Wings Take First Game

The Red Wings jumped out for a 1-0 series lead last night.

The highlight of the game had to be Justin Abdelkader‘s absolutely ridiculous goal.

Game two is tonight.  While the back-to-back games are for tv reasons, I think it’s great.  It’s fun to see the Cup just fly out of the gate.  Plus, it’ll be June tomorrow.  Not a hockey month.

Whoops

I forgot to open up the Cup Finals preview yesterday, so that’s live now.  Jamie and I both picked the Pens, so opening that late doesn’t do us any favors.

Videos added

Chris Simon vs Dan LaCouture Feb 26, 2009
Bryan Berard vs Branislav Mezei Feb 26, 2009
Chris Chelios vs Ron Hextall May 11, 1989
Duane Sutter vs Brian MacLellan May 10, 1989
Keith Jones vs Craig MacTavish Feb 22, 1996
Craig Berube vs Shawn Antoski Feb 22, 1996
Kevin Kaminski vs Shawn Antoski Feb 22, 1996
Dennis Vial vs Scott Thornton Dec 20, 1997
Derek Armstrong vs Darcy Tucker Dec 20, 1997
Tony Twist vs Nick Kypreos Dec 17, 1991
Kevin Maguire vs Lyndon Byers Nov 30, 1989
Ed Hospodar vs Kevin McClelland May 30, 1985
Brad Marsh vs Don Jackson May 30, 1985
Dave Brown vs Don Jackson May 30, 1985

Preview: Red Wings vs Penguins 2009

Records

Detroit (2): 51-21-10 (112 pts) Home: 27-9-5 Away: 24-12-5
Pittsburgh (4): 45-28-9 (99 pts) Home: 25-13-3 Away: 20-15-6

How They Got Here

Detroit beat Columbus (4 games), Anaheim (7 games) and Chicago (5 games).
Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia (6 games), Washington (7 games) and Carolina (4 games).

Head-to-Head

Nov 11, 2008 - DET 6 PIT 7 (OT)
Feb 8, 2009 - DET 3 PIT 0
Season series was tied 1-1

Fights

None

Lineup

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

Schedule

Saturday, May 30 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 31 at Detroit, TBD-Evening NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, June 4 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Saturday, June 6 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, June 9 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Friday, June 12 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS

Prediction

25 years ago, one dynasty ended, while another one began. Wayne Gretzky and the young Edmonton Oilers put an end to the New York Islanders streak of four straight Cup wins... it was the last time there was a Stanley Cup rematch until this year. The Red Wings have won 4 of the last 11 Stanley Cups including last year's against the Penguins. Pittsburgh's core is the same as last year, a little older, a little more mature this time around. Detroit looks the same as well, their younger guys improving with another year of experience under their belt. There's two major difference that I feel will decide the series. First, Detroit is battling some injuries to their best players. Nicklas Lidstrom looks as if he'll be ready for game 1, but we don't know how healthy he'll really be. Datsyuk is a huge question mark right now along with Jonathan Ericsson, which really hurts the back end. Secondly, it looks as if Evgeni Malkin can be counted on to produce at his usual level. In last year's Conference Finals, Mike Richards broke him and he only potted 5 points in 10 games after that. Geno will be on fire this series and the Pens win at home in 6 games.

David's Pick

It does seem trendy to compare the Pens to the Oilers of the 80s, but the Red Wings current stars are younger than they appear, and very different from the Cup before last. Both teams can score, that's a given. This will come down to the goaltending matchup and injuries. The Penguins appear to be much more intact. Chris Osgood's playoff numbers are clearly better than MA Fleury's, and it might just be as simple as that in the end. My head's telling me the Wings have this one, but it's pretty hard to not want Marian Hossa to get his just deserts watching the team he fled hoist the Cup. Pens in 6.

A Rematch It Is

The Penguins completed a sweep of the Hurricanes last night, and the Red Wings knocked off the Blackhawks tonight to finish the series in five.  So after many game sevens the rounds before, the Conference Finals went quickly and now we’re left with a rematch of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.  We’ll have one of our previews in the upcoming days.

Since 92-93 there have been only four Wings-Pens fights*:
Jay Caufield vs Bob Probert Nov 13, 1992
Marty McSorley vs Bob Probert from Feb 4, 1994
Darren McCarty vs Kelly Buchberger Oct 18, 2003
Brad Norton vs Andre Roy Oct 7, 2006

In case you only watch one, the McSorley-Probert fight is one of the best of all-time, easy.

* there were a couple of more fights during preseason

Steroids, you say

If you’ve never watched football, or the Olympics, or baseball, or cycling, or basically any sport or athletic competition at a serious level, let me break some news to you: some athletes use steroids.  Shocking, I know.

A couple in Florida was arrested for selling steroids.  They claim they sold them to many pro athletes, and specifically named the Nats and Caps.

The NHL and the Capitals quickly released statements.  The quick and easy version of them: “Steroids?  Nah.”  Donald Brashear said he knew of nothing to Washington radio station WJFK.

So now the “there are steroids in hockey, too” articles are coming out, and I’m sure there will be a new round of suspicions, just as there was four years ago during the NHL lockout.

The tough guys will be called out, due to the misconception that steroids are just for making you big and strong, but that’s simply not true.  While Manny Ramirez and other sluggers may get the biggest steroids-related baseball headlines, a look at MLB’s suspension list (or the minor league suspension list), lets you know that this isn’t a power thing, but that all types (and sizes) of players are possible users.  It’s just the harsh reality of it.  Some fans care, some don’t.  Personally, I happen to like a level playing field.

Videos added

Keith Primeau vs Shane Churla Dec 19, 1992
Jim Kyte vs Marty McSorley Oct 10, 1985
Robert Dirk vs Kelly Chase Nov 26, 1992
Dave Brown vs Kelly Buchberger May 17, 1987
Dave Manson vs Gerald Diduck Dec 3, 1992
Kelly Buchberger vs Sergio Momesso Dec 3, 1992
Louie Debrusk vs Gino Odjick Dec 3, 1992
Shayne Corson vs Dana Murzyn Dec 3, 1992
Craig Muni vs Adrien Plavsic Dec 3, 1992
Louie Debrusk vs Gerald Diduck Dec 3, 1992

Get social

hockeyfights.com on: Facebook | Twitter

Some reads

Former Red Wing Bob Probert insists that telling Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews to kick the Wings’ [butts] was a joke
Judge speeds up Coyotes timetable | Rival bid for Coyotes backed by big money
Fenway Rink: Bruins owner expects game at Sox home
Roy says no to Avalanche
Hall won’t note Arbour’s 2007 win with Isles
Rob Niedermayer talks but has few answers
Focus on Waddell as Thrashers enter critical off-season

Video Updates • 5 Comments • Permalink

Hawks, Canes Hope Home Helps

The Hurricanes made the mistake of playing a pretty open game against the Penguins last night.  Evgeni Malkin netted a hat trick and an assist on the way to a 7-4 Pens win.

Things got rough at the end of the game.  A frustrated Hurricanes team wasn’t going to go away quietly. After Kris Letang took a stick to the face from Ryan Bayda, Tim Gleason grabbed Letang out of a scrum and started tossing at will, just in case his face didn’t hurt enough from Bayda’s stick. Patrick Eaves also took some from Miroslav Satan.  Really.  I’m not making that last part up, it’s in the video.  Being in NY, I get Versus, but I hope to add the TSN feed as well as I was told Gord Miller gave the site a mention, always fun.

Both series are now 2-0.  The Blackhawks take on the Red Wings again tonight, this time in Chicago.

Videos added

Patrick Eaves vs Miroslav Satan May 21, 2009
Tim Gleason vs Kristopher Letang May 21, 2009
Chris Murray vs Dennis Bonvie Nov 15, 1998
Matt Stefanishion vs Scott McCulloch May 14, 2009
Lance Galbraith vs Steve Makway May 14, 2009

Some reads

Red Wings’ Brett Lebda relishes return to Chicago
Another possible bid for Coyotes
Balsillie belts out O Canada while trying to feather own nest
Flyers Richards, Briere recovering from injuries
Which option will Islanders choose for NHL draft?
Lightning still trying to hire Jacques Lemaire
Second Jackets broadcaster goes off the air

Cup Rematch Coming?

With the Red Wings winning in OT last night and taking a 2-0 lead in the series against the Blackhawks, we’ve moved one step closer to a Stanley Cup Finals rematch between the Wings and the Pens.  The NHL can’t be upset with that, although a Chicago comeback would top off the Second City market revival nicely.

Forbes has declared the Blackhawks the greatest sports-business turnaround ever, and it’s hard to disagree.

Win your own fight

millitary.com’s fitness blog has an entry and video related to hockey fights: Every fight in a hockey game is a close quarters combat scenario.  It uses the in-close concept of a hockey fight for tips to handling an anywhere-fight.  We commonly post about players in hockey using outside concepts to help them win fights on-ice, so I thought it’d be interesting to link up the flip-side.

A return

ESPN’s Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, professes his renewed love for the NHL.  It should come as no surprise when his reasons include the Bruins winning and fighting numbers ticking upwards.

A night off

No NHL tonight, but there is a Memorial Cup game, Rimouski at Drummondville.  It’s on Sportsnet in Canada and the NHL Network in the States.

Videos added

Kris King vs Michel Petit Dec 20, 1997
Dominic Roussel vs Sean Burke Feb 24, 1993
Dmitri Yushkevich vs Jim McKenzie Feb 24, 1993
P.J. Stock vs Jeremy Stevenson Feb 4, 1998
Dennis Vial vs Stu Grimson Dec 16, 1997
Sébastien Piché vs Adam Henrique May 17, 2009
Logan MacMillan vs Jesse Blacker May 17, 2009

Some reads

Ex-Hawk, Wing Probert is in Chicago’s Corner
Hockey Star Sean Avery Drops the Puck for Boozy Offseason at New Tribeca Bar
Enter sandpaper man McClelland
Calm Avery makes better visit to NHL headquarters
It’s a Great Time to be a Blackhawks Fan
Justin Bourne’s Blog: Youth movement bad for beards, great for game
Matt Cooke is a standup guy who never contradicts himself

Preview: Penguins vs Hurricanes 2009

Records

Pittsburgh (4): 45-28-9 (99 pts) Home: 25-13-3 Away: 20-15-6
Carolina (6): 45-30-7 (97 pts) Home: 26-14-1 Away: 19-16-6

How They Got Here

Pittsburgh beat rival Philadelphia in 6 and Washington in 7.
Carolina upset New Jersey and Boston in 7 games.

Head-to-Head

Oct 23, 2008 - PIT 4 CAR 1
Dec 4, 2008 - PIT 5 CAR 2
Jan 20, 2009 - PIT 1 CAR 2
Apr 4, 2009 - PIT 2 CAR 3 (OT)
The season series was tied 2-2.

Fights

Oct 23, 2008 - Paul Bissonnette vs Dan LaCouture
Oct 23, 2008 - Eric Godard vs Wade Brookbank

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Carolina
Scoring: EDGE Pittsburgh
Defense: DRAW
Coaching: EDGE Carolina
Grit: DRAW

Schedule

Monday, May 18 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN, RDS
Thursday, May 21 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN, RDS
Saturday, May 23 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, May 26 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Friday, May 29 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Sunday, May 31 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

Prediction

Two teams who have peaked at the right time, Pittsburgh and Carolina will meet in the Conference Finals after disposing of the division champs. The Pens are getting huge contributions from their superstars while the Hurricanes won with clutch scoring, goaltending and pretty much everything else. I can't see the Hurricanes shutting down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who will lead Pittsburgh to a second straight Cup Finals appearance in 6 games.

David's Pick

Carolina has shown it can hang with any team in the league right now, but despite knocking off the top-seeded Bruins, the Canes still haven't faced a team with top-stacked talent like the Penguins. The Bruins might have scored more throughout the course of the 2008-09 season, but they don't have a 1-2 punch like Crosy and Malkin. Bill Guerin has proven to be a great deadline acquisition for the Pens, but this series will come down to Cam Ward stopping the big guns of the Pens. If Ward can do that, not only will Eric Staal and Ray Whitney need to keep up their scoring ways, but Jussi Jokinen will also have to continue proving he can score somewhere other than the shootout. The Canes will do a good job keeping up, but the Pens will put them away in a tiring 6.

Preview: Red Wings vs Blackhawks 2009

Records

Detroit (2): 51-21-10 (112 pts) Home: 27-9-5 Away: 24-12-5
Chicago (4): 45-24-12 (104 pts) Home: 24-9-8 Away: 22-15-4

How They Got Here

Detroit swept Columbus slipped past Anaheim in 7 games.
Chicago beat both Calgary and Vancouver in 6.

Head-to-Head

Oct 25 - DET 6 CHI 5 (OT)
Dec 6 - DET 5 CHI 4 (SO)
Dec 30 - DET 4 CHI 0
Jan 1 - DET 6 CHI 4
Apr 11 - DET 2 CHI 4
Apr 12 - DET 0 CHI 3
Detroit won the season series 4-2.

Fights

None

Lineup

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

Schedule

Sunday, May 17 at Detroit, 3:00 p.m. NBC, TSN, RDS
Tuesday, May 19 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, TSN, RDS
Friday, May 22 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m. NBC, CBC, RDS
* Wednesday, May 27 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Saturday, May 30 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Monday, June 1 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS

Prediction

It's time to renew an old rivalry. The last time Chicago and Detroit met in the playoffs, Patrick Kane was six years old. It was the 1995 Western Conference Finals and Detroit would go on to beat the Hawks in only 5 games. The Wings are Cup favorites for a lot of people, and rightfully so, but I think this series will be a rude awakening for Detroit. I have been very impressed with what Chicago has done so far. The production put up against Vancouver should alone be a huge cause for concern in Motown. Add that to the fact that the Detroit penalty kill has been brutal and Chicago is sporting the top power play, there will be plenty of goals getting passed Osgood despite his solid play up to this point. The Blackhawks win this in 5 high scoring games.

David's Pick

Just classic. The focus on this series will be huge, and for good reason. The Red Wings are the current NHL powerhouse, and Stanley Cup champions. The Blackhawks, after many years of futility, are stocked with young talent and are clearly not a fluke a team. They're the up and comers, and have been playing to quiet any of the doubters. If Roberto Luongo couldn't stop them, Chris Osgood isn't going to fare much better. The Red Wings D will have to play far better than they have so far. The Ducks gave the Blackhawks hints about how it can be done, and with the Hawks speed, it's entirely doable. The big guns for Chicago will have to show up. They have so far and there's been little sign they'll stop. Blackhawks in a showy 7.

Ducks, B’s Stay Alive

A pair of Game 7’s are on the way. Despite another spirited outing from Carolina’s surprisingly faithful fans, the Bruins were able to hurt the ‘Canes on the scoreboard early and often on Tuesday night and forced a seventh and deciding game that will take place this Thursday.

The Ducks and Wings will join them. In an ending that you had to see to believe, Anaheim held off a late rally from Detroit. Jonas Hiller made one of the biggest saves of the playoffs thus far and the game ended with a line brawl.

Ryan Getzlaf and Marian Hossa got into it as the horn sounded to end the game. Getzlaf threw some gloved punches at Hossa while everyone else paired off. Corey Perry beat on Brian Rafalski while Getzlaf and Hossa continued to try and get at each other. Scott Niedermayer and Pavel Datsyuk of all people also dropped the gloves and received majors.

The ever-exciting Caps-Pens series will conclude tomorrow night as well. Playoff hockey… what more could you ask for?

Videos added

Pavel Datsyuk vs Scott Niedermayer May 12, 2009
Brian Rafalski vs Corey Perry May 12, 2009
Tie Domi vs Sandy McCarthy Jan 7, 1997
Eric Cairns vs Jeff Odgers Mar 1, 2002

Some reads

SI’s Best & Worst Owners
League to Gillett: quiet, please
Hockey’s bonfire of the bankruptcies
Ward: Canes’ version of punch ‘a joke’
Burke scoffs at Tampa trade talk
NHL hidden in plain sight on Versus
Westgate City Center says no to Coyotes rally
Fighting in playoffs fashionable again | Fight for the Cup is featuring more punches

Hawks Win, Caps-Pens Thriller

Some great hockey last night.  The Capitals and Penguins are delivering on every level.  Fun, exciting hockey and close, close games.  Last night’s was the third game to go to overtime.  Dave Steckel‘s game-winner forces a game seven.  May game seven also go into overtime.  Good for hockey fans, good for the defibrillator industry.

The Blackhawks took game six and the series from the Canucks.  A game that gradually turned into an 80s-style shootout, was a blast to watch.  The Western Conference finals should be good no matter which opponent Chicago winds up with.  Anaheim will continue the rough road to the Cup for the Hawks, while a series against Detroit could reignite one of the NHL’s oldest rivalries.

Brashear’s Caps days done?

Shelly Anderson drops this rumor about Donald Brashear in her latest chat transcript:

Winger and enforcer Donald Brashear has completed his six-game NHL suspension and was part of the morning skate today, but Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said yesterday he doesn’t see how he could work Brashear into the lineup for a game like this. He’s the type of player you might want to use early in a series that you expect will be physical. Word in Washington is that Brashear might very well have played his last game as a Capital, regardless of whether the team can come back to beat the Penguins.

Brash has become very popular very fast in his three years in DC.  He’s played 220 games, accumulating 25 points and 37 fighting majors during that time.

Videos added

Scott Walker vs Aaron Ward May 10, 2009
Tim Conboy vs Mark Stuart May 10, 2009
Dale Kushner vs Steve Thomas Feb 1, 1992
Kent Huskins vs Ben Guite Feb 12, 2008
Ryan Getzlaf vs Ian Laperriere Feb 12, 2008
Brian Sutherby vs Cody McLeod Feb 12, 2008

Some reads

Scott Walker Not Suspended
Coyotes to challenge antitrust laws
Praise for Roy in bid for job
Thrashers not moving from Atlanta, owner says
The TV magic behind Hockey Night in Canada
Kaminski a killer coach in CHL
Reporter Sees Rat, Freaks Out In Exact Highly Amusing Way You’d Expect
Here’s hoping Phoenix will rise in Canada
Habs fans can just sit, watch and wonder
From policeman on the ice to policeman in real life — Sault resident Jeremy Stevenson adjusting fine to life after the limelight
Emery? Flyers can’t be serious
Pour Georges Laraque, les joueurs ne connaissent pas la vraie pression
Sports on the Air: NHL falls behind in ratings race
Leafs’ secret ‘stache’ in Mitchell

Scott Walker Not Suspended

Scott Walker popped Aaron Ward last night (video).  The punch immediately made waves.  The word suckerpunch was used liberally and the city of Boston was calling for for a suspension.  Today they found out the suspension was not coming.  Walker was fined, and no further punishment is coming.

Few are claiming it was a clean play, but whether or not it was a flat-out suckerpunch is being debated.

Walker’s quote is an interesting one:

“I accept the league’s decision,” said Walker. “Based on what was said on the ice as I was dropping my gloves, it was my understanding that I was engaged in an altercation.”

Without taking a leap you can safely assume Walker is claiming he expected Ward ready to drop his gloves or at least defend himself.  Whether or not that factored into the league’s decision is unclear.

More action from last night:
- Shawn Thornton and Tim Conboy’s “fight”, called roughing penalties
- Conboy picks up a fighting major against Mark Stuart