All Entries in the "Eastern Conference" Category
Running On Empty
So many times this season, the New York Rangers found a way to eke out a win with less than a 60-minute effort and Eastern Conference Final has followed suit. In games 1 and 3, the Rangers managed to hold on through the onslaught for 2 periods, thanks to the defense and, most importantly, the [...]
The King Reigns On Both Sides Of The Hudson
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the New York Rangers won game 1, lost game 2 and then won game 3. Their Eastern Conference Final series followed the same pattern for the first two and they were looking to continue that pattern and get a game 3 victory over the New Jersey Devils [...]
In Game 1, Three Is The Rangers’ Magic Number
For the second series in a row, the New York Rangers took their playoff series to the limit, and for the second series in a row, got past their opponent to move on. For the first time since 1997, they are in the Eastern Conference finals, battling against an old nemesis, the New Jersey Devils. [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Finals Predictions
— Welcome back to the Hockey Independent roundtable where five writers from the HI staff have come together once again to provide you all with our Conference Finals predictions. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Seth Levin (New Jersey Devils), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa [...]
This Seems Familiar
On Monday night, the New York Rangers were moments away from having to stave off elimination 2 days later. That is, until Joel Ward of the Washington Capitals took an ill-advised high-sticking double minor for cutting Carl Hagelin. With Henrik Lundqvist pulled for a 2-man advantage, Brad Richards connected with 7.6 seconds to spare to [...]
Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part II: The Bottom Six
Throughout the month of May, I will be providing you all with a six-part Boston Bruins’ postseason review, grading the performances of each and every player that donned the eight-spoked “B” during the 2011-’12 campaign. The schedule looks like this: Part I –> Top Six Forwards Part II –> Bottom Six Forwards Part III –> [...]
Boston Bruins’ Postseason Report Cards: Part I: The Top Six
Vacation. Relaxation. Warm weather. Spending time with family. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, these wonderful conjectures that encompass the summer season have arrived in the Hub far earlier than many of us expected. Now a week and a half removed from Boston’s game seven loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals at TD Garden [...]
Andy Greene: Underappreciated and Overlooked, But Shines in Playoffs for New Jersey Devils
He doesn’t put up the stat line of Erik Karlsson, doesn’t have the size of Zdeno Chara or the shot of Shea Weber, but make no mistake about it, Andy Greene is a big part of the success the New Jersey Devils have had this season. Undrafted out of the Miami University (Ohio), Greene has [...]
NYR 2 WSH 1 – 3OT
I’ve loved the game of hockey for over 40 years. Yeah, I’m old. But there have been a lot of times, particularly in the late nineties/early aughts that I felt the love was unrequited. Then there was last night in the Verizon Center. This was a game that really didn’t decide anything – it was [...]
The Toronto Maple Leafs – Another Offseason
After yet another disappointing season, Maple Leafs fans look toward another offseason. This time, as the fans of the only NHL franchise to have not played in a postseason game since the lockout. The overwhelming belief that the Toronto Maple Leafs still need a number one center still remains, and the uncertainty about goaltending is [...]
Does Steven Stamkos Deserve to be a Hart Trophy Finalist?
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin have been named finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, the annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The winner is selected in a poll of [...]
Bruins Hope First Round Exit Re-Ignites Championship Fire
After the celebration of the 2011 “break up day” last June, the Boston Bruins were quickly snapped back to the harsh reality of what normally constitutes a locker clean out day for most NHL squads. During which, the B’s brought to light the injuries that hampered them throughout the postseason as well as their reflections [...]
Hockey Independent Playoff Roundtable: Conference Semi-Finals Predictions
— Welcome back to the Hockey Independent roundtable where five writers from the HI staff have come together once again to provide you all with our Conference Semi Finals predictions. The contributing authors to today’s piece will be Cris Cohen (New York Rangers), Alex Muscat (Detroit Red Wings), Bill Philp (Tampa Bay Lightning) and [...]
Familiar Rituals. Familiar Foes.
My brother’s 6-year-old Henrik Lundqvist hat, that makes the Broadway Hat look like it’s fresh from the haberdashery, was in desperate need of being replaced. With his birthday this month, I took it as an opportunity to do just that. “I’m not changing it until the playoffs are over,” he told me when he called [...]
Steven Stamkos 60 Goal Season Infographic
A visual look at the statistics and numbers behind Hart Trophy finalist Steven Stamkos’ 60-goal season. Steven Stamkos’ 60-Goal Season – An infographic by the team at TampaBayLightning.com
Let’s Give Credit Where It’s Due: Washington Deserved To Win The Series
It was their 196th game in the past eighteen months. Their power-play was once again unproductive, scoring at only a 14% (3-for-23) clip. They’d lost three out of the four playoff games on home ice. The unproven opposing goaltender posted an otherworldly (for a rookie) 2.00 goals against average. Yet, through all that, the Boston [...]
Joel Ward The Hero As Caps Win Game Seven, Eliminate Defending Champion Bruins
BOSTON, Ma– They had been here before. They knew how to handle this situation. They had the experience. They had the talent. They had home-ice advantage. It simply wasn’t enough. For the first time in four seasons, the Boston Bruins were unable to advance past the first round of the playoffs, becoming the second straight [...]
GameDay: B’s And Caps Ready For Winner-Take-All Game 7 At The TD Garden
Just a quick hit to get you all ready for Game 7 tonight at the TD Garden. If you’d like my full write up on tonight’s pivotal match-up, you can read my “Five Predictions For Game 7″ piece. Series: Tied 3-3 Location: TD Garden Time: 7:30 P.M. (EST) TV/Radio Info: NBC Sports Network (Emrick, Olczyk, [...]
The Grandest Stage In All Of Sports: Five Predictions For Game 7
The two most notorious words in sports: Game Seven. The mere mention of the phrase is enough to kick-start the heart of hockey fans across the globe. It’s the most entertaining event in sports for fans with no vested interest in either team playing. But for people who have pledged their allegiance to either of [...]
Seguin The Savior As B’s Force A Game Seven Back In Boston
Tyler Seguin‘s first tally of the postseason 3:17 into the first overtime period of game six in this first round series has lifted the defending champion Bruins to a 4-3 road victory and has forced a game seven back in Boston on Wednesday evening. It was a beautiful move by the B’s sensational sophomore, created [...]
