This is hockey nirvana friends…..14….yes 14 games today. They are even spread out for maximum viewing pleasure. Make sure you have a fully stocked fridge and your couch is ready…for it will be seeing you soon….time to rack our brains and come up with the 3 stars here on the hockey roundup!!!!
Hockey Roundup — April 7th
Separation Saturday is here at last…some things will be decided and some will linger to Sunday. And now our 3 games of the day….
FIRST STAR (Game of the Season!)
Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs 7pm EDT RDS, CBC
Raycroft has a chance to conquer his ACC demons tonite vs. the Habs.
This is a must win for both teams….it is why…across Canada and even some parts down here in the States…this is being considered THE GAME. Now if Montreal wins….the 8 seed is clinched and there is nothing the Isles can do…as the Habs will have 43 wins and that will be the tiebreaker that ends them all. However, if the Habs lose…the Isles get in if they win both. Then there is the 91 point scenario….where if the Leafs win in regulation….the Isles could get 91 pts…and all tiebreakers would break loose….but for all intents and purposes…this game is first. Halak will battle Raycroft in something neither one has truly seen…an atmosphere like no other. A few of the Toronto bloggers I know will be at the game..and they will be posting either with relief tomorrow or anguish. Good luck to them…I wish I was there.
For some Leafs fans….they have become a bit miffed with Mats Sundin…well this is pretty much a playoff game…it is time for Sundin to step up…the excuses of not having a winger to play with is thrown out the window…time to step up and earn that C and the salary. For the Habs, its all about can Halak stop the Leafs. The Leafs are going to come out flying and hitting everything in red, white, and blue and if the Habs want to stay in it…they have to weather the onslaught. This is the game of the week bar none….fans have been talking about it for a week and finally tonight Saku and Mats will captain their teams either to victory or defeat. Check out the GDT on The NHL Arena for every bit of action…and all the analysis after.
SECOND STAR
Vancouver Canucks @ San Jose Sharks 4pm EDT CBC, FSBA
Nabokov tries to guide the Sharks closer to the the Pacific lead.
Attempt #2 at winning the division and securing some Vancouver fans that shirt…heh. Well now…the wrinkle….a win and a Ducks loss clinches the Pacific for San Jose. Another bit of sorta history…if the Canucks win…Luongo will tie Parent for second on the goalie wins list (for a season). The Ducks as a 5 seed…could anyone imagine that after the torrid start they had? I can’t. The Sedin twins will try to crack Nabokov who is on quite the roll lately. Cheechoo, Thornton, and Marleau will try to solve Luongo. This game is #2 on my Center Ice DVR list for a reason. It is chock full of subplots and twists similar to a Hitchcock novel. Come check out the chaos at the GDT….where many fans of the other West teams will want in on this hot thread.
THIRD STAR
Edmonton Oilers @ Calgary Flames 10pm EDT CBC
A big effort from Kipper is needed to clinch the 8 seed tonite.
The Oilers have been struggling mightily since the Smyth trade but they can hurt the Flames hopes tonight with a win. Of course, the Flames could back in if the Avs lose…but that is another subplot. The Flames are not struggling per se….but need to win tonight so that tomorrow’s game is meaningless and so they can rest some players. People in Calgary are denying this…but Kiprusoff is tired…you can see it in some of his decisions with the puck and in some of his saves. The rebounds are far juicier this time of year…very unusual for him. Rolosson is still playing very well and should get the start tonight. So the Oil are always dangerous..especially when its a Battle for Alberta. Check the BoA guys out with their blog….their pregame special for these is always top notch…and when you’re done there….come to the GDT to see if the Flames can finally seal the 8 seed or will the Avs Die Another Day.
There are 11 other games today too…check out all the GDT action and mayhem at The NHL Arena.
I wanted to take a minute out and thank all the bloggers, posters, and people from The NHL Arena for all their help in this Roundup. Without them, there wouldn’t be one.
