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| Turco and the Stars take 2-0 lead | Sunday 4/27, 11:49 PM CT |
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Marty Turco made 29 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Sharks in Game 2 on Sunday night.
Our View: The win sends Dallas home with a commanding series lead (2-0) and the Stars are on their way to their second series upside in the Chase for the Lord Stanley. |
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| Fleury tends shutout win in Game 2 for Pens | Sunday 4/27, 5:06 PM CT |
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Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury hit the ice and did all he could in pushing his Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers, giving the Pens a strong 2-0 lead in the series. Fleury kicked each and every one of the 26 shots the Rangers put on goal to the side, a vast improvement over the four goals allowed in the first game of the series.
Our View: This gives Fleury six straight wins in net as well as his third shutout of the playoffs. |
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| Staal nets game winner in Game 2 for Pens | Sunday 4/27, 5:06 PM CT |
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Pittsburgh center Jordan Staal scored one of two goals the Pens put forth in defeating the New York Rangers 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals today, making good on the assists from Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Whitney.
Our View: Staal now has one point in three of his last four playoff games, a strong showing for a 19-year-old just cutting his teeth in the NHL.
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| Malkin sticks seventh playoff assist in win | Sunday 4/27, 5:04 PM CT |
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Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin managed just three shots on goal in today's 2-0 win over the New York Rangers, but his assist to center Jordan Staal was good for the win.
Our View: In six playoff games, Malkin has failed to post at least one point in just one. Today's performance gives him three goals and seven assists in these playoffs. |
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| Roberts continues to miss action for the Pens | Sunday 4/27, 12:45 PM CT |
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have yet to update the status of winger Gary Roberts. Roberts is recovering from a groin injury suffered in the Pens' last playoff series and has missed three straight games as a result.
Our View: Roberts is the veteran presence for a young team, though his 41 years on this earth have not slowed his abilities on the ice, scoring two goals in two games against the Ottawa Senators in the Pens' first playoff series of the season. Roberts has an impressive 91 points (including 32 goals and 59 assists) in 121 career playoff games. That is a benefit the Pens could definitely use as their series with the New York Rangers ramps up, though the Pens are undefeated through five games during this year's playoffs. If and when news of Roberts' status comes forth, we will bring it to you. |
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| Zubov still missing in action | Sunday 4/27, 12:38 PM CT |
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The Dallas Stars continue to press forward without top defenseman Sergei Zubov . Zubov has been out since January 19th with various concerns, most notably the recovery from surgery on his right foot performed in late February. However, reports have been revolving of his potential return during the last week, yet the Stars' leading enforcer continues to sit.
Our View: Zubov scored 35 points over 46 games during the regular season, but his addition to the ice will not be one for points should he return during this Western Conference semifinal series against the San Jose Sharks. As is often the case, the teams are engaged in a heated battle that appears to get more heated with each passing minute. Having the presence of Zubov on the ice, capable of keeping the Sharks' more aggressive advances in check, would be of great benefit. If we receive more news on his status, we will be sure to pass it along. |
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| Nabokov looking to shine in Game 2 | Sunday 4/27, 10:59 AM CT |
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The San Jose Sharks are looking at goalie Evgeni Nabokov , a Vezina Trophy candidate and often-stout tender that brings the Sharks to the top of their game, to step it up and take the lead as Sharks host the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference semifinals tonight, according to the Mercury News. The Stars lead the series 1-0, coming off a 3-2 OT win in Game 1 that led both Nabokov and winger Devin Setoguchi to question the team's heart. After skipping on the post-game news conference, Nabokov stated, "I just didn't have much to say. Sometimes you just have to let it go. I don't think we played a bad game. We just didn't have that extra... I don't know what the word is." Setoguchi stepped in to offer the word, "Drive."
Our View: Nabokov agreed, but he also noted the Sharks' 27-18 advantage in shots on goal and put focus on his own performance. Nabokov led the NHL in victories (46) with a lowly 2.14 goals-against average, and in the playoffs he is allowing just 2.49 goals per game. "It's the playoffs," Nabokov said. "It's never going to be smooth and you have to find a way to fight through it. You have to overcome adversity and overcome losses. We just have to come out better." Look for Nabokov to hit the ice and put his best skate forward today as a result. He rarely, if ever, posts two games of struggle in consecutive outings, and it would seem unlikely the Stars could count on such gifts in Game 2. |
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| Crosby diving? | Sunday 4/27, 9:48 AM CT |
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It appears the New York Rangers are enjoying the swirl of drama they have created around Pittsburgh phenom Sidney Crosby , according to SLAM Sports. Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien hit the team's post-practice new conference yesterday and waxed poetic about his frustrations surrounding what he perceives to be blatant attempts to bash the team's young star. "Enough is enough. That's enough!" Therrian proclaimed, pointing to allegations supposedly made by New York coach Tom Renney and some Ranger players that claim Crosby is intentionally diving and flailing in an attempt to draw penalties. Several of the New York players hinted at such beliefs following the the first game of this series on Friday night, culminating on the ice in a series of events in Game 2 add to the controversy.
Our View: With the game tied 4-4 late in the 3rd period, New York winger Martin Straka was flagged for an interference penalty as he attempted to keep Crosby in check down the right wing, resulting in Crosby falling to the ice. With Straka in the box, Crosby put a pass off the stick of Pittsburgh winger Evgeni Malkin for the game-winning goal. Straka left the box, got right in the face of the ref, and let his displeasure with the call be known, resulting in a game misconduct. Now we have the tone of hate this series needs to step up and capture our attention as a top hockey playoff to watch. Enjoy. |
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| Timonen, Kostopoulos set tone for Eastern semis | Sunday 4/27, 9:34 AM CT |
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With the Philadelphia Flyers finally reversing recent fortunes and picking up a 4-2 win in last night's Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, Philly defenseman Kimmo Timonen wasted no time in sending a message, and Montreal forward Tom Kostopoulos was more than happy to return the sentiment, according to SLAM Sports. After Flyers center R.J. Umberger scored the fourth and final goal for Philly to clinch the win, Timonen directed his attention to the Canadiens bench, turned his back, and raised his arms. Kostopoulos didn't appreciate the gesture and landed a roundhouse left to Timonen's jaw. "I was upset we were losing," said Kostopoulos. Timonen responded, "I didn't say anything. I raised my hands and I got punched."
Our View: Flyers coach John Stevens added, "The only thing that kind of really disturbs me is that at the end of the game, Kostopoulos - hey, he's a tough kid and I've got a lot of respect for him and (Steve) Begin - but to go up and blindside-sucker Timonen on a play at the end there? That's cowardly, in my opinion." With the series tied 1-1, you can mark this as one to watch moving forward. Both teams are at the top of their games and are sure to use this incident as a point of motivation, not to mention the tone of hatred it adds (and that's always good for a hockey battle). |
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