises (especially not for me since I went 7 for 8 on my 1st round series predictions). That said, we did get a glimpse into the future as Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Posse showed they will be strong for years to come though they were rather easily dispatched by a more seasoned & experienced Ottawa team. The Atlanta Thrashers proved they are not ready for big time hockey as they were steamrolled by the Rangers. The New York Islanders are back although they were no match for Buffalo. The Tampa Bay Lightning may have created a monster as they had the New Jersey Devils on the ropes but could not deliver the knockout blow, consequently, the Devils look like they've now hit stride and Martin Brodeur is now in that rare air yet again.
Out West, the most compelling series was Dallas vs. Vancouver. The teams started with a 4 OT thriller and so fittingly the series did go seven games. Most amazingly, Goaltender Marty Turco may have finally shed his playoff "choker" label - in defeat. Goaltender Roberto Luongo was the victor in that 4 OT masterpiece (his first ever playoff game) and again of course in game seven. The Detroit Red Wing dispatched Calgary in six games - only by the otherworldly goaltending of the Flames' Mikka Kiprusoff kept Detroit from sweeping a Flames team which seemed in disarray much of the time. Coach Jim Playfair is going to have plenty of questions to answer in the offseason. The Anaheim Ducks had little trouble dispatching the Minnesota Wild in five games. The Nashville Predators met the San Jose Sharks in the 1st round for the 2nd year in a row, and although Nashville bolstered their roster by adding Peter Forsberg & Jason Arnott (he may soon have to change his name to "Isnott", "Doesnott" or "Willnott"), the result was the same - out in 5. Nashville has a good team, but something is missing. We,re down to eight teams. It's time for round 2.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2007-1st Round

2007-04-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the modern history of the National hockey League, both Stanley Cup Finalists (Carolina & Edmonton) failed to qualify for the playoffs in the following season. That said, it is now time to seperate the men from the boys. The Playoffs are upon us, two conferences, 16 teams, each of said teams needing to amass 16 wins to achieve that ultimate goal of sipping the bubbly from Lord Stanley's hallowed Cup. Kinda gives ya' goosebumps eh ? We Shall begin out West.
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Calgary - The Red Wings finished the regular season with the best overall record in the Western Conference. The Flames didn't qualify for the playoffs until next to the last day of the season. This would seem to be a mismatch, and on paper it is, but not when one considers the intangibles. Last year, Detroit was knocked out in the 1st round by an Edmonton team which qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the season. Pavel Datsyuk, one of the Wings' most talented players, has not scored a playoff goal since 2002...yes, 2002. Goaltender Dominik Hasek, a six time Vezina Trophy (best Goaltender) winner and two time Hart Trophy winner (regular season MVP) was their man between the pipes when they won it all in 2002, and has played well this season but is definitely past his prime. The Calgary Flames were Finalists in 2004 and still remember the sting of their 1st round exit last season, a season in which they won their division, and Mikka Kiprusoff won the Vezina Trophy. The Flames addressed the need for more scoring by adding Alex Tanguay in the offseason and actually did score more goals in the regular season (258) than did Detroit (254). Defenceman Dion Phaneuf is one of the hardest hitting players in this league in only his second season and is on his way to becoming All-World. Two teams seeking vindication. Rumblings in Detroit that another early round exit will mean the end for coach Mike Babcock. This series has all the makings of a classic. I believe the X-Factor here is Mikka Kiprusoff who is capable of stealing a series, much the way Hasek could (and did) in his prime. Detroit did have a great regular season, but sometimes life just ain't fair. Mike Babcock, get your resume updated. Flames win.
(2) Anaheim vs. (7) Minnesota - The Ducks are no secret, after a surprise run to the Conference Finals last season, they added Defenceman Chris Pronger who along with Scott Niedermeyer gives them the best blueline combo in the NHL. Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere has come back strong after a shaky 2006 postseason in which he was replaced by Ilya Bryzgalov and was the subject of trade rumors in the offseason. The key for the Ducks in this series and throughout this Playoff will be the goal production of their baby-face second line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Dustin Penner. As long as that line which was put together late in the season can produce, the Ducks are more than capable of going deep into the Playoffs. The Wild will be relying on their strong defensive play in the neutral zone to counteract the relentless forecheck of the Ducks. 1st year Goaltender Niklas Backstrom who replaced Manny Fernandez midway through the season has been a more than pleasant surprise as he enters the playoffs as the leader in Goals against average and Save percentage. Niklas posted five shutouts in only 36 regular season starts. If the Wild are to pull the upset, Niklas will have to be gargantuan in this series. The Wild have hope for the future, but the Ducks' time is now. Ducks win.
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Dallas - Last season, the Canucks were a lock to make the Playoffs with a Month to play but then took one of the great nosedives in the history of the sport and were eliminated on the last day of the season. A season after which the Canucks dismissed coach Marc Crawford who was at the helm when that plane went into a flat spin, and shored up the goaltending by trading forward Todd Bertuzzi to Florida in exchange for goaltender Roberto Luongo, a trade that will go down as grand larceny when all is said and done. The Dallas Stars have always been a strong regular season team, and their goaltender Marty Turco has always been a terrific regular season netminder. But, it is now Playoff time. Marty Turco is beginning to be roundly criticized as a playoff choker. The former Michigan Wolverine won two National Championships and went to the Frozen four 4 times during his collegiate career, but for some reason seems to buckle under the pressure of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The may be his last shot at redemption.
Roberto Luongo was for several years the only bright spot on a dreadful Florida Panthers' team. Luongo has been one of the league's best since January. Roberto is absolutely giddy over this, his first playoff appearance and has been waiting a long time for this moment. The Canucks and Stars were almost identical in the regular season. Dallas finished with 107 points, the Canucks with 105. Dallas scored 226 goals, the Canucks 222. Dallas allowed 197 goals, the Canucks 201. Suffice to say that on paper it's a toss up. Playoff games are not decided on paper. At the time of year when goaltending is paramount and goal scoring can be rather scarce, I'm willing to ride Luongo over Turco and his shaky Playoff history. Dallas is a fun town and I really enjoyed the All-Star game festivities when I was there in February but......
(4) Nashville vs. (5) San Jose - Hmmm. Both teams were strong all season. San Jose has a good fast young team built around the terrific playmaking skills of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton and the goal scoring prowess of Jonathan Cheechoo.
Nashville has followed a plan put in place by Barry Trotz - the only head coach they've ever had. Nashville has always had great team speed and attacks like a swarm of gnats. They've been steadily improving since they came into the league in 1998. On the other hand, remember the Sharks improved their standings every year for 5 straight seasons. These teams are almost a mirror image. The Predators scored 14 more regular season goals than the Sharks, but allowed 13 more. The Preds finished with 110 points, the Sharks with 107, both teams won 51 games. The Preds added Paul Kariya in 2005 & Jason Arnott during the 2006 offseason; the Sharks picked up Joe Thornton in 2005 & Bill Guerin at the trade deadline. It's almost a shame that one of these two great teams will have only a first round playoff exit to show for all their hard work and a great regular season. Flip a coin. Mine came up tails - Sharks win.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Buffalo vs. (8) New York Islanders - The Sabres burst out of the gate this year and had the league's best record virtually the entire season before ending up tied with the Detroit Red Wings for best overall record in the league, but did win the Presidents Cup by virtue of their overall total of 53 wins vs. 50 for Detroit. The Isles were a pleasant surprise this season, a season which saw the return of coach Ted Nolan who had been blackballed by the league after being named NHL coach of the year in 1997-1998, a season after which he was fired by these same Buffalo Sabres whom his new team now faces in this first round match-up. Nolan has once again taken a rather meiocre team and had them over-achieve to get into the playoffs (the late season acquisition of Ryan Smyth didn't hurt either). While coaching in Buffalo it was all about strong goaltending (Dominik Hasek) and great teamwork, Nolan has done the same thing this season with the exception being Rick Dipietro between the pipes. Nolan has showed his coaching skills did not erode during his nine year absence but this team is not yet ready to deal with the unrelenting attack of the Buffalo Sabres who this season led the league with 308 goals. Between the toughness of Ryan Smyth, the scrapiness of Jason Blake and the strong goaltending of Dipietro, the Isles may steal a game or two, but ultimately the Sabres will send them to the Golf course.
(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Tampa Bay - Devils' goaltender Martin Brodeur set a record for wins in a season with 48 wins while also compiling 12 shutouts. The Devils always seem to peak at just the right ime, and this season is no different. Brodeur has been rock solid for the Devils since 1995, along the way picking up three rings (1995, 2000, 2003) and winning the Vezina trophy in 2003 & 2004. The veteran goaltender has been even tougher in the playoffs. The Lightning won the Cup in 2004, but that seems ages ago. No surprises here. Devils will prevail.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) New york Rangers - The Atlanta Thrashers had the benefit of playing in the weakest division and still managed to score only one more goal than they allowed over the course of the season (246 scored; 245 allowed). The Thrashers won their division but their point total of 97 would be good for only third place in any other division. Call it an upset if you so desire, but the Rangers are gonna take this series. In fact, ya' might want to get out the broom....
(4) Ottawa vs. (5) Pittsburgh - The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins wound up tied with 105 points on the year, Ottawa gets home ice advantage due to 48 wins to the Penguins 47. The Sens have a history of being way too soft in the Playoffs, not to mention bone-head plays in key moments by Star players - they were less than a minute away from the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 when defenseman Wade Redden made an inconceivable move on a 2 on 2 break which led to the tying goal in game 7 of the conference finals. New Jersey then scored the game winner in OT, en route to the Stanley Cup. Fast forward to last season, down 3 games to 1 & on the Power Play in overtime, team captain Daniel Alfreddson stood like a deer in headlights as Jason Pommenville went around him to score the series winning goal, 'nuff said.
The Penguins have a strong, young team anchored by teenage phenom Sidney (Sid the kid) Crosby - the youngest ever to lead the league in scoring, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. Veteran toughness comes in the form of Gary Roberts, Georges Larocque & Mark (the wreckin' ball) Recchi. Rejuvenated Sergei Gonchar came out of nowhere to finish second in the league in scoring amongst defencemen. The key to this series will be the goaltending of young Penguins netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, not to mention this is the first ever playoff for Crosby, Staal, and Malkin. Both teams have exciting wide open offensive styles which should make this a very entertaining series. I hate to go with soft teams, but the Sens do have a huge edge in playoff experience and nomally don't choke until the later rounds. Ottawa will advance.
Don't you just love this time of year ? More to come in round 2. See ya'

2006 STANLEY CUP FINALS

2006-06-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

It has come down to this. The upstart Edmonton Oilers from the Western conference vs. the Carolina Hurricanes from the Eastern conference for all the marbles. The Edmonton Oilers have enjoyed an incredible run lead by their seemingly unflappable Goaltender Dwayne Roloson, against whom the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim may wish to file charges of Grand Larceny after what he did to them in the Conference Finals. The Carolina Hurricanes used their intangibles ( leadership, experience, determination) to ultimately defeat the Buffalo Sabres in the East. I do realize I have picked against the Oilers 3 straight times and been wrong each time, but I just have to do it again. All due respect to the Oilers, but the clock is about to strike midnight on this Cinderella story. I did have the opportunity to speak with Oilers' GM Kevin Lowe during the series vs. Anaheim, he still has that same humble yet confident demeanor he had as a player. Kevin Lowe raised the Cup six times during his playing career; the first five with Edmonton, the last in 1994 as a member of the New York Rangers. This confident attitude seems to have filtered down through the present Oilers roster, as the they just keep on rolling, the Oilers do have the pieces in place to contend for many years to come.
The Carolina Hurricanes were the only team in this year's playoffs to really live up to the expectations. Carolina finished 2nd overall in the East, and have continued to be great in the playoffs, the only surprise being the play of Rookie goaltender Cam Ward who has answered the call, and played with a poise far beyond his years.
The difference in the Finals will be the veterans on the roster of the 'Canes. With the likes of Rod Brind'Amour, Doug Weight, Mark Recchi, Ray Whitney, and Cory Stillman up front, as well as speedy Bret Hedican anchoring the defense along with Mike Commodore, Carolina has too many players who can come through in the clutch. Despite the many combined years of service, only Mark Recchi (1990-1991 Pittsburgh Penguins) has ever raised the Cup. It's time for all these boys to have their day (although I'm sure Chris Pronger would strongly disagree). The "Canes are about to smell the roses. Let's here it for the South; Tampa won it all in 2004, now the 'Canes....the newest Hockey Hot(and muggy)bed.....Only in America. See ya'

STANLEY CUP 2006 - CONFERENCE FINALS

2006-05-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

**** EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ****
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres : Hmmm.... two teams with rookie goaltenders...in the Conference Finals. There has to be an edge somewhere, so let's find it. Carolina did win the regular season series against Buffalo 3 games to 1. Buffalo beat a strong Philadelphia Flyers team, and the favored Ottawa Senators in their first two rounds of the playoffs, thanks to terrific team play which seems to only get better as the playoffs go on. The Hurricanes were strong all year, and have been a near unstoppable force in the playoffs after replacing ineffective goaltender Martin Gerber with rookie netminder Cam Ward after dropping the first two games of their first round series against Montreal; the result was a seven game win streak - four against Montreal, followed by three straight against the New Jersey Devils; the latter came in riding a 15 game win streak dating back to the last 11 games of the regular season. The 'Canes eventually sent the Devils to the golf course in five games; outscoring the New Jersey team 17-10 in the process.
Buffalo outscored Ottawa 16-13 on the way to eliminating the favored Senators in five games. rookie goalie Ryan Miller was strong after a shaky start in game one, although Buffalo did ultimately prevail 7-6 in OT in that game. Four games later, rookie Jason Pominville scored the series clinching goal on a short-handed rush in overtime. It was a microchosm of the hustle and urgency with which the Sabres played the entire series. Ottawa Captain Daniel Alfredsson seemed to be wearing cement skates as the rookie forward went around him like a speeding car dodging road kill, on his way to beating rookie goaltender Ray Emery.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo are both 7-3 in this playoff season. This series will come down to the intangibles - leadership and drive. While Buffalo has proven to have as much grit as any team out there, I believe the Sabres will ultimately fall short due to the number of veteran leaders and game breakers on the roster of the Carolina Hurricanes. Doug Weight, Rod Brind'Amour, Mark Recchi, Ray Whitney and Cory Stillman, should be the difference makers, as well as splendid youngster Eric Staal. This is not to in any way sell short the drive and determination of the Sabres, they will be a very tough "out", and we all know about Chris Drury and his history of clutch performances and big goals. This will be a hugely entertaining series.
**** WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS****
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and the Edmonton Oilers continue to roll. The Anaheim team dismissed Joe Sakic and his vaunted Colorado squad in a four game sweep in which the Avalanche never did pose a serious threat. The Ducks outscored the Avs 16-4 in the series.
The surprising Edmonton Oilers dropped the first two games of their series against San Jose Sharks, and then proceeeded to sweep the next four games to take the series. The series clinching 2-0 win in game six was their most fundamentally sound game of the series, the Oilers killed offpower play after power play, and also generated 7 breakaway chances....yes, seven. Sharks Goaltender Vesa Toskala kept the game from becoming a truly embarrassing moment in team history.
The stage is now set for these two unlikely but very similar contenders to compete for the right to represent the Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Both teams have Norris Trophy winning defensemen, Scott Niedermayer for the Mighty Ducks(2004), and Chris Pronger for Edmonton(2000), the latter was also League MVP in 2000.
Both teams rely on speed, quickness and strong forechecking. Both teams have received strong Goaltending throughout the playoffs; Ilya Bryzgalov for Anaheim, and Dwayne Roloson for Edmonton. The Oilers were 4-0 in the regular season series vs. Anaheim, outscoring the Ducks 18-11 overall, scoring 16 goals in the first three games. Also keep in mind the Ducks have not won a game on the Oilers' home ice since 1999. Fortunately for the Anaheim squad, the Ducks will enjoy home ice advantage in this series.
The breakdown - Edmonton exposed San Jose's previously unknown lack of overall depth & toughness in their Conference semi final victory, wearing the Sharks down further and further as the series went on. When the Oilers stopped Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, they stopped the Sharks. The Mighty Ducks are a solid four lines deep, it will take an even stronger effort from the Oilers than they had in the last round if they are to defeat this tough Anaheim squad, a squad which against Calgary proved they could not be bullied or outworked, and against Colorado proved they could shut down offensive minded teams without having to sacrifice their own offensive output. Dwayne Roloson is the key to this series. Edmonton does not have the personnel to check all four of the Ducks lines, thus Roloson will be called upon to make many huge saves at key moments. Speedy forwards Ryan Smyth, Shawn Horcoff and Sergei Samsonov will have to make huge contributions. The Toughness of Michael Peca and Raffi Torres will also need to play a big part if the Oilers are to continue this most unlikely run.
The most pleasant surprise for the Ducks, their fans, and first year Head Coach Randy Carlyle has been the emergence and continued strong and clutch play of the teams younger players, namely Dustin Penner, Ryan Getzlaf, Joffrey Lupol, Andy McDonald and defenseman Francois Beauchemin, and did I mention their rookie goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov enters the series leading the league in both Goal against average (0.87) and save percentage (.967) ? Edmonton did own the Ducks in the regular season, but that point is now moot. This series will be a spectators delight, and a series in which the Ducks will ultimately prevail due to their superior depth. See ya'.