Detroit Sweeps, Flyers Avoid Elimination and the Ducks Keep Rolling
Detroit took care of the Columbus Blue Jackets beating them 6-5 and sweeping the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs in 4 straight. Columbus made a valiant effort with 4 2nd period goals to tie the score at 5 however Detroit scored the only goal in the 3rd period to seal the game and the series. Talk about an offensive out put, 10 different players scored in the game. Only Marian Hossa scored twice. Chis Osgood was just good enough. The way things are looking now the Red Wings will probably face the Anaheim Ducks in the next round.
Speaking of the Ducks, yesterday they beat the San Jose Sharks again. Bobby Ryan scored twice in the second period and Anaheim tacked on two late goals to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Presidents’ Trophy winners in the series. Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller shut out the Sharks for the second time in the series continuing his dominant play. The series now shifts back to San Jose where Anaheim won its two first games. The Sharks need to wake up or they can get ready for a nice summer break, there is nice weather there in the summer you know.
The Broad Street Bullies beat back the Pittsburgh Penguins to stave off elimination making the series a little tighter at 3-2. Philadelphia was led by Martin Biron’s 28 saves as he shut out the Penguins. The offense was sparked by Matt Carle’s two assists. Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malikin were both held scoreless, this is a feat that rarely happens. Philly is fighting for their playoff lives, they’ll come out all fired up on Saturday. Question is will Pittsburgh be ready.
This series hasn’t gotten much attention but I can assure you some great hockey is being played. We’ve said before that New jersey will only go as far as their goaltender Martin Brodeur take them. Well last night the Devils veteran goalie shut out the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 to take a 3-2 lead in their eastern conference quarterfinal matchup. Martin Brodeur overcame a first-period skate cut and tied Patrick Roy for the most playoff shutouts in NHL history (23) with 44 saves in a critical Game 5 win. Brodeur was fortunate to escape a much more serious injury after colliding with Chad LaRose about 20 feet in front of the net going for a loose puck. LaRose’s skate blade hit the back of Brodeur’s ankle and caused a 4-inch cut. Brodeur stayed in the game despite the pain and the blood. New Jesey can finish off the series and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a win on Saturday night.
Apr 24th, 2009 at 6:08 am
After winning last nights game, Detroit can now rest it’s weary legs. Osgood allowed 5 goals but the ever ready Detroit, goal scoring machine pumped in 6 goals. The winning goal was scored after Columbus took a penalty for having too many men on the ice. Pittsburgh showed no speed in losing to Philadelphia last night. There was no slick passing of the puck as well. I believe they will wake up in their Saturday game and finish off Philly. Brodeur should be able to carry New Jersey over Carolina into the next series. Brodeur is again showing that he is a money player when the chips are on the line. I hear quacking in Anaheim. Those ducks have come alive. They played great hockey down the line in making the playoffs and have continued to show up for every game against San Jose who finished atop their division. Anaheim is 1 game away from taking this series.