As we know the Penguins wrapped up their series on Saturday night in Ottawa and are sitting at home awaiting the results of Wednesday’s Montreal/Washington game. Not only will that game probably be the most intriguing to this point in the playoffs, it will determine the next opponent for the Penguins.
The Birds are utilizing the time to get healthy, as both Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Leopold took the ice yesterday morning for the first time since sustaining injuries at the hands of Ottawa defenseman Andy Sutton. Kennedy had been dealing with a lower body injury and Leopold a concussion.
I realize that many of us speculated about the possibility of the top three seeds in the East being upset in the first round, but I didn’t actually think that it would come to pass. Sure, Buffalo and New Jersey might have faltered, but Washington?
I have to assume that most of the readers of this blog are going to be pulling for the Canadiens on Wednesday… I know that I will be, as it makes the path to the final all that much easier for the Penguins.
Also, how can you not be rooting for Jaro Halak? What a great story he has become… ask yourself where this series could be if the Canadiens had kept the faith and stuck my their man instead of parading Carey Price out last week?
Can Halak do it one more time?
While you contemplate the above questions…here is today’s around the net!
First up, Shelly Anderson gives us a look at Head Coach Dan Bylsma. Bylsma is seemingly wired for success and in 15 short months has gone from AHL coach to Stanley Cup Champion who is 5-0 in playoff series.
We stick with Shelly here for her notebook playoff notebook. She talks about the Penguins walking a fine line between rest and rust, Leopold and Kennedy progressing, the power play heating up and the fact that the Penguins had a prospect involved in an incident in Boston this past weekend.
Double R… Rob Rossi gives us this piece on the fact that the Penguins seem to shrug off adversity better than anyone… it just seems as if their isn’t any panic in them…
Matt Kalman of ESPN.com – Boston talks about the impending returning of Marc Savard. How appropriate that he could be returning right in time for a rematch with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Matt Cooke… I think that the Bruins could be pretty fired up in that series…
With their loss to the Canadiens last night, the Capitals have seen all four of their playoff rounds under Bruce Boudreau go to a seventh and deciding game. What will happen this time?
Caps head to game seven again…
Here is a great read from Mike Wise at the Washington Post…he talks about the scene at the Bell Centre last night, as well as the fact that the Caps are not necessarily thrilled to be back in a game 7…
Jacques Lemaire steps down in New Jersey. Lemaire says that it isn’t the players, it isn’t the first round exit, it isn’t anything aside from the fact that he feels that at age 65, it is time to walk…
Lemaire steps down, cites age as reason for change
Miro Satan was sitting at home at the halfway point of the NHL season. He was skating wherever he could to stay in shape and hoping that a job offer would come… that call finally came from the Boston Bruins and he has rewarded them for his confidence. He has scored some big goals for the team, none more so than the two game winners he notched in the first round series victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Satan sitting on hockey’s cloud nine!
I am sure that you are all already aware of the fact that Max Afinogenov took part in a pick up game down in Alabama, but this was one of the better breakdowns of the event. Sounds like it was a thrill for all involved…
Afinogenov lights it up in Alabama
Here is a bit more info on the above mentioned incident involving Penguins prospect Philip Samuelsson. He and two Boston College teammates were involved in a collision with a street car while making an illegal U-turn. Though the players were not under the influence, they were in possession of alcohol.
Pens prospect Samuelsson involved in accident
Hold your hats… the Sean Avery Movie gets a new writer… not sure how this is even being considered, but it sounds vaguely interesting!
Avery movie moves forward with new writer
“Winging it in Motown” a Wings blog that is part of the SB Nation network, got a great opportunity to talk some puck with legendary coach Scotty Bowman. The interview was part of the promotion for the Fox Sports Network’s “Replay” show, but they discussed much more… check it!
Winging it in Motown chats with Scotty Bowman
Michael Leighton again hits the glass ceiling… his high ankle sprain opened the door for Brian Boucher to step into the spotlight and steal the show… now Leighton again finds himself waiting for an opportunity…
