Blogging the Blackhawks and Sharks…LIVE from San Jose.

My typically erratic work schedule has me in San Francisco this week.  In a fortuitous bit of scheduling, my adopted home town Blackhawks are in San Jose to play the Sharks; a battle of two of the league’s hottest clubs early in this abbreviated season.  And while most of the Bay Area (and one loan Steeler fan) remain chronically depressed over the 49ers' Super Bowl loss; the local hockey gentry were clearly fired up for this early season grudge match.

If I’m 2,000 miles from home and headed to a sporting event, it can only mean one thing...a Bill Simmons style recap of the evening.  Rest assured this is approved for all audiences including Penguin and Philly fans.  All times pacific standard time and HEAVILY estimated. 

1:20pm – The miracle that is Stub Hub.  It takes me 5 minutes to find, purchase, and receive tickets to a hockey game in San Jose. 

6:20pm – Call me a technology curmudgeon but I simply do not trust GPS.  Alas, I fire up Siri and let her be my guide rather than using the old school printed Google directions our forefathers relied on.  By the time I return to my hotel five hours later I will conclude that Siri took me a solid 15 minutes out of my way.  Grrrr.

7:10pm – Parking by the HP Pavilion is $25, which is a bit steep in my humble estimation.  News flash, the Silicon Valley billionaire era ended in 2001.

 

 

7:15pm – A quick check of the IPhone shows the Penguins win their 4^th straight, 4-2 over the Islanders.  This point is fairly irrelevant to the evening’s adventure but for the fact that there is NEVER an inappropriate time to mention four straight Penguin victories.  ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY PENGUIN…BLESSED BE THE PENGUIN, FOR IT IS GOOD.

7:30pm – My seat is in the isle…literally.  You walk up the steps and literally right in to my seat on the edge of row 6.  It makes for an incredible view if nobody is in front of you.  IF…nobody is in front of you.

7:35pm – My issues with Blackhawks’ bird mascot Tommy Hawk are well documented but taking that out of the equation; the Sharks' mascot repels from the scoreboard to the ice on a rope.  I don’t care what team you root for, dopey shark mascots dropping from the sky is simply awesome.

7:40pm – Corey Crawford spits up a brutal rebound and Joe PAVELski pounces it on it for an early goal.  Not the start the Hawks were looking for.

7:45pm – Some guy named Tommy Wiggles fires a wicked wrister by Crawford to make it 2-0.  I’m a Penguin fan by trade but I fear I’ve transferred my usual bad road karma to the Hawks.  In an ironic twist of fate, Wiggles (not his actual name) is a Chicago native.  Go figure.  Laser beam of a shot but Crawford was WAY too deep in his net.  Crawford is playing like…well, he’s struggling.

7:50pm – In yet another incredibly ironic twist, Blackhawks’ forward and Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad scores his first NHL goal to cut the deficit in half.  A Pittsburgh guy who lives and works in Chicago has a big hockey adventure in San Jose.  If Saad was an accountant…he’d be me !  Onward and upward.

7:55pm – Crawford gives up another softie to make it 3-1.  I start gesticulating wildly for Coach Q to pull him for Ray Emery.  I’m not sure what’s worse, that I somehow feel this action will affect Quenville’s decision or that I’m aggressively lobbying to see Ray Emery enter an NHL game.

7:56pm – While the crowd is still celebrating the 3^rd Sharks goal, Andrew Shaw pounds a rebound past by my wife’s all-time favorite player Antii Niemi.  From 2,000 miles away I sense massive conflict and angst.

8:00pm – This game is just nuts.  Marcus Kruger of all people ties it at 3.  Again...Marcus Kruger.  We’ve had 6 goals on about 4 shots in the first period and amazingly neither goaltender gets the hook.

8:14pm – I grab a bite to each between periods.  They actually have Panda Express at the Shark Tank but I’m thinking Kung Pao chicken and hockey, not a match.  Which regrettably leads to the following…

8:15pm – I find a place called Sonoma Chicken which I mistakenly assume will be healthier than burgers or dogs.  I order a jalapeno chicken sandwich and I’m told it comes with tortilla chips.  I notice they also have sides of rice and mashed potatoes which apparently go with their rotisserie chicken meal.  So I ask the guy if I can have potatoes instead of chips.  He responds, “The sandwich only comes with chips.”  I ask him if I can pay extra for a side of potatoes.  He responds, “No, it comes with chips.”  I tell him again, “I will pay extra (i.e. cash) for the potatoes.”  He says, “No, we can’t do that.”  Seriously, they will not SELL me a side of mashed potatoes, let alone just give it to me.  YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.

8:30pm – The San Jose ushers take their jobs really, really seriously.  They absolutely refuse to let people walk to their seats until a stoppage in play (a policy I support).  They also walk through the sections and enforce that you sit back in your chair because leaning forward obstructs the view of those behind you.  Must be some kind of new liberal social policy in California.

8:50pm – Jamaal Mayers, the guy the Hawks pay to beat people up, absorbs a horrific high speed hit at the blue line and appears to be knocked out.  Duncan Keith of all people comes to his aid and a brawl ensues.  I could spend time lamenting the risks to Keith’s expensive new false teeth but instead I’ll go with my old familiar rant.  How can the NHL claim fighting is necessary as a deterrent to cheap shots but add a 2 minute instigator and 10 minute misconduct if you fight to actually defend a teammate...after a cheap shot?   Keep in mind that if Keith had waited until the next shift and ASKED for a fight, it’s all good.  So apparently fighting is perfectly acceptable as a deterrent to cheap shots, as long as the other guy gives his express written consent.  Cause you know…that makes sense.

8:51pm – End of anti-fighting rant.

9:00pm – Jonathan Toews strips Douglas Murray puck naked, and sets up Patrick Kane for a brilliant one time finish.  Play of the night, hands down. The Hawks now have four goals or TWO more than I’ve been treated too COMBINED in the last FOUR Penguin road games I’ve attended.  Not that I’m bitter.

9:01pm – I come to the random realization that I am no longer repulsed by the presence of Marian Hossa in a Blackhawks’ uniform.  Just five years and all is forgiven.

9:05pm – Kiss cam in San Jose is borderline soft core porn.   

9:15pm – Men’s room at the Shark Tank gets 4 stars.  And trust me…I’m an expert in such evaluations.

9:35pm - Crawford robs (insert Shark name here) with a brilliant point blank save.  Give Coach Q credit for sticking with his guy and for somehow managing to ignore the crazy gesticulations from section 221 just 90 minutes earlier.

9:50pm – The linesmen gets clocked with a slap shot clearing attempt and crumbles to the ice in agony.  Over 17,500 fans cheer in unison because, you know, nothing unites us like a potentially serious injury.  Why on earth would ANYBODY want to be an official?   

10:00pm – Hawks fans know about the crazy, long haired freaky guy who makes bizarre angry faces and gestures on the scoreboard every game to fire up the UC. Well, in San Jose they have their own version; a fat old guy who looks suspiciously like Bruce Boudreau (seriously).  As I watch his stomach and man boobs crescendo like waves in the Pacific, I am officially thankful they for the earlier mashed potatoes rejection.  Just one less thing for me to recycle (read, vomit).

10:05pm – This comment from a Sharks fan behind me is pretty much the GREATEST SUMMATION EVER of the career of Scott Gomez.  “He does not score very often…but he has good ideas.”  Bravo.

 

10:06pm - It's just too good to consider that Gomez, the most overpaid bust in NHL history is added to a team that already includes Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.  I'm literally salavating at the amount of smart ass material this gives me for my playoff predictions.  By the way, I finally notice Thornton on the ice when he serves a delay of game penalty against Niemi.  So that's something.

10:10pm – Patrick Kane fires home an empty netter…HAWKS WIN!  Huge win for the red hot Hawks.  I bolt for the exit and beat traffic thanks primarily to my perfectly placed isle seat.

 

10:15pm – My rush to beat traffic leaves no time to program the GPS. The printed directions send the wrong way on the expressway. Technology karma sucks.

10;20pm – I’m listening to a sports talk show hosted by get this…GUY HABERMAN.  Seriously…GUY HABERMAN !!!  Guy knows his stuff although he spends too much time lamenting the life and times of Jim Harbaugh.  By the way, did you know the two head coaches in the Super Bowl were brothers?

 11:30pm – End of a long day?  Desperately needed sleep or completely useless blog?  You guessed it.

A TRAVESTY OF SEEDS…FIRST ROUND NHL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

It’s been 13 seasons since the NHL converted to a conference style playoff format, with guaranteed top 3 seeds for division winners. I’m a huge fan of the conference format; but the latter stipulation has caused a fair bit of controversy over the years. This year it has made a flat-out mockery of post season match-ups.

At the crux of this injustice are the Pittsburgh Penguins; owners of the NHL’s 4th best record overall. Their reward for such excellence, an opening round match-up with the team finishing 5th. In a system that made any sense at all this match-up would not occur until AT LEAST the second round. Honestly this is the most ridiculous miscarriage of post season justice since…three months ago when a 12-4 Steeler team was forced to play on the road against 8-8 Denver.

And such is life.

Champions do not make excuses; champions just find a way to win. If the Penguins are truly championship caliber, they will overcome what is an unfortunate break of seeding. If they are not, they will not. Consider that the Pens got a huge break two years ago, facing two inferior opponents in Ottawa and Montreal. They lost in the second round anyway because the 2009-10 Penguins were not playing at a championship level.

Here is the straight dirt for hockey fans; there is no team in the NHL that is deeper or more talented than your Pittsburgh Penguins. The top three center group of Malkin, Crosby, and Staal is far and away the best in the NHL. For the first time since 2008 (the first cup year), the Pens have enough quality scoring wingers to compliment both Crosby and Malkin. The team has an elite goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury, a Norris Trophy caliber defensemen in Kris Letang and a solid if unspectacular group of D-men around him.

If this team plays to its full capabilities, nobody should be able to beat them. Not even a deep and talented Goon Squad that has given them problems all season long. Keep in mind that I have not even mentioned the intangible qualities which are Stanley Cup experience (including Coach Dan Byslma), and a hunger built on two consecutive post season flame outs.

A first round match-up against a bitter rival can be a mixed blessing. This is obviously the most difficult first round match-up in this year’s playoffs. That will force the Pens to be at their best from game 1 on with little margin for error. A series against Ottawa would obviously be easier than dealing with Claude Giroux, Bozo the Hartnell, Mr. Universe (Ilya Bryzgolav) and the man Penguin fans love to hate, Jaromir Jagr. And it could get brutally physical at times which is a concern for subsequent series.

At the same time, the Penguins parlayed a first round victory over Philly in 2009 to a Stanley Cup championship. And rest assured there was no less bitterness and hatred between the teams then, no matter how ugly things got two weeks ago.

Playoff analysts (including me) like to critique match-ups, rate strengths and weaknesses, and come up with clever insights as to who will win a series. Well I’m not doing that here because there is no point. The Pens are the best team in the league if they want to be. That means if they play with the requisite heart, grit, determination, physicality and intelligence necessary in the post season. It means showing that immeasurable determination that championship hockey teams possess.

If the Pens do all that they will win this series. If they try and win on talent alone, as they did at times down the stretch, they will replicate the horrible, awful loss that is never spoken of to the Islanders in 1993.

I’m betting on the former; as is my beautiful wife Emily…Pens in 6.

As for my remaining picks I find myself in a painful situation. Namely I’m picking no fewer than five teams that I hate to win their first round series. My wife in contrast sticks to her guns and backs only teams she likes. Here’s hoping her predictions blow mine away. Historically speaking, they likely will.  Both are noted below.


HENRICK LUNDQVIST (1) VS OTTAWA SENATORS (8)

Why New York will win in 6 games (Adam and Emily)

Both teams are trending in the wrong direction at season’s end and John Torterella is popping off about arrogant organizations and conspiracies. The Rangers are ripe to be upset, but Ottawa just is not the team to do it. In case you have any doubt say this to yourself ten times…Lundqvist versus Craig Anderson. Besides, Jason Spezza is Joe Thornton soft come playoff time and the Rangers actually have a few guys who can score this year.


BOSTON BRUINS (2) VS WASHINGTON CRAPITALS (7)

Why Washington will win in 7 games (picked with GREAT RELUCTANCE by Adam)

The Craps played up to their moniker all season long and were in serious danger of missing the post season ten days ago. Alas, playing in a dreadful division doth have its perks and thus Washington stayed alive. Now suddenly Nicklas Backstrom is back, Ovie is on fire, and the Craps are peaking at the perfect time.

The Bruins in contrast are trending very much the wrong direction. They started the season in brilliant fashion, seemingly determined to defeat the dreaded Stanley Cup hangover. Somewhere along the way however the hangover caught up (a la Chicago and Pittsburgh the last two years). The B’s just have not been that good in the second half of the season. They rely too much on Tim Thomas who seems to be wearing down. Injuries may prevent Thomas from having to pump either Michael Neuvirth or Tomas Vokun’s tires; but I foresee some bizarre 2009 Varlomov reprisal if Braden Holtby is in nets for Washington.

Why Boston will in 7 games (Emily)

Because Thomas has enough money to pay his cab fare even if Peggy won’t get him a new credit card. And the closest Ovechkin will ever get to the Stanly Cup is X Box.


FLORIDA PANTHERS (3) VS NEW JERSEY DEVILS (6)

Why New Jersey will win (Adam, 6 games, Emily 5)

Because somebody has to.

Prop bet for the series; higher number, total goals scored or total television viewers? The only excitement for me is how long it takes Kevin Dineen to yank Jose Theordore after publically declaring him “the man” in goal. This series is a hockey travesty and a singular case study for blowing up the current seed structure.


BOBBY LU AND THE FREAK TWINS (1) VS LOS ANGELES KINGS (8) 

Why Vancouver will win in 6 games (Adam)

Because your typical World Cup soccer match features more goals than the LA Kings score for Vezina candidate Jonathan Quick. If the Kings had any offense, ANY, I would say an upset is possible. Alas, given their struggles and Jeff Carter’s annual foot injury I cannot see it happening.  Besides, Vancouver's abudant nightlife will likely consume a fair amount of Carter and Mike Richards' free time.  The Slash and Run Pansies are going down…just not here.

Why Los Angeles will win in 7 games (Emily)

No self-respecting Blackhawks fan (or any true NHL hockey fan) thinks that Vancouver will win. Ever! And even a terrible team can score goals when Roberto Luongo is flailing at pucks from his stomach.


ST. LOUIS BLUES (2) VS SAN JOSE SHARKS (7)

Why St. Louis will win in 5 games (Adam)

Because Ken Hitchcock is back behind the bench, fighting with all his might to drag the NHL back to the dead puck era. The Blues have done so much damage to offensive hockey that noted goaltending sieve Brian Elliott allowed barely 1.50 goals per game this year. Brian Elliott. Seriously. And the Sharks, who usually wait until the post season to choke, appeared to pack it in for the season about two months ago.

Why San Jose will win in 6 games (Emily)

Antti Niemi is her favorite goalie of all-time. The Blues play a ridiculously cheesy opening video at their home games, their fans do a dorky power play dance, and they openly condone hand-to-hand violence against opposing-team’s mascots. Antti Niemi is tried, true, and tested. I can’t stand the grinding style of play that St. Louis utilizes – no team should ever be able to win a playoff series playing like that. Also, St. Louis has minimal playoff experience. By the way, did I mention how much she likes Antti Niemi?


THE HOCKY TEAM FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE WINNIPEG JETS (3) VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (6)

Why the Hawks will win in 7 (Adam)

The Hawks are deeper and more talented and that is without Jonathan Toews who appears likely to return. Keep in mind that in spite of the seeds, the Hawks finished 4 points ahead of Phoenix during the season. I’m a little uneasy with Corey Crawford between the pipes but he’s been stronger of late. And Mike Smith reminds me way to much of his current goalie coach Sean Burke, invincible in March, invisible in April.

Why the Hawks will win in 5 (Emily)…DUH (cue Chelsea Dagger)!


NASHVILLE PREDATORS (4) VS DETROIT DEAD WINGS (5)

Why Detroit will win in 7

(Adam)

This will unnerve the Pekka Rinne admiration society going on around the NHL but I see this series much as I see the Hawks and Yotes. I expect Nashville to battle like crazy…and lose. Great talent beats hard work when great talent is willing to work hard. I think Detroit will do just that. Bad break for Nashville, another team that deserved a better first round match-up than the league’s ridiculous seeding policy gave them.

(Emily)

Hatred of hockey teams south of the Mason Dixon line > Hatred of Detroit…though just barely.

Back from the Dead, Third Round Playoff Predictions

I used to accept as a given that when a playoff series reached three games to zero, it was over.

It’s not just because before last year; only three teams in North American major sports history had overcome such a deficit. It just seemed that most teams threw in the towel once they lost that third game. The mountain seemed too high to climb.

Of course the players and coaches on both sides would vigorously deny that. The team leading would channel memories of Lou Holtz, regaling us with tales of just how dangerous Navy was while losing 40 straight years to Notre Dame. The trailing team in contrast would launch in to a series of “Bull Durham” like clichés about how it’s not over until it’s over and they were going to take it one game at a time.

To the latter point I offer Alex Ovechkin’s half hearted promises of a Washington comeback from said deficit last week. Ovie’s blatant lack of inspiration or conviction in those comments seemed to relay the utter futility that I have long associated with teams in this situation.

So how is it that for the third time in two years, a team forced a game 7 after trailing 3 games to none? How is it that a team from each of those series has arrived at this year’s final four? And how is it that two teams this year have blown a 3 games to 0 lead and still managed to win game 7?

Not just any teams mind you; San Jose and Vancouver, two clubs with a history of imploding under playoff pressure.

Indeed, if there is anything I believed in as much as a series being over at 3 to 0 it was this; if a team somehow did come back to force game 7, they would absolutely win the series. It’s why I truly believed that Chicago would finish off the comeback and topple the Nucks and with the caveat I will explain below, that Detroit would take out San Jose.

So chalk up a second staunch personal conviction I can toss in the recycle bin.

Here’s that odd caveat regarding San Jose. I actually did think they could win last night. I freely admit however I would not have believed that if Vancouver had lost to Chicago. Seeing a Canuck’s team built around historic post season chokers somehow win that game 7 made me realize that anything is possible. For the record, anything includes Patrick Marleau finally getting his playoff wake up call in the third period of game 7. I’m still awaiting Jeremy Roenick’s omnipotent pontifications on that.

Give both the Nucks and Sharks full credit; neither gave up when they had every reason to.

I would argue that both Vancouver and San Jose created their own drama through a distinct lack of killer instinct. That’s not to take away from the efforts of Chicago and Detroit, both of whom showed championship metal in their comebacks. I just do not know how Vancouver can go up 3 to 0 in a series and then lose the next two games by a 12 to 2 combined score. I watched the last six games of that series and I can tell you that Vancouver flat out did not show up in games 4 and 5. How does a supposed Stanley Cup favorite do that?

The same goes for San Jose. As great a team as Detroit can be, there is no excuse for the Sharks blowing a 3 to 1 third period lead, AT HOME, in game 5. Then they compounded it by getting blown off the ice in a listless game 6 effort. The scoreboard does not show it thanks to a sterling effort from Antti Niemi but the Sharks were dominated in virtually every facet of that game.

None of this should be shocking considering the calamity that is the recent post season history of these franchises.

I wonder however if this will serve as a coming of age moment for either the Sharks or Nucks? Will this be the year one of these teams finally grows up and develops championship metal; or just a prelude to more disappointment? For my money, I think the Sharks may finally be ready for that critical championship growth spurt. I’m not so sure about the Nucks, especially given another blown elimination opportunity in game 5 at home against mediocre Nashville.

The problem with both teams is that there core stars regularly disappear after tax day. As Penguin fans, we draw tremendous pleasure from the annual playoff vanishing acts of Semin, Backstrom, and Green in our nation’s capital. Well they are in good company with Joe Thornton, Marleau, and Dany Heatley in San Jose and the Bobby Lu and the Freak Twins in Vancouver.

The Versus’ crew spent most of last night waxing poetic about the brilliance of Thornton. Maybe I’m missing something but that would be the supposed franchise player who has two goals this post season? Yes he’s working hard, playing defense and winning face offs. It seems to me the Sharks could save $5 Million per and pay Max Talbot for that. And Talbot historically outscores Jumbo Joe in the post season.

Amazingly Thornton’s offensive production, which does include 9 assists has put Heatley and Marleau to shame. I’m not going to pull a Roenick and try and analyze either player’s intestinal fortitude; I will just say that historically they don’t produce when it matters most.

The Sharks growth spurt to me is driven by two factors. First, the team has built tremendous depth offensively including players like Joe PAVELski, Ryane Clowe, and Devin Setoguchi. Second, the Sharks replaced another perennial playoff choker, goalie Evgeni Nabokov, with a top playoff performer in Antti Niemi.

I realize I’m walking the Fleury/Barrasso line in terms of my Niemi credibility but both Emily and I are taking great pride in his success. Niemi has spent the season establishing as an elite goaltender and more important, a goaltender who gets it done when it matters (since winning the cup last year apparently was not convincing to the enlightened media masses). He was at his best in game 6 and 7. Not only did he make the critical saves, but he gave his team a desperately needed sense of belief. That’s a belief the Sharks have clearly lacked in prior years.

As for Vancouver, the main reason they are skating in the conference finals is a fortuitous match-up with Nashville. Luongo still looks skittish and the Sedins have been lost in Ryan Kessler’s ever growing shadow (not too mention the overbearing, Joe Flacco like love fest from the entire hockey world). Watching a team with this much talent try and eek out 2 to 1 wins over the chug and plug Predators was as bad as…Washington’s so called defensive system.

In case I’m being too subtle here let me spell it out; I’m not exactly a believer in the Canucks. I look at their coming of age comeback and see through the cracks. A flawed Chicago team followed by mediocre Nashville. A team that gave up a short handed goal in the final two minutes of game 7 and nearly lost in overtime. A flopping goaltender who is only playing by the grace of Corey Snyder’s groin injury.

I am a believer in San Jose…Sharks in 5.


Boston (not Philly) versus Tampa (not Washington)

It’s been so long since either of these teams saved Penguin fans from further post season torture that I’m not sure I can even make a prediction.

The series could go either way but I like the Bruins. There is nothing specific I can quantify except perhaps Tim Thomas’ superbly brilliant post season. Historically I’ve been scared off by ensemble offensive casts as they have in Boston. This year’s Bruins however just have the look about them. It’s an intangible I know but to me it seems pretty real. They had their own coming of age after going the distance to blow a 3-0 lead least year.

Add Zdeno Chara’s most dominant post season to an experienced, physical and motivated group, and I think the B’s are too much for the Bolts. It also does not hurt my belief that Tampa is relying on Sean Bergenheim and Dominic Moore for offense and a goaltender who is AARP eligible, while Steven Stamkos is mostly invisible.

As much as I will miss the angry stares from the French Canadian Mike Tomlin (aka, Guy Boucher)…Boston in 7.



1st Round 6 and 2 (lost with Philly and Pittsburgh)


2nd Round – 2 and 2 (lost with Washington and Nashville)

First Round Playoff Predictions - Fleury's Moment in the Sun

I have always maintained a staunch belief (or cult like zeal) that great goaltending is a prerequisite for winning a Stanley Cup. That is not exactly ground breaking news to those who know me well.

The Penguins have won three Stanley Cups in their history and played in four cup finals. On all four of those runs, goaltending was a critical element of that ultimate success. With all due respect to Ken Wregget I doubt the Stanley Cup would have found its way to Mario Lemieux’s swimming pool without Tom Barrasso.

Even with my grandiose delusions of goaltending superiority, I dare not advance the theory that Barrasso or Marc-Andre Fleury were the best players on their respective teams. Not when they were sharing ice time with the likes of Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, and Evgeni Malkin. Quite honestly, that’s the way a championship team should be built, with a great goaltender as PART OF the mix.

This may cause Disque and Filoni to fall over clutching their chests but truly I do not want an NHL where goaltenders can single handedly carry teams to championships on a regular basis. I fear this as much as I fear the league’s continued Osgood-ification, where certain teams devalue goaltenders to the point of absurdity. For the record, I define absurdity as fielding a championship caliber club in front of Michael Leighton and/or bailing on the cup winning goaltender over $2.75 Million in salary.

Ironically, while the influence of goaltenders seems to be increasing in the regular season, the opposite appears to be happening in the playoffs. With all due respect to Jaroslav Halak, we are seeing fewer and fewer instances of goaltenders carrying a team to the finals. For my money you have to go back to 2004 when Mikka Kipprusoff dragged a mediocre Calgary to game 7 of the finals, one year after Jean Sebastian Giguere did the same for Anaheim.

Which brings us to the 2011 Penguins and Marc-Andre Fleury.

Fleury is poised to boldly go where no Penguin goaltender has gone before. For the first time in team history, a Penguin goaltender is clearly and without question the team’s most critical player going in to the post season. The 2011 Penguins will literally go only as far as the Flower can carry them.

This is not about making big saves at key moments as he did in 2008 and 2009. This is about being exceedingly brilliant start to finish. Forget the obvious fact that Fleury can not afford to allow soft goals against Tampa. He needs to spend the next two weeks making life utterly miserable for Stamkos, St’Louis, and LeCavallier. It’s the only chance the Penguins have.

The Penguins are going to play this series, and possibly their entire post season run without Sidney Crosby. That’s on top of already losing Evgeni Malkin. Feel free to dispute my theory that the Pens should shut down Crosby until next season. Just understand that he’s highly unlikely to play against Tampa if at all in these playoffs.

The Penguins have played through an unprecedented run of critical injuries, pretty much since the winter classic. There are not enough superlatives to describe the team’s effort and more important results during this span. They have developed something you can not quantify; an almost indominitable will to win. With all due respect to Mike Tomlin, it’s Dan Bylsma’s Penguins who have shown that “the standard is the standard.”

But there is no mystery here; the team just does not score enough goals without 87 and 71.

If the Pens are going to beat Tampa, it will likely be by 2-0 or 2-1 type scores. They will have to work relentlessly from start to finish, in every game. They will have to forecheck the life out of Tampa’s defense. They will have to stay out of the penalty box and not give easy opportunities to Tampa’s cadre of offensive stars. The drastically improved defense will have to continue its shut down performance.

And most important, Marc-Andre Fleury will have to be the dominant player in every game.

Even that might not be enough. Heart, grit, effort and strong goaltending are prerequisites for championship success. Superstars playing like superstars are the ultimate drivers. Penguin fans know this all to well; for years the Pens beat down harder working teams like Washington and Boston by having superior firepower. I still say the best game the Pens have played since Crosby’s injury was a 1 to 0 loss to Washington; a game that potentially foreshadows the team’s ultimate fate without Crosby.

The Pens have a championship goalie, championship coach, championship defense, and a championship heart. Without 87 and 71 they lack championship skill. That may keep them from winning the cup if Sid does not play, but it’s enough to beat the Bolts…PENS IN 6.

Other Series 

Washington (F’n) Crapitals (1) over New York Rangers (8) – 7 Games

Henrik Lundqvist is vastly superior to any of Washington’s three young goaltenders which should create Halak style post traumatic stress for Craps fans. Sadly, I don’t think it will matter. The Craps have an ugly post season history; but the Rangers can go choke for choke with anybody. New York still does not have anybody who can score consistently, Washington still has Ovechkin. For the record, I’m not totally buying the Craps new “defensive identity” but on the bright side Alex Semin and Mike Green will now have viable excuses for not scoring in the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres (7) over The Eastern Pennsylvania Orange and Black Goon Squad (2) – 7 Games

Philadelphia has without question the deepest and most talented group of skaters in the post season. They are eerily reminiscent of last year’s Blackhawks with one notable exception; as per usual, the Goons are backstopping their team with second rate goaltending. Sergei Bobrovsky has been trending downward since mid season and I’m not buying another Boucher/Leighton miracle. Buffalo’s major trade deadline acquisition was apparently their new owner, the Sabres are one of the hottest teams in the league since they wrapped up due diligence. In the meantime, Chris Pronger is in the press box and Philly is stumbling backwards in to the playoffs.

Boston Bruins (3) over Montreal Canadiens (6) – 6 Games

Last year I thought Montreal was the worst of the 16 playoff teams. This year…I think Montreal is the worst of the 16 playoff teams. And in spite of his shockingly brilliant season, I’m not expecting Halak part deux from Carey Price. I know the Canadiens have tortured Boston for a century and I know there is added angst given Zdeno Chara’s attempted beheading of Max Pacioretty, but I don’t see an upset here.

Western Canadian Slash and Run Pansies (1) over Chicago Blackhawks (8) – 6 games

Last Sunday I was at the United Center watching the Hawks try and salvage an immensely disappointing season. The atmosphere was great, the Hawks had everything at stake and Detroit had nothing to play for. The Hawks promptly spit up all over themselves.

I would love nothing more than for my adopted home town team to stuff it to Bobby Lu and the Freak Twins for a third straight year. And I might think it possible if Luongo’s one man personal nightmare Dustin Byfuglien was not marooned in the hockey purgatory that is Atlanta. Alas, the salary cap apocalypse cost the Hawks too much depth, physicality and grit and it showed all season. I’m not sold on the Nucks but I think they get over their Blackhawk hump this year.

San Jose Sharks (2) over Los Angeles Kings (7) – 5 games

The Sharks typically follow dominant regular seasons with playoff meltdowns. This happens because Joe Thornton typically follows a dominant regular season with a playoff meltdown. Never fear Sharks fans, Thornton finally changed the pattern; this year he’s been invisible pretty much since opening night. That means a very deep Shark’s team has already learned to win without him. Throw in dealing up perennial playoff choker Evgeni Nabakov for Stanley Cup backstop Antti Niemi; add Los Angeles losing Anze Kopitar and it’s an easy win for the Sharks. By the way, I see big things for San Jose this year.

Detroit Dead Wing (3) over Winnipeg Jets (6) – 6 games

If the Jets had still had my defensive man crush Zbynek Michalek, one legitimate goal scorer, or an actual home ice advantage, they would have a shot in this series. That’s what happens when you match Ilya Bryzgolav and Jimmy Howard in net. Alas the Dead Wings are used to winning with inferior goaltending (“Osgood-ification”) and the Jets just can not score. Throw in Detroit having decidedly more fans at all seven games and I think the Wings are just too much.

Nashville Predators (5) over Anaheim Ducks (4) – 7 games

I’m going to admit something I NEVER thought I would ever put in writing. Anaheim’s chances to win this series rest entirely on having a healthy Ray Emery. That’s akin to Penguin fans resting their hopes on Matt Cooke winning the noble peace prize. I’ll take a moment to make sure my computer does not spontaneously combust.

The Ducks have more talent than Nashville; in fact they have arguably the best first line in the game. And they’ve actually improved since Jonas Hiller got hurt; they were far too dependent on their Swiss sensation. Alas I can’t fathom any NHL team winning a playoff series with Dan Ellis in goal; let alone one with Anaheim’s defensive weaknesses. Which means as much as I’m disgusted by the idea, Nashville finally makes the second round…unless Emery or Hiller returns.

Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do

Root for the logo on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back. That’s what they tell sports fans in the modern world of free agency and salary caps.

Ideally, this is supposed to mean that the team is far more important than any one player. Realistically, it means don’t get attached to individual players because every one of them is on borrowed time with that organization.

I learned this lesson the hard way in 1992, back when such lessons were relatively new in the sports world. I will never claim that I was the most devout or devoted Pirate fan but I was a fan. If you doubt the veracity of my claim, I’ll happily dial up my good friend the Kapper and let him regale you with stories about the 50 or so Pirate games we went to over four years.

My fandom stopped short just about the time that Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek and anyone else who could play bolted for the free agent door. The Pirates turned into a glorified minor league team that day and 18 years later, little has changed.

I learned the lesson far more poignantly in 2000 when the Pens parted ways with Tommy Barrasso.

By the time the deal was made, it was abundantly clear that Barrasso’s time in the Burgh had long since passed. He was no longer playing at an elite level and sadly had become an increasingly difficulty presence in the locker room. When Ottawa came calling with an offer of two players who could help the team right then and there (including the illustrious Ron Tugnutt of five overtime fame), the deal had to be made. I knew it, which means everyone on earth knew it.

And the day it happened, I was crushed.

I remember when rumors of the deal started to spread. The internet was in its infancy then and we did not have 300 news organizations firing off rumors before they occurred. By the time word was spreading of a Barrasso deal, it was done. I clearly remember a stream of emails, started from Chiodo central in Philadelphia, the theme of which was…has anybody heard from Habe? Are we sure he’s safe?

I can laugh at it now and on some level it was funny then too. It was intended to be a joke but it definitely fell in line with the idea that often in humor there is a significantly serious element. My friends were joking about how devastated I would be by the trade of my all time favorite player but in all honesty, I think they really were worried about me.

Again, I knew Tommy had to go. And I kept telling myself that I root for the Penguins, not Barrasso. I had been eased into the deep end of the pool by his decreasing presence on the ice that season. And it still took me awhile to recover. I rattled off an email to the group, reminding them of the good all days (at that time) when the Pens were winning Stanley Cups and Barrasso was known purely as a great goaltender. At this risk of dropping into a ridiculously sappy 80s reference, those were indeed the best days of my life (that’s for you Weet).

Since that time I’ve had more practice in dealing with the harsh reality of modern sports. I watched the Pens dump Jagr, Kovalev, and then the whole team at the start of this decade. I dealt with Mario’s retirement. And now of course I’m dealing with this whole Ben Roethlisberger mess which is in some ways worse.

Seriously, what would be harder, dealing with Ben leaving the Steelers over free agency or constantly debating whether it’s ok to like him and root for him? It’s the ultimate indignity of fandom. We mocked San Francisco fans for their unabashed love of Bonds and his steroid induced home run record. Are San Francisco fans now mocking us for standing behind Ben? Or is Ben to some extent a victim of immaturity, bad decisions, and the 24 hour media cycle?

Alas, that’s a topic for a different day.

I bring all this up because yesterday I got another lesson in loss and how much it can hurt, through the eyes of my wife Emily. The Blackhawks made the decision to part with their Stanley Cup goaltender Antti Niemi. To say Niemi was her favorite player would be a comparable understatement to saying I was a Barrasso fan in the 90s. Rest assured, Antti Niemi did not have a bigger fan outside of Finland than Emily Seto.

As early as last October, when the Hawks were winning in spite of the nightly Cristobal Huet five hole give away, Emily was already trumpeting Niemi. She kept asking why he was only playing one of five games even though that one game always seemed to be shutout. The only answer I could give was that the Hawks were trying to justify Dale Tallon’s outrageous, post all night drinking binge contract to Huet.

The irony in all this is that two years ago, the Hawks were throwing out $5.6 Million to a borderline NHL starter with a history of going soft in big games. Two years later they walked away from a young, talented, Stanley Cup winning goaltender for basically half that price. They are not alone in this. I spewed out a blog last week about the devaluation of goaltending this year and Niemi is just the latest and most egregious example.

Even worse, ten year veteran Marty Turco signed on for what is essentially back-up wages. Ironically, Turco reportedly turned down a multi-year deal in Philly for this one year deal because it gave him “the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.” Gee, where have I heard that one before.

We were at the Blackhawks convention this weekend and listening to general manager Stan Bowman talk made two things clear. First, Scotty’s kid is better than Sominex if you find you can’t sleep at night. And second, Niemi’s days in Chicago were somewhere between waning and numbered. Bowman would not even mention his Stanley Cup goaltender by name. He just kept talking about how its about the team and not about one player. I believe Emily’s comment at the time was something to the effect of, that’s not what I wanted to hear.

I guess in retrospect I should not be shocked by this. Stan’s legendary father won eight Stanley Cups with Ken Dryden and Barrasso but he also won two with Chris Osgood. Somewhere along the way, Bowman became a believer that you don’t need great goaltending to win. I call it the Osgoodification of the NHL and it’s a trend I’ve come to truly detest.

That being said, let’s remember something about Osgood. For as much as he flops around like a beached whale, for as awkward and slow as he often looks in net, the man does seem to make the big save at the big time. I maintain that had Detroit not switched from the washed up Dominik Hasek to Osgood in 2008, the Pens would have won back to back championships. For as much as I don’t like Osgood, his career suggests that he was at his best in big games. That’s the definition of great goaltending in my mind.

That’s what Marc Andre Fleury did for the Pens in both 2008 and 2009. And that’s what Antti Niemi did for the Hawks last year. The fact that he does not have Patrick Roy’s pedigree is irrelevant. Over four rounds of the most intense, stressful, and pressure packed games in any sport, Niemi made the big save when it had to be made. And the Hawks thought so little of that they replaced him with a guy who in his prime was exactly the opposite; a regular season star and a playoff choker.

And let me be clear, Marty Turco’s prime ended with a thud around 2008. As Hossa-like as Turco’s cup desire might be, it does not change the fact that if somebody was offering him 3 years, $12 Million, Turco would not have signed with the Hawks for Scott Clemnensen wages. It’s buyer beware when you go on the cheap at the most important position in sports, even if it means fighting with the all mighty salary cap.

In any event, that’s a story for another day.

The story for today is about saying goodbye and how hard it is to do. It’s about understanding that it’s ok to feel a sense of loss when your favorite player departs. It’s about knowing the harsh reality of sports in any era; we root for the name on the back of the jersey as much as the name on the front. We’re human and we’re fans. We just can’t help ourselves.

Goodbye Antti and good luck; we will miss you.

The Goaltending Universe in Chaos

About six weeks ago, I contemplated the cataclysmic consequences to the hockey universe if Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher combined to lead Philly to the Stanley Cup.

The idea of a championship team, built around rotating third string goaltenders was contradictory to everything I believe in as a hockey fan and a human being. I think I was NEARLY as concerned about Leighton’s lack of pedigree as I was about the Orange and Black uniform he was wearing.

When Leighton responded by giving up two horrendous goals in game 6 of the finals; along with being pulled from two other starts; I felt my beliefs vindicated and my fears vanquished. My goaltender centric view of the universe was blissfully in tact and all was well.

At least I thought it was.

I’ve spent the better part of a month watching NHL clubs systematically destroy the notion of goaltending relevance. Teams desperately in need of goaltending have refused to address it. Teams with goaltending won’t pay to keep it. And those teams that have bitten the bullet to sign goaltenders have done so at blue light special prices.

All this while New Jersey blows up the salary cap and threatens collective bargaining armageddon to sign Sammy Sosa on skates, aka, Ilya Kovalchuk. Please explain to me why a one dimensionAL winger with one playoff victory in 8 years (that’s one GAME, not one SERIES), is worth $100 Million but a goaltender who drags an entire franchise kicking and screaming into the 3rd round is worth Chris Kunitz?

Just one man’s opinion but I think there would be a lot less offseason angst in Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh South (aka, Washington D.C.), if Montreal had stuck with Carey Price during last year’s playoffs.

Seriously, what the heck is going on out there? So much goaltending lunacy, I don’t know where to start…but I’ll try.

· In case I was being too subtle above; Jaroslav Halak carries Montreal to the conference finals, and then gets traded for a bag of pucks, six rolls of tape and a case of Molson. Montreal said it was too expensive to sign him. This from the team that TRADED FOR Scott Gomez at $7 Million per year or more properly stated, at $500,000 per goal. Who do you think had more influence on Montreal pulling two of the biggest playoff upsets in NHL history? How many playoff games, let alone series, do you think Gomez has won in his career? I’ll start the bidding at one…anyone?

· Cary Price is handed back the starting job after Halak ripped it away from him. That’s the same Price who famously explained why he shot the puck at celebrating Craps players in the playoffs by saying “you’ve gotta let them know you’re out there.” As a Montreal writer said later, (paraphrasing), “how about letting them know you are out there by stopping the darn puck!” If I were a Canadian season ticket holder, I’d vomit on the order form and send it back without a check. On the bright side, the only way the Pens see Michael Cammalleri in the 2011 playoffs is if he’s between the benches for TSN.

· The Orange and Black Goon Squad, after once again providing an internationally televised documentary on how bad goaltending can stop an otherwise cup worthy team, refused to spend $1 to upgrade the position. Welcome back for year two, Michael Leighton and Brian Boucher (assuming the immortal Ray Emery does not get healthy). Do you think Bernie Parent ever breaks down into sobbing fits watching his old team? Apparently losing the Stanley Cup on a wrist shot through the five hole…from an 8 degree angle, was still not enough to convince the Goons to pony up for a decent netminder. Of course there was plenty of money available for more defensemen. Maybe Andrej Meszaros can play goal?

· Jose Theodore and Marty Turco remain unemployed. Ok, forget I mentioned that.

· The San Jose Sharks cut ties with the NHL’s overall wins leader for the last four years and replace him with Antero Nittymaki. I’ll concede that Nabokov was shaky enough in the playoffs to move on without him, especially given his salary demands. That being said… ANTERO NITTYMAKI? The sushi goalie? The guy who was not good enough for Philly? The guy who could not beat out Martin Biron and Mike Smith? What, Jarmo Myllys was not available? In the meantime, the Sharks continue to pay over $7 Million per season to habitual playoff choker Joe Thornton.

· Sweaty Teddy and the Craps are set to hit the season with Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth in goal. Apparently three straight first round flameouts are not enough to get Ovie and his minions a reliable number one. To their credit, the Craps did finally rid themselves of Theodore. And with Nittymaki off the market, there were no more second rate veterans for Leonsis to overpay and Bruce Boudreau to pull after one playoff start.

· The Boston Bruins are doing everything short of a yard sale to give away the Vezina Trophy winner from two years ago…and nobody wants him. I guess that means more creepy Tim Thomas commercials on the NHL network…in a Bruin’s uniform.

· The Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup and two months later have not offered more than cheese wiz to the goaltender who took them to the title. Yes I admit to a distinct Emily influence here and yes the Hawks salary cap situation is an apocalyptic debacAL. Still, you can rest assured that Antti Niemi was a huge reason the Hawks won the Cup last year. Since the Hawks plan to banish Cristobal Huet back to France, not signing Niemi would likely signal the start of the Corey Crawford/Hannu Toivonen era. If that happens, rest assured Mayor Daley will not have to pony up for another parade in 2011.

· Chris Mason, who may have been the best goaltender on the market, signed a two year deal for $3.7 Million, with Atlanta. I guess Philly could not risk losing Matt Walker to take a chance on a better goalie? Mason dragged St. Louis kicking and screaming into the playoffs two years ago and for that got paid one half Kunitz. How many playoff games, let alone series do you think Kunitz has won in his career? Keep in mind that Mason was unemployed because St’ Louis traded two ECHL prospects to Montreal for the goalie who carried the Habs kicking and screaming into the conference finals so the Habs could start Cary Price who…oh never mind.

· The Ottawa Senators are going to start another year with Brian Elliott and Pascal Leclaire in goal. Seriously, I would take Big Mike and Disque over that pair. Somewhere out there Tim Chevaldae is contemplating a comeback.

· An admittedly minor contingent of moronic Penguin fans continue to blast Marc-Andre Fleury as overrated and overpaid. I guess it’s because Fleury has only lead the Pens to the finals twice in the last three years; or perhaps because he’s crossed the mythical Chris Kunitz salary barrier. I guess stopping two future hall of famers from point blank range, on the road, in game 7’s is not worth what is used to be.

· Nikolai Khabibulin continues to draw a seven figure NHL paycheck…for three more years while Niemi does not have a contract. And eventually, somebody will sign Theodore as well.

I guess this is reason number 137 that I will never be an NHL general manager. Almost every year I see how critical goaltending is to playoff success and yet the current GM’s continue to devalue it. It used to be just the Goons, Craps, and Dead Wings. Now it’s spreading like as if Filoni was the GM of every NHL team!

Yes, there is price to pay for Chris Osgood winning two Stanley Cups. It’s just enough justification for the Bob Clarkes and Paul Holmgrens of the world to keep pushing their theories about how you don’t really need goaltending to win. As if I really needed another reason to hate the Dead Wings and the Goons? Throw in spend crazy GMs looking to save a few bucks against the cap and here we are.

Maybe I need to make a pilgrimage to Quebec and worship at the alter of Francois Allaire (praying of course from the butterfly stance). Or maybe the NHL just needs to get a grip on reality, hopefully after Fleury wins the next Conn Smyth trophy. Either way, the goaltending universe is upside down, and I’m not happy about it.

Goaltending Wins Championships…Right?

“In life, as in hockey, you are only as good as your goaltender” (Adam Haberman…frequently).

I have two nightmares that pop into my brain from time to time. The first is that it’s the end of a semester in graduate school and I have not gone to glass or studied a lick. Finals are coming and I do not have the faintest clue about the course material. The second is that Michael Leighton is a starting goaltender in the Stanley Cup finals.

When I wake from the first nightmare, I feel an immediate and overwhelming sense of “it’s only a dream” relief. As to the second…apparently I still have not woken up.

There are few things in life I believe in more definitively than the importance of goaltending in hockey. I’ve said for years that it is one of the few absolutes in sports…you just can not win a Stanley Cup without great goaltending.

I’ve used this unwavering belief in my staunch defense of Marc-Andre Fleury from his persistent legion of moronic critics. Somehow, in their minds, Fleury managed to lead his team to back to back Stanley Cup finals while being the worst Penguin goaltender since Peter Skudra.

I’ve pointed out that teams do not win 30 playoff games in two years in spite of their goaltending. I’ve noted that I have decades of history on my side. That includes what I’ve frequently referred to as a quarter century case study on how goaltending can torpedo a franchise, commissioned by the Eastern Pennsylvania Orange and Black Goon Squad. In algebraic terms, goaltending is the constant in my hockey equation.

So if it’s not bad enough that the Penguins missed out on this year’s finals; here comes the Goon Squad to make it worse. I’ve been mocking them all year for somehow managing to deal down their goaltending from the immortal Martin Biron and Antero Nittymaki combination. For reference, that’s the same Biron who could not land a starting job anywhere in the NHL after leaving Philly and the same Nittymaki who can’t beat out Mike Smith in Tampa. That’s comparable to having a worse haircut than Scott Hartnell.

And yet the Goons somehow managed to do it. First they put their faith in Ray Emery who is as bad as Biron but less reliable. Then they trotted out Brian Boucher whose career reminds me of those fluke golfers that win the masters once and get a lifetime exemption to play into their 90s. And if all that was not enough, they turned their net over to the great Leighton. Yes, that’s the same Leighton who Carolina deemed inadequate as their third string goaltender. Apparently they were not overly impressed by his 103 NHL appearances since 2003-04.

So now I wake to the continuing nightmare; to a world where a team can get to the Stanley Cup finals while rotating third string goaltenders. Suddenly I don’t know what to make of things. It’s like the bizarro world on Seinfeld. Up is down, black is white, Feldman is Kramer. Everything I believed about life and sports is suddenly in turmoil.

Think about Fleury’s brilliant, game saving robbery of Lidstrom at the end of game 7 last year. Are we really ready to replace that picture in our minds…with Michael Leighton?

For the record, a person of non Chicago perspective might feel compelled to include Hawks goaltender Antti Niemi in the above complaint. I will not do so for two reasons. First, I would like to be able to sleep in my own bed in the near future and that’s unlikely to occur if I formally criticize Niemi in this blog. My wife is without question his biggest fan and to be quite clear, she was championing his play back in the dark days of the Huet in Chicago. If that seems like a conflict of interest to you than feel free to have the NHL revoke my press pass.

Second, it would be inaccurate. If you go back to his first start in October, a shutout in his native Finland, Niemi has been strong all season for the Hawks. Niemi is inexperienced but so was Cam Ward a few years back and we know how that ended. There is a big difference between inexperienced and having a decade long track record of mediocrity as is the case with Leighton and Brian Boucher.

If you fall back on the tired, lazy idea that the Blackhawks carry Niemi please contact the San Jose Sharks or Vancouver Canucks and ask why their supposedly superior goaltenders are golfing right now. Or call Stan Bowman and ask why Huet and his $6 Billion contract are glued to the end of the Hawks bench.

That being said, even I will admit that this is not exactly Roy and Brodeur matching up in the 2001 finals.

Which brings up the question, am I wrong? Have I been living a lie my entire life? Is goaltending not really that important? Can great teams just carry pedestrian goaltenders along for the ride (as the Fleury bashers would have us believe?). Will Michael Leighton be the end of my goaltender centric view of the universe?

The answer is emphatically no !

Here is a summary of the starting goaltenders who have won the Stanly Cup over the last 35 NHL seasons (from left to right):

Ken Dryden (4); Billy Smith (4); Grant Fuhr (4) Patrick Roy (4); Martin Brodeur (3); Bernie Parent (2);

Tom Barrasso (2); Mike Vernon (2); Chris Osgood (2); Ed Belfour (1); Dominik Hasek (1); Mike Richter (1); Nikolai Khabibulin (1) J.S. Giguere (1);

Marc-Andre Fleury (1) Cam Ward (1); Bill Ranford (1);

The first six goaltenders on that list are either in the hall of fame or sure fire first ballot inductees (Brodeur). These six gentlemen are responsible for 21 of those 35 cups (70%).

The next eight from Barrasso to Giguere have all produced elite numbers during their 10 plus year careers (even Osgood, much as it pains me to admit it). Hasek and Belfour are hall of fame gimmes and any of Barrasso, Richter, Vernon and Osgood could one day join them (for better or for worse on the last two). Regardless, this group adds 11 cups to the list.

The remaining three cups were won by two elite young goaltenders (Fleury and Ward) and a solid veteran goaltender (Ranford).

Think about that. Over the last 35 years the worst goaltender to win the Stanley Cup is Bill Ranford. And Ranford won 240 games in the NHL so let’s be clear he’s not Sebastian Caron.

It gets better. The 18 goaltenders above also lost in the Stanley Cup finals 12 times during that period. That means these elite goaltenders have taken 47 of the 70 slots in the finals over 35 years (just over 2/3rd of the total). In fact, if you go back to the start of the Islander dynasty in 1979-80, the only Leighton like goaltenders to even make the finals were…

Don Beaupre/Gilles Meloche Richard Brodeur, Jon Casey
Ray Emery Kelly Hurdey Arturs Irbe

I might even throw in the Hextall/Snow combo for Philly in 1997, only because Hextall was clearly past his goonish, cheap shot, stick swinging, cross checking prime by that point. Still, Hextall was once considered an elite goaltender back in the days when he was chasing Rob Brown around the rink (acknowledging this makes my stomach churn). He did win the Conn Smythe as the losing goalie against Edmonton in 1987.

Truth be told, in a fascinating bit of coincidental irony, the only goaltender on the list above who truly compares with Leighton is Emery; the guy Philly started the season with. You could also argue that Casey was closer to being a back-up than a starter as well (although he was fairly decent until Mario Lemieux single handedly destroyed his career). The others were all solid NHL goaltenders, just not superstars.

So take a deep breath folks and relax. Leighton does not represent a sign of the apocalypse nor a colossAL shifting of the sports universe. He is what sports experts refer to as, a fluke. We all remember that Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson won Super Bowls. Let’s not forget that Rex Grossman and David Woodley lost Super Bowls. That’s probably closer to what we are dealing with here.

Keep in mind that Leighton and Boucher have split the work. Keep in mind that they played three low scoring teams in NJ, Boston, and Montreal in the first three rounds. Now that they are facing a team with some serious firepower, they’ve allowed 21 goals in 5 games and Leighton has been hooked twice. I don’t think Roy, Brodeur or Hasek are losing sleep over their place in history.

Since the end of game 4, I’ve been wresting with the possibilities of both a Stanley Cup parade on Broad Street and the end to my cult like beliefs regarding goaltending. I’ll rely on the Blackhaws to solve issue number one, hopefully on Wednesday night.

As for issue number 2, regardless of how things turn out I’ll sleep well knowing I have 35 years of precedents to back my beliefs. One way or another my nightmare will end with my convictions undaunted that in life as in hockey you really are only as good as your goaltender.

A Tearful Goodbye to the Great Eight – Second Round Playoff Predictions

Before I start my second round playoff predictions, I would like to congratulate the Washington Crapitals on a truly brilliant regular season. In fact, let us all take a minute to recognize one of the great regular season’s in NHL history:

• An NHL best 121 points and 54 wins. That’s 8 points more than any other team in the circuit.
• A league best 318 goals. That’s the highest total in the NHL since the lockout and 46 more than the next best team.
• Eight players with 19 or more goals including 3 with at least 33.
• Converted over 25% of their power plays and lead the league in power play goals by 11 over their closest competitor.
• Another 50 goal, 100 point season from Alex Ovechkin plus 100 points from Nicklas Backstrom.
• A Norris Trophy finalist in Mike Green (proving you don’t need to play defense to be the league’s best defenseman).
• A regular season sweep of the DEFENDING STANLEY CUP CHAMPION Pittsburgh Penguins and a beautiful President’s Trophy banner to hang in the rafters.
• Sell out crowds in sweaty Teddy’s ice house almost every night.

I’m sure the Craps will reminisce on these brilliant accomplishments while they watch the last three rounds of the playoffs in stunning high definition (unless their cable system does not get Versus). No doubt the Great 8 will talk at length about how close the Craps came to winning a…, well a first round series against an eighth seed, at the awards banquet in June. I’m sure Ovie’s memories of ALMOST beating Montreal will be right up there with his memories of ALMOST making the semi-finals at the Olympics.

In the mean time let us say goodbye to the Great 8 until next season. We will miss you. We will miss Alex Semin and his keen observations about Sidney Crosby. Congrats InvisibALEX, that was one darn pretty assist you totaled in seven games.

We will miss Green needing a map to find his own defensive zone. We will miss Jose Theodore holding on to his starting job for all of 70 minutes of playoff hockey. We will miss Bruce Boudreau complaining about the refs (and prefacing with, “I don’t want to sound like I’m whining but…”). We will miss the Crapital bandwagon, filled with fans who were fortunate enough to discover the sport of hockey post 2007.

Seriously, we’ll miss it all, while we watch the Pens in round 2.

Actually, I have somewhat mixed emotions on this. The Penguins have won three Stanley Cups in their history and every one of them including some sort of humiliating beat down of Pittsburgh south. Maybe it’s a bad omen to not steam roll the Washington speed bump on the way to the Cup. And quite frankly I was looking forward to knocking those overrated hacks out again. Alas, I’ll just have to settle for that shell shocked, Hossa-like look of disbelief on Ovie’s face after losing to a team they finished more than 30 points ahead of.

One final thought before I get to my second round predictions. Remember how Ovie mocked Jaroslav Halak after game 2? Do you think he regrets that decision after Halak stopped 131 of 134 shots in the last three games? To quote Rudy from Fat Albert, “Ovie, you like a school house at night…you got no class !”

With that lovely introduction, here are the matching second round predictions from Emily and me. We fired off a mediocre 4 and 4 record in round 1 but I’ll happily exchange one victory’s worth of pride for that beautiful Crapital humiliation.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)

What I liked about the Pens first round victory over Ottawa. Sidney Crosby was absolutely dominating scoring 14 points in 6 games. Evgeni Malkin found his game as well scoring 4 goals and 8 points in six games (pretty solid numbers when not compared to Sid). And the Pens grinders once again raised their games in the post season. That includes 3 goals from the Jordan Staal line in game 6 and a total of 7 goals from their 3rd and 4th line guys.

What I did not like. The Pens continued to be very sloppy defensively and allow way too many quality scoring chances. Marc-Andre Fleury was better than his statistics but only after a rough performance in game 1. The team was frequently sluggish at the start of games, especially the last two games of the series. And the penalty killing, a huge strength in the regular season was terrible in this series.

The reality is that Ottawa was ripe for a beating, especially given their ECHL caliber goaltending pair of Brian Elliott and Pascal Leclaire. Now the Pens will play in Montreal, where they are historically bad against a goaltender who might have just posted the greatest three game stretch in playoff history. Imagine what Halak could have done if he were not so clearly intimidated of Ovie and his minions.

That being said, the Pens are much better than Montreal. There is a reason Halak just had a historic three game performance; the Habs defense is historically bad. I know the Pens miss Hal Gill but when he’s your top defensemen that’s a real problem. And unlike the Craps who make Joe Thornton look like Gary Roberts, the Pens have playoff experience and playoff toughness. The will not stand on the perimeter and fire unscreened 50 footers at Halak.

I’m still concerned about the boys and I have some fears about this series. That being said, I expect Sid, Geno, and Matt Cooke to strap the team on their back and a Pens win in 6 (Emily’s pick, Pens in 5).

Boston Bruins (6) vs. The Eastern Pennsylvania Orange and Black Goon Squad (7)

Moments after the winter classic, I wrote a blog stating that the game would be a preview of a great second round playoff series. I pointed out, just as Tim Thomas was being honored as a U.S. Olympian that he would lose his job to somebody named Tuukka and Tuukka would outplay Ryan Miller in the first round. I noted that Bobby Boucher, who was sitting on the Philly bench that day, would rediscover his form from 2000 and actually impersonate a real NHL goaltender.

Alas I got fired up pondering all the wondrous possibilities of the BCS and forgot to publish it. That’s my story.

I guess I have to fall on my sword in regards to the Goons. I picked them to get swept out of the first round, in large part because they were playing a third string goaltender against a future first ballot hall of famer. I picked that result even before I found out they would be without Jeff Carter and Simone Gagne. If I had known that I would have picked Devils in 3.

As for Bruins, I just did not believe that they had enough offense after Marc Savard’s encounter with the Cooke Monster. Amazingly after sinking my fantasy hockey team all season, David Krejci and Company woke up just in time for the post season. And isn’t that the same Marc Recchi who scored the game winning goal against them in game 6…OF THE 1991 PLAYOFFS?

How do you pick a series between two teams that have no business being in the second round? I’ll do what I always do and look at the goaltenders. The red hot Rask and/or Paul Steigerwald’s man crush Tim Thomas against Boucher; or if the Goons get lucky and he returns from injury, long-time minor leaguer Michael Leighton. Given that…Bruins in 5 (Emily’s pick, Bruins in 6).

Chicago Blackhawks (2) vs. the Western Canadian Blue, Green, and White Goon Squad (3)

How about a rematch of last season’s incredibly exciting second round series. The Windy City Warriors, lead by the talented trio of Kane, Toews, and Keith (plus some guy who used to play for Detroit) against the Canucks, lead by Bobby Lu and the freak twins. That would be Roberto Luongo whose glove turns to stone in big games and the Sedin twins who give me nightmares but more in the Freddy Krueger way than the Jaroslav Halak kind.

These two teams do not like each other which is understandable because seriously, who likes the Canucks? They are the biggest bunch of slash and run pansies in the NHL. Last year I saw these teams engage in a brawl fest at the United Center and things were not much prettier in the post season. The Hawks took down the favored Nucks in six and put up a humiliating seven spot against Luongo in game 6.

The Hawks deserve credit for the most dramatic victory of round one, specifically there short handed game tying goal with 13 seconds left in game 5. Duncan Keith gets the YouTube moment of the year for squirting the idiot Predator fan from the penalty box with the water bottle (is the term “Predator fan” an oxymoron?). Antti Niemi gets credit for given the Hawks big time playoff goaltending and continuing to bail out Dale Tallon’s post all night drinking binge signing of Cristobal Huet.

The Canucks continue to have the entire Canadian media contingent on their bandwagon. I continue to have no idea why. If Terry Murray had not lost his mind and demoted his best goaltender to the minors, I think the Sedins would be playing golf with Ovechkin and Semin right now. Since they stuck around for one more round, I’ll go…Hawks in 6 (Emily, Hawks in 4…this girl’s got confidence).

San Jose Chokes (1) vs. Detroit Dead Wings (5)

Give San Jose credit. They did everything possible to maintain their reputation as playoff chokers. They kept an inferior opponent alive for six games. They made an above average goaltender look like Patrick Roy (or maybe Jaroslav Halak). They lost a game where the only goal they could score was a perfect shot by defensemen Dan Boyle…against his own goaltender. And the NHL’s softest so called superstar Joe Thornton, along with fellow softies Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley combined for 1 GOAL IN 6 GAMES.

And yet the Sharks managed to stumble into the second round in spite of themselves. They got a strong performance from Joe PAVELski and finally got big time playoff goaltending from Evgeni Nabokov. So what is their reward for surviving the first round?

That’s right, a match-up with the two time defending western conference champion Detroit Red Wings. That’s right, a team that almost always rises to the occasion in big games against a team that almost never does. That’s Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom, who were last season bombarding Phoenix in game 7, against Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley who were last seen in mid March. Isn’t it near time for Heatley to demand another trade?

Gee, let me think about it…Wings in 6 (Emily, Wings in 6).

All Hail the Mighty Penguin, Blessed be the Penguin for it is good. And enjoy your early spring Ovie !