[Sport] NHL Playoffs 2013 - Round 2
[I'm trying out something new for my NHL playoffs series this year. Since there are so many games, I'm going to watch the highlights each day and jot down some thoughts on each one. I'll add a summary of each series once it's decided, and put up the post when the round is complete.]
Round 2 has been completed, and it's been an interesting one for the most part. It certainly didn't go according to my predictions!
East Conference
Penguins vs Senators
Bruins vs Rangers
West Conference
Blackhawks vs Red Wings
Game 1 - All Blackhawks, all the time. They seemed to be permanently camped out in either the neutral zone or the Red Wings' end of the rink, and only Howard stopped the score racking up even further. Maybe this won't be as close as I thought.
Game 2 - And maybe I spoke too soon. This time it was the Red Wings' turn to run up the score, taking advantage of quick breaks and turnovers to get good scoring chances. Crawford seemed unsettled, whereas Howard denied the Blackhawks on several occasions.
Game 3 - Not much to see from the Blackhawks this game, as they continue their downward trend. Red Wings on top throughout the game, and Howard was again on top form.
Game 4 - The Blackhawks bounce back to have all kinds of chances, but couldn't convert. Denied by either the pipes or Howard, who was stellar, they just couldn't score. The Red Wings weren't having much luck either, with Crawford making some great saves, but they snuck one through a good screen in the end.
Game 5 - The Blackhawks keep their hopes alive with a great game. Howard did well to keep the score low, but the Red Wings seemed a bit lacklustre away from home this time around. Seems as though the Blackhawks have their groove back after a bit of a slump.
Game 6 - An early lead for the Blackhawks was wiped out by some sustained pressure from the Red Wings. But then the third period happened, and the Blackhawks found their rhythm. Three goals in just under 9 minutes, and they were ahead by two. Their third was on a penalty which I think was harshly awarded against the Red Wings, but that's how it goes sometimes.
Game 7 - A fitting end to the series. Fast paced, aggressive, and with some beautiful hockey. Neither team was allowed to get comfortable, and overtime was fair. The waved off goal for the Blackhawks was an odd situation, but seeing replays of the shenanigans going on back down rink a fair one.
Kings vs Sharks
Game 1 - A physical game this one, and closer than the score suggests. Quick was great for the Kings, who managed to get a couple of goals with good screening of Niemi. Lots of hard hits, and battling around the boards.
Game 2 - Another close one, that the Sharks looked to have sewn up. The Kings dominated the first period, but the Sharks had an excellent 2nd to draw level, then stayed on it to take the lead near the tart of the 3rd. But they were undone by penalties; a 2-man advantage followed by a powerplay allowed the Kings to score twice in 22s with less than two minutes to play.
Game 3 - A much faster paced game. Swung back and forth, with both teams having good chances, but the Sharks were able to win in overtime. Home rink advantage paying off I think.
Game 4 - More like the Sharks that we saw in Round 1. Confident, and playing well as a team. They were able to put good pressure on Quick, and sneak a couple of goals through. Kings played well too, but Niemi was playing well to keep them out.
Game 5 - Fairly unexciting. Good play from the Kings, who capitalised on some small mistakes to win.
Game 6 - Tense, with lots of opportunities at both ends. Scrappy play around the goals though, and the goaltenders were able to keep most of them out. Unspectacular, but an important win for the Sharks.
Game 7 - The pace of this game was furious, with both teams having good chances and some end to end play. Niemi did well early on with some scrambling saves, but couldn't stop a similar attempt in the 2nd period. After the Kings took a two goal lead the Sharks got desperate, and despite pulling one back couldn't tie the game. Quick made a couple of brilliant saves near the end of the game to keep the Kings in the lead.
Round 2 has been completed, and it's been an interesting one for the most part. It certainly didn't go according to my predictions!
East Conference
Penguins vs Senators
Game 1 - Vokhoun indeed playing in goal. Penguins powerplay was decisive, creating goal scoring chances every time. Conversion rate not brilliant, but strong enough to rack up the score. Senators seemed a little lacklustre.
Game 2 - Closer, but the Penguins still too strong on offense. Particularly Crosby, who was stellar this game. The Senators have picked their game up, and made Vokhoun look silly a couple of times. But still could have lose by a lot more without Anderson in goal.
Game 3 - Even closer still. The Penguins were on top for most of the game, but Anderson made some fantastic saves to keep them out, even fighting off a 5-on-3. The pressure eventually told late in the 2nd, but the Senators evened the score with less than a minute with a fantastic short-handed goal. Then we went to double overtime, where there were more heroics from Anderson before Vokhoun let the Penguins down.
Game 4 - The first period was close, and I thought that a repeat of the previous game might be in order. But once the Penguins jumped to a 2 goal lead they never looked back. I think that boosted their confidence a bit, and let them play the way they wanted to.
Game 5 - This was all about the Penguins. Playing at home, and with their confidence high, they were always in control. The Senators made a couple of decent goals, but couldn't stop the steamroller.
Final score: 4-1 - This was always going to be the Penguins' series to lose, and they managed to avoid doing so. They had a poor middle game, but in the end were just too strong for the Senators.
Game 2 - Closer, but the Penguins still too strong on offense. Particularly Crosby, who was stellar this game. The Senators have picked their game up, and made Vokhoun look silly a couple of times. But still could have lose by a lot more without Anderson in goal.
Game 3 - Even closer still. The Penguins were on top for most of the game, but Anderson made some fantastic saves to keep them out, even fighting off a 5-on-3. The pressure eventually told late in the 2nd, but the Senators evened the score with less than a minute with a fantastic short-handed goal. Then we went to double overtime, where there were more heroics from Anderson before Vokhoun let the Penguins down.
Game 4 - The first period was close, and I thought that a repeat of the previous game might be in order. But once the Penguins jumped to a 2 goal lead they never looked back. I think that boosted their confidence a bit, and let them play the way they wanted to.
Game 5 - This was all about the Penguins. Playing at home, and with their confidence high, they were always in control. The Senators made a couple of decent goals, but couldn't stop the steamroller.
Final score: 4-1 - This was always going to be the Penguins' series to lose, and they managed to avoid doing so. They had a poor middle game, but in the end were just too strong for the Senators.
Pretty much the story of the series for the Senators. (Credit: cbc.ca)
Game 1 - This was a close one, and set the tone for the rest of the series I think. Score and counter-score. Hit and counter-hit. Goal mouth scrambles, and stalemate in the neutral zone. In the end it was won in overtime, which I think is fitting. Both teams seemed a bit tired, but the Bruins rode the wave from Round 1 to win.
Game 2 - The Bruins made Lundquist seem silly here. Lots of good goals, although he did pull off at least one spectacular save. The Rangers scored a couple, one of which was glorious to behold, but never really seemed to be in the game.
Game 3 - A fun game, with an odd ending. Lots of open, fast-paced hockey, with both goaltenders on top form. The game-winning goal for the Bruins was a weird one, and unfortunate for Lundquist.
Game 4 - This took a while to get going, but when it did it was pretty good. Two mistakes from Rask allowed the Rangers back into the game mid way through the 2nd period, and it was nip and tuck after that. Good goal to win the game for the Rangers, with Rask going in completely the wrong direction.
Game 5 - Lunquist was on top form, making some spectacular saves, but couldn't make up for the porous Rangers defence who seemed to be giving the puck away left right and centre. The Bruins capitalised to come back from a goal down to win, helped by some good saves from Rask.
Final score: 4-1 - The Rangers never really seemed to get into this series. They managed to get interested enough to prevent themselves being swept, but Lundquist seemed to be the only one really playing consistently well. The Bruins were stronger than in round 1, and will be dangerous from now on.
Game 2 - The Bruins made Lundquist seem silly here. Lots of good goals, although he did pull off at least one spectacular save. The Rangers scored a couple, one of which was glorious to behold, but never really seemed to be in the game.
Game 3 - A fun game, with an odd ending. Lots of open, fast-paced hockey, with both goaltenders on top form. The game-winning goal for the Bruins was a weird one, and unfortunate for Lundquist.
Game 4 - This took a while to get going, but when it did it was pretty good. Two mistakes from Rask allowed the Rangers back into the game mid way through the 2nd period, and it was nip and tuck after that. Good goal to win the game for the Rangers, with Rask going in completely the wrong direction.
Game 5 - Lunquist was on top form, making some spectacular saves, but couldn't make up for the porous Rangers defence who seemed to be giving the puck away left right and centre. The Bruins capitalised to come back from a goal down to win, helped by some good saves from Rask.
Final score: 4-1 - The Rangers never really seemed to get into this series. They managed to get interested enough to prevent themselves being swept, but Lundquist seemed to be the only one really playing consistently well. The Bruins were stronger than in round 1, and will be dangerous from now on.
Better luck next time Rangers. (Source: cbc.ca)
West Conference
Blackhawks vs Red Wings
Game 1 - All Blackhawks, all the time. They seemed to be permanently camped out in either the neutral zone or the Red Wings' end of the rink, and only Howard stopped the score racking up even further. Maybe this won't be as close as I thought.
Game 2 - And maybe I spoke too soon. This time it was the Red Wings' turn to run up the score, taking advantage of quick breaks and turnovers to get good scoring chances. Crawford seemed unsettled, whereas Howard denied the Blackhawks on several occasions.
Game 3 - Not much to see from the Blackhawks this game, as they continue their downward trend. Red Wings on top throughout the game, and Howard was again on top form.
Game 4 - The Blackhawks bounce back to have all kinds of chances, but couldn't convert. Denied by either the pipes or Howard, who was stellar, they just couldn't score. The Red Wings weren't having much luck either, with Crawford making some great saves, but they snuck one through a good screen in the end.
Game 5 - The Blackhawks keep their hopes alive with a great game. Howard did well to keep the score low, but the Red Wings seemed a bit lacklustre away from home this time around. Seems as though the Blackhawks have their groove back after a bit of a slump.
Game 6 - An early lead for the Blackhawks was wiped out by some sustained pressure from the Red Wings. But then the third period happened, and the Blackhawks found their rhythm. Three goals in just under 9 minutes, and they were ahead by two. Their third was on a penalty which I think was harshly awarded against the Red Wings, but that's how it goes sometimes.
Game 7 - A fitting end to the series. Fast paced, aggressive, and with some beautiful hockey. Neither team was allowed to get comfortable, and overtime was fair. The waved off goal for the Blackhawks was an odd situation, but seeing replays of the shenanigans going on back down rink a fair one.
Final score: 4-3 - This series got off to a rocky start, but turned into a classic. The play was as close as I expected, and whilst both teams showed flashes of potential, neither was able to really get into a groove. Both goaltenders were on top form, and it was some of the 'lesser names' in both teams who came up big. Either would have been deserving winners, but the Blackhawks came from 3-1 behind to take the series.
This is how close it was all series. (Source: sbnation.com)
Kings vs Sharks
Game 1 - A physical game this one, and closer than the score suggests. Quick was great for the Kings, who managed to get a couple of goals with good screening of Niemi. Lots of hard hits, and battling around the boards.
Game 2 - Another close one, that the Sharks looked to have sewn up. The Kings dominated the first period, but the Sharks had an excellent 2nd to draw level, then stayed on it to take the lead near the tart of the 3rd. But they were undone by penalties; a 2-man advantage followed by a powerplay allowed the Kings to score twice in 22s with less than two minutes to play.
Game 3 - A much faster paced game. Swung back and forth, with both teams having good chances, but the Sharks were able to win in overtime. Home rink advantage paying off I think.
Game 4 - More like the Sharks that we saw in Round 1. Confident, and playing well as a team. They were able to put good pressure on Quick, and sneak a couple of goals through. Kings played well too, but Niemi was playing well to keep them out.
Game 5 - Fairly unexciting. Good play from the Kings, who capitalised on some small mistakes to win.
Game 6 - Tense, with lots of opportunities at both ends. Scrappy play around the goals though, and the goaltenders were able to keep most of them out. Unspectacular, but an important win for the Sharks.
Game 7 - The pace of this game was furious, with both teams having good chances and some end to end play. Niemi did well early on with some scrambling saves, but couldn't stop a similar attempt in the 2nd period. After the Kings took a two goal lead the Sharks got desperate, and despite pulling one back couldn't tie the game. Quick made a couple of brilliant saves near the end of the game to keep the Kings in the lead.
Final score: 4-3 - A close series that really delivered more than I was expecting. I'm a little disappointed in the Sharks, as I thought they would make more of a contest of it. In fairness though the games were all low scoring, hard fought affairs, and without Quick the Kings would have sunk.
So there you have it. Round 2 is in the bag, and we've got a cracking round 3 to look forward to. The remaining teams are the last four Stanley Cup Champions: Kings (2012), Bruins (2011), Blackhawks (2010), and Penguins (2009). It's going to be fantastic to watch.
That's quite some commitment. (Source: nhl.si.com)
So there you have it. Round 2 is in the bag, and we've got a cracking round 3 to look forward to. The remaining teams are the last four Stanley Cup Champions: Kings (2012), Bruins (2011), Blackhawks (2010), and Penguins (2009). It's going to be fantastic to watch.
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