Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Guru Report: Montreal Guts Out a Gut Goal
by Hockey Guru
Boston-Montreal
Great start by the Bruins and when Krejci put the B’s ahead 2-0 – Hockey Guru thought – here we go with another boat race.
But Montreal scored the first “gut goal” of the playoffs. “Gut goals” are the goals that teams score mostly because of desperation, determination and grit. There weren’t too many scoring chances to that point but Montreal desperately needed to answer back and Christopher Higgins scored the third goal of the game. Remarkably it was done 2 minutes after that 2 goal lead was held.
This series will be close and the score will likely be tied or a 1-goal game at all times. It’s how the hockey gods want it to be. It’s Montreal-Boston. It’s awesome!
Whether this series goes 4, 5, 6 or 7 games – these are must-see games.
Detroit-Columbus
With the Bruins-Canadiens game competing for the Hockey Guru’s attention – the occasional flip to check-in on this game showed what the Guru knew. Detroit is an amazing team.
When they have to – they can take their game up a level. They have the skill, they have the experience and they have the heart. They have been champions for a reason.
RJ Umberger is trying to prove he isn’t another John Druce or 1-year playoff wonder – he scores big goals in big games.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect from the box score is that Detroit held Columbus to 2 shots in the third period. At a time when a team is desperately trying to get back into a game – that’s IMPRESSIVE.
Chicago-Calgary
The Hockey Guru did not Tivo the game – so when watching the third period and 12 seconds of overtime – the feelings of regret about missing most of the first two periods eroding the enjoyment of this game.
The Chicago crowd was tremendous and this was an awesome game but there’s not much insight for the Guru to impart.
San Jose-Anaheim
Anaheim has captured the home ice in the series!!!
Many of the readers of that know how the Guru feels about that phrase. But Anaheim winning the first game of this series demonstrates how difficult the Stanley Cup is to win.
Having the best record in the NFL – your team doesn’t even have to play in the first round of the playoffs. Then, you get to face the lowest seeded remaining team at home when you’re rested and they’ve gone through a playoff game the week before.
Losing that first game is a major upset in the NFL.
But in the NHL – the disparity between the 1 and the 8 seed is not the disparity between the 1 and 8 seed in the NCAA tournament.
As a long time fan of Jumbo Joe and defender of his – this year there are no excuses. With San Jose’s regular season – he should be rested, healthy and primed for a run.
Game 1 saw 1 shot on net from Big Joe – and he was a non-factor on most of his 28 shifts. Through the Guru’s eyes (yes they were a bit heavy during this game – and distracted with a teething baby) – San Jose didn’t generate too many quality scoring chances. For the offensive juggernaut they had been – they certainly weren’t in game 1. Credit Anaheim’s defense, credit Randy Carlyle – or blame Joe Thornton.
1 game is not a series – but the questions and the pressure are going to make it harder and harder for San Jose in this series.
It’s often said that until a team loses on its home ice – a “series” hasn’t begun – well then this series has begun – and if San Jose doesn’t respond in game 2 – it could be on its way to being over.
The Guru’s forecast for tonight’s game is put on sunblock for the Philly-Penguins game as the red light should be lit often.
What we learned about, today:
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Random Thoughts for a Monday
ReplyDelete* What's worse than Monday morning?
Being a San Jose Shark this Monday morning!
* With 2-3 days prior to the start of the playoffs and at least 1 day off in between games - shouldn't there be ample opportunity to develop, practice and implement strategies for success on the power play? St. Louis and San Jose seem like rudderless ships with the man advantage.
* Is it time to de-canonize St. Louis and St. Jose - is it time to simply be renamed for third-world, powerless communities and now be known as the Luis Blues and Jose Sharks?
* Who will be the hockey fans of the future? Does the NHL realize that it is turning off future fans by putting the leagues fingerprints all over every playoff series?
* Seriously, the NHL is one-upping the storylines of each series.
* How long before teams add attorneys to the payroll to be on the bench. I can see Johnny Cochraine yelling at the refs right now...
* If safety is the #1 objective - why not just play the sport as a video game - then the only worry would be about carpal tunnel syndrome.
* It seems to my that players from the past all survived okay - and built up quite a passions for this sport.
In closing - I was so amped up for the first round of the playoffs this year - and the NHL is doing its best to sterilize this thing. To keep series from having any character.
If it weren't for the paycheck - these comments wouldn't even be posted - but a man has to support his family...
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