2007 NHL Playoffs Recap and Video Highlights - May 29th

Physicality was the name of the game last night as the Ducks did their best to physically intimidate the Senators. Ottawa wasn't having any of it and they replied with their fair share of open ice hits, battles in the corners and after the whistle scrums. But the Ducks came out on top at the end of the game to go up 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Final.

Last nights Recap:

Ottawa Senators 2 (0) at Anaheim Ducks 3 (1) : The Ducks got the game winning goal from their checking line (Travis Moen) with 2:51 left in the third period. In the final minute with Chris Pronger in the penalty box and Ray Emery on the Senators bench J.S. Giguere stopped Daniel Alfredsson on a mad scramble in front of the net to preserve the third period comeback win.

Great game, lots of hits and passion but the story of this game began over the weekend as the start of the series was delayed by three days because Anaheim had booked an Ice show in their building over the weekend. The extra three days rest was critical for a depleted Anaheim squad and deadly for a well rested Ottawa Senators team. Expect game two to be a different affair as the Senators shake off the rust and come out with something to prove.

Keep an eye on the penalties in this series, if Anaheim continues to march to the box Ottawa will make them pay. The Ducks took 7 penalites including a lengthy 5-3 deficit but managed to only give up 2 power play goals. What saved them last night was not giving up a single 5-5 goal.

From the NHL Highlight Machine

2007 NHL Playoffs Video Highlights

NHL Stanley Cup Finals - Previews and Predictions

Okay, so life and work have combined to make it impossible for me to post for over a week here. My sincere apologies. I will try to get back on track for the remainder of the playoffs.

Stanley Cup Playoff Prediction:

The Ottawa Senators top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza has managed to find an answer to everything opposing defenses have thrown at them and have scored almost half of Ottawa's points this post season. On the other hand, the Senators have not faced a defense as strong as the one that Anaheim will throw at them. The trio of Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer and Francois Beauchemin have been absolutely stifling against their opponents in the first three rounds.

The defensive depth of the Ducks will prove tough to overcome for the Senators. Couple that with a surging Teemu Selanne and I have to give this one to Anaheim in 6 games.

Tonights Game:

Ottawa Senators at Anaheim Ducks : This should be a tough, physical game. Expect Anaheim to try to physically dominate game 1 and set the tone for the rest of the series. The physicality and defensive depth of the Ducks is their best chance to win this series. I think game 1 is a bit of a toss up but I'm going to go with Ottawa in a 4-3 overtime win in game 1 as Anaheim spends a little too much time in the penalty box.

2007 NHL Playoffs Recap and Video Highlights - May 16th

An o'fer yesterday, okay I didn't make a prediction but I lost the transmission on my car and it's gonna cost me $2k. So I'd say that was an o'fer. The Sabres are on the brink of elimination and I can now see them heading quietly to the golf course. It looks like they have a transmission problem too, they can't get into 4th gear.

Tonights Game :

Buffalo Sabres (0) at Ottawa Senators (3) : Ottawa has managed to do everything that they identified as required to win this series. The Sabres have not. Simple as that. Much like my Taurus' transmission, Buffalo can't find their top gear and it is going to cost them a shot at the Stanley Cup. Ottawa will probably lose tonights game, merely as a point of pride for the Sabres. But rest assured, I screwed this prediction up, Ottawa will win the series in 5 games but lost tonight at home to Buffalo.

Last Nights Game :

Detroit Red Wings 5 (2) at Anaheim Ducks 0 (1) : Wow, Tomas Holmstrom and the Wings completely dominated the Ducks last night. Holmstrom had two goals before being crunched along the boards by Rob Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Niedermayer received a 5 minute boarding penalty and was ejected from the game. To me it looked like it was Pronger who should have received the penalties and you can be sure that the NHL will be reviewing the play. I would expect Pronger to receive at least a 1 game suspension. Domink Hasek made 28 saves for his second shutout of this years playoffs and the 14th of his career.

From the NHL Highlight Machine

2007 NHL Playoffs Video Highlights



Round 3 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 2 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Players to Watch
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 1 Predictions:
Round 1 Playoff Predictions and Hot Players
Complete Playoff Predictions

2007 NHL Playoffs Recap and Video Highlights - May 14th

1-1 last night. The Ducks were in control of the puck for much of this game but still needed a disputed goal in overtime to win and even up the series before heading home. The Sabres play game 3 tonight in Ottawa and unless they can scratch out a win their season is pretty much done. So much for the vaunted depth of the Sabres.

Tonights Game :

Buffalo Sabres (0) at Ottawa Senators (2) : The Sabres are deep behind the 8 ball tonight. Unless the Sabres win tonight they will be going home, forget the 7 game series that most experts (and me) predicted this could be a very short series. Ottawa is winning all of the important battles and dominating on special teams. Buffalo is 0-12 on the power play and has given up a short handed goal. In losing game 2 at home the Sabres squandered a 2-0 lead for the first time this season, including both regular and playoff games. Watch tonights game closely, if Buffalo doesn't dominate for significant stretches tonight they are going home early. I pick Buffalo to win tonight just because I cannot see them getting swept.

Last Nights Game :

Anaheim Ducks 4 (1) at Detroit Red Wings 3 (1) : It took two reviewed goals and a Niedermayer brother hook up in overtime but the Ducks managed to split the opening games on Detroit's home ice. The Wings were dominated for most of the game by Anaheim but still managed to hang close throughout the game forcing the Ducks to win it in overtime. Domink Hasek was the reason that the Wings were even in this game, he made 29 saves including some vintage Hasek flopping and was dealing with traffic all night long without losing his cool. Game 3 in Anaheim on Tuesday should be fun to watch.

From the NHL Highlight Machine

2007 NHL Playoffs Video Highlights



Round 3 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 2 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Players to Watch
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 1 Predictions:
Round 1 Playoff Predictions and Hot Players
Complete Playoff Predictions

2007 NHL Playoffs Recap and Video Highlights - May 13th

0-1 last night. Buffalo seems determined to make these playoffs as difficult as possible for themselves. Meanwhile, Ottawa is simply concentrating on doing what they need to do to win.

Last Nights Game :

Ottawa Senators 4 (2) at Buffalo Sabres 3 (0) : The Sabres took an early 2-0 lead in the first period but decided not to compete in the second and third periods to require a goal from Daniel Briere with 5.8 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Joe Corvo ended the game at 4:58 of the second overtime period with a skipping shot that fooled Ryan Miller. Buffalo simply hasn't managed to show up for an entire game. Forget my past predictions, Buffalo is out in 5 and Ottawa plays Anaheim in the final, only to lose in 6 games.

Tonights Game :

Anaheim Ducks (0) at Detroit Red Wings (1) : The Wings managed to take control in game 1 but Anaheim is going to snap back tonight. Expect the Ducks to push the Wings tonight and take game 2 in Detroit to even the series up before it heads to Anaheim.

Round 3 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 2 Predictions:
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Players to Watch
NHL Playoffs - Round 2 Previews and Predictions

Round 1 Predictions:
Round 1 Playoff Predictions and Hot Players
Complete Playoff Predictions