Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots - April 25th, 2008
By 250 News
From my little cubbyhole in PG, here’s a quick analysis of the first round of the 
Stanley Cup playoffs. (Winners listed first).
Before I start, can somebody please tell me how player agent and new Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis is an upgrade over Dave Nonis?
Now for the views and reviews of the NHL Conference quarter-finals where three of the eight went the maximum seven games.
Montreal-Boston:
Yes, the Bruins did better than many predicted, considering their lack of talent, but the Habs were better when it counted. How could you not be impressed by the poise and control of Montreal rookie goalie Carey Price, who just a few years ago was playing midget for Williams Lake against Prince George? Price never got rattled despite having mediocre performances in games 5 & 6and shined again with his second shutout of the series, in the clutch, in game 7. I really miss the days of when the Canadiens dominated. Do keep in mind they are the last Canadian team to win a Cup.
Pittsburgh-Ottawa:
The least interesting and most non-competitive of the opening round match ups. Hard to say how good the Pens are because they were not pushed. It can be argued that Ottawa had as much success as Vancouver this season; as both teams had zero playoff wins.
Goalie Ray Emery may have been a distraction for the Senators, but he certainly shouldn't be the fall guy. After all, he never stepped on the ice in the playoffs or down the stretch of the regular season.
New York Rangers-New Jersey:
The abrasive Steve Avery is a player everybody loves to hate but who wouldn't want the Ranger super pest on their team? Avery was effective and so was ace goalie Henrik Lundqvist who clearly outplayed a fading Martin Brodeur. I certainly wasn't shedding any tears
that rookie Devils coach Brent Sutter made a quick exit.
Philadelphia-Washington: Best series so far with lots of hitting, intensity, back and forth play and two memorable overtime games. Not to be forgotten was the Flyers in your face treatment of the game's flashiest player, Alexander Ovechkin, who dazzled in the final two games. The Flyers were full value for their victory thanks to key performances of their top guns like Daniel Briere and Mike Richards. Terrific hockey.
San Jose-Calgary:
The vulchers were certainly on the case of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and coach Ron Wilson when the Sharks trailed two games to one but they persevered and for now have silenced their critics who questioned their heart in the playoffs. Where did this Ryane Clowe come from anyway? Everywhere I went, hockey fans were talking about the spark ex-Cougar Devin Setoguchi gave the Sharks once he was inserted into the lineup.One advantage of having Calgary out is now the entire country can start cheering for Montreal.
Detroit-Nashville:
The Predators were competitive thanks to the sparkling play of Dan Ellis, theirunheralded goalie. Ellis is the guy who made everyone forget about his back-up, former-Cougar Chris Mason. He did show a bit of Dan Cloutier when he allowed a long shot goal by Nicklas Lidstrom, but it wasn't his fault the Preds couldn't score. It appears we have seen the last of Dominik Hasek, who was a great goalie, but this is 2008 and not 1998.
Colorado-Minnesota:
I'm surprised that the Avalanche won and that Colorado goalie Jose Theodore was much better than his Minnesota counterpart Niklas Backstrom. Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote turned the clock back with their grit and determination. I bet Forsberg is happy he went back to Colorado rather than signing with Ottawa to be Daniel Alfredsson or with Vancouver to be with another Swedish buddy, Marcus Naslund.
Dallas-Anaheim:
The Stars are a sleeper team that took advantage of the Ducks early and by the time Anaheim woke up it was too late. The early elimination of the Ducks reiterates how difficult it is to repeat. The NHL is structured so that a new team wins every year. Don't worry by the time it’s the Maple Leafs or Canucks turn, we will all have both feet firmly entrenched in the grave.
“The NFL draft starts Saturday. The Oakland Raiders will be looking for speed. But what the players do in the off season is really their business.”Comedian Alan Ray of Stockton, Calif.
“There were reports of another polygamist sect operating in Denver, but it turned out to be just a Travis Henry family reunion.” Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
“Kobe was a natural to jump over a convertible—when he helped get rid of Shaq, he had proven that he could jump over a Diesel." Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
“What’s the difference between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators? About a week.” Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)
“During Game 3 of the Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins series, Boston police officers at the TD Bank north Garden arrested Walter Cutler after he urinated from the upper deck onto some patrons below. History will remember it as the Boston Pee Party.” Ian Hamilton of the Regina (Saskatchewan) Leader-Post
And in case you missed it:
“He's got Mike Bossy's hands, Jari Kurri's on-ice awareness, and Mark Messier's physicality." Wayne Gretzky's description of Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin
And how was your week?
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