Showing posts with label marc andre fleury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marc andre fleury. Show all posts

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Vokoun Good-Fleury Bad, Habs Not Too Small? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!


Tomas Vokoun has backstopped the Penguins to the second
round after replacing Mar-Andre Fleury in goal.
 First off I would like to wish a happy Mother's Day to any and all of our readers who happen to be mothers!

And now to hockey. When the playoffs began, the one series I had no real intention of following was that of the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the New York Islanders. I know that having two teams with high flying offense has a lot of potential of being quite entertaining, but at the same time when it seems one team will just roll through another in four games a lot is taken away from the excitement of it.

The one thing that made me believe in the back of my mind that John Tavares and company could possibly upset the Penguins was the fact that Marc-Andre Fleury was  in goal. Sure enough, after four games the series was tied thanks in large part to Mr. Fleury. Not to take away from the Islanders, it's just that I have no faith whatsoever in Pittsburgh's goalie.

The difference between last years early exit at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers and their win over the pesky Islanders was Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun started game five and earned a shutout in the Penguins 4-0 victory over the Islanders. The Penguins back up was again called upon in last night's game and his 35 save performance earned his team a spot in the second round with a 4-3 overtime win.

With the win the Penguins will face the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. As long as Dan Bylsma sticks with Vokoun against the Sens the Penguins will more than likely find themselves playing in the Eastern Conference finals soon enough.

My prediction?

Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Iginla, Kunitz, Letang and Vokoun over Anderson and a non 100% Karlsson in five.


Habs And Hockey News

- With their post season cut short, the Canadiens revealed to the media just how injured their roster was in their series against the Sens. With a list including a concussion, seperated ribs and shoulders and sprained MCL's it's hard to imagine the Habs would've went too far had they defeated the Senators.

- As disappointing as the Habs first round exit was, fans in Montreal have plenty of reason to be optimistic heading into next season.

- Andrew Berkshire @AndrewBerkshire argues that the Habs are not too small, an argument that is not often heard.


(Photo by Jason Cohn/Reuters)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Habs/ Sens Game 3, Tinordi Embraces Playoffs And More...

Good Afternoon Addicts!

Craig Anderson will need to be in top form for the Senators to
move past the Habs in round one
The Montreal Canadiens resume their first round best of seven series tonight against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place.

Brian Gionta and Max Pacioretty traveled with the Canadiens to Ottawa but it's unsure as of yet if they will return to the lie-up tonight.

Whether or not the two top six forwards return, the Habs will need to play the way they did in Friday night's 3-1 win if they want to take the series lead. Craig Anderson will look to bounce back in goal for the Senators and if Montreal sticks to their game, he will be the main concern.

With more depth up front as well as on the blue line, Montreal will need Carey Price to outplay Anderson once again. Anderson finished the season with a .941 save%. That's a record for any goalie who has played at least 20 games in a season.

Anderson no doubt has the ability to steal a game or two in the series - hence the 48 saves in Ottawa's 4-2 game one win - and so the Habs will have to keep their offensive game going.

Habs And Hockey News

- Jarred Tinordi says the playoffs are good for his style of play

- TheActiveStick of habseyesontheprize.com  writes on whether or not the Habs window for the Stanley Cup as re-opened.

- Sal Lentile of thehockeywriters.com focuses on four players who have something to prove in the playoffs.


(Photo from ingoalmag.com)