Aaaand Exhale.
This year's first round was a classic. Every night there seemed to be a slew of great games. We saw big hits, flashy moves, and fast paced, back and forth hockey. There was blood spilled and teeth pulled. But with two game 7's still left to be played, it seems like the hecticness of the first round is coming to an end. So let's take a look at some of the things that made this round special.
Top Storyline:
Overtime Madness
The last two years we saw first rounds that produced many, many overtime games. In fact, in 2011 we saw 14 first round overtime games, 2nd most since 2001 (15). Then, in 2012, we saw the 2001 record broken as 16 games went into the extra frame. And just as we thought we were done, this year's first round produced 16 overtime games already, with a possibility to break that tonight with two more game 7's.
Let's face it. Overtime playoff hockey is up there with the best things in sports. The sudden death aspect makes everyone sit at the edge of their seats. There were nights this round where 3 out of 4 games would reach overtime. Needless to say, we all need some sleep from those late nights.
But it's not only the overtime games. Out of the 29 non-overtime games, a whopping 10 of them were 1 goal affairs. That means that we only saw 19 games end with a two goal lead.
This competitive hockey was eye candy for fans and we'll keep watching for more in the second round.
Best OT Winner
Bryan Bickell
Great speed, great feed, and the silky mits to finish it off. Fantastic finish.
Worst OT Winner
Jonathan Quick
It's not something we've never seen before out of Quick. Not only is it on an awful turnover, it's also a shorthanded goal. Despicable.
Wow! I just realized that the best AND worst OT winners happened on the same night...
Best Night of Hockey
First Night
First of all, the night started out with this sick video from the CBC. Then, after weeks of boring, unwatchable NBA playoffs, we saw two insane overtime finishes that literally ended minutes of each other. That was exactly what the NHL needed to jump start these playoffs.
Secondary Storyline
Tough Goaltending Luck
One thing that just seemed continuous in the first round is the tough luck for the goaltenders. The playoffs even started off on the wrong foot as reports surfaced that Minnesota goaltender, Niklas Backstrom, got injured during warmups and was to miss the playoffs. His backup, inspirational story Josh Harding, also had some bad luck as he had to play against the Chicago Blackhawks. After Harding left one of the games with an apparent injury, HIS backup, 23 year old Darcy Kuemper, gave up a goal on the first shot he faced.
Carey Price got injured on a fluke shot at the end of regulation in game 4 and his backup, Peter Budaj, gave up the OT winner on just the second shot he faced.
Marc-Andre Fleury was a complete sieve in game four, giving up this goal in a big moment and was ultimately replaced as the starter by Tomas Vokoun.
Islanders goalie, Evgeni Nabokov, also gave up a lot of goals in the series, but then again, he was playing the Penguins.
Roberto Luongo was benched in favour of Cory Schneider who truthfully wasn't much better.
And Brian Elliot picked a bad time in his series to look like the old Brian Elliot.
Best Series
Blues-Kings
Now, I know what you're thinking. Yes, the Ducks-Red Wings series had 4 games end in OT and had other memorable games. However, as was reported, the Blues-Kings series was by far the closest. The ENTIRE FLIPPIN' SERIES was played either tied or with a one goal lead (except for a 5 minute span when the Blues had a 2 goal lead).
Crazy.
Best Feel-Good Moment
Jabs vs. Boston Hero
This one's for sure a toss up.
On the one hand, we have Boston marathon hero, Jeff Bauman, working as Bruin's banner captain in a crazy TD Garden pre-game atmosphere.
Puck Daddy has the story and video here.
On the other hand, we have hockey icon Jack Jablonski, working the flag at the Minnesota Wild's opening night.
Let's just say they both win.
Best Fan
Pregnant Blackhawks Fan
As Puck Daddy reported, die-hard Blackhawk fan, Donna Lebano, started giving birth in the second period of game 5 at the Madhouse on Madison. However, she waited all the way until the Hawks' clinched the 5-1 win to rush to the hospital.
That's some serious dedication.
Nicest Goals
James van Riemsdyk
I had to give it to van Riemsdyk because Tavares didn't end up scoring.
van Riemsdyk showed great skill and balance to finish this one, knowing where the puck was at all times and then burying it behind Rask.
Nasty.
Worst American TV Gaffe
ESPN vs. Fox in LA
Last year, I compiled a healthy list of embarrassing media moments during the NHL playoffs as the American media was still trying to figure it out.
Well, only a couple of weeks into this years playoffs and ESPN already botched a star player's name.
That's Rangers forward, Rick Nash, they meant to write. However, we can't really blame them for the mistake, seeing as Nash has yet to show up to the series.
The LA media screwed up on the very first night. In a battle between Overtime sudden-death playoff hockey for your defending champion Kings or the very beginning of a first round Clippers-Grizzlies game, how is there a tie?
Get your act together, America.
MVP of the First Round
April Reimer
No question about it.
Gotta love the first round. Right, boys?
Top Storyline:
Overtime Madness
The last two years we saw first rounds that produced many, many overtime games. In fact, in 2011 we saw 14 first round overtime games, 2nd most since 2001 (15). Then, in 2012, we saw the 2001 record broken as 16 games went into the extra frame. And just as we thought we were done, this year's first round produced 16 overtime games already, with a possibility to break that tonight with two more game 7's.
Let's face it. Overtime playoff hockey is up there with the best things in sports. The sudden death aspect makes everyone sit at the edge of their seats. There were nights this round where 3 out of 4 games would reach overtime. Needless to say, we all need some sleep from those late nights.
But it's not only the overtime games. Out of the 29 non-overtime games, a whopping 10 of them were 1 goal affairs. That means that we only saw 19 games end with a two goal lead.
This competitive hockey was eye candy for fans and we'll keep watching for more in the second round.
Best OT Winner
Bryan Bickell
Worst OT Winner
Jonathan Quick
Wow! I just realized that the best AND worst OT winners happened on the same night...
Best Night of Hockey
First Night
First of all, the night started out with this sick video from the CBC. Then, after weeks of boring, unwatchable NBA playoffs, we saw two insane overtime finishes that literally ended minutes of each other. That was exactly what the NHL needed to jump start these playoffs.
Secondary Storyline
Tough Goaltending Luck
One thing that just seemed continuous in the first round is the tough luck for the goaltenders. The playoffs even started off on the wrong foot as reports surfaced that Minnesota goaltender, Niklas Backstrom, got injured during warmups and was to miss the playoffs. His backup, inspirational story Josh Harding, also had some bad luck as he had to play against the Chicago Blackhawks. After Harding left one of the games with an apparent injury, HIS backup, 23 year old Darcy Kuemper, gave up a goal on the first shot he faced.
Carey Price got injured on a fluke shot at the end of regulation in game 4 and his backup, Peter Budaj, gave up the OT winner on just the second shot he faced.
Marc-Andre Fleury was a complete sieve in game four, giving up this goal in a big moment and was ultimately replaced as the starter by Tomas Vokoun.
 |
| Fleury, looking like a man that lost his job |
Roberto Luongo was benched in favour of Cory Schneider who truthfully wasn't much better.
And Brian Elliot picked a bad time in his series to look like the old Brian Elliot.
Best Series
Blues-Kings
Now, I know what you're thinking. Yes, the Ducks-Red Wings series had 4 games end in OT and had other memorable games. However, as was reported, the Blues-Kings series was by far the closest. The ENTIRE FLIPPIN' SERIES was played either tied or with a one goal lead (except for a 5 minute span when the Blues had a 2 goal lead).
Crazy.
Best Feel-Good Moment
Jabs vs. Boston Hero
This one's for sure a toss up.
On the one hand, we have Boston marathon hero, Jeff Bauman, working as Bruin's banner captain in a crazy TD Garden pre-game atmosphere.
Puck Daddy has the story and video here.
On the other hand, we have hockey icon Jack Jablonski, working the flag at the Minnesota Wild's opening night.
Best Fan
Pregnant Blackhawks Fan
As Puck Daddy reported, die-hard Blackhawk fan, Donna Lebano, started giving birth in the second period of game 5 at the Madhouse on Madison. However, she waited all the way until the Hawks' clinched the 5-1 win to rush to the hospital.
That's some serious dedication.
Nicest Goals
James van Riemsdyk
van Riemsdyk showed great skill and balance to finish this one, knowing where the puck was at all times and then burying it behind Rask.
Nasty.
Worst American TV Gaffe
ESPN vs. Fox in LA
Last year, I compiled a healthy list of embarrassing media moments during the NHL playoffs as the American media was still trying to figure it out.
Well, only a couple of weeks into this years playoffs and ESPN already botched a star player's name.
The LA media screwed up on the very first night. In a battle between Overtime sudden-death playoff hockey for your defending champion Kings or the very beginning of a first round Clippers-Grizzlies game, how is there a tie?
MVP of the First Round
April Reimer
Gotta love the first round. Right, boys?
No comments:
Post a Comment