Round One Reviews

Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins

Scoring Summaries

Game 1-- Pittsburgh Penguins 4 - Philadelphia Flyers 1
Game 2-- Pittsburgh Penguins 2 - Philadelphia Flyers 1 (1st OT)
Game 3-- Philadelphia Flyers 6 - Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Game 4-- Pittsburgh Penguins 3 - Philadelphia Flyers 2
Game 5-- Philadelphia Flyers 3 - Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Game 6-- Pittsburgh Penguins 5 - Philadelphia Flyers 3

Penguins win the series 4 games to 2

Pittsburgh Penguins stats

Philadelphia Flyers stats

Notes From the Media pages

Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Pittsburgh Tribune Review

Team websites

Philadelphia Flyers home page
Pittsburgh Penguins home page

Round One Reviews

New Jeresy Devils and Carolina Hurricanes

Scoring Summaries

Game 1-- New Jersey 4 - Carolina 1
Game 2-- Carolina 2 - New Jersey 1 (1st OT)
Game 3-- New Jersey 3 - Carolina 2 (1st OT)
Game 4-- Carolina 4 - New Jersey 3
Game 5-- New Jersey 1 - Carolina 0
Game 6-- Carolina 4 - New Jersey 0
Game 7-- Carolina 3 - New Jersey 2

The Hurricanes win the series 4 games to 3

New Jersey Devils stats

Carolina Hurricanes stats

Notes From the Media pages

New York Post
New York Daily News
New York Times
Newsday
Raleigh News and Observer

Team websites

New Jersey Devils home page
Carolina Hurricanes home page

Round One Reviews

New York Rangers and Washington Capitals

Scoring Summaries

Game 1-- New York Rangers 4 - Washington Capitals 3
Game 2-- New York Rangers 1 - Washington Capitals 0
Game 3-- Washington Capitals 4 - New York Raners 0
Game 4-- New York Rangers 2 - Washington 1
Game 5-- Washington 4 - New York Rangers 0
Game 6-- Washington 5 - New York Rangers 3
Game 7-- Washington 2 -New York Rangers 1

The Capitals win the series 4 games to 3

New York Rangers stats

Washington Capitals stats

Notes From the Media pages

New York Post
New York Daily News
New York Times
Newsday
Washington Post
Washington Times

Team websites

New York Rangers home page
Washington Capitals home page

It's round one, lets hit the ice...

We will track the playoff matches here, updating the page after each game. The permanent link can be found on the left hand side of this blog..

New York Rangers and Washington Capitals

Game 1-- Wed, April 15 NY Rangers 4 at Washington 3
Game 2-- Sat, April 18 NY Rangers 1 at Washington 0
Game 3-- Mon, April 20 Washington 4 at NY Rangers 0
Game 4-- Wed, April 22 Washington 1 at NY Rangers 2
Game 5-- Fri, April 24 NY Rangers 0 at Washington 4
Game 6-- Sun, April 26, Washington 5 at NY Rangers 3
Game 7-- Tue, April 28, NY Rangers 1 at Washington 2

The Capitals win the series 4 games to 3

Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils

Game 1-- Wed, April 15 Carolina 1 at New Jersey 4
Game 2-- Fri, April 17 Carolina 2 at New Jersey 1 (1st OT)
Game 3-- Sun, April 19 New Jersey 3 at Carolina 2 (1st OT)
Game 4-- Tue, April 21 New Jersey 3 at Carolina 4
Game 5-- Thur, April 23 Carolina 0 at New Jersey 1
Game 6-- Sun, April 26, New Jersey 0 at Carolina 4
Game 7-- Tue, April 28 Carolina 4 at New Jersey 3

Carolina wins the series 4 games to 3

Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins

Game 1-- Wed, Apr 15, Philadelphia 1 at Pittsburgh 4
Game 2-- Fri, Apr 17, Philadelphia 1 at Pittsburgh 2 (1st OT)
Game 3-- Sun, Apr19, Pittsburgh 3 at Philadelphia 6
Game 4-- Tue, Apr 21 Pittsburgh 3 at Philadelphia 1
Game 5-- Thur, Apr 23 Philadelphia 3 at Pittsburgh 0
Game 6-- Sat, Apr 25 Pittsburgh 5 at Philadelphia 3

Penguins win the series 4 games to 2


St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks

Game 1-- Wed, Apr 15, St. Louis 1 at Vancouver 2
Game 2-- Fri, Apr 17, St. Louis 0 at Vancouver 3
Game 3-- Sun, Apr 19, Vancouver 3 at St. Louis 2
Game 4-- Tue, Apr 21, Vancouver 3 at St. Louis 2

Canucks win the series 4 games to 0


Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins

Game 1-- Thur, Apr 16, Montreal 2 at Boston 4
Game 2-- Sat, Apr 18, Montreal 1 at Boston 5
Game 3-- Mon, Apr 20, Boston 4 at Montreal 2
Game 4-- Wed, Apr 22, Boston 4 at Montreal 1

Bruins win the series 4 games to 0

Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 1-- Thu, Apr 16, Columbus 1 at Detroit 4
Game 2-- Sat, Apr 18, Columbus 0 at Detroit 4
Game 3-- Tue, Apr 21, Detroit 4 at Columbus 1
Game 4-- Thur, Apr 23, Detroit 6 at Columbus 5

Red Wings win the series 4 games to 0

Chicago Black Hawks at Calgary Flames

Game 1-- Thur, Apr 16, Calgary 2 at Chicago 3 (1st OT)
Game 2-- Sat, Apr 18, Calgary 2 at Chicago 3
Game 3-- Mon, Apr 20, Chicago 2 at Calgary 4
Game 4-- Wed, Apr 22, Chicago 4 at Calgary 6
Game 5-- Sat, Apr 25, Calgary 1 at Chicago 5
Game 6-- Mon, Apr 27, Chicago 4 at Calgary 1

Chicago wins the series 3 games to 2

Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks

Game 1-- Thur, Apr 16, Anaheim 2 at San Jose 0
Game 2-- Sun, Apr 19, Anaheim 3 at San Jose 2
Game 3-- Tue, Apr 21, San Jose 3 at Anaheim 4
Game 4-- Thur, Apr 23, San Jose 0 Anaheim 4
Game 5-- Sat, Apr 25, Anaheim 2 at San Jose 3
Game 6-- Mon, Apr 27, San Jose 1 at Anaheim 4

Ducks win the series 4 games to 2

Tavares/Hedman roll off goes Islanders way

The Hockey Gods once again smiled on Long Island, as the New York Islanders secured the number on spot at this years amateur draft and a chance to once again take a blue chip prospect and build their team around him.

The NHL draft lottery, which it seems is trying to vie with Trade Deadline Day and Amateur Draft Day for space on TSN, took place on Tuesday night.

Broadcast live on The Sports Network as a half hour special, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly revealed the draft order, which will see the Islanders expected to announce either Ontario Hockey League forward John Tavares or Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman as the number one pick for 2009.

The Islanders weren't tipping their hand on Tuesday night, but if they might want to make a deal Toronto GM Brian Burke will be keeping close to his phone, Burke made the sports news cycle on Tuesday with his declaration that the Leafs are very interested in Tavares, with lots of Cap room, a full vault over at the Air Canada Centre and a willingness to deal, the Leafs are hoping that they can make their own news on draft day.

What remains to be seen is if the Islanders will be willing to make a move or if they will build through the draft, holding on to the most anticipated draft pick in the last few years.

National Post-- Islanders win Tavares sweepstakes

National Post-- Burke planning to land Tavares

Globe and Mail-- Islanders win draft lottery

Globe and Mail-- Tavares, Hedman remain 1-2

Globe and Mail-- Burke wants Tavares

Toronto Star-- Tavares and Hedman keep top rankings

Toronto Star-- Status Quo for now

Toronto Star-- Maple Leafs target Tavares

Toronto Sun-- The Tavares declaration

Toronto Sun-- Young star 'shocked' at Leafs GM's comment

Toronto Sun-- Having a plan is one thing

Sixteen teams looking for sixteen wins

Four rounds, each progressively harder, each one bringing two teams closer and closer to their season long quest.

Wednesday night, the Stanley Cup playoffs get underway, the annual spring time ritual of fast paced action, crushing hits, spectacular saves and urgent coaching decisions which send one team on to claim the Cup and the others home to wonder if they'll ever be this close again.

It's been called the hardest championship to win, the intensity of the play and the do or die nature of each game taking players to the heights of hockey glory and leaving others thirsty for one more game, another chance to bring home the symbol of hockey's greatest achievement.

Wednesday night's action provides four venues with the chance to launch the two month quest for Lord Stanley's Cup, we'll take a look at the series ahead and offer up our humble interpretation of who will move on and who will move out of the way...

New York Rangers and Washington Capitals

Schedule of Round one games

The Rangers have befuddled hockey fans for most of the season, expected to be more than just a team that struggled to qualify, the Broadway Blueshirts tossed head coach Tom Renney aside in early 2009, hoping that John Tortorella could turn around the fortunes of one of hockey's most under performing squads. While he had a bit of success in changing the direction and more importantly the attitude of the Rangers, it will take more than a stern word or two to topple the high flying Capitals.

Washington steeped as it is with some of the most exciting players in the game at the moment, may finally reward their fans with a lengthy run into the Spring. Led by the scoring highlight machine Alexander Ovechkin, the Caps should be able to move past the Rangers. While many suggest that the best way to slow down Washington is to take Ovechkin off his game, it's easier said than done. Ovechkin has no shyness for the physical play and at times seems to relish as much in a hit as in a goal. His celebrations upon scoring have raised the ire of the CBC's Don Cherry, who finds Ovechkin to be a bit of a hot dog.

Mr. Cherry had best put in for a full order of Maple Leaf Top Dogs, we suspect that Ovechkin will be figuring prominently in the nightly reviews...

Capitals over the Rangers in Five

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Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils

Schedule of Round one games

The Devils like their neighbours in the Big City, also head into the playoffs with a few more questions than answers. They have played rather lethargic over the last month or so, the usually steady Martin Brodeur looking human on more than a few occasions. They at times have appeared to be fully in compliance with coach Brent Sutter's systems and on other nights seem to have gone free form, wandering off their assignments allowing opposition forwards to find far too much time, far too much space and far too much opportunity to score in the Devil end. If they decide to continue in their independent ways, the Hurricanes and their fans may find that hockey will be on the sports pages well into the spring.

The Hurricanes found that someone familiar was the best tonic for a playoff absence, with the return of Paul Maurice to his once place of honour behind the Canes bench. Maurice who was deemed as expendable by the still playoff deprived Maple Leafs, found his follow up assignment more rewarding. Maurice has been able to mix the young with the experienced on the Canes into a hard working crew that are riding their re-entry into the playoffs with some excitement.

The Devils suddenly look very old and very familiar, a team that brought in a number of high profile players who haven't quite clicked. The Canes bring youth and enthusiasm into the first round, a combination that should move them along past round one.

Hurricanes over the Devils in five games

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Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins

Schedule of Round one games

Philadelphia had every opportunity to snare home ice advantage for themselves during the last week of the regular season, but they couldn't find the right combination and instead will make the trip cross state to Pittsburgh. A few years ago that wouldn't have really been much of a problem, the Flyers seemed to be on the rise, invincible when it came to key games it seemed. That was however a few years ago, this year defined the struggles of the Flyers of late, where goals seem hard to come by and slowing down the opposition has proven problematic. The stumbling nature of their performances down the stretch combined with a resurgent Penguin squad doesn't bode well for a shot to put their names on the Cup this year.

The Pens while at times suggesting that they weren't as advertised in last years Cup run, found their skates in the latter stages of the regular season. Led by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby the scoring touch returned, the defensive play tightened up and goal tending once again didn't leave the Pens fans with fears of a total collapse.

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With that fate avoided the Pens find themselves in a pretty good spot to make a run for a return to the finals, the first round and its opponent the perfect situation. The Flyers showing signs of a lack of confidence going up against the Pens who now must feel that they have their game back on track, it won't be a cakewalk, things never are against the Flyers, but still it would seem that Western Pennsylvania will have much to celebrate.

Penguins over the Flyers in six

St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks

Schedule of Round One games

At the start of the season these were two teams which offered up more than a few worries that things were going off the rails. The long running Mats watch in Vancouver, combined with some unpredictable play had Vancouver fans seeking the head of Alain Vigneault and Mike Gillis prior to Christmas, January didn't seem to offer much relief either, but the tide turned in February and the Canucks went on a tear that took them to the top of the Northwest Division. A situation aided by Calgary's injury riddled lineup problems and sudden lack of scoring. Still it's who wins the division that gets the reward and for Vancouver it's playoff home ice and a reunion with the Blues.

St. Louis appeared destined for another woeful year during the early days of this past season, possible candidates for the John Tavares sweepstakes. Though a funny thing happened in the new year, the Blues found their game. Led by some spectacular goal tending from Chris Mason, the Blues led a remarkable charge up the Western Division standings, grabbing sixth place as theirs. They are perhaps the hottest team heading into these playoffs, matching up against an equally rising squad, making for what many hope will be a thoroughly entertaining series.

While Mason has become one of the more talked about players over the last few months, his counterpart at the other end of the rink isn't exactly a sack of old hockey pucks. Roberto Luongo is at the place where the Canucks had hoped for him to be, leading his team into playoff battle, ready to change a series with that one save that makes the difference. When round one comes to an end for these two teams, it would be safe money to assume that you will be talking about Luongo...

Canucks over the Blues in Five

Thursday night will bring eight more teams into the mix, including a couple of highly anticipated match ups that could more than fill the bill for those looking for their "old time hockey" fix...

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Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins

Schedule of Round One games

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Their last game of the regular season was a throwback to the days of the legendary Habs and B's wars, every shift brought a hit, the contempt of familiarity part of the oxygen of the arena. It provided a preview as to what a playoff series should be all about, though you wonder if either team could survive beyond round one after what may be a most intense series.

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All of that of course must be viewed in the arithmetic of the standings, the Bruins far atop the Eastern Conference a team providing such confidence in itself that the Boston media is suddenly pondering the possibilities of all of Boston's pro franchises hoisting championship trophies this season. By far the Bruins were the class of the East, they bring to mind the halcyon days of Bruins hockey, where wins were plentiful and championship runs seemed all but assured.

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Montreal on the other hand have only recently climbed back from the abyss of a missed playoff berth and the unleashing of five months of mourning during a centennial year. They don't quite resemble the swashbuckling squad that we saw at the start of the season and in fact look very tentative, afraid of making any kind of error that would beckon disaster. That is not a great way to head into a do or die playoff series. They showed some spunk in that last game of the year with the Bruins, though you have the feeling that the Bruins weren't quite inclined to return to the days of the Brawlin' B's of Terry O'Reilly. Should the physical play become a feature of this series one might expect that the Canadiens will be coming up on the short end of the time sheets.

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This Bruin team has all the elements you could ask for in a championship calibre team, they have speed and finesse, toughness and defense. They also have confidence on their side, from their fans thankful that hockey has returned to Boston and confidence in themselves to get the job done.

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Bruins in Five

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Detroit and Columbus

Schedule of Round one games

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Defending champions are always the measure of the league and Detroit the current holder of the Stanley Cup once again have got to be considered the favourites to be hoisting that cup once again. The Red Wings have set the stage for their quest for a repeat, offensively they are a juggernaut with some of the top names in the game on their roster. Head coach Mike Babcock continues to lay claim to some of the turf of those that have coached the winged wheel in the past, keeping his team on track for success that some might become complacent over, considering the Red Wings long dominance of hockey over the last number of years.

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While they have become one of the legendary franchises of the game, their opposition are but mere debutantes at this ball, making their first trek into the uncharted territory of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Blue Jackets finally delivered on a long held promise to their deceased owner of a run into the Spring. They had hoped to make that jump last year while John McConnell was still alive, missing out on the playoffs just before he passed away in April of 2008.

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One year later they finally fulfill all that promise that McDonnell knew was there, it's a step towards the future for a franchise that has been one of the brighter lights in Gary Bettman's expansion blue print.

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But like all steps it is one that will come with setbacks, Detroit is far too strong and far too experienced to slip up against the young guns from one state over, while it's fun to make the playoffs, for Columbus the fun will end in short order.

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Red Wings in four

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Chicago and Calgary

Schedule of Round one games

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The Calgary Flames topped a lot of lists in the pre season as the team to watch in 2008-09, they acquired some of the top names to help create some space for captain Jarome Iginla, they had one of the top goaltenders in the game in their nets and on defense forwards wandered into Dion Phaneuf's range of vision at their peril. With Mike Keenan's experienced hand many thought that the Flames were a lock on the Northwest Division title if not a strong candidate for the overall lead in the West.

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Things as they say didn't quite work out as they had hoped, Keenan played Miikka Kiprusoff far too often, leaving him looking weary as the season ended. Injuries took many of those high profile helpers out of the lineup for extended periods of time, at one point leaving the Flames with no recourse but to run a shortened bench during the stretch for the playoffs a situation that highlighted the desperate situation that Calgary found themselves in.

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All in all indicators that don't leave you with a lot of confidence for their chances, and wondering who will be looking for a new job if things don't turn out as hoped.

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With all that on their plates, the Flames match up with the NHL's success story for 2008-09, the Chicago Black Hawks a team mocked not many years ago for its ineptitude on the ice and its lost in the fifties attitudes in the front office. But these aren't Bill Wirtz's Black Hawks, while the team may still be in the family name of Wirtz, these Black Hawks have embraced the new century like no other team. Suddenly playing before sold out houses, the games now broadcast on that newfangled invention the television, Chicago is once again talking about hockey with the same excitement that they did when guys named Hull, Mikita and Magunsson played there.

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With some of the most exciting new players in the league in their line up, the enthusiasm in Chicago for hockey goes far beyond the bench now. The problem may be that their expectations in Chicago so high, that may not quite be able meet that level of success just yet.

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Still combine a young, fast rising team going up against a struggling squad, one feeling the pressure of anticipation and the youngsters with no baggage may be up to the challenge. The Flames by rights should be the favourite, but if you are looking for an upset in the first round, it may come out of the Windy City.

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Chicago over the Flames in seven.

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Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks

Schedule of Round one games

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The family feud of California could very well be the most intense series that we see in the opening round. San Jose everyone's favourite pick for the last four or five years, gets one more chance to reward all that belief. A team that has found ways to eliminate themselves from the Stanley Cup quest year after year is back for yet another chance to show that they are worthy of the title of favourite.

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They have many of the same elements that they have had the last few years, solid offense, steady defense and reliable goal tending. They've changed the outlook behind the bench as well, with Ron Wilson having moved on to Toronto, many of those past playoff disappointments will be left to the hockey history books, at least they hope that is the plan.

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Going up against them an old nemesis the Anaheim Ducks, one time Stanley Cup champions and most recently the struggling franchise that only made it into the playoffs thanks to a late season push that brought back some memories of that Stanley Cup year. If but for a few lucky wins and some stumbles from Minnesota, Nashville and Edmonton the Ducks might not even be in the playoff race this year.

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But now in place they may very well prove to be the first test of the Sharks quest for a cup. The series promises to be a very physical one, the two teams frequently seem to show that California isn't big enough for the both of them. It should make for a hard hitting and very intense series, leaving one or the other weary upon conclusion. You have to give all in the Stanley Cup from the very first game, the only question will be if either team has anything left to give when they are finished.

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Sharks over the Ducks in seven

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To review:

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Coming out of round one in the East:

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Boston

Washington

Pittsburgh

Carolina

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Coming out of round one in the West:

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San Jose

Detroit

Vancouver

Chicago

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Our long range thoughts for a Stanley Cup Final:

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Boston and the San Jose Sharks

And it deflects off the Green Monster for the goal...

Boston is apparently the next stop on the NHL's Outdoor circuit, with a few reports outlining that the NHL is currently negotiating with Bruin and Boston officials, deciding that the friendly confines of FenwayPark will make a nice setting for what seems to have become their annual outdoor match.
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The Boston Globe goes one further, reporting that the Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers or Washington Capitals on January 1st in the NHL's rather successful bid to steal away some of the attention from college football on the day.

The game comes on the heels of this year's classic of Wrigley Field in Chicago and last years snow framed festival of Buffalo. The decision to hold the game in Boston whenever it is officially announced, won't be universally hailed, perennial rival with Boston New York had been hoping for the nod to host the game, while some in Montreal felt that it would make for a nice way to celebrate that team's 100th centennial year. A move that would have been hailed across Canada had it happened.

Fans in Canada are getting a little worried that the NHL seems oblivious that the land that gave us all hockey has winter too... The last time the NHL held an outdoor game above the 48th was the original November classic of 2003 which saw the Montreal Canadiens challenge both the Oilers and the windchill at Commonwealth stadium.

With five other cities in winter settings (well Vancouver sometimes but not often) Canadian fans are holding out hope that the outdoor festival of shinny will come back to the ponds and rivers that brought forward the game in the early 1900's...

CBC Sports-- Fenway Park holding next NHL Winter Classic?

National Post-- Fenway Park to hold NHL's 2010 Outdoor Classic

USA Today-- Report: NHL Classic definitely on at Fenway
Boston Herald-- Ice is nice at Fenway for Bruins

The Hockey News-- Report: Boston's Fenway Park to host 2010 Winter Classic game

TSN-- 2010 WINTER CLASSIC TO BE PLAYED AT FENWAY PARK

Mr. Gillett invites your bid

The deadline is short and the need to have your banker on side no doubt is great. But it seems more than likely that before this week is out, we'll have a very good idea as to who really has what it takes to own the Montreal Canadiens and which names are but mere posers.

The Globe and Mail has posted a story which outlines the process that has been going on over the last few weeks, as prospective investors have taken their forensic accountants to the front lines in a quest to find out the true status of the Canadiens financial picture.

The names of those potential owners reads like a who's who of Quebec financial status, Radio Canada, the french version of the CBC in Quebec outlined that the high profile tire kickers include such names as billionaire businessmen Stephen Bronfman of Claridge Investments Inc.; Joey Saputo, son of cheese magnate Lino Saputo; and Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil.

Also gaining notice for their interest were Celine Dion and promoter-husband René Angélil, Quebecor the media champion in the province and Aldo Bensadoun founder of the ALDO Group, a Montreal based shoe and leather consortium. Should they put in a bid and find that it's successful, the Habs could at least become the best dressed team in the NHL.

We are however still a fair ways away from naming a new owner and new era for the Canadiens, formal bids are to be tabled by 5 p.m. tomorrow and there are said to be something like 50 potential investors all looking for their shot at one of the most historic of NHL franchises.

It seems likely that it's only a matter of time now before George Gillett moves on into the setting sun of his time in Montreal, what remains to be seen is who will survive the rigorous process of elimination and financial discovery to end up in control of an original six franchise and who wil begin to add yet another chapter to the remarkable history of Les Canadiens.

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Photo above comes from the BBC website

A dry well in Oil country!

“There’s going to be lots of time for analysis now, but that was indicative of a lot of nights where we’ve needed a game and just come up short.”-- Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish, trying to make sense of Tuesday nights disappointing loss to the Kings.

The promise of the start of the season has given way to the grim reality that spring time in Edmonton will be spent watching their southern cousins make their march towards the Stanley Cup.

The Oilers were eliminated from the Western Division playoff chase on Tuesday night, losing a must win game against the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 and then watching as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in a convincing fashion with a 5-1 victory, a win that put an end to the Oilers hopes for the third straight year.

Edmonton failed to rise to the occassion on Tuesday, allowing the Kings to dictate the flow of the game and making a huge number of errors during the game including an astounding 19 giveaways and a a horrible first five minutes which saw the Oiler trailing two to nothing before most fans even had a chance to down their first refreshment of the night, as the game went on we suspect that they called for more, if only to forget what could have been.

Despite out shooting the Kings 39 to 29 and showing desperation in the final period of the game, the Oilers could not put enough goals behind the Kings goaltender Jonathon Quick to turn back the hands of the countdown to elimination clock.

As if to highlight their troubles of late, the Oilers will now finish off the season against their provincial rivals the Flames. A home and home series that probably seemed like the perfect way to wind down the regular season at one time, but now seems like cruel and unusual punishment.

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It should be a series which will see the dispirited Oilers face off against a very ornery Flames team, one which failed to clinch their Northwest Division title on Tuesday with a loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

You get the feeling that the Oilers are going to have two very long nights ahead of them before they can begin to forget about how things went so wrong.

Edmonton Journal-- Oilers' playoff hopes crushed

Edmonton Sun-- Oilers will miss the playoffs for a third-straight season

CBC Sports-- Oilers eliminated from playoffs

Flames have home ice advantage for the taking on Tuesday

The Vancouver Canucks had their chances over the weekend and let them slip away, Monday night the Calgary Flames took a big step towards clinching first place in the Northwest and holding some home ice advantage for a good portion of whatever length of the NHL playoffs they will participate in.

Tuesday they can seal the deal, the Flames will pull into Vancouver a much more relaxed team, having handily defeated the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night by a score of 4-1. They had stumbled through March, leaving a hole for the suddenly surging Canucks to push through on the way to the Northwest title.

But Vancouver went into their own spin out over the last few games, while the Flames suddenly have found a way back into the win column and just in the nick of time it would seem, that is if the division title and it's third place seeding is what a team wants.

Third place today would bring a match up with the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team which has been causing a bit of trouble down the stretch for a number of the NHL's better squads.

The Canucks on the other hand would have dropped to fifth should the season have ended tonight, providing for a match up with the Chicago Black Hawks, a team which they haven't had much in the way of trouble with of late.

An interesting scenario where the winners might envy the losers after Tuesday nights match up at GM Place.

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Photo above from the Calgary Herald website

Panthers keep their eye on eighth place

The Florida Panthers haven't had a post season to worry about since the 1999-2000 season, but if the stars align right and the New York Ranges should stumble once more, then South Florida may yet get to remember what hockey is like in mid April, May and maybe even June.

The Panthers clawed their way into an eighth place tie with the idle New York Rangers on Sunday, in a heated match up with the Pittsburgh Penguins. A game which featured much of the drama of a playoff game, combined with enough of the hard hits and occasional fisticuffs that would make Don Cherry sit up and take notice.

The Panthers came out on top on the scoreboard with 4-2 victory, definitely getting under the skin of the Penguins and Sidney Crosby in particular, for the second time this year, Crosby who rarely drops the gloves found himself taking on a Panther. Sunday's main even featured Crosby and Keith Ballard going toe to toe (well sort of) after Ballard levelled Evgeni Malkin with crushing but legal body check along the Florida blue line.



Crosby feeling that someone should stand up for Malkin, took Ballard into his own hands and while he seemed to take the brunt of the punches and was assessed the extra two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, it was an indication that as the playoffs near, everyone it seems moves their game up a notch or two.

The Panthers seemed energized by the check and the fight as well, going on to change the momentum of the game and taking charge of it, pushing their team closer to a playoff berth. With the victory the Panthers have 89 points, the same amount as the Rangers but New York holds the edge with one more victory over their 79 games so far.

With three games remaining on the season, the Rangers would seem to have the tougher schedule with a game against Montreal (Tuesday) and two with the Flyers (Thursday and Saturday) to close out the season.

The Panthers play the Flyers on Tuesday, the Thrashers on Thursday and the Capitals on Saturday.

To grab that eighth and final spot and a return to the playoffs, the Panthers will need to dig deep again and find some more of that desperation hockey that they showcased on Sunday with Pittsburgh, making for a fairly exciting three game run and what amounts to sudden death elimination hockey to come for fans in South Florida.

Miami Herald-- Florida Panthers' postseason hopes alive and kicking

Miami Herald-- Sidney Crosby vs. Florida Panthers II
National Post-- Panthers top Penguins to keep pace in East

New York Times-- Panthers Tie the Rangers for 8th Place

Boston Globe-- Win over Penguins a hit for Panthers

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Photo above from Miami Herald website

In Dallas that D stands for default

"We have no concerns about the Stars' ability to carry on," --NHL Vice President Bill Daly, trying to put out the latest brush fire among NHL franchises...

While the NHL is suggesting that there’s nothing to worry about, the details of the financial troubles of Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks are sending a few shock waves around the NHL this weekend.

Friday’s announcement came out of the blue, as the NHL was forced to acknowledge that the reports from a financial website known as FINaleternatives.com were correct that the owner of the Dallas Stars was in default on some 525 million of American dollars in loans.

In that report, the website broke down the distress of Hicks sports as such, with the company failing to make interest payments on a $350-million bank term loan, a $100-million second-lien loan and a $75-million revolving credit facility. While the loans interest payments were being missed, Hicks himself outlined that he was presently in the process of trying to renegotiate the interest terms on his loans, which involve 40 banks.

FINAlternatives followed that story with a review of the situation on April 4th, in which the news making developments were described by the Hicks group as just a business strategy in which they “decided to withhold last week’s interest payment” in an effort to renegotiate some loan terms and covenants

Dallas is just the latest of NHL franchises to suddenly find itself more of interest to the financial pages than in the Sports section. Phoenix of course has been a financial page mainstay for most of the season and it was only a few weeks ago that the Montreal Canadiens became story 1 in Quebec with talk the George Gillet was looking for a buyer for the storied original six franchise.

Ongoing melodramas have been playing out in Nashville, Tampa Bay and Atlanta to name a few of the more high profile ones, with whispers about other locations as well suffering from attendance woes and financial troubles associated with the current recession.

Dallas however, like Montreal takes the concerns to a whole new level for those involved with the NHL from the league office, through the teams and on to the fan base.

A Stanley Cup champion and one of the success stories of the push to the southern states, up until this news came out many had thought of the Stars as one of the blue prints as to how to run a hockey franchise.

The NHL is expressing little concern over the state of the Stars at the moment, expressing their confidence in Hicks to settle things down, and he himself has said that there is little worry about the banks gaining control of any of his sports franchises (he also is an owner of the Texas Rangers of MLB and co-owns Liverpool of the English Premier League with George Gillet) and has stated that he will continue to pay for the operation of the Stars and the Rangers, though he is looking for like minded investors looking to join him.

While the NHL is officially remaining steadfast in their belief that all is well, the increasing frequency of less than favourable financial information must be starting to be raising eyebrows amongst the other owners, who may see the values of their franchises drop as the economy continues on into recessionary times and once strong franchises begin to shake under the stresses

Much like the world economy of the day, which has government after government seeking a blue print to lead the way out of the difficulties, there seems to be a growing need to see that the NHL is preparing to address these growing problems within the league.

They can say that they’re not worried and that all is well, but the troubling signs are starting to multiply, it would be nice to know if they have a plan in place to address them and head off any future problems, before the events of the day surprise them like they did on Friday, and more importantly for the league to show that they are on top of the situations before the events of the day overtake them.

Globe and Mail-- Stars owner in financial trouble
Dallas News-- Hicks negotiating with lenders over Rangers, Stars debt
ESPN-- Hicks dismisses claims over stateside teams
Fort Worth Star Telegram-- Tom Hicks' sports group misses interest payment

Things looking better for all but one of Canada’s Cup contenders

Anxious Canadians looking for a team north of the border to cheer for during the upcoming Stanley Cup run can breathe a little easier and cast their eyes West; three of the four remaining teams in the hunt are looking a lot more content these days.

Both Calgary and Vancouver clinched playoff spots on Thursday night, while Montreal put a little bit of breathing room between themselves and the teams scrambling to claim the eighth and final place in the east.

Montreal actually jumped into seventh place on Thursday after a convincing 4-0 victory over the New York Islanders, the Habs have been on fire of late, claiming nine of a possible 10 points in their last five games, thanks to revival of their top line which has seen Alex Tanguay, Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev combine for timely goals, as the trio have set the pace for the Canadiens dash towards a playoff seeding.

In Vancouver another top line has showcased their synchronicity, as Alex Burrows and the Sedin twins have provided for the bulk of the Canucks scoring and have refused to bow in the face of increased attention and occasional muggery. Going back to a weekend game in Chicago the Canucks have seemed to have developed a sense of the requirements for a long run in the playoffs, on Thursday they secured a place in the 2009 playoff season.

Their goaltending has been spectacular, the defense has been sturdy and the offensive players have provided the spark that has sent the Canucks on a remarkable winning streak. Even in defeat they manage to gain points as was seen by Thursday night’s overtime loss to Anaheim.

Like more than a few games before, the Canucks showed that no lead is insurmountable as they clawed their way back from a two goal deficit, eventually taking the Ducks through overtime and into the shootout before losing by the final score of 6-5. The sudden surge by the Canucks has started the talk that eh Canucks may be the team to watch in this 2009 playoff season.

Over in Calgary, the stumbles ended on Thursday night as the Flames battled on to take a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, two valuable points that have settled the Flames into the playoffs, with only the positioning to be decided over the next week or so. Calgary has managed to survive the regular season with a large number of injuries, making their quest for the playoffs that much harder.

With their inclusion in the post season festivities now secured, those aches and pains probably won't hurt as much and the injured and sidelined will be trying their hardest to get back into the lineup by the time the Flames open up their first round of the playoffs.

Only the Edmonton Oilers are causing stress for their faithful, as the Oil dropped another key game frustratingly close as it was, this time to the San Jose Sharks. With the 2-1 defeat at the hands of San Jose, the Oilers tumbled to eleventh place in the West with only four games remaining on their schedule.

The Oil have picked a horrible time to go into their dive, only a few weeks ago they were looking solid enough to at least gain an entry in the playoffs, where the hopes of a replay of last years success was the common theme in the city.

However, the rather sharp decline in their fortunes in March has left many of their fans shaken and just a little bit angry, judging by the calls to the post game shows and sports talk radio shows of the city.

Much of the talk and column material of late seems to involve examining the fate of head coach Craig MacTavish, should the Oilers fail to claw their way back into contention over the next four games.

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Despite assurances from the Oilers owner that MacT is safe, those discussions over McTavish will most likely increase and heat up, especially if Oiler fans have an early end of season to begin thinking things over in.

Looking for a little space in the hall

The NHL Hall of Fame has changed their eligibility rules, signalling that they are preparing to admit their first female member. Starting in 2010, the Hall will begin to consider male and female candidates separately. A move enshrined in a new bylaw which will allow a maximum of four men and two women to be inducted each year.

That change could pave the way for one of the most well known names in hockey to gain a second place in the hallowed hall of hockey, as many observers suggest that Colleen Howe, who recently passed away, may be one of the first females to be admitted to the Hall.

The prospect of his long time partner becoming part of the Hall has certainly caught the attention and emotions of Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe teared up at a recent public event when the idea of his wife joining him in the Hall was brought up.

It was a suggestion which has more than enough merit to stand on its own, let alone with the weight of the Howe name behind it. Colleen Howe was well ahead of her time when it came to her involvement in hockey.

From Gordie's legendary career, to Colleen Howe's efforts in organizing junior hockey in Detroit, the Howe's have been synonymous with the game in the United States for a number of decades.

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It was Colleen Howe, who was the first female player agent in the NHL and who negotiated many of husband Gordie's contracts over the years, gaining back a fair amount of what was lost in the early days of his career, when negotiations between the Red Wings and him were rather one sided.

It was also through her efforts that he was able to line up on professional ice with his two sons in the WHA and it was her business acumen that created a very profitable and enjoyable life after hockey for her husband, who still holds to a hectic schedule of public events throughout the year.

Already a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, it would seem only fitting that she would enter the NHL hall of fame as the first female member.

Gordie Howe is sold on the idea, in fact he says that if he had his way he would give up his spot in the hall in deference to his wife and her contribution to hockey.

The need for that should never come, on the merits she deserves inclusion and if the NHL Hall of Fame committee is paying attention to the good of the game, it shouldn't be too much longer before she is enshrined in the Hall. The only regret being that she won't be there to bask in the spotlight with her proud husband.

Headlines of April 2009

Keeping track of the top stories of hockey on a daily basis

April 30-- Salo spares Vancouver's blushes
April 29-- The NHL's dream ticket
April 28-- NHL gives Coyotes money to stay afloat
April 27-- Capitals' Brashear suspended six games for separate incidents
April 26-- Cap-sized
April 25-- Penguins end Flyers' season
April 24-- Habs sale could lighten Gillett's debt load
April 23-- Brodeur ties Roy record in win
April 22-- Ryder leads Bruins to sweep over Habs
April 21-- Luongo leaves no doubt
April 20-- Latest loss puts Canadiens in deeper hole
April 19-- Is Tavares stranded on Island?
April 18-- Calgary Flames lose second game to Blackhawks
April 17-- Phoenix likely staying put for 2009-10
April 16-- A clean break as Wild fires Risebrough
April 15-- Oilers let Craig MacTavish go
April 14-- Islanders win draft lottery
April 13-- Avs give Giguere pink slip
April 12-- NHL playoff matchups now set
April 11-- Canucks claim Northwest title
April 10-- Flames’ division title hopes take hit
April 9-- Rangers lock up playoff berth
April 8-- Gillett juggles options
April 7-- Oilers' playoff hopes crushed
April 6-- Flames firmly in driver's seat with win
April 5-- Canucks spin tires against Avalanche
April 4-- Oilers beat Canucks 5-3
April 3-- Stars owner in financial trouble
April 2-- Howe hopes Hall has room for 'Mrs. Hockey'
April 1-- Oilers' future may not include MacTavish behind the bench

Fans will be fearful of some fanciful changes in the works for the NHL!

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As the NHL heads into the final weeks of the regular season, some unusual rumblings are starting to be heard around the league.

Players, managers and league officials have apparently all been brainstorming to come up with some ideas to make the game a better experience for the fans. However, it would seem that some of the ideas that we’ve heard of seem to be a little off the wall.

Right off the get go, the idea being bounced around to use much larger nets seems rather strange, especially with some of the European players lobbying that the NHL should use the same size net as European soccer uses, this apparently coming from their pre game ritual of playing soccer underneath the stands at many NHL rinks.

It’s bad enough that Don Cherry has had to watch the game he loves turn into soccer on ice with all the hugging and kissing and falls to the ice, but the idea of nets that take up the majority of the end boards could send old Don off to his great reward.

Likewise, the trial balloon from some un-named NHL executives to begin to add much more advertising to the NHL uniforms is going to alienate a good number of the traditionalists of hockey, these gaudy looking roving posters for league sponsors will surely have the NHLPA looking for a share of any potential extra cash but leave many a hockey fan dismayed.

Fans will also probably find it annoying that the idea of changing the game from three periods to four quarters (an idea that some point to the basketball influence at more than a few of the teams) has been spoken of in recent weeks. The extra break between periods most likely a way to sell yet more advertising during the course of the game.

Overtures are also being made with the players to extend the season by another month, starting the playoffs in late May and awarding the Stanley Cup shortly before the August 1st weekend, this would guarantee the NHL television and media exposure through the summer months and lead right up into training camp.

On the topic of training camp, exhibition games will now take up the majority of October, as the NHL will be taking the game to some new locations in the future to try and grow the game.

Likely destinations being mentioned for late 2009 and beyond, include Buenos Aries, Argentina, Auckland, New Zealand and the oil rich state of Dubai, where a number of wealthy sheiks have promised to subsidize any expenses associated with playing at the New Dubai Gardens, the first indoor state of the art hockey rink in the Middle East.

Sentimentalists will no doubt find much to worry about with many of the changes, but time moves on and like each day on a calendar, in the NHL you never know what the new day will bring.