Originally Posted by
sixhands
STUDS
Agent Smith once said the following phrase in “The Matrix Revolutions”
You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist?
The reason is simple, Craig Anderson is a damn good goalie that stopped 48 out of 50 shots to secure the 4-2 win. In regulation no less, not 50 shots with double overtime.
In addition to that stat, over half of the total shots came in the second period. Anderson faced 27 shots in the second and let in two. To put things in perspective for you, Anderson faced more shots in 20 minutes, than Jonathan Quick faced the ENTIRE game.
If Anderson can continue to play the way he has been lately then you are more than likely going to see Ottawa in the second round.
Especially if he can keep his save % around the .960 mark, like he did last night.
*****
PB & J anyone? Makes for a tasty snack, unless you’re the LA Kings!
LA got out to an early lead in the 1st period with a Dustin Brown powerplay marker. After that Elliott shut the door to keep the Blues in the game.
Then Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman took over where Steen left off. Berglund crashed the net and tied the score less than four minutes into the second period. Jackman took a page out of LA’s book and scored with less than a minute remaining to give St.Louis the go ahead goal. That goal ended up being the game winner and the Blues clearly have the advantage in the series.
In addition to their goals, Berglund also added 3 shots, 1 blocked shot, 4 hits and 2 takeaways. Jackman added 2 penalty minutes, 2 shots on goal, 2 blocked shots and a hit. They both also finished as plus one players.
*****
Holt-by Braden, Holt Holt-by Braden! (Sang to the tune of “Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys)
Braden Holtby stood on his head last night and then some. He faced 36 shots on goal and only let one in, which happened to be the opening goal in the first period. Now granted he didn’t face nearly as many shots as Craig “Matrix Master” Anderson but 35 saves is still a decent night’s work.
The Caps lead the series 1-0 and that is largely due to the stellar play of Holtby. He also finished the night with a very respectable save % of .972
*****
Making the most of limited ice-time.
Damien Brunner arrived with plenty of hype, and the skills to go with it. During the regular season his TOI was up near the 16-18 minute mark to begin with and then tapered off significantly. This SHOULD be in large part to the grueling 82 game schedule that some rookies have a hard time adjusting to …
But hang on, this season was only 48 games so what’s his excuse? For a start he plays for Detroit and we all know how they like to treat the newbies. If you’re not producing then you’re gonna be sitting.
That did not stop Damien last night, in just under 12 minutes of ice-time he ripped it up with a goal, 2 assists, 2 penalty minutes, 2 shots on goal and 2 hits. In a 5-4 game the plus 1 is irrelevant.
Detroit are doing it right with this talented youngster. Sheltered minutes maybe, but look at what he can do when playing with the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen, with limited ice-time!
DUDS
Raphael Diaz – Dude, there’s a reason it’s called a “Suicide Pass!” You’re young, you’re talented and I sure-as-shittake mushrooms know you won’t do that again.
Brendan Shanahan and the “Wheel of Justice” – Eric Gryba is suspended 2 games for a clean hit that has been referred to as a “good hockey play”. Cooke avoids a hearing after severely injuring Karlsson in what was also deemed, a “good hockey play”. Are you going to suspend the ice at the Bell Centre for 2 games as well? That is what caused the majority of Eller’s injury afterall!
Lars, I wish you the speediest of recoveries. Get well soon.
Rick Nash – You’re not helping my Dobber Forum playoff pool chances! Yes it’s great you had 8 shots on goal but we don’t count that stat so next time, get them in please.
Entertaining. Great work, six.
League:Fantrax 18 Team Dynasty, H2H (4C, 8W, 6D, 1G)
Cats:G, A, GWG, PPP, SHP, SOG, H+B, FOW, S, SV%, W, GAA
C: Backstrom,Giroux,MacKinnon,Seguin
W: D.Brown,Hartnell,Hossa,P.Kane
Kesler,Marleau,Perron,Zibanejad
D: Boyle,Del Zotto,Doughty,D.Hamilton,Hedman,Markov
G: Rinne
Bench: Braun,Comeau, Demers,DeHaan,Polak,Stempniak,Wingels --Fleury