Preview: Canucks vs Blackhawks 2009

Records

Vancouver (3): 45-27-10 (100 pts) Home: 24-12-5 Away: 21-15-5
Chicago (4): 46-24-12 (104 pts) Home: 24-9-8 Away: 22-15-4

How They Got Here

Vancouver swept St. Louis and Chicago knocked off Calgary in 6 games.

Head-to-Head

Oct 19, 2008 - VAN 2 CHI 4
Dec 20, 2008 - VAN 1 CHI 3
Feb 7, 2009 - VAN 7 CHI 3
Mar 29, 2009 - VAN 4 CHI 0
Season series was tied 2-2.

Fights

Oct 19, 2008 - Shane O'Brien vs Adam Burish
Oct 19, 2008 - Mike Brown vs Ben Eager
Mar 29, 2009 - Kevin Bieksa vs Ben Eager
Mar 29, 2009 - Alexandre Burrows vs Duncan Keith (kinda, no majors)

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Vancouver
Scoring: EDGE Chicago
Defense: DRAW
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Chicago

Schedule

Thursday, April 30 at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, May 2 at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, May 5 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, May 7 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, May 9 at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m CBC, VERSUS
*Monday, May 11 at Chicago, 9:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Thursday, May 14 at Vancouver, TBD CBC, VERSUS

Prediction

After the first round, the Canucks are a confident bunch. The god-like play of Roberto Luongo led to a seemingly easy first round win and made their offense look fairly competent. But there's a problem with their next opponent...Chicago has a great goalie too! Sure, Nikolai Khabibulin's no Luongo but he's pretty damn good and, combined with a guy like Sami Pahlsson, could make that competent offense look a little more like the '07 Canucks team. For Vancouver to win, they need to completely shut down the Blackhawk kids and hope that they can get a few softies through Khabibulin. I don't see it happening. Hawks in 6.

John's Pick

I picked against the Canucks and Blackhawks in the first round and both teams surprised me. I don't expect any surprises in this one though. As good as Chicago is, Vancouver is that much better. This young Hawks team has a load of scoring depth, but it isn't going to make much of a difference if they can't figure out Roberto Luongo, who should dazzle in this series. The Blackhawks could make things interesting early, but the Canucks should come out of this series victorious. Canucks in 6.

David's Pick

This is a good matchup, two teams that can definitely skate. There's been a lot of talk about this being a rough series thanks to the last game the two played. The first game will probably see a lot of crash and bang, but it will probably settle down after that. If I'm wrong, good. The Blackhawks have deeper scoring, and that's the key here: Hawks O vs Luongo. Khabibulin knows what a Cup run & win feels like and is up for the challenge. Jonathan Toews & co. can light it up, and will just enough to get the extra W. Hawks in 7.

Getzlaf Sparks Ducks to Upset of Sharks

Ryan Getzlaf earned a Gordie Howe hat trick and helped the Ducks finish off the President’s Cup-winning Sharks on Wednesday, eliminating the NHL’s best regular season team in six games.

Getzlaf assisted on a goal in the first period and scored in the third, but perhaps his biggest contribution to the game was a fight against Joe Thornton right off of the opening faceoff. It was a spirited and important bout where Thornton may have come away with the decision, but the Ducks obviously came away with a bigger boost in energy. Joe Pavelski and Ryan Whitney also dropped the gloves during a scrum at the end of the second period.

The Ducks will now go on to face the Red Wings in a battle of the last two teams to win the Stanley Cup, while the Blackhawks, who officially ousted the Flames in six games last night as well, will move on and challenge the Canucks. The Eastern Conference semifinal picture will be set after a pair of Game 7’s tonight between the Rangers and Caps and the ‘Canes and Devils.

Brash gets six

The NHL handed Donald Brashear a six-game suspension on Monday afternoon, putting him on the sidelines indefinitely. Brash’s suspension will extend six games into the Caps’ playoff push. If they are eliminated before then, his mandatory break will continue at the start of next season. The Donald was banished for one game for shoving New York’s Colton Orr during pre-game warmups of Sunday’s Game 6 and then received the remainder of his suspension for knocking Blair Betts out of the game with a questionable hit later on in the contest. Betts suffered a broken orbital bone because of the hit.

Peluso interview upcoming

We’re restarting our Q&A series as promised and our first piece will feature former popular Devils’ enforcer and one-time “Crash Line” member Mike Peluso. The interview should be posted later tonight. A bunch of Peluso’s fights are being added to our videos section throughout the day.

Laraque relaunches website

Georges Laraque, who many refer to as the heavyweight champ of the NHL around here, has relaunched his official website. The new site, which sports versions in both English and French, also has a blog which Laraque will be updating on a regular basis.

Videos added

Joe Pavelski vs Ryan Whitney Apr 27, 2009
Joe Thornton vs Ryan Getzlaf Apr 27, 2009
David Clarkson vs Tim Gleason Apr 26, 2009
Adam Pardy vs Ben Eager Apr 25, 2009
Maxime Talbot vs Daniel Carcillo Apr 25, 2009
Rudy Poeschek vs Mike Peluso Dec 1, 1995
Rob Ray vs Mike Peluso Nov 18, 1995
Mike Peluso vs Shawn Antoski Nov 12, 1995
Jamie Huscroft vs Mike Peluso Nov 8, 1995
Mike Peluso vs Jeff Odgers Nov 2, 1995
Mike Peluso vs Darren Langdon Mar 8, 1995
Mike Peluso vs Lyle Odelein Feb 20, 1993
Mike Peluso vs Todd Ewen Jan 30, 1993
Mike Peluso vs Bill Guerin Jan 8, 1993
Mike Peluso vs Todd Ewen Nov 21, 1992

Some reads

Ducks win the game on the ice, and in the mind
Laraque weighs-in on first round controversies
Do Fights Fire Teams Up?
Neil not seeking $2.5 Million deal
Bruins sit, wait and watch some TV
Talbot inspires Penguins with fists
Capitals Find a Replacement for Brashear
Inconsistency cost Flyers
Darren Helm draws notice with his hustle

Lucic, B’s Eliminate Habs From Playoffs

The Bruins joined the Canucks as the second team to move onto the next round on Wednesday night, officially eliminating the Habs from the playoffs via a 4-0 series sweep and mercifully ending a centennial season for Montreal that was filled with failed expectations and unneeded drama among other things.

Game four didn’t go without a fight as Milan Lucic and Mike Komisarek dropped the gloves during the closing minutes of the second period. The fight wasn’t much. Lucic threw a couple of punches while Komisarek struggled to keep his balance.

They met again later in the game too. Komisarek went after Lucic along the side boards and proceeded to cross-check him up high, opening a gash on Lucic’s cheek. That was the extent of the action though as the linesmen were right there to separate the two. Komisarek was given the gate and a potential suspension to start the season this fall.

Tuesday’s lone bout was a relatively even scrap between Doug Murray and George Parros in the Sharks much-needed win over the Ducks.

Videos added

Milan Lucic vs Michael Komisarek Apr 22, 2009
Doug Murray vs George Parros Apr 21, 2009
Jarome Iginla vs Derian Hatcher Apr 24, 2004
Mike Commodore vs Darren McCarty Apr 24, 2004
Donald Brashear vs Chris Dingman May 10, 2004
Danil Markov vs Darryl Sydor May 10, 2004
Kirk Maltby vs Shean Donovan Apr 29, 2004

Some reads

Carcillo rewards coach’s faith
No playoffs can match NHL’s
Canadiens swept out of playoffs
B’s notes: Lucic picks his spot
Gainey, players back their goaltender
Time to stop the whining
Despite loss on ice, fans savor ‘history’
Blue Jackets’ Ken Hitchcock still has sense of humor
Cloudy economic forecast shouldn’t keep Dallas from seeing Stars
Steve Montador fits right in with team

First Win or Die of 2009

The Blues are playing for playoff survival tonight.  Down 3-0, it’s a steep climb, but despite the disparity in wins, the games themselves have been pretty close, and fun to watch.  Even some Canucks fans might not be so upset seeing the Blues win one for the home crowd before going back to Vancouver (just kidding, I know all Canucks fans are yelling is “sweep”).

Depending on the outcome of games over the next couple of nights, tonight’s five games may be the most we’ll see in one night until the fall.  Soak it in.

The Flames-Blackhawks series is still my favorite.  It may not have the natural rivalry or history like some others, but the games have been outstanding.  Last night’s game ended with roughing penalties being handed out freely.  Despite no majors, I might put a clip up of them later.

Flyers-Pens on Sunday was one of the best playoff games so far, easily.  If you can only pick one game tonight, you can’t go wrong here.

I’m continuing to fill in some gaps in the log over the past couple of seasons, as well as post some playoff-related clips.

Videos added

Jared Boll vs Andreas Lilja Nov 28, 2008
Ryan Craig vs Nick Boynton Nov 12, 2008
Sandy Moger vs Vladimir Malakhov Nov 4, 1995
Cam Neely vs Donald Brashear Nov 4, 1995

Listen up

Wild D John Scott - Monday the Wild re-signed John Scott to a one year deal and afterwards he talked about it with the PONDcast.

Some reads

Bitz does his part in return
Rangers concerned about Drury; Boudreau worried about Avery
High viewpoint in East
Milan Lucic accepts one-game ban
Sakic back in swing of busy schedule
Stopping Rick Nash remains Red Wings’ focus
Nationwide on alert for octopi
Paychecks disappear for playoffs
Hasek returning to net
TV glitch makes some fans miss winning goal
Ducks-Sharks: Ex-teammates now opposing GMs
Penguins will try to ignore Flyers’ provocation
At least Sharks are scoring in TV ratings

Flyers and Pens Continue to Battle

We’ve written that whoever comes out the winner of the current quarterfinal series between the Flyers and Pens will likely be a little banged up afterwards. Both teams have been doing their best to ensure that happens. The most physical game of the series to date occured on Sunday afternoon, with Philly cutting Pittsburgh’s series lead in half.

Two fights took place in the contest as well, both early in the first period. Five minutes into the game, Chris Kunitz leveled Kimo Timonen with the biggest hit of the playoffs thus far behind the net. After an immediate response from Ryan Parent that only resulted in a shove, Kunitz was challenged by Scott Hartnell along the benches. Hartnell got in a few punches while Kunitz struggled to keep his balance and a linesmen intervened.

Less than a minute later, a couple of liberties taken by both teams resulted in a big-time scrum along the side boards. Darroll Powe and Kris Letang ended up with the only set of fighting majors after order was restored. Claude Giroux and Tyler Kennedy dropped the gloves and exchanged blows too, but were only given roughings.

The award for the weekend’s biggest surprise performance easily went to Patrice Bergeron, who floored Josh Gorges with a left hand during his first NHL scrap in the third period of Saturday’s Habs-Bruins game. Friday saw an end-of-game scrum between the Blues and Canucks that led to majors being called onBarret Jackman and Steve Bernier.

Videos added

Kristopher Letang vs Darroll Powe Apr 19, 2009
Chris Kunitz vs Scott Hartnell Apr 19, 2009
Josh Gorges vs Patrice Bergeron Apr 18, 2009
Barret Jackman vs Steve Bernier Apr 17, 2009
Braydon Coburn vs Bill Guerin Apr 15, 2009
David Clarkson vs Andrew Alberts Dec 4, 2008
David Clarkson vs Arron Asham Dec 4, 2008
Dean Chynoweth vs Turner Stevenson Jan 28, 1996
Sandy Moger vs Chris Murray Jan 28, 1996
Corey Perry vs Francis Bouillon Oct 25, 2008
Doug Doull vs Darren Langdon Dec 16, 2003
Andrew Alberts vs Sheldon Souray Apr 4, 2006
Sean O’Donnell vs Sheldon Souray Jan 31, 2004
Dan LaCouture vs Garth Murray Apr 1, 2006
Craig Rivet vs Hal Gill Mar 9, 2006
John Kordic vs Jay Miller Nov 12, 1987
Jared Boll vs Cam Janssen Apr 5, 2008
Tom Kostopoulos vs Jeremy Reich Mar 20, 2008

Some reads

This ‘Ax’ keeps grinding away
Fighting issue at discussion stage
When the Ducks get a whistle, Mike Brown gets a call
Patrice Bergeron punches in
Cup-driven Marian Hossa a perfect fit in Detroit
Eric Lacroix won’t be candidate for GM position
Sim stays positive while playing for Bridgeport
Staal taking after Francis

Preview: Sharks vs Ducks 2009

Records

San Jose (1): 53-18-11 (117 pts) Home: 32-5-4 Away: 21-13-7
Anaheim (8): 42-33-7 (91 pts) Home: 20-18-3 Away: 22-15-4

Head-to-Head

Oct 9, 2008 - SJS 4 ANA 1
Oct 17, 2008 - SJS 0 ANA 4
Dec 11, 2008 - SJS 2 ANA 0
Mar 15, 2009 - SJS 1 ANA 0
Apr 4, 2009 - SJS 2 ANA 5
Apr 5, 2009 - SJS 3 ANA 2
San Jose won the season series 4-2.

Fights

Oct 17, 2008 - Brad Staubitz vs Nathan McIver
Oct 17, 2008 - Jody Shelley vs George Parros
Oct 17, 2008 - Joe Thornton vs Steve Montador
Dec 11, 2008 - Jody Shelley vs George Parros
Mar 15, 2009 - Jody Shelley vs George Parros

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE San Jose
Scoring: EDGE San Jose
Defense: DRAW
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Anaheim

Schedule

Thursday, April 16, 10:30 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
Sunday, April 19, 10:00 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
Tuesday, April 21, 10:30 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
Thursday, April 23, 10:30 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
*Saturday, April 25, 10:00 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
*Monday, April 27, TBD (VERSUS, CBC)
*Wednesday, April 29, TBD (VERSUS, CBC)

Prediction

Blood and pain! These two division rivals meet for the first time in the playoffs and it has all the ingredients for a nasty series. San Jose has all the pieces for a long playoff run and should be able to get it done against Anaheim but they will be hurting after this one.

John's Pick

Is this finally the year that San Jose gets over the hump into the Stanley Cup Finals? Time will tell, but their first-round matchup against the Ducks will be even more telling. This is the first time in a while that the Ducks have looked relatively weak heading into the postseason, and now is the time for the Sharks to capitalize. For a team that has to overcome as much of a mental hurdle as they do the challenge of sifting through a competitive Western Conference playoff field, the Sharks would do well for themselves to grab an easy first round win. I think they'll do just that. Sharks in 5.

David's Pick

Oh, the Ducks. The official second favorite team of hockeyfights.com the last few seasons. Toughness has been part of the team's game, and they've used it to win. The Ducks didn't start the season well, and the Sharks looked invincible for months. The last month of the season saw the Sharks retain the #1 seeding and the Ducks start to play more like a playoff team thanks to young talent like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. What the Ducks don't have is depth like the Sharks' Milan Michalek and Ryane Clowe. The Sharks even toughened up some by bringing in former Duck Travis Moen. The Ducks won't play like an eighth seed team, and if JS Giguere gets hot we'll be watching many long, low-scoring games. Sharks in 6, but it'll feel like 8.

Preview: Blackhawks vs Flames 2009

Records

Chicago (4): 46-24-12 (104 pts) Home: 23-9-8 Away: 22-15-4
Calgary (5): 46-30-6 (98 pts) Home: 27-10-4 Away: 19-20-2

Head-to-Head

Nov 9, 2008 - CHI 6 CGY 1
Dec 19, 2008 - CHI 3 CGY 2 (OT)
Jan 4, 2009 - CHI 5 CGY 2
Feb 5, 2009 - CHI 5 CGY 2
Chicago won season series 4-0.

Fights

Nov 9, 2008 - Troy Brouwer vs Brandon Prust
Nov 9, 2008 - Matt Walker vs Brandon Prust
Jan 4, 2009 - Mark Giordano vs Colin Fraser
Jan 4, 2009 - Robyn Regehr vs Ben Eager
Jan 4, 2009 - Andre Roy vs Matt Walker

Lineup

Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: DRAW
Defense: EDGE Chicago
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Calgary

Schedule

Thursday, April 16, 8:30 p.m. (TSN, VERSUS)
Saturday, April 18, TBD (TSN)
Monday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. (TSN, VERSUS)
Wednesday, April 22, TBD (TSN, VERSUS)
*Saturday, April 25, 10:00 p.m. (TSN)
*Monday, April 27, TBD (TSN)
*Wednesday, April 29, TBD (TSN)

Completely Unbiased Flames Fan Prediction

Calgary gonna style all ova Chicago

But Seriously....

It's a damn shame Chicago has to face Calgary in the first round, they were my bandwagon team this year! There's really no reason Chicago isn't the favorite in this series, especially given Calgary's recent injuries, but I'm banking on Chicago being this year's Washington/Pittsburgh; the kids in Chicago will need to lose before they start winning. Chicago will win some blowout games, Calgary some close ones but experience is the difference for me....Flames in 6.

John's Pick

Both teams are extremely young, both teams are very good, but both team are also somewhat inconsistent. This is a pick 'em series in my opinion and the team that actually shows up and plays to their potential will win. I'll go with Calgary here. As much as the Flames have been riddled with injury problems and are missing the real Miikka Kiprusoff, they have the ability to out-work and out-grind the 'Hawks in the long run. Chicago ended the season on a great note and should make this one competitive though. Flames in 7.

David's Pick

Kipper is great, but Nikolai Khabibulin not only had a better season, but has a Cup ring and knows hot to get it done - up until the very end. The Blackhawks are coming together well and have been slowly building up to this moment for the past few years. Despite the presence of Jarome Iginla, the Hawks' top trio of scorers gets my edge, and the youthful Chicago D look very strong. This series should have great entertainment value, tune in when you can. Blackhawks in a somehow-even-close-than-it-sounds 7.

Preview: Bruins vs Canadiens 2009

Records

Boston (1): 53-19-10 (116 pts) Home: 29-6-6 Away: 23-13-4
Montreal (8): 41-30-11 (93 pts) Home: 24-10-7 Away: 17-20-4

Head-to-Head

Oct 15, 2008 - BOS 3 MTL 4 (SO)
Nov 13, 2008 - BOS 6 MTL 1
Nov 22, 2008 - BOS 3 MTL 2 (SO)
Jan 13, 2009 - BOS 3 MTL 1
Feb 1, 2009 - BOS 3 MTL 1
Apr 9, 2009 - BOS 5 MTL 4 (OT)
Boston won season series 5-1.

Fights

Oct 15, 2008 - Shawn Thornton vs Georges Laraque
Nov 13, 2008 - Milan Lucic vs Michael Komisarek
Jan 13 - Mark Stuart vs Kyle Chipchura
Feb 1, 2009 - Shawn Thornton vs Alex Henry
Apr 9, 2009 - Shane Hnidy vs Josh Gorges
Apr 9, 2009 - Milan Lucic vs Maxim Lapierre

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Boston
Scoring: EDGE Boston
Defense: EDGE Boston
Coaching: EDGE Boston
Grit: EDGE Boston

Schedule

Thursday, April 16, 7:00 p.m. (CBC)
Saturday, April 18, 8:00 p.m. (VERSUS, CBC)
Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. (CBC)
Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m. (CBC)
*Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. (CBC)
*Monday, April 27, TBD (CBC)
*Wednesday, April 29, TBD (CBC)

Prediction

Well aren't we lucky. In a repeat of the 1 vs 8 match-up from last year, the top ranked Bruins should be able to put an end to the 100th year of Les Habitants. Montreal has unraveled down the stretch and won't be able to keep up with Boston. The B's will win this in a short series, but there's no doubt this will be a tough one.

John's Pick

It's good to see one of the most heated regular season rivalries spill over into the playoffs and I expect the series to be played as such. It's a tale of two different teams in this one. The Bruins glided along without many bumps in the road throughout the season while the Habs faltered midway through. A surprisingly strong start from Montreal should quickly be thwarted by Boston in this one. Tim Thomas will look outstanding as usual. Bruins in 6.

David's Pick

It's a classic rivalry, a repeat playoff series from last season, and while I think it'll be nasty, I think it might sputter out fast. The Bruins have more of everything up and down that lineup and Montreal won't be able to compete, or even do anything about not competing. This is my biggest hope-I'm-wrong series, as a hard-fought even-played 7-gamer would make this the must-watch series - I just doubt we'll see anything like that. Bruins in 5.

Preview: Red Wings vs Blue Jackets 2009

Records

Detroit (2): 51-21-10 (112 pts) Home: 27-9-5 Away: 24-12-5
Columbus (7): 41-31-10 (92 pts) Home: 25-13-3 Away: 16-18-7

Head-to-Head

Nov 28, 2008 - DET 5 CBJ 3
Jan 6, 2009 - DET 3 CBJ 0
Jan 27, 2009 - DET 2 CBJ 3 (OT)
Feb 13, 2009 - DET 2 CBJ 3
Mar 7, 2009 - DET 2 CBJ 8
Mar 15, 2009 - DET 4 CBJ 0
Season series was tied 3-3.

Fights

Nov 28, 2008 - Andreas Lilja vs Jared Boll

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Columbus
Scoring: EDGE Detroit
Defense: EDGE Detroit
Coaching: DRAW
Grit: EDGE Columbus

Schedule

Thursday, April 16, 7:00 p.m. (VERSUS, TSN)
Saturday, April 18, 6:00 p.m. (TSN)
Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 p.m. (TSN)
Thursday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. (TSN)
*Saturday, April 25, 7:00 p.m. (VERSUS, TSN)
*Monday, April 27, TBD (TSN)
*Wednesday, April 29, TBD (VERSUS, TSN)

Prediction

The defending champs will face a serious threat in the opening round. Unlike last year, the Wings have looked fairly ordinary at times, especially in net where they're one of the weakest playoff teams. If Detroit gets shaky goaltending, this is Columbus' series for the taking. This is a new experience for the Blue Jacket regulars but there's still enough playoff experience amongst the team. Rick Nash and Steve Mason won't fold and Columbus takes this one.

John's Pick

The Blue Jackets making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history is a great story. Unfortunately, that got them a matchup with the Red Wings in the first round. This Detroit team is essentially a mirror image of last year's squad, minus Dominik Hasek and plus Marian Hossa. Both teams struggled late in the year, and the questions surrounding Detroit's goaltending situation are cause for some concern, but the Wings are the much better team overall and it should show. I'm calling the only quarterfinal sweep in this one. Wings in 4.

David's Pick

Columbus has been a good hockey city and it's great to see the fans there get some hometown playoff hockey. Unfortunately, my thoughts mirror John's and this just doesn't bode well for the Blue Jackets. Nash, Kristian Huselius and RJ Umberger will have to score big and Mason will have to steal at least two games for the Wings to fall. I don't think that's going to happen. Wings in 5, hopefully the Jackets can win one at home for the Columbus faithful.

Coburn and Guerin Kick Things Off

The hype surrounding the first round meeting between the Flyers and Pens has lived up to expectations thus far as both teams combined for a few scrums, a questionable cheapshot, and the first fight of the playoffs in game one on Wednesday.

Braydon Coburn and Bill Guerin dropped the gloves during the closing seconds of the game. The fight wasn’t much as both guys fell right away, but we’ll have the video soon anyway.

Four more series begin tonight, and with the exception of Jackets-Wings, all have the potential for fireworks, especially yet another meeting this year between the Bruins and Habs, who combined for six fights and a whole lot more undocumented rough stuff during the regular season.

The war of words between the two sides has already begun, courtesy of Montreal enforcer Georges Laraque. “BGL” was a healthy scratch during the Canadiens’ final game against the Bruins before the postseason and wasn’t very pleased with what he saw:

“I have never seen a team get roughed-up as badly as the Bruins roughed us up last week,” read a translation of Laraque’s interview, which was conducted in French. “I’m sure that if they play that kind of hockey during the playoffs, guys will get suspended. I understand why they played that way, they didn’t want to face us in the first round, they wanted to face the (Florida) Panthers.”

More playoff previews upcoming

We’ve posted four quarterfinal series previews thus far:

Preview: Canucks vs Blues 2009
Preview: Devils vs Hurricanes 2009
Preview: Flyers vs Penguins 2009
Preview: Capitals vs Rangers 2009

The rest will be up shortly.

CHL playoff log updated

The fight log for the CHL playoffs has been updated. Video of all of the fights that have taken place so far are now in there.

Videos added

Eric Boulton vs Wade Belak Mar 16, 2008
Joe Thornton vs Steve Ott Apr 6, 2008
Kyle McLaren vs Krys Barch Apr 6, 2008
Jeff Glass vs Justin Peters Apr 11, 2009
Shawn Weller vs Michael Kennedy Apr 11, 2009
Jeremy Yablonski vs Benn Olson Apr 11, 2009
Tomas Kudelka vs Mark Flood Apr 11, 2009

Some reads

Columbus has all tools needed for upset
Why the Red Wings Don’t Fight
Mason’s special season helped by goalie fight
As familiar as foes get
Boogaard to share his views on hockey fighting
Classic Torts lays it on the line at morning skate ... just don’t ask about goaltending