by Hockey Guru
Opening night of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs has come and gone.
The expectations for Round 1 are high in Hockey Guru's mind (again, here I go with the 3rd person thing...) - almost too high and so night 1 is a bit of a let down.
But that's okay - even though there weren't the twists and turns anticipated in the games last night - knowing the playoffs have begun is gratifying in itself.
Opening night, the Eastern Conference saw 2 boat races and a hockey game.
(To clarify for readers that don't get my humour - I know there were 4 hockey games and all were played on frozen water. I know that the machine is actually a zamboni and not a boat).
By calling 3 games boat races - I mean that there was almost as much drama in the game as there is in a boat race. You see, in boating, whoever gets the lead at the start - goes on to win 6 days later or something.
Pittsburgh-Philadelphia
The Flyers forgot that they are supposed to be healthy this year. The picked up where they left off last year in the Conference finals.
Then Penguins played game 1 almost perfectly - and did so without Malkian or Crosbian performances from their superstars.
This is the NHL though - and a best of seven series. The Flyers have been employing the "rope-a-dope" theory under John Stevens of taking it on the chin in game 1 and showing up for game 2.
While game 2 is not a must win for the Flyers - it is expected to be much more competitive.
"Boat Race #2"
New Jersey-Carolina
Did I really pick Carolina to advance in this series? As Keyser Soze said - "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to make the world believe he didn't exist."
These Devils pulled that trick off again (well, almost - the unemployed vampire, aka Tito "TD" O'Dell, believed that the Devils still existed in his prognistication).
With so many bright minds in the hockey community picking the Canes based on their surge and the Devils malaise - last night, Sutter's boys proved that you can turn it back on in the playoffs - and cruised to a 1-0 series lead.
Washington-New York Rangers
Something about surprise, the unexpected - makes sports so appealing to me.
The "Oh, my - did that just happen" thought goes went through my head as the Rangers built the 3-1 lead against Washington. And then quickly saw the high powered Caps even the score.
In the end, Brandon Dubinsky's snipe was the difference and the Rangers took the home ice advantage in the series away from the Capitals.
The Rangers will now play game 2 at Madison Square Garden. Game 5 will be at MSG.
Should the series go seven - the Rangers will have the decisive game in their barn and have earned the "extra" game at home in the series.
But don't buy tickets yet. You see, the schedule can and will change if the Capitals manage to win a game on the road in the series.
It's almost impossible. Road teams never win games in any sport - especially hockey.
(Again - for those readers that are having some trouble seeing the incredibly high-brow wit and humour in this post - I'm JOKING).
The home ice angle is one of my pet peeves. Home ice is determined going into a series and doesn't change.
Washington lost game 1.
Washington still has the home ice advantage in this series.
They now have to find a way to win one on the road to win the series - but, believe it or not, it is possible. Perhaps you want to see a list of the teams that have come back from 0-1 deficits after losing the first game at home?
Not my forte.
But Ovechkin's forte is goal scoring - and the guy is simply amazing to watch.
What I want to watch is if the Caps have a goalie change heading into game 2. As mentioned, the Hockey Guru would have started Varlamov in the series - as I think he gives a better chance to win - both today and in the future.
The Caps window of opportunity to win a cup is just beginning and Theodore's career is not.
As I recently learned - rookies can win in the playoffs. It may be Varlamov's time.
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