Thoughts from an entertaining night #2

What to Watch Tonight:

Game 2: Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh, 7 PM. PIT Leads 1-0 (VERSUS)

This game will determine whether or not the Flyers can adjust to the Penguins speed. In game one, the Flyers looked flat and took needless penalties.

Game 2: Carolina @ New Jersey, 7:30 PM. NJ Leads 1-0 

The Canes need to find new ways to generate offense. Especially playing in an environment not quite as hostile as other buildings this time of year. I expect a much different game from them tonight, although Brodeur will probably be up for any challenge thrown his way.

Game 2: St. Louis @ Vancouver, 10 PM. VAN Leads 1-0 (VERSUS) 

The more experienced Canucks can really put the screws to the apparent Cinderella team from St. Louis. Roberto Luongo will be key in net, as his play can catapult the 'Nucks to a 2-0 series lead.

* Rangers-Capitals have the night off. 

Reaction from last night's games...

Blue Jackets @ Red Wings

After the Red Wings got on the board first, the Blue Jackets responded well with a goal from R.J. Umberger on a nifty pass from behind the net by Jakub Voracek. With a 1-1 score, the Jackets were surprisingly holding their own... until their defense decided to interfere with their own goaltender.

First a defenseman tried to glove the puck in the slot, even though goaltender Steve Mason would've easily stopped it, instead deflecting it into their own net.  Minutes later, Jan Hejda used his knee to block a shot in the slot but it resulted in another deflected goal past Mason. Suddenly the score was 3-1 Wings and the Jackets never recovered.

Canadiens @ Bruins
Alex Kovalev's laser found the top shelf to tie the score at 2-2 and we had quite a game down the stretch. Eventually, that impressive slapper from Zdeno Chara on the power play resulted in the game-winning goal.

Interestingly enough, Maxim Lapierre hit Phil Kessel after the empty net goal with 13 seconds left. Was he sending a message? Is this worthy of a suspension?

Certainly the NHL has set a bad precedent after handing down a 1 game suspension to Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo for perceived "message sending" antics at the end of game one between the Flyers and Penguins.

It's doubtful they follow up that precedent with any other suspensions even though Lapierre's actions were inexcusable since there was no doubt the game was over.

Flames @ Blackhawks
I found this the most entertaining game of the night by far. Jonathan Toews was everywhere in the 2nd period as he helped get the Blackhawks back into the game.

Though it was Marty Havlat stealing the show in the game's final 20 minutes...and 12 seconds.
Havlat followed his own rebound to tie the score at 2 with just a few minutes left in the game.  And just :12 seconds into overtime, Havlat wins it in front of the home crowd giving the Hawks a 1-0 series lead. 

The Flames definitely helped wake the beast as Flames forward Mike Cammalleri delivered a dangerous butt-end/glove combo to Havlat's head during a faceoff. The puck was nowhere near the two players and Cammalleri received a 2 minute minor. Given his reputation, it's hard to believe the NHL will discipline Cammalleri despite the random attack that looked like a scene from Youngblood (he must've been channeling his inner-Racki). 

Ducks @ Sharks

Missed most of this contest, though as expected, the Ducks found a way to grab game one.