The Official NHL 2007/2008 Thread

[AxlsMainMan]

Lalime is just as good as Khabiboulin, I wouldn't worry about having to go the distance without him.

Anything can happen in 16 games, we'll just have to wait and see

[AxlsMainMan]

Chicago rookie Crawford blanks Ducks

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Rookie Corey Crawford stopped 19 shots to earn a shutout in his first start of the season, as Chicago blanked Anaheim, 3-0, at the United Center.

Crawford earned his first career NHL victory and his first career shutout, all while making just his second-ever NHL start, as back spasms have forced regular starting netminder Nikolai Khabibulin to the sidelines. Backup Patrick Lalime was also riding the bench for the night after he played the last six games.

"I wanted to go out and do my best," said Crawford. "I never expected this. They had no second chances.

"It was nice to get that second goal and give us some breathing room. The guys played awesome in front of me and I could see the puck real well."

Dustin Byfuglien and Cameron Barker each had a goal and an assist, and Patrick Sharp was also credited with an empty-net tally for the Blackhawks, who have won three straight and moved two points ahead of Columbus for 11th place in the Western Conference. They also pulled within four points of Colorado and Nashville, which are tied for seventh.

Patrick Kane added a pair of assists, as Chicago improved to 8-3-0 in its last 11 games. The Blackhawks also snapped a six-game skid to the Ducks in the Windy City, posting a win against them on home ice for the first time since November 2, 2003.

"As a team we relate well as young guys, and being young is only an issue if you let it be an issue," said Barker. "We seem to do really well together as a cohesive group."

Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 25 saves for Anaheim, which had its season-high six-game win streak broken. The Ducks were also on an 11-1-0 stretch coming in, that had moved them into second place in the Pacific Division, four points behind first-place Dallas. The Stars lost to the Phoenix Coyotes, 2-1, on Wednesday. However, the Ducks fell back to third in the division later Wednesday, a point behind the Sharks, when San Jose defeated Ottawa, 3-2, in overtime.

The Blackhawks got the only goal of the first period, and it came on the power play, as Byfuglien knocked a rebound attempt into a wide-open net at 7:07.

The game then turned ugly, as Adam Burish took a run at Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger, who had returned with a broken jaw after missing two games. Teammates immediately came to Pronger's defense, and as the first period wore down, the teams had accumulated 20 penalties (95 minutes), five misconducts (including two game misconducts) and five fighting majors in the opening stanza. Sean O'Donnell was shown the gate for Anaheim, while James Wisnewski was sent packing for Chicago.

"It was a chippey game, and they play physical," said O'Donnell. "When you take swings at Chris' face with a brace (on), that got us going. You don't take liberties with a guy with an injury."

The Blackhawks got an insurance tally on Barker's power-play goal at 9:01 of the second period, and with 1:31 remaining in the third, Sharp was credited with a goal after his wrist was slashed by Pronger during a breakaway to an empty net.


Game Notes

The Ducks reassigned center Andrew Ebbett to Portland (AHL) on Wednesday...NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that Chicago would "make a lot of sense at some point in time" for an outdoor game, adding that at least nine teams have expressed interest...The Ducks failed to match a franchise record with their seventh straight win -- a feat they haven't accomplished in nine years (Feb. 20-March 7, 1999)...Giguere had a personal five-game win streak stopped...Chicago bested Anaheim for the first time this season, as the Ducks had won the first three matchups. The win also improved the Blackhawks to just 1-12-1 in the last 14 meetings.

03/06 01:11:33 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4136278.htm

 

[AxlsMainMan]

                                        Western Conference
                              Season                        Last 10
                             GP W L OTL Pts GF GA W L OTL
1 Detroit Red Wings  68 44 18 6 94 213 151 3 6 1
2 Dallas Stars            70 41 24 5 87 208 173 6 4 0
3 Minnesota Wild       67 37 25 5 79 181 181 5 4 1
4 San Jose Sharks     67 38 21 8 84 179 161 7 3 0
5 Anaheim Ducks       69 38 24 7 83 173 168 8 2 0
6 Calgary Flames       67 35 23 9 79 187 185 6 3 1
7 Colorado Avalanche  67 35 26 6 76 185 181 5 4 1
8 Nashville Predators   67 34 25 8 76 198 191 5 3 2
______________________________________________

9 Vancouver Canucks  66 32 24 10 74 173 169 5 2 3
10 Phoenix Coyotes    67 34 28 5 73 178 177 6 3 1
11 Chicago Blackhawks 67 33 28 6 72 194 190 7 3 0
12 Columbus Blue Jackets 68 30 28 10 70 164 177 4 5 1
13 St. Louis Blues       67 29 28 10 68 165 186 3 6 1
14 Edmonton Oilers    67 31 31 5 67 183 205 6 4 0
15 Los Angeles Kings  68 26 37 5 57 195 227 2 6 2 

[The Dog]

great game today, pens/caps.  really is a treat seeing three of the top players in the game going up against each other.  I have to say Malkin is stepping out of Sid's shadow in a big way.  Just an insane player.  Fleury played well today and Sid was just being Sid again.

I KINDA feel bad for that guy that put it into his own net, thats gotta suck.  huge loss for the caps too.  they needed the points big time.

great playoff like atmosphere.

[Evita]

I would like to see the Canadiens against Boston in the series... that always make for great games!  Go HABS go!! 

Josee

[AxlsMainMan]

Blackhawks thrash Blue Jackets, stop four-game slide

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane registered a goal and an assist, as the Chicago Blackhawks doubled up the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-3, at Nationwide Arena.

Cam Barker and Andrew Ladd also posted a goal and an assist each for the Blackhawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Patrick Sharp collected two assists, while Patrick Lalime stopped 29-of-32 shots to pick up the win.

Chicago has 75 points on the season and is five points behind idle Vancouver for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Fredrik Modin, Dan Fritsche and Rick Nash all scored for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped four of their last five outings. Pascal Leclaire allowed three goals on six shots before he was lifted in favor of Fredrik Norrena, who finished the game with 16 saves.

The Blackhawks swatted the Blue Jackets from the drop of the puck, scoring just 60 seconds into the contest. Off an errant clearing attempt by Columbus' Nikolai Zherdev, Barker fired a quick shot from the left point that deflected off a body in front and found the twine behind Leclaire.

Duncan Keith netted a power-play goal to make it 2-0 with 8:39 remaining in the first period. Robert Lang made a perfect tape-to-tape pass from below the right circle to Keith streaking down the slot, and the defenseman buried the puck past Leclaire.

Chicago tallied again less than two minutes later to chase Leclaire from the net. Leclaire turned aside Kane's backhanded offering, but the rebound went right to the stick of Dave Bolland, who was driving hard to the cage, and Bolland slipped the puck into the open net with 6:48 to go in the opening frame.

Columbus got on the board in the second period courtesy of the power play. David Vyborny carried the puck into the offensive zone before dropping it in the high slot to Modin, who rifled a slap shot through the legs of Chicago defenseman Jordan Hendry and past Lalime at the 6:27 mark.

Twenty-seven seconds later Fritsche notched his 10th goal of the season to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Kane restored Chicago's two-goal advantage with eight minutes remaining in the frame.

The Blue Jackets climbed back to within one at 7:15 of the third on Nash's 36th tally of the season. Nash, who made his debut as Columbus' new team captain, snapped a wrister from the top of the right circle that made its way through traffic and caromed off the far post.

Dustin Byfuglien redirected a shot from Ladd in behind Norrena to make it 5-3 with 9:40 remaining in regulation. Ladd's power-play goal with 3:23 to go sealed the win.

Game Notes

Norrena made his first appearance since a 7-2 loss to Chicago on February 13th...Nash became the fifth captain in team history, joining Lyle Odelein, Ray Whitney, Luke Richardson and Adam Foote, who was dealt to Colorado at the trade deadline....Chicago finished 2-for-3 on the power play. Columbus went 1- for-5.

03/14 22:15:11 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4138356.htm

 

[D]

I am so pissed.

I had tickets to the Thrashers/Flames game and got lazy and didnt want to drive the 2 hours to go watch it.


Wouldn't u know it, my fav player Ilya Kovalchuk got a Hat Trick.

Atlanta won 6-4


If I had went, Nothing like that would've happened.

[AxlsMainMan]

Khabibulin, Blackhawks blank Caps

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Nikolai Khabibulin stopped all 25 shots he faced en route to his second shutout of the season, and Jason Williams tallied a goal and an assist to help the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-0 pasting of the Washington Capitals at the United Center.

Jonathan Toews, Yanic Perreault, Patrick Sharp and Rene Bourque all added goals, and Robert Lang had a pair of assists for Chicago, which has won two of three.

Khabibulin earned the shutout with an 11-save third period that included a couple of highlight-reel plays after cruising through the first two frames, which saw him face just 14 shots combined as the Blackhawks dominated in the offensive zone.

Olaf Kolzig was bombarded with 42 shots on the night, making 37 saves, and received little help from his teammates as the Caps had a four-game win streak halted. Washington also lost ground in the division behind Southeast-leading Carolina, a 5-3 winner in Atlanta.

"Going into the game we know they're succesful in the first period," Kolzig said. "They got the jump on us, and sometimes it's your job just to survive. We didn't. We were too busy watching and not creating our own energy. We didn't play well in the neutral zone, and that's usually our signature, clogging things up."

Washington, which has 80 points, now trails the Hurricanes by five in the division, and remains two points behind idle Philadelphia for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Williams deflected James Wisniewski's shot past Kolzig to give the 'Hawks a 1-0 lead just 1:27 into the game, and Toews made it a two-goal advantage less than two minutes later. Standing on the goal line's edge during a Chicago power play, the rookie squirted one through after no whistle was blown, though it appeared the goaltender controlled the puck momentarily.

Later in the first, Lang took a long lead pass from Brent Sopel along the left wing, then dished back to Perreault, who fired one over the glove of Kolzig for a 3-0 lead at the 9:14 mark.

Sharp finished the first-period onslaught when he rammed one home from the doorstep with just 2:06 left in the stanza.

Washington tightened defensively during the second period, but Bourque made it a 5-0 contest with his goal at the 10:19 mark. Khabibulin continued his stinginess, turning away eight more shots and thwarting a pair of power plays during the middle frame.

The Capitals' chances were few and far between, though Brooks Laich had the best scoring opportunity to that point around the 12-minute mark of the third. Laich found himself with a one-timer from the right wing, but Khabibulin made a fabulous glove save.

Khabibulin later topped that dazzling stop with a sprawling snare of an Alexander Semin shot inside the three-minute mark of the third, preserving the shutout by making a full-extension save of a Semin missile after scrambling to get back into position.

"Stops like that happen every once in a while," Khabibulin said. "You can't practice it. It's always nice to win the game. We just have to keep on winning."

Game Notes

It was Khabibulin's 38th career shutout, and Chicago moved within seven points of idle Colorado for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race...The Blackhawks have won two straight over Washington...The Capitals finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while the 'Hawks were 1- for-5...Kolzig made 13 saves in the third period.

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4139435.htm

 

[Malcolm]

BUFFALO (Mar. 21) -- If Mats Sundin's torn groin muscle allows him to play again this season -- and it's doubtful he'd be able to perform at more than 50 percent capacity -- take a hard look at perhaps the most dignified athlete to ever grace the city of Toronto. There's a very good chance it will be your last glimpse of the venerable No. 13.

Every strain of reason and practicality suggests that Sundin is taking his final lap in blue and white. Unless he has a complete shift in sentiment and chooses to play elsewhere in the NHL, Sundin will follow true to his word and retire as a member of the Maple Leafs this summer. There is no plausible motive for him to return. After giving his soul to the franchise for a decade-and-a-half, Sundin has finally come up against a brick wall. At no time in his tenure with the Maple Leafs have I seen him so thoroughly spent -- physically and emotionally. The cumulative effect of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year has pushed him to the edge. The untimely injury he sustained last week in Philadelphia may be the final straw.

This isn't to suggest that Sundin won't think long and hard about returning. Walking away from the game is never easy for those who play it best (he will not, however, pull a Scott Niedermayer and re-join the club in mid-stream). Nor is there reason to believe the next GM of the Leafs will disregard the possibility of re-signing the future hall of famer. In the end, however, Sundin will understand the futility of coming back. The Maple Leafs may be a vastly different team next season, but they aren't likely to improve by any measure.

Should Cliff Fletcher follow through on his pre-trade-deadline aspiration to abolish the core of the roster -- and, don't forget, eliminating players with contract restrictions is no simple matter -- the return will be minimal. Among the foursome of Pavel Kubina, Bryan McCabe, Tomas Kaberle and Darcy Tucker, only Kubina can be moved this summer (for a period of seven weeks) without consent. The others will either return to the hockey club, or be subject to buyout and waiver restrictions.

The group of young players the Leafs hope to move forward with (Jiri Tlusty, Anton Stralman, Jeremy Williams, Justin Pogge) will still be maturing next season, and there is little reason to expect radical improvement from the most populated segment of the roster -- players of middling caliber (Matt Stajan, Alex Steen, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Kyle Wellwood, Ian White). Jason Blake's contract is an albatross. Nik Antropov and Carlo Colaiacovo are valuable parts, but too fragile to be counted upon. Only Vesa Toskala represents a truly worthwhile commodity, by virtue of his talent, and his reasonable stipend.

So, what is there for Mats Sundin to come back to? On several occasions, he's referred to the growing challenge of preparing his body and mind for the long NHL season. He isn't certain he'll be able to do so again this summer. The gibberish about winning a Stanley Cup in Toronto long ago subsided. Though he is unfailingly polite, Sundin is doing his best to avoid the media these days, for there is nothing encouraging or enlightening to discuss. He was pushed to the limit by a club that is substantially devoid of front-line personnel, and his body, ultimately, could not hold out. Given his advanced hockey age -- and the potential for similar dependency next season -- big Mats will only continue to break down.

These are all reasons -- not to mention the financial well-being he has secured for several generations of Sundins, and his affinity for the home-life in Sweden -- to move on now, and be remembered for greatness. Mats would depart after the splendor of a 77-point season; not like so many before him, whose stars have faded while grasping to hang on. He'd be assured of a first-ballot hall of fame election in 2013.

Expect the big Swede to step away gracefully -- while he still can. Savour his remaining moments, if they come.

E-mail howard.berger@rci.rogers.com

[AxlsMainMan]

Patrick Kane's overtime goal lifts Blackhawks past Blues 4-3

CHICAGO ? When the Chicago Blackhawks gave up the go-ahead goal late in the third period, it appeared any hope of post-season play disappeared with the lead.

Patrick Kane and James Wisniewski made sure that didn't happen.

Kane scored 1:09 into overtime after Wisniewski tied it in the final minute of regulation and the Blackhawks boosted their playoff hopes with a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

With six games left in the regular season, Chicago is four points behind Colorado for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. The Blackhawks haven't been to the post-season since 2002.

"They know what it takes to win, to battle," Chicago coach Denis Savard said of Kane, a leading candidate for rookie of the year, and Wisniewski, who scored his first goal in 18 games. "Whether we get there (the playoffs) of not, they'll prove a lot of people wrong."

Kane scored off a rebound of Niklas Hjalmarsson's shot from the left point, jamming the puck inside the left post past Hannu Toivonen. It was Kane's 18th goal and fourth against St. Louis.

"I thought the shot was going wide, and it was right there," said Kane, who leads all rookies with 65 points. "It was good to jam it in."

The Blues went 1-7-1 on their season-high nine-game road trip, almost assuring they won't make the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time in the franchise's 41-year history.

"We've competed in every game with the exception of one," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "Our team competes hard on a nightly basis.

"What we need to do is find a way to turn these losses into wins, because our compete level is pretty strong."

St. Louis has not played at home since March 4, and its 11-20-7 road record is the worst in the West.

Adam Burish and Dustin Byfuglien also scored and Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves for the Blackhawks. Lee Stempniak, D.J. King and Keith Tkachuk scored for the Blues.

These teams will meet for the final time this season on Saturday. Savard, though, was upset about the Blues going after some of his young players.

"We've got two young kids playing their hearts out," he said referring to Kane and Jonathan Toews, who had an assist. "Cheap shots, behind the neck, behind the back, after whistles. We don't need that in our game."

Both teams combined for four goals in the final 10:50 of regulation. Byfuglien scored his 18th goal at 9:10 when he took a pass from Kane and snapped a shot past Toivonen to make it 2-1.

St. Louis tied it 2:09 later when David Backes' shot from the right point deflected off King's skate in front of Khabibulin.

The Blues grabbed a 3-2 lead with 1:18 to play on a miscue by Kane, who had the puck stripped by Brad Boyes in front of the St. Louis bench. He then fed Tkachuk, who scored on a breakaway for his 23rd goal.

Wisniewski made it 3-3 just 23 seconds later, beating Toivonen from the high slot for his seventh goal.

"I don't think I've scored a bigger goal," he said.

Both teams traded goals in the second. With 12:05 to play, Stempniak beat Khabibulin for his 13th goal and fourth in as many games against Chicago.

That also ended Khabibulin's home shutout streak at 197 minutes, 28 seconds since Jan. 24.

Khabibulin's shutout run in Chicago was the longest by a Blackhawks goalie since Ed Belfour blanked the opposition for 195 minutes, 33 seconds in November 1991, according to STATS, LLC.

The Blackhawks scored less than 10 minutes later. Troy Brouwer, recalled from Rockford of the AHL before the game, carried the puck behind the net and threw it off Burish's skate.

It was Burish's second goal of the season and first since Jan. 22.

Notes: Kane tied the Blackhawks' rookie record for assists in a season with his 47th, joining coach Denis Savard (1980-81) and Steve Larmer (1982-83). ... Dan Hinote, Martin Rucinsky and Jay McKee were scratches for St. Louis. Chicago didn't have Robert Lang, Martin Havlat, Cam Barker, Andrei Zyuzin, Ben Eager or Yanic Perreault in the lineup. ... Former Blackhawks goalie Murray Bannerman dropped the ceremonial puck. ... A crowd of 19,146 turned out on Easter.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6-dgp5ZfSJFrQmQllENQdQ4-UNA

[AxlsMainMan]

Blackhawks thwart Blues' comeback try

BY NORM SANDERS
News-Democrat

ST. LOUIS --After digging themselves a 4-0 hole that included a pair of short-handed goals, the St. Louis Blues finally located a shovel Saturday.

They nearly managed to erase the four-goal deficit, but wound up losing 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks before a sellout crowd of 19,150 at the Scottrade Center.

"It might be fun for fans to see somewhat of a comeback game," said Blues defenseman Jay McKee, whose team scored three goals after falling behind 4-0 early in the third period. "But for players, management and coaches, it's only satisfying when you win. To have a solid third period, sure that's great for us.

"But we look at it as a whole game --and we're awfully disappointed with the way we got behind like that."

It was the 19th sellout this season after the Blues (31-35-12) -- who have won only three times in their last 19 games -- sold out only three homes games in the past two seasons combined. Two of those were easy sells on the nights the team retired the jerseys of Al MacInnis and Brett Hull.

Blues winger Keith Tkachuk broke up the shutout with his 24th goal at 6:11 of the third period. The goal left Tkachuk three away from 500 in his career.

Brad Boyes collected his 41st with 4:58 remaining after a pass from David Perron bounced in off his leg. Blues winger Paul Kariya scored a power-play goal with 2:40 remaining, his 14th this season and first in 21 games.

Tempers flared when Chicago's Duncan Keith, who was penalized for an elbow to Kariya's head earlier in the period, knocked down Blues center Andy McDonald with 5.4 seconds remaining. Everyone left on the ice wound up in a pile near the Chicago net before order was finally restored, with Keith receiving a match penalty.

Just 1:40 into the game, Chicago (37-33-8) got a goal from Andrew Ladd that appeared to go in off the stick of Blues defenseman Matt Walker.

Blues winger Cam Janssen dropped the gloves with Chicago's Craig Adams in a lively bout just two seconds after the goal. After the fight, Janssen raised his arms toward the roof as if to signify victory, pumping up the sellout crowd.

Blues winger David Backes tried to go at it with Chicago's Adam Burish later in the first period, but the pair quickly wrestled each other to the ice.

The rough stuff was a carryover from Chicago's 4-3 win Sunday, when Blackhawks coach Denis Savard felt the Blues were being too rough on young forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Savard even took the rare step of calling out Blues players Barret Jackman and David Backes.

"They were complaining last week that we were too rough on them, and it is hockey," Blues goalie Manny Legace said. "It's a tough game. If guys want to go to the net they're going to pay the price and those guys go to the net hard.

"Their coach has got to realize that he used to go to the net hard, too."

Toews scored his 22nd goal of the year late in the first period, firing a shot past a screened Legace.

Perron used a highlight-reel move to cut in on goal late in the second period, forcing two players and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to deal with him. Perron clipped Khabibulin on the way by and got a slash from the goalie in retaliation.

The Blackhawks increased their lead to 3-0 with 4:48 remaining in the second period on a shorthanded goal by Keith.

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson broke his stick during a power play and the Blackhawks started a rush to the other end. Keith's shot from just inside the blue line went by Kariya and skipped past Legace.

"I was horrible, plain and simple," Legace said. "Didn't play well tonight. I've got to make those saves, it's as simple as that."

Chicago leads the NHL with 16 short-handed goals this season. The Blues have allowed 12 and the Blackhawks have scored five of them.

The Blackhawks collected another short-handed goal early in the third period to make it 4-0.

The Blues managed only one shot during a 5-on-3 power play and Kariya couldn't control the puck along the left boards.

Craig Adams set sail for the net and a sliding Blues rookie defenseman Erik Johnson upended Legace. Adams managed to get his shot in before the net was knocked loose from its moorings and after a video review, the goal stood.

http://www.bnd.com/sports/blues/story/294960.html

 

[AxlsMainMan]

Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 4 (SO): Another strange way to lose

Monday,  March 31, 2008 3:05 AM
By Aaron Portzline

CHICAGO -- With very little margin for error, the Blue Jackets have spent most of the season standing on the precipice.

Last night, two split-second sequences -- one that hinged on the edge of a skate, the other on the tip of a goaltender's glove -- spelled doom for the Blue Jackets and served as the perfect metaphor for their season.

They couldn't hold leads of 3-1 and 4-3, ultimately losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in a shootout before 20,885 in the United Center.

Chicago rookie Patrick Kane scored in the first round, the only shootout goal for either side. Joakim Lindstrom, Nikolai Zherdev and Rick Nash failed to scored for the Jackets.

But the troubles started long before the shootout.

"We had the game in perfect control, especially in the third period," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We had it.

"It's too bad. The kid falls down and the puck is in the net."

Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Kris Russell would be "the kid."

With 6:18 remaining and the Blue Jackets leading 4-3, Russell came from behind the Jackets' net with the puck. But he slipped and fell to the ice, turning the puck over to Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien in the process.

A tic-tac-toe later, Blackhawks center Yanic Perreault scored off a rebound to make it 4-4.

"I lost (a skate) edge," said Russell, who had missed the previous five games because of a strained groin.

That play might have been the final stage of the collapse, but its beginning occurred in the second period.

The Blue Jackets got goals from Michael Peca and Nikolai Zherdev to take a 3-1 lead only 3:36 into the period.

They seemed to be in control, leading 3-2 late in the second, until the Blackhawks were granted a two-man advantage for a full two minutes with 4:29 left. Gilbert Brule went to the box for slashing, and Aaron Rome went off for delay of game after knocking the net off its moorings.

The Blue Jackets killed of all but 14 seconds before Chicago's Patrick Sharp scored to tie it at 3.

Robert Lang's shot on the doorstep glanced off the glove of Blue Jackets goaltender Fredrik Norrena -- "I almost had it," Norrena said -- before Sharp poked home the rebound.

"We did a great job on that kill," Hitchcock said. "The goal should have never gone in. We need to be better there. That's when we needed a save, right there. The guys did a great job killing it, we just needed a save right there.

"Those are the fine lines we're dealing with right now."

Norrena, making his eighth consecutive start in place of Pascal Leclaire (concussion), made 29 saves.

"That's a gifted offensive team," Norrena said of Chicago. "I don't know why we get two penalties on the same play. That made it tough.

"We almost killed it, and I almost had it. Right there. In my glove."

Key word: almost.

In an "almost" season, the Blue Jackets landed back at the .500 mark -- 34-34-11 -- with a thud.

It marked their eighth shootout loss in 11 attempts this season. The Jackets have failed to score in five of the 11 shootouts.

Last night, Kane came in on Norrena with such speed and trickery that Norrena was almost in the net when Kane scored over his left pad with a backhand.

"My (left) pad was right there," Norrena said. "Right there, but he got it over it, just enough."

Chicago goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin took care of the rest. He kicked aside attempts by Lindstrom and Nash and used his glove to brush off Zherdev's attempts.

Andrew Murray tied the score at 1 in the first period for the Blue Jackets, who have converted just 11 of 37 shots (29.7 percent) in shootouts.

"What can you say?" Hitchcock said.

It ended a rough day for the Jackets. By mid-afternoon, they were officially eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville earned a point with an overtime loss against Detroit.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/bluejackets/stories/2008/03/31/jackets31.ART_ART_03-31-08_C1_GO9PQAK.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

 

[AxlsMainMan]

Kane, Blackhawks keep playoff hopes alive with win over Detroit

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Patrick Kane's goal and two assists sparked Chicago past Detroit, 6-2, at United Center.

Jordan Hendry scored his first NHL goal for the Blackhawks, who have won three in a row and moved into 10th place in the Western Conference with 86 points, only three points behind idle eighth-seeded Nashville for the final playoff berth.

Chicago has two games remaining, hosting the Predators Friday before completing the regular season in Detroit on Sunday.

Robert Lang, Cam Barker, Dustin Byfuglien and Adam Burish tallied once each while Nikolai Khabibulin made 26 saves in the win.

"We seem to rise to the occasion when we play these guys," Hendry noted. "They're the best and we want to show we can compete with them."

Henrik Zetterberg and Kirk Maltby lit the lamp for the Red Wings, who failed to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference with the regulation loss.

With the regulation defeat, Detroit remained three points ahead of idle San Jose in the race for the top seed. Both teams have two games left on their respective regular-season slates.

Dominik Hasek started the game, but was yanked after allowing three goals on six shots early in the first period. Chris Osgood finished up by allowing three goals on 22 shots.

The Hawks got on the board at the 5:53 mark of the first as Barker picked up a power-play marker.

It was 2-0 as Hendry's left-circle drive from a face-off deflected off a Wings defender and got through Hasek at 6:36, and Lang converted a partial breakaway to make it a three-goal bulge at 7:52.

Hasek exited in favor of Osgood with the shots 6-0 in favor of Chicago, and the move finally paid off as Zetterberg potted a power-play marker with 5:40 left in the first.

The momentum was short-lived as Byfuglien's man-advantage marker 3:13 into the second restored Chicago's three-goal lead. Maltby got one back for the Wings at 6:10, but Kane's 19th of the season nearly a minute and a half later gave the Hawks a 5-2 edge.

Burish provided the clincher with 4:19 left in the contest, snapping a wrister from the right wing over Osgood's glove.

"We're kind of up and down right now," admitted Osgood. "We had a stretch where we played real well, and now it's back and forth."

Game Notes

Chicago has won five of seven meetings...Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk recorded an assist on Zetterberg's goal, giving him 64 on the season, second in the NHL only to San Jose's Joe Thornton (66)...Detroit committed 10 of the game's 18 penalties...Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith picked up a pair of helpers...The Red Wings dropped their first game of the season on a Wednesday, falling to 12-1-0.

04/02 23:47:04 ET

http://146.145.120.3/default.asp?c=ocregister&page=/nhl/news/ADN4142403.htm

 

[AxlsMainMan]

Kane, Lalime lead Blackhawks past playoff-bound Predators

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Blackhawks wish they had played the Nashville Predators a day earlier

Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist and Patrick Lalime stopped 29 shots as the Blackhawks posted a 3-1 victory Friday over the playoff-bound Predators, who concluded their regular season.

Rookie Jonathan Toews also scored and Adam Burish netted a shorthanded goal for Chicago, which was eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday.

"This was a tough game for us," Blackhawks coach Denis Savard said. "We have been on a high here for a long time, so it was tough to get up for this game without the playoffs to fight for. They are still our goal, along with winning a Stanley Cup."

Toews' 24th goal of the season at 4:52 of the first period tied the game at 1-1, and the Blackhawks pulled away later in the session on tallies by Burish and Kane.

Rich Peverley scored the lone goal for the Predators (41-32-9), who posted a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday to help them clinch a playoff spot and end the Blackhawks' postseason hopes. Nashville was guaranteed a berth when Vancouver fell to Edmonton later that night.

"Tonight was tough for us mentally," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Last night was a very emotional night, and it took something out of us."

Peverley opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season at 2:18 of the first. However, Chicago responded with three straight and Lalime slammed the door.

Toews knotted the contest just 2:34 after Peverley's goal, as he fired a wrist shot from the slot that beat goaltender Chris Mason.

Burish put Chicago ahead for good at 7:11, when he broke up a pass at the Blackhawks' blue line and scored on a breakaway.

Burish moved across the crease and tried to stuff the puck under Mason, who made the initial save. However, Nashville defenseman Ville Koistinen, who had been in pursuit of Burish, slid into Mason, causing the puck to come loose and slide into the net.

"It was a lucky goal, but I will take it," Burish said. "I think their defenseman knocked it in, but if anyone asks, I went top shelf."

Kane made it 3-1 at 11:09, when he redirected a pass from Patrick Sharp over the glove of Mason for his 20th of the season.

"The puck was coming at me and I tried to deflect it in off my body," Kane said. "When they reviewed it, I thought it wouldn't count. I'm glad it did."

Mason made nine saves before being replaced at 10:36 of the second by Pekka Rinne, who turned aside all eight shots he faced.

"I just wanted to split up the time between the goalies," Trotz said. "I wanted to give Rinne sometime before he goes back to Milwaukee (of the American Hockey League)."

http://www.sbrforum.com/Recaps/NHL/20080404NHL--CHICAGO---0.aspx

 

[tim_m]

Ok so the first round matchups are set. Lets get the picks started.

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 8 Boston Bruins

No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers

Western Conference

No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 8 Nashville Predators

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Calgary Flames

No. 3 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 6 Colorado Avalanche

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars

My picks:

Montreal d. Boston in 5

Pittsburgh d. Ottawa in 4. Ottawa is in a free fall and i just can't see them mustering much against Pittsburgh.

Washington d. Philadelphia. 5 Washington is a scary team right now. I would not want to play them at all.

New York d. New Jersey.  Rangers in 5. The rangers were 7-1 against the devils. I can't overlook that and think the devils have much chance. They can't score and Brodeur can only do so much.

Detroit d. Nashville. Detroit in 6. I think Detroit can win this one but they always seem to play sloppy in first round series so i think a let down is possible.

San Jose d. Calgary. San Jose in 5.

Minnesota d. Colorado. Minnesota in 6.

Anaheim d. Dallas in 5. I can't pick against the defending champs.

[AxlsMainMan]

Eastern Conference

Montreal d. Boston Bruins in 6.
Pittsburgh d. Ottawa Senators in 5.
Washington d. Philadelphia Flyers in 6.
New York Rangers d. New Jersey Devils in 6.

Western Conference

Detroit d. Nashville Predators in 5.
San Jose d. Calgary Flames in 5.
Colorado d. Minnesota Wild in 6.
Anaheim d. Dallas Stars in 6.

 

[Malcolm]

Montreal
Pittsburgh
Washington
Rangers

Detroit
San Jose
Colorado
Anehiem

[tim_m]

008 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS - ROUND #1
     
SERIES A    TIME    
#1       vs.       #8
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 12, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sun., April 13, 2008    7:00 PM    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Tues., April 15, 2008    7:00 PM    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Thurs, April 17, 2008    7:00 PM    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Montreal at Boston    CBC, RDS
Mon., April 21, 2008    TBD    Boston at Montreal    CBC, RDS
                         
SERIES B    TIME    
#2       vs.       #7
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    7:00 PM    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    CBC, RDS
Mon., April 14, 2008    7:00 PM    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Wed., April 16, 2008    7:00 PM    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    Pittsburgh at Ottawa    CBC, RDS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Ottawa at Pittsburgh    CBC, RDS
                         
SERIES C    TIME    
#3       vs.       #6
   Network
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    VERSUS, TSN
Sun., April 13, 2008    2:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    NBC, TSN
Tues., April 15, 2008    7:00 PM    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Thurs, April 17, 2008    7:00 PM    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Sat., April 19, 2008    1:00 PM    Philadelphia at Washington    NBC, TSN
Mon., April 21, 2008    TBD    Washington at Philadelphia    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Philadelphia at Washington    TSN
                         
SERIES D    TIME    
#4       vs.       #5
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    7:00 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Fri., April 11, 2008    7:00 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Sun., April 13, 2008    7:00 PM    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 16, 2008    7:00 PM    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Fri., April 18, 2008    7:30 PM    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    New Jersey at NY Rangers    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    NY Rangers at New Jersey    TSN
                         
2008 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS - ROUND #1

   
SERIES E    TIME    
#1       vs.       #8
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    7:00 PM    Nashville at Detroit    VERSUS
Sat., April 12, 2008    2:00 PM    Nashville at Detroit    NBC
Mon., April 14, 2008    TBD    Detroit at Nashville    VERSUS
Wed, April 16, 2008    TBD    Detroit at Nashville    VERSUS (JIP)
Fri., April 18, 2008    7:30 PM    Nashville at Detroit    VERSUS
Sun., April 20, 2008    3:00 PM    Detroit at Nashville    NBC
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Nashville at Detroit    
                         
SERIES F    TIME    
#2       vs.       #7
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    VERSUS, CBC
Thurs, April 10, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    CBC
Sun., April 13, 2008    10:00 PM    San Jose at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
Tues., April 15, 2008    10:00 PM    San Jose at Calgary    CBC
Thurs, April 17, 2008    10:00 PM    Calgary at San Jose    VERSUS, CBC
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    San Jose at Calgary    CBC, VERSUS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Calgary at San Jose    CBC
                         
SERIES G    TIME    
#3       vs.       #6
   Network
Wed., April 9, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    
Fri. April 11, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    VERSUS (JIP)
Mon., April 14, 2008    10:00 PM    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Tues., April 15, 2008    10:00 PM    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Thurs., April 17, 2008    9:00 PM    Colorado at Minnesota    
Sat., April 19, 2008    TBD    Minnesota at Colorado    VERSUS
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Colorado at Minnesota    
                         
SERIES H    TIME    
#4       vs.       #5
   Network
Thurs, April 10, 2008    10:00 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Sat., April 12, 2008    10:00 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Tues., April 15, 2008    8:30 PM    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Thurs., April 17, 2008    8:00 PM    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Fri., April 18, 2008    10:30 PM    Dallas at Anaheim    VERSUS, TSN
Sun., April 20, 2008    TBD    Anaheim at Dallas    TSN
Tues., April 22, 2008    TBD    Dallas at Anaheim    TSN


I still don't like the tv schedules the nhl needs to get a better tv deal so that everyone can see every game. I am only gonna be able to see 3 of 7 ranger games.

[Skeba]

My picks:

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Montreal Canadiens vs. No. 8 Boston Bruins

I don't really see either going all the way, although Montreal has been really consistent even after they traded their no1 goalie.. Montreal in 5.

No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 7 Ottawa Senators

Hopefully this will be the year for Penguins. I'll say Pens in 5.

No. 3 Washington Capitals vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Flyers

This is a close one, but I doubt that the Flyers will be able to shut down Ovetchkin as well as they'd like. 4-3 Washington.

No. 4 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 5 New York Rangers

This is something that could go either way. The Devils were shaky against Rangers in the regular season, but I'll go with the Devils 4-2 with one away win...

Western Conference


No. 1 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 8 Nashville Predators

No. 2 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 7 Calgary Flames

No. 3 Minnesota Wild vs. No. 6 Colorado Avalanche

No. 4 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars


I'll edit my post later for the Western Conference comments, but apart from Colorado, NY Rangers and Philadelphia, I don't see the away teams passing to second round..

[COMAMOTIVE]

Eastern Conference

Montreal d. Boston Bruins in 4
Pittsburgh d. Ottawa Senators in 7
Washington d. Philadelphia Flyers in 7
New York Rangers d. New Jersey Devils in 5

Western Conference

Detroit d. Nashville Predators in 5.
San Jose d. Calgary Flames in 7
Colorado d. Minnesota Wild in 4
Anaheim d. Dallas Stars in 6.