Just like that, the 2011-2012 NHL Playoffs have gotten underway with one night in the books. When you combine two underdogs winning and a very even series. The unlikely heroes usually begin to show off and during the first night, there were a couple who showed that kind of potential. Who would fit the bill there? Honestly the video above does not lie and then we could add a couple more along for the ride.
Gabirel Bourque and Danny Briere both had two goals to spearhead their teams in different ways. Bourque’s goals were the difference while Briere’s dragged the Flyers back into their game kicking and screaming before Jakub Voracek caught the Pittsburgh defense napping with his overtime goal. By the way every goalie gave up two or more goals tonight which was not that much of a surprise with teams who score in bunches. We nearly forgot Mike Richards who had a goal and two assists on 22:26 of ice time. It felt like he played at least 30:00 out there as he really let it all hang out.
The big impact of the night had to be from the officials for some of what they got right and a lot of what they got wrong. People are going to eventually forget the 16 combined minors called in the Detroit-Nashville game but not the offsides on the Briere goal, and let’s just say a few more incidents that made people scratch their heads. It was that kind of night and there are many nights to go. Fantasy pool owners should be alert of injuries as there were about a half dozen of them in all. What will Brendan Shanhan look at? The Weber hit is the big one because of the intent and first missed shot. It may be a tone setting ruling for the rest of the playoffs one way or the other.
Tonight happens to feature four more games getting underway in Round 1. Here is the schedule….
SCHEDULE TIME:
Thursday, April 12, 2012 |
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| Teams | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | at | NY Rangers | 7:00 PM | ||
| Washington | at | Boston | 7:30 PM | ||
| San Jose | at | St. Louis | 7:30 PM | ||
| Chicago | at | Phoenix | 10:00 PM | ||
There is that issue of the three games being on at the same time. It is going to happen several more times at least in these playoffs. From those we talked to, there was little choice the league had over this. However it will make things difficult as far as following for fantasy purposes. Again, we will try our best to keep everyone informed.
Let us take a quick look at these series……..
1. New York Rangers Vs. 8. Ottawa Senators Game 1, EC
It has been talked about all week that yes Ottawa took three of four meetings from New York and did make Henrik Lundqvist look almost ordinary. Also, the Rangers have to worry about Jason Spezza, who can easily score at a point a clip and of course Daniel Alfredsson. The Captain is the type of player that can turn it up another notch or two in the second season. However, people may be forgetting the contributions of players like Chris Neil and Nick Foligno. Those are glue guys that can add a little scoring punch along with their physical play. Every team has them and Ottawa even as a faceoff specialist in Zenon Konoka to boot. The weapons are in place for Ottawa.
The Rangers have some weaponry of their own with Marian Gaborik being the top fantasy hockey impact at just about a point a game (41 goals). Brad Richards has seen his production spike since being paired with Gaborik while rookie Carl Hagelin is the latest to ride the wave. Hagelin does not always see power play time with the first line duo so keep that in mind. Also add in Chris Kredier (BC Graduate) and there are the makings of something very intriguing. Scoring is pretty decent for the Rangers but the last five or six weeks, that fountain has dried up a bit.
This Game 1 comes down to the secondary players and whether Craig Anderson can indeed outplay Henrik Lundqvist on the big stage at MSG. If you look at all the numbers and analysis, it looks like there would be no way but the strange can happen. At least for Game 1, the Rangers may have too much firepower and Lundqvist will be able to see almost all the rubber coming his way. The Rangers win that one 5-2 with a big night from Richards and company.
2. Boston Bruins Vs. 7. Washington Capitals Game 1, EC
Dear god its Tim Thomas versus the Washington and some Boston media. No the reality is its Thomas versus himself. The Capitals almost have no business being here and yet they are. They are down to their third string goalie in Braden Holtby and that may be for a few games as Tomas Vokoun is still nursing a groin pull and Michal Neuvirth is still out. What may be curious from this one is that Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom could be full running mates for Game 1 at some point. the reality is that is what may be. Those two will have to be otherworldly as Boston is going to go full gas pedal with the physicality to get Washington off their game.
Boston simply has the balance that Washington does not with all those 20 goal scorers. Yes Boston does not have a 30 goal scoring sniper but one is almost not necessary this typee of year. Their power play is so-so but last year they did not need much of a man advantage anyway. Washington has more potential in the specialty teams department and yet both teams have quick strike ability which could make goaltending vital in this series. That is why the injury to Tuukka Rask lessens the advantage for Boston a bit.
Game 1 is going to feature quite the study in contrasts. If it is anything like the regular season games, overtime is almost a given. Boston has the edge when it comes to OT even without the services of Nathan Horton (concussion — out for playoffs). The first one like we said could go either way and Washington will have to weather the storms. While it is likely that Washington could win, it is more likely we see an impact from the Seguin-Marchand-Bergeron line. Boston wins this one 4-3.
2. St. Louis Blues Vs. 7. San Jose Sharks Game 1, WC
Okay who scheduled three games right around the same time? The Blues give up just about two goals a game (165 in 82 contests). The Sharks have the old guard of Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton along with the likes of guys who have slugged it out like Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, and Logan Couture. The Sharks have firepower on the blueline with Dan Boyle patrolling. Antii Niemi has had his share of inconsistent play but he does have a Stanley Cup ring with Chicago from two years ago. In some ways fantasy wise, the Sharks are like the Bruins without the system. That sounds scary but it is true.
Yet St. Louis for as good as they were all year, is still an unproven quantity. Now they have to produce in teh second season. Jaroslav Halak will get all the starts while Brian Elliott out due to a lower body injury. St. Louis seems to be a bit younger at most every turn but has enough experience to combat the gritty attempts of San Jose to get them off their game. Special teams always seem to decide this along with goaltending and St. Louis has advantages with both. Everyone knows it and it is why that the Blues could get the jump in Game 1.
San Jose battled all the way to get into the playoffs while the Blues did relax a bit. St. Louis realizes with the injuries that could abound that they have to jump on San Jose and most importantly get physical. If they can do that, San Jose has no chance in Round 1. If you let them hang around, the Sharks are going to make lives miserable. San Jose will keep it close for most of the night but late it will be St. Louis with the surge and a 4-2 win behind David Perron and company.
3. Phoenix Coyotes Vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game 1, WC
At leat we know kind of what ot expect there with two teams that definitely play contrasting styles. Phoenix will counter punch you to death while Chicago plays more wide open as they let it run wild. This could be the matchip Phoenix really wanted because they have more depth than they are given credit for. Ray Whitney had 75+ points for example and Radim Vrbata became a 30 goal scorer and threat once again
Chicago likely gets Jonathan Toews back from a concussion that seemed to take forever to heal. Hopefully someone remembers that Toews will need a game to work all the kinks out and so will hel Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, and Viktor Stalberg are all key in the grand scheme of things as they test the opposition heavily. Hittchcock will use the home ice well to position matchups. Some day I am still working on how Phoenix can play this just tighe enough in Game 1. Sd Chicago does have Keith and Seabook but the key may be Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. It is why this series is full on contrasts which means lead changes and frustration.
At the end of the night it does look like Phoneix will pull through with a 4-2 victory. Watch out for specialty teams like we said but also how and if Halak takes over the game. Also do expect the unexpected. This series will be ripe with the sublime from time to time.
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That is it for now…..enjoy the Thursday Night slate and good luck!
