Sunday notes: Opening playoff series full of drama

by Dirk Hoag on Apr 18, 2010 9:57 AM EDT

All of the 7 playoff series outside of Nashville-Chicago have become locked at 1-1 as they shift to the lower-seeded teams' ice, so can the Predators buck that trend and take this evening's tilt at the United Center?

After the jump, we've got a look at last night's wild action, some news about the Blackhawks' plans to change things up for Game Two, and an analysis of how the Preds got the winning goal in Game One...

Last Night in the Playoffs

Boston 5, Buffalo 3: Boston tied up their series with a pair of quick goals in the 3rd to take the lead.

Washington 6, Montreal 5 (OT): This one was a wild ride for both teams, not the least because the refs made some bizarre calls and non-calls (and some Habs fans want to see coach Jacques Martin get riled up about it). The Caps pulled their starting goaltenderafter he gave up goals on Montreal's first two shots, and in the third period they came back from a 3-goal deficit to win in overtime, thanks to a Nicklas Backstrom blast. Tied at 1-1, the series now heads to Montreal.

Los Angeles 3, Vancouver 2 (OT): The Canucks took a too-many-men penalty in overtime, and Anze Kopitar made them pay, as the series heads to La-La Land tied 1-1.

Predators News

Check the whole "More Predators Blogs" box in the sidebar for recaps of Game One and previews of Game Two, but I wanted to note this one in particular:

Preds 101: Anatomy of a (GW) Goal: Getting the Puck in Deep
A great job breaking down the details on the winning goal from Game One.

Around the NHL

Black Dog Hates Skunks: The Sex Talk
This is probably one of the very best hockey articles I've ever read. These are dire times in Edmonton, and Steve Tambellini's post-mortem press conference didn't exactly inspire confidence.

2010 Beard Contest - NHL Digest
Get working on that playoff beard (or other visible show of support for the Preds) and you could win some cool gear from Molson Canadian...

Chicago Blackhawks’ Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook a pair again - chicagotribune.com
Joel Quenneville is apparently reuniting his top defensive pair for Game 2. As a Preds fan, I like the fact that this means their 2nd and 3rd pairing will be weaker as a result.

Worried? Who’s worried? Are you worried? I’m not worried! - Blackhawk Up
Sphincters are getting a little tight in the Windy City...

The Dark Blue Jacket: The season that had to happen: My thoughts on the CBJ, 2009-2010
The long, tortuous road for Columbus fans took another downward turn this season.

Video of Blake hit – that’s a suspension-worthy one all right | All Things Avs
Adrian Dater is trying to campaign for a suspension of Rob Blake for a hit he put on T.J. Galiardi, but he's way off base. He calls it a cross-check, but he only had one hand on his stick, for example. It really wasn't that big a deal.

Deal for Coyotes Raises Eyebrows - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com
Some folks aren't happy about the deal Jerry Reinsdorf negotiated to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, but the threat of relocation is very real here.

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Comments

Did anyone see the Versus intermission report last night during the Kings game?

They were talking about our game, but didn’t say one word about us. All they said was how amazing Sharp, Kane, and Toews looked. They combined for 1 goal!

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by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 18, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Yes I did see it and I was not happy. I think the only Pred they named was Rinne. Were they told to only mention the Hawks? Maybe a recognition thing. More people know Kane and Towes. I’ve seen those guys talk somewhat intelligently about the Preds before. What gives?

by jerseypredsfan on Apr 18, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean the same network that broadcasts one token Preds game every year…didn’t shock me at all…and If it’s a home game they make us show up an hour early? (remember?) How convenient for the east coast, except, we don’t live there. I hope that we keep winning so they have to carry our games, whether they like it or not.

by hockeydekefreak on Apr 18, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Sharp will be Dull by the time we get through with him.
Kane will be whispering ‘Rosebud’ from his deathbed.
And Toews … well, I’ve got nothing for Toews.

by cisar on Apr 18, 2010 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Toews will start pronouncing his name “toes”… like it should be! I don’t see an A in there!

Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...

www.manningface.com

by Michaeltastic on Apr 18, 2010 2:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions