One down, Six to go - Honest

As heartbroken as Senators fans may be today, they know it's far from over. The Senators played a fairly solid game, considering. Considering what? Let's take a moment and look back at their previous 15 games.

• Pittsburgh Penguins: complained all season long that they didn't have a physical force to protect their stars


• New Jersey Devils: looked like they gave up before game 2 even ended


• Buffalo Sabres: led the league in points, but when you break down their wins vs physical teams, oh wait, they barely played any physical teams all season

So where does that leave us? With a Western Conference champion who hasn't played a physical team since the middle of March. Don't worry Sens fans, your team is brilliant at changing pace, they can play the fast game, they can play the passing game, and they can play the checking game - they just needed to see what it was like again to play someone who knew how to throw his own weight around.

Tonight the Senators are going to come out on the ice knowing what it feels like to kiss the boards, they're going to know what it takes to move the puck in that kind of game, and they're going to know what kind of pace they're going to need to keep in order to win. They know they can't hold the puck, they know they have to throw checks (and avoid getting checked) and they know, most importantly, they aren't that far out. Their goalie is strong, their strength is high, and tonight, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals, they're going to show the Ducks who the Eastern Conference Champions really are.

That's right, Game 2 goes to the Sens, 4 goals to 2.

GO STAR...errr...SENS!

--j
Odd Man Rush
Dallas Stars Podcast

ps - I know the Ducks did pretty well. I was highly impressed by their third and "fourth" line and they showed exactly why they brought Chris Pronger on board this year: they are one of the most physical teams in the league, and it is what helps them win. But please, I'm not going to praise my division champion for doing what they're good at ... not when its not my team! And no, I'm not bitter dang it.

Sens Fever

To Hook or Not To Hook: Should Chris Chelios ever find himself in need of an industry change, he should get into retail. Did you see him sell that hook with two and a half minutes left in Game 6? It resulted in a much-needed power play for Detroit in their attempt to come back from a 3-0 deficit.

I’ll start with this: What an exciting final 10 minutes of Game 6! Both teams were physical; both teams knew exactly what was on the line. The fans were awesome - chanting “LETS GO DUCKS” and waving their orange rally towels. Even the play-by-play announcers…the final 2 minutes it sounded like I was watching horse racing, not hockey (if you’ve ever actually watched the 90 seconds that is a horse race, which you may have taken the time to watch this past Saturday, since hockey got turned off, you’ll know what I mean). What an exciting end to the Conference Finals!

So where does that leave us? Anaheim Ducks vs Ottawa Senators.

Ducks
What can I say? I’ve seen this team 8 times against my Stars, in fact, the Ducks almost lost their #1 seed in the division to both Dallas and San Jose; but they didn’t. They’re a strong team led by an amazing goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Speaking of their goalie, wow! Watching him all season long you knew that he was going to be someone to watch, but he has really blossomed through the post season, showing that he can take the pressure of the game, and the pressure of family life. The Ducks won’t go quietly, but they will go.

Sens
The Senators are killer this post season. They are the best they’ve ever been. They’re goalie is the best he’s ever been. Their fans are louder than ever. I … I don’t know what else is worth saying. These guys are the shit … they are going to bring the cup to Canada, they are going to win it for the first time - ever. Heck, I’m so excited watching them this post season that I think I might have Sens Fever.

Pronger gets 1 game suspension

One of hockey's biggest appeals is the hits, checks & fights. Admit it, if you like hockey, football wrestling, you like them because of the physicality of the respective sports; well, it's why I like 'em.

However, there are clean hits, and then there are these:


In this hit Tomas Holmstrom got taught what it was to be a target, but there's a line that was crossed. Looking over it a couple times you see Rob Niedermayer rush across the ice, shoulder into Holmstrom and skate away. Nothing dirty about it in my opinion, the 5 minute boarding, maybe, the game misconduct? Just a bad call and helps prove what Instant Replay would add to the game. However, when you're about to slam someone against the boards there are two things you don't do: touch his head, push down; Pronger did both. I admit my heart races when I see two guys hit someone like that; it's why I love hockey. But Pronger was way out of line. You don't lift your elbows like that, you don' push someone, face first, towards the edge of the boards where they meet the glass.

I'm just thankful that the NHL saw it appropriate to suspend him. I won't claim this was an intent to injure, if you want to see that go watch Chris Simon's 25 game suspension performance, but there's no need to raise an elbow to someones head in this sport, no need at all.

Enjoy your night off Pronger, I hope the team gives you hell for putting them in a rough situation being down a, I hate to admit, key player when they're down 2 games to 1 in the conference finals.

And Rob, don't hold back, your hit was clean man.

Round 3, FIGHT!

26 teams down, 3 to go. The 2^nd round of this years playoffs was an exciting non-stop race and, not to talk in clichés but the best teams did in fact win.

Red Wings v Sharks
Hockey Town USA has had a hard time selling out their games, but that hasn’t slowed down their game. Coming into this series many people expected to see the Sharks come out on top, and why not? They’re a strong, young team whose drive can’t be beat … but experience won out in this series and Round 2 went to Detroit … maybe next year Shark Tank, maybe next year.

Ducks v Canucks
It’s not that I’m happy the ‘nucks didn’t make round two, I don’t hold a grudge against them for taking out my Stars in 8 games in Round 1, really, I don’t. It’s just they were nowhere near the stronger team going into Round 2. Vancouver is one of the best teams I’ve ever seen at adapting to new situations and play styles, but just like we can say about Dallas in Round 1, you can’t expect your goalie to win every game for you. And not for nothing, this Ducks team is amazing.

Sabres v Rangers
My heart sat in Maddison Square Garden this series, and after a rough opening 2 games I had given up, but when the Rangers brought it home, they brought out the big guns. Goalkeeping was strong in both Miller, and one of my favorite goalies Henrik Lundqvist. Leadership was strong in both Jagr and Drury (who went to high school in my home town, by the way). I was incredibly proud of the Rangers, they were amazing in Round 1, and they didn’t give up in Round 2 fighting to tie it at 2-2 before losing, but the Sabres were strong all season. I’ve said it before, these guys played the ENTIRE SEASON to win it all, and they just might (maybe).

Devils v Senators
This one was an easy call for me. Martin Broduer is one of the best goaltenders the NHL has ever seen, but you can not rely on your goaltender like that: played 78 games, totaled over 4600 minutes averaging OVER 60 minutes per game. Not only that but you can NOT take away the man that brought your team to the playoffs with three games left in the regular season. And lets not discount a Senators team that is playing the best they’ve played all season who have a goalie (I’m sensing a theme) who is playing his top game. Maybe around the All-Star break I’d have given more props to the Devils for this series, but in my opinion they didn’t have a chance – heck, I was surprised they beat the Lightning!

So where does that leave us? That’s right, Conference Finals are here - and in no way are these games easy to pick.

Red Wings v Ducks
My favorite in this series is the Ducks, but let me reiterate how hard it is to make these decisions. Maybe I’m just upset that the Hockey Town USA isn’t pulling its weight in ticket sales, maybe I just want to see the Pacific Division make the playoffs – but watch for a long, fast paced, high shooting series, and expect the goalie who can keep his cool the longest to win.

Sabres v Senators
I feel like I’m cheating and I think I’ve flip-flopped on this decision as many times as most of the senators in the House of Representatives on the War in Iraq, but here’s my call and I’ll stick with it through the end of the series. The Sabres will lose; the Senators will make the Stanley Cup Finals. Yeah, that’s right – they already won a spectacular Game 1, 5 to 2 (honestly beating Miller 4 times) and it’s going to continue. Don’t get me wrong, this will be a dog fight; after this game the Sabres will come back swinging, but in the end we will see one Canadian team in the finals.

I bet you want to know my picks for the Cup, don’t you? Too bad, that’s for me to know, I’ll share it with you in a couple weeks.

The Family Jewels

Building a championship team is done in two ways: Trades/acquisitions and bringing up youth from the farm team. There is a wealth of talent in the Dallas Stars family. Like a diamond in the rough some are developing nicely in Iowa while others have proven their invaluable status in the big club. Today’s two featured players:

Iowa:

Mark Fistric
A big defenseman with a left handed shot who has seen what it takes to win a championship in the WHL. A defensive defenseman, Fistric is not a point scorer. This is an asset to any team to have a physically strong player that is there to play for the success of the team. When it comes time to drop the gloves you can count on Fistric. He will sacrifice his body for the good of the team at all costs. In the 04 – 05 season Fistric proved this with injuries that minimized his games played. He had his jaw broken…TWICE!!! Now that is a hockey player!
http://www.iowastarshockey.com/team/iowastarsroster/index.html?player_id=31

Dallas:

Darryl Sydor
Sometimes in sports you are given the chance to right a wrong. Trading away Sydor to the Columbus Blue Jackets and back again from Tampa is a no brainer. A proven winner with two Stanley Cup rings; one for our Stars in ’99 and another for Tampa in ’04. A well seasoned D-man, it boggles my mind that anyone would trade him away. He has excellent puck-moving skills, great on-ice vision and poise. His powerful shot is a big key on the power play. With 1096 NHL games played and a career plus/minus of +23, Sydor is a complete player that’ll be a big part of our future success.

Darren Morley

Conference Finals Schedule

Congrats to the Sabres, Senators, Ducks and Dead Wings. Biggest surprise to me, the Dead Wings. I really believed that San Jose had a team to make it to the conference finals however I didn't believe they would have been able to knock off the Ducks to go to the Stanley Cup. So, here is the schedule and my pick's below:

2007 Eastern Conference final
Date Time (ET) #1 Buffalo vs. #4 Ottawa
Thursday, May 10 7:00 p.m. Ottawa at Buffalo
Saturday, May 12 8:00 p.m. Ottawa at Buffalo
Monday, May 14 7:00 p.m. Buffalo at Ottawa
Wednesday, May 16 7:00 p.m. Buffalo at Ottawa
*Saturday, May 19 2:00 p.m. Ottawa at Buffalo
*Monday, May 21 7:00 p.m. Buffalo at Ottawa
*Wednesday, May 23 7:00 p.m. Ottawa at Buffalo

2007 Western Conference final
Date Time (ET) #1 Detroit vs. #2 Anaheim
Friday, May 11 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Detroit
Sunday, May 13 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Detroit
Tuesday, May 15 9:00 p.m. Detroit at Anaheim
Thursday, May 17 9:00 p.m. Detroit at Anaheim
*Sunday, May 20 3:00 p.m. Anaheim at Detroit
*Tuesday, May 22 9:00 p.m. Detroit at Anaheim
*Thursday, May 24 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Detroit

* if necessary --

In the West, look for the Ducks to clinch in 5 or 6 at the most. They have been playing very solid with minimum or no injuries and have only lost 2 games in the first 2 rounds. Look for low scoring close one goal games. The East is not so simple to predict. Both teams have every opportunity to make it to the Stanley Cup and it is going to come down to capitalizing on odd man rushes, power plays and penalty killing. Both the Sabres and Senators can score so look for fast high scoring games decided by one or two goals. Tune into Episode 36 on Monday as Jay and I discuss the results of round 2 and how we feel the Conference finals will go.

Finalists for Top NHL Awards

A couple days ago (Tuesday to be exact) a flurry of blogs and news articles attacked our news readers and favorite sports sites listing the finalists for many of the NHL's top awards. This article wasn't one of them. I got sunburned, then sick, then slept for 2 days and missed everything that went on. After finally catching back up I realized ... none of my Stars are on the list ... damn you NHL.

Ok ok - so who is on the list? And who are my favorites? (prepare hate mail):

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding rookie): Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins; Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche.
This is a though list of rookies to choose from, all centers, all spectacular. Does the NHL give it to the rookie with a strong family history in hockey, or one of the teamate rookies who helped lead their team into the playoffs. Personally I'm a sucker for history, plus Stastny is in the Western Conference ...

FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY (outstanding defensive forward): Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes; Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks; Jay Pandolfo, New Jersey Devils.
Well, for offensive forwards Rod Brind'Amour, even though he couldn't single-handedly get his team into the playoffs, he's pretty good. But let me pose a question, why is it that the best defensive forwards are always described as lacking the ability to score? If they're used as defensive forwards, and they're some of the best defensive forwards, then let the be defensive and don't get on their backs for "not performing to the elite level of the NHL". Maybe it's just me.

HART MEMORIAL TROPHY (most valuable player to his team): Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks.
There are three players listed here that, to be 100% honest I can not fathom replacing with anyone else. Without Brodeur or Luongo neither of their teams would have gotten nearly as far as they've gotten. As for Crosby, he actually stood out on a team with other players that were there for the long haul - it's hard to stand out against that.

JACK ADAMS AWARD (outstanding coach): Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres; Michel Therrien, Pittsburgh Penguins; Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks.
I admit I don't follow coaches league-wide, but looking at their teams' have done at times throughout this season and it's hard to argue with the choices. Could I have picked others, yeah, but I don't know enough in this arena to say with any proof.

JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY (outstanding defenseman): Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings; Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks; Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks.
While I would love to see Philipe Boucher on this list (I do own two of his jerseys, and I only own 3) he stood out for my team, but was it enough to stand out league-wide? Maybe this isn't the right award for him, this year (watch the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy) and I digress. Great choices, all three, certainly not going to be an easy decision.

LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct): Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings; Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche; Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.
I don't care who gets this, I just love that the NHL gives an award (pardon me, Trophy) in honor of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

LESTER B. PEARSON AWARD (most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA): Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning; Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks.
I don't think the opinion of a fan really matters in this one, it's a player award given by the players. Who would know better?

VEZINA TROPHY (outstanding goaltender): Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils; Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames; Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks.
I'm obviously upset (not angry upset, just disapointed upset) that my favorite goalie isn't on this list (do I really have to name him?). That said, they've all done excellent jobs and are all deserving of such an important trophy. Congratulations for being finalists boys, even you RoBorat.

So, did I tell you anything you didn't know? Doubtful. Did I give you the same crap every one else did? I hope not. Do you wanna send me hatemail? haha - bring it on!

Meanwhile, enjoy the playoffs, I hear the Rangers are trying to upset the Sabres and that the Red Wings may just suprise everyone in the west and actually make it to the conference finals.