Playoff Battles Continue

The Thrashers, who had home advantage and lost both of the first two games to the Rangers got trounced last night.  Ilya Kovalchuk started to take his frustration out on Sean Avery.  I was a little surprised majors were called.  Kovalchuk did get off a couple of punches, but most of those situations seem to wind up having the player in Kovalchuk’s jersey get a double roughing, and the other player a roughing.  As good as the Rangers look, the Thrashers look just as bad.  The odds don’t look good for the first playoff win in franchise history, but the fans in Atlanta definitely deserve one.

The Wild stayed alive last night, holding off the Ducks, and giving their home crowd at least one playoff victory.

After avoiding the penalty box pretty well throughout his hockey career, Brent Burns has suddenly thrown fighting into his game.  Just four days after his first career fight, he went again last night.  This time he matched up against Corey Perry.

Adam Hall then started to fight with Kent Huskins, but Shawn Thornton jumped in.  A scrum ensued, but the punching was done, at least between those two.  During that same scrum Brad May was ejected for popping Kim Johnsson.  As he received an attempt to injure penalty, the league will automatically review the play, and he could be suspended.

Do Wild fans like Derek Boogaard?  Here’s a clip from after the fight mentioned above.  Nothing happened once play started, but nothing really had to.

Last night’s fights

Ilya Kovalchuk vs Sean Avery Apr 17, 2007
Corey Perry vs Brent Burns Apr 17, 2007
Kent Huskins vs Adam Hall Apr 17, 2007

Tonight’s games

New Jersey Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 PM ET
Atlanta Thrashers vs New York Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders 7:30 PM ET
Nashville Predators vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET

Some reads

Wild unveil new-look top line, plus a bit more offense to boot
Roberts’ leadership paying dividends for Pens
Thrashers taken in by agitator’s antics
Fiesty Sean Avery has emerged as a skilled force
N.H.L. Ratings Are All Over the Ice
Ducks, Wild scraps result in match penalty for Brad May
At long last, Wild are full of fight

The Avery quote of the night, from Rangers’ Avery at his troublemaking best again:

Somebody asked Avery if he would take that trade-off, him for Kovalchuk, expecting the obvious answer.

“Not really, not right now,” he said. “Would you? I’d rather have me on the ice than him.”

Update 1200pm: Another good read: Tough guy becomes series-saving distraction