Kings on verge of another 3-0 series lead

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Los Angeles has only lost one playoff game.

A Cup of Joe In the Morning – A Little Humour, A Little Tension

Source: theScore by Joseph Casciaro

The deeper and deeper we get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the greater the tension gets for the players, the coaches, the management teams and even the fans.

Sometimes it’s good for all involved to get even just a few seconds of tension-breaking humour to lighten the mood. Well the Devils and Rangers got it on Wednesday night in the form of a faulty penalty box door at Madison Square Garden.

Between the commentators trying to continue covering the “action,” the players looking dumbfounded and both coaches unable to contain their laughter, it’s hard not to smile watching that video.

Fast forward a couple of hours later though, to John Tortorella’s post-game press conference, and you get a much different scene and atmosphere, one where the only smiles you would see are awkward and uncomfortable ones.

One thing I’ll say about Tortorella is this: he’s mastered the art of blowing off reporters and refusing to answer questions without coming off like a total jerk. Some coaches can come off arrogant, rude and really just disrespectful when conducting a press conference like this, but Tortorella finds a way to do it in a “Look, I respect the fact that you have a job to do, but I just won’t say what you want to hear” sort of way. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s the vibe I’ve been getting from him lately.

As long as you don’t let your phone ring during the presser.

Now here are some links I’d rather share with you than “keep in the room:”

• The highest paid Ranger made the most costly mistake in Game 2 (New York Daily News). Tortorella responded by benching Marian Gaborik for a big chunk of the third period.
• Martin Brodeur was battling the Rangers and Demons, as the Devils goalie has gone through it all, just not through the Rangers on the way to a Cup (ESPN). A good read, which includes a staggering stat: Brodeur is just 7-24-5 against Henrik Lundqvist.
• Peter DeBoer’s adjustments made a difference in New Jersey’s Game 2 win (Puck Daddy).
• Is there really no need to panic for the Coyotes? (Arizona Sports). With the way the Kings have been playing, I’d say you better be panicking and desperate down 0-2.
• The Coyotes are in over their heads against the Kings (The StarPhoenix). Ah, now that’s more like it.
• The Coyotes must live up to their slogan in order to survive (AZCentral.com).
• Jonathan Quick always had star potential (National Post).
• Latvia gets Kronwalled! (CBS Detroit). Boom. What. A. Hit.
• The NHL needs to fine/suspend players who dive (Bloguin.com). If the dive is obvious enough and pathetic enough, I don’t think anyone would have a problem with a punishment beyond just a two-minute minor.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Kings Vs. Coyotes Game 3: Game Time, TV Coverage And More

Source: SBNation.com by Nick Fasulo

It's often said that a goalie who can stand on his head for a few months can single-handedly take his team to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

That's what's happening in the Western Conference right now, as the Los Angeles Kings are just two games away from the Stanley Cup Finals, due in large part to their guy between the pipes.

Oh yeah, and they won the series' first two games on the road and are just now getting some home cooking.

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who currently boasts a 1.45 goals-against-average in the 2012 NHL Playoffs, the best GAA among the four remaining teams, is

PHT Morning Skate: If Detroit doesn’t get Parise, Suter, what’s their Plan B?

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Travis Zajac didn't think the Game 2 delay over a malfunctioning penalty box door was "that funny." That and more in the Morning Skate.

Game Recap

Source: SI.com

Facing a two-game deficit, New Jersey turned things around. David Clarkson scored in the third period as the Devils evened their East finals series with a 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Devils reap rewards for staying the course

Source: NHL.com Features

NEW YORK -- Despite giving up three third-period goals and getting shut out by the New York Rangers in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals, the New Jersey Devils didn't feel there was an awful lot they needed to change entering Game 2 ...

Rangers pay the price for losing puck battles

Source: NHL.com Features

NEW YORK -- The sight of star forward Marian Gaborik sitting on the bench for the first 11:02 of the third period after his gaffe led to a Devils goal in the second period was emblematic of the problems the New York Rangers had in their own zone W...

Wednesday’s Three Stars: Devils win; Kreider ties record; Brodeur’s sick save

Source: Puck Daddy by Greg Wyshynski

No. 1 Star: David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils

Clarkson scored the game-winning goal on a redirection past Henrik Lundqvist in the third, leading the Devils to a 3-2 win and a 1-1 series split with the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final.

No. 2 Star: Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

Kreider scored the Rangers' second goal of the game on the power play in the second period, getting a piece of an Anton Stralman shot. In the process, Kreider tied an NHL record: "Most playoff goals scored in a single postseason by a player who has not yet skated in a regular-season game." Huzzah!

No. 3 Star: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

While he did let in a fluky soft goal, many of Brodeur's 23 saves in the Devils' win were of a high quality — none higher than this skate save moments before the Rangers scored in the second:

Honorable mention: Ilya Kovalchuck's power-play goal in the first was his sixth of the postseason. … Ryan Carter scored his second, on a deflection of a Bryce Salvador shot. Salvador had two assists. … Marc Staal was given credit for the "own goal" by Brodeur. … Marek Zidlicky was a plus-2.

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; 3. Brad Richards, New York Rangers; 4. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils; 5. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 6. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 7. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; 8. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings 9. David Clarkson, New Jersey Devils; 10. Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings

Dishonorable mention: Marian Gaborik was benched in the third period after a turnover led to the Devils' second goal. … Stu Bickel had one shift in the third and skated a game-low 4:13 for the game. … The Devils' PK, best in the regular season, gave up yet another goal. … Finally, the most dishonorable mention goes to the penalty box door for wasting our time:

Clarkson tallies another game-winner for Devils

Source: NHL.com Features

NEW YORK -- It wasn't too long ago New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson was regarded as that prototypical grinder, always willing to drop the gloves and retreat into areas on the ice where only the strong survive. That seems like eons ago ...

Rangers coach John Tortorella benches Gaborik for much of third after blunder on tying goal

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK, N.Y. - New York Rangers coach John Tortorella has little patience for mistakes and a big one by leading scorer Marian Gaborik on the New Jersey Devils' tying goal got him an extended stay on the bench in Game 2 of the Eastern Conferenc...

Rangers coach John Tortorella benches Gaborik for much of third after blunder on tying goal

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK, N.Y. - New York Rangers coach John Tortorella has little patience for mistakes and a big one by leading scorer Marian Gaborik on the tying goal got him an extended stay on the bench in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Gabori...

Rangers lose, Gaborik in doghouse

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Rangers coach John Tortorella has little patience for mistakes and a big one by leading scorer Marian Gaborik on the New Jersey Devils' tying goal got him an extended stay on the bench in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference...

Nothing like a Tortorella press conference

Source: SI.com

Gaborik’s benched for most of third period after bad clearing attempt

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

He set a new personal low for ice time in the 2012 playoffs.

Watch John Tortorella’s Game 2 press conference, as he’ll ‘keep it in the room’ (VIDEO)

Source: Puck Daddy by Greg Wyshynski

When asked about his third-period benching in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final — he didn't see the ice through 11:02 of the third —Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers said (via Andrew Gross): "On the second [Devils] goal, I didn't get the puck out, I guess. You'll have to ask him."

"Him" as in Coach John Tortorella, who was in fact asked about Gaborik after the 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, and was as candid as expected. "Candid" as in "a series of one-word answers and declarations that even the most innocuous information will be kept 'in the room.'"

Tortorella's press conferences have become mandatory postgame viewing during the playoffs, sometimes for their brevity and often times for his curt tone with the media.

Does he have an obligation to be more forthcoming? Yes, because that's part of the gig. But is there something inherently amusing about seeing his discourteous reactions to clichéd questions in a setting where real news is rarely made? Yes, but that's only because we have a sadistic streak.

Craig Button of NHL Network was not amused, however, calling Tortorella's press conference a "travesty," saying he shouldn't even come out and adding that "it's a joke, he's making it a joke, it's an unnecessary joke, so stop it."

So keep it in the room then?

Devils-Rangers Sum

Source: NHL.com

New Jersey 1 1 1-3 N.Y. Rangers 0 2 0-2 First Period-1, New Jersey, Kovalchuk 6 (Zidlicky, Parise), 13:39 (pp). Second Period-2, N.Y. Rangers, Staal 3 (Richards, Girardi), 2:23. 3, N.Y. Rangers, Kreider 4 (Stralman, Anisimov), 1...

Devils Coach Pete DeBoer’s adjustments make difference in Game 2 win vs. Rangers

Source: Puck Daddy by Greg Wyshynski

In their Game 1 shutout, the New York Rangers didn't just defeat the New Jersey Devils — they frustrated them. They blocked shots, they clogged passing lanes, Henrik Lundqvist gobbling up pucks. Things had to change for New Jersey.

"We didn't score a goal last game, so on offense, shuffling guys around has been something we've done all year," said Coach Peter DeBoer before Game 2.

DeBoer shuffled his lines, changed the team's offensive tactics and the Devils evened the Eastern Conference Final with a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden.

New Jersey reunited Ilya Kovalchuk, Travis Zajac and Zach Parise as a top line. He put together a second line of Petr Sykora with Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus, and a third line of Alexei Ponikarovsky, Adam Henrique and David Clarkson.

The results: The Devils pushed 59 pucks toward the Rangers goal, and 27 of them on goal. Their adjusted or blocked shots dropped by 10 from Game 1, as these line combinations cycled in the Rangers' zone and created chances closer to the net than in the previous game. Their shots from the point were faster and better placed.

"We have a deep lineup in here. The coach can pretty much do what he wants game to game," said Clarkson. "It sparked us a bit."

The Devils' defensemen had 14 shots blocked in Game 1; in Game 2, the number dropped to seven. Another DeBoer decision that paid off: Peter Harrold was inserted for Adam Larsson and played a strong game, with three chances and nothing blocked.

"He brings a little different dimension than Larsson. A little more poise with the puck," said DeBoer.

Kovalchuk scored a power-play goal in the first period, a nasty snipe that beat Lundqvist high glove side. After the Rangers took the lead on goals by Marc Staal — a fluky tally that Martin Brodeur put in himself — and Chris Kreider, grinding fourth-liner Ryan Carter made a great deflection on a Bryce Salvador point shot at 18:09 of the second period. In the third, David Clarkson — who had a dominant game — scored the game-winner on this deflection on an Adam Henrique shot:

The Devils' forecheck was impressive; their play around Brodeur was also exceptional, keeping pucks out of trouble and not allowing the Rangers to set up. When New York got its chances, Brodeur was there, in a 23-save performance.

It wasn't a perfect game for the Devils, who took four minor penalties gave up a power-play goal to the Rangers. But just like in Game 2 of the series against the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey found its stride in the second contest against the Rangers — and just like in the previous round, they evened the series.

The Rangers, meanwhile, dropped their third straight Game 2.

"I talked last game about our execution. Yeah, they did a good job blocking shots. They're a good shot-blocking team," said DeBoer. "But part of it is on us to execute, and tonight it was much better."

Watch Chris Kreider tie an “obscure” NHL record

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Only one other player has ever netted four playoff goals before his regular season debut.

Devils rally past Rangers, 3-2, tie series, 1-1 (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK (AP) David Clarkson's deflected goal 2:31 into the third period snapped a tie and lifted the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers that evened the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece on Wednesday night.

Reversal Of Fortune

Source: SI.com

Facing a two-game deficit, New Jersey turned things around. David Clarkson scored in the third period as the Devils evened their East finals series with a 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Discuss: Devils edge Rangers, even the series

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

New Jersey bounced back nicely from their shutout loss on Monday

A Difficult Series and a Great Rivalry

Source: N.Y. Times by By JEFF Z. KLEIN

Adam Graves took 31 shots against Martin Brodeur in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals against the Devils, and only two got through for goals. That degree of difficulty helps to inform Graves's frame of reference on the trans-Hudson rivalry, then and now.

Video: It takes a gem from Kovalchuk to finally beat Lundqvist

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Henrik's shutout streak lasted 82:56 minutes.

Howard Making a Case for 2014 Sochi Olympics

Source: Hockey Independent by Alex Muscat

Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard is a possible candidate to play for Team USA in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Photo by MPR529.

Jimmy Howard and the rest of his Detroit Red Wings’ teammates were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, but that hasn’t stopped Howard from continuing his season by representing his country.

Howard is currently the number one man between the pipes as a member of Team USA in the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championships, which is held in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.  He has back stopped the Americans to five wins (four in regulation, one in overtime) in the tournament and has a 2.16 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, including an 18-save performance in a shutout win against the defending champions, Finland this past Sunday.

Before he missed three weeks with a broken left pinky on February 2, Howard was among the top three goalies in the NHL and was having an all-star season, possibly on his way to a Vezina Trophy nomination (31 wins, 2.03 gaa, .924 save percentage in 44 games). However, his game went a tad south when he returned. Howard still finished the regular season with more than respectable numbers: 35-17-4,  2.12 goals against average, .920 save percentage and six shutouts (five before the finger injury).

Since the US has advanced to the quarter-finals (starting with a rematch with Finland tomorrow morning), Howard’s next games in the tournament will help further his resumé in the international hockey scene. If Howard and the rest of the Americans take home at least a bronze medal this weekend, Howard could better his chances of receiving a ticket to Sochi.

He has looked good during the tournament and is getting a small sample size of what it will be like against the world’s best in the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, which is only 21 months away and will be held in Sochi, Russia. That is, if there is an agreement between the NHL, NHLPA and the IIHF, but I’m going to assume that all parties will work something out, which is why I’m writing this blog.

As of  right now, Los Angeles Kings’ goaltender Jonathan Quick is making a case as the best goalie in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If he takes the Kings to the Cup Finals and makes life difficult for either the New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers, he could end up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. As for regular season hardware, he’s my choice for the Vezina Trophy, and he’s got the numbers to show it (35-21-13, 1.95 gaa , .929 sp, 10 shutouts).

Since teams in the Olympics are required to carry three goalies, another name who could also be given a ticket to Sochi is Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks. His spectacular play this past regular season (20-9-1, 1.96 gaa, .937 sp, 3 shutouts) is forcing the hand of the Canucks’ front office to ship Roberto Luongo out of Vancouver.

Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres is another American-born goalie that shouldn’t be counted out. It was over two years ago when he played the best hockey of his career and everyone took notice when he played at the Winter Games in Vancouver. Even though the US lost to Canada in overtime, Miller backstopped his team to a silver medal and was the MVP of the tournament. His numbers in Vancouver were jaw-dropping: 5-0-1, 1.35 gaa, .946 sp.

The downside on Miller is that there were two different players wearing #30 for the Sabres last season. Before he was sidelined with a concussion thanks to a hit by Milan Lucic on November 12, Miller was 5-6-0 in 11 games with a 2.86 gaa. After he returned to the lineup, he tightened his game down the stretch and finished with a record of 31-21-7 with a 2.54 gaa, .916 sp and six shutouts. Two knocks are against him—his inconsistent play last year and his age (he’ll be on the south side of 33 by the time the 2014 Olympics will start).

Now, I’m not saying that being 33 is old for a hockey player. It’s not, but Howard, Quick and Schneider will be 29, 28, and 27 respectively by the time the Winter Games start. By then, they’ll still be in the prime of their of their careers.

I would expect Howard to return to pre-injury mode for the Red Wings next season. And if he has another all-star season, his stock will soar even higher for making the cut as one of the three goalies headed to Sochi. If USA Hockey decides to select three out of Howard, Schneider, Quick or Miller, they will have an advantage over the rest of the teams (including Canada) when it comes down to goaltending.

Imagine being a fly in the wall inside the room where the selection process will take place. If he returns as general manager of Team USA, Brian Burke will have some very difficult decisions to make. The goaltending situation will be the most tasking.

Red Wing fans, whether he starts or is behind the bench, what do you think of the idea of Jimmy Howard representing the US in 2014?

 

Coyotes look for an offensive spark in Game 3

Source: NHL.com Features

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Five goals in their last five games. Even against two Vezina Trophy candidates and even for a team not known for being offensively explosive, the Phoenix Coyotes have picked a lousy time for a scoring funk. After being sh...

Devils D Adam Larsson out of New Jersey lineup for Game 2, replaced by Peter Harrold

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The New Jersey Devils have made one lineup change for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers. Coach Peter DeBoer returned defenceman Peter Harrold to the lineup and sat rookie Adam Larsson, the...

Marty Brodeur’s ‘own goal’ in Game 2 vs. Rangers (VIDEO)

Source: Puck Daddy by Greg Wyshynski

It's bad enough for Martin Brodeur that the fans inside of Madison Square Garden are doing all they can to disrupt him, with sing-song chants of "MARRRTY!" In Game 2 against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night, the New Jersey Devils netminder was undermined by the rink itself in the second period:

Marc Staal's shot from the right circle deflected off of Bryce Salvador and hit the bottom of the end boards. The puck flew back at Brodeur, whose left pad knocked the puck in under his outstretched glove to tie the game 1-1 at 2:23 of the second period. In the words of Sam Rosen, it was a power play goal.

Brodeur has been notorious for fluky goals in the postseason for years, but had cut down on the unfortunate tradition in the 2012 Devils' playoff run. This one, no doubt, he'd like back. Of course, earlier in the period, he made an amazing skate save. Such is Marty.

Martin Hanzal gets 1 game for hitting Dustin Brown from behind

Source: theScore by Justin Bourne

After doing a season’s worth of hockey podcasts, it’s recently come to my attention that I would suspend players more like Brendan Shanahan, and less like fans. From what I can tell, fans want to see them go longer, and in reality…their case is better than the League’s (and mine): longer suspension would curb more violence than shorter ones. That’s a fact.

But as an ex-player, I just gotta say - some of the hits are just so…dicey. We’re trying to measure intent, we’re trying to put that up against injury, and sometimes things just don’t play out as you planned while on skates and moving fast.

All that said, I thought the Martin Hanzal hit on Dustin Brown was absolute bullshit and I think he deserved more than one game.

It’s a miracle that Brown isn’t seriously injured – just look at the screenshot at the top of this post. This very well could’ve been “the hit” we’re all dreading where an NHLer ends up paralyzed or worse.

Anyway, at least he got some games for it. Here’s the explanation by Brendan Shanahan:

Kings teammates admire Brown’s toughness

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

“It’s almost comical to watch, because you think he runs on batteries sometimes."

Kings bring dominant playoff run back home (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have maintained their discipline and cool during a dominant playoff run that has them two games away from the team's first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1993.

D Peter Harrold in for Adam Larsson in Game 2

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK (AP) - The New Jersey Devils have made one lineup change for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers. Coach Peter DeBoer returned defenseman Peter Harrold to the lineup and sat rookie Adam Larsson, the ...

LA Kings return home 2 wins away from 1st Stanley Cup finals appearance since Gretzky

Source: NHL.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Kings have maintained their discipline and cool during a dominant playoff run that has them two games away from the team's first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1993. They've frustrated the Phoenix Coy...

Kings bring dominant playoff run back home

Source: NHL.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Kings have maintained their discipline and cool during a dominant playoff run that has them two games away from the team's first Stanley Cup finals appearance since 1993. They've frustrated the Phoeni...

Sporting News: Ranger McDonagh's star is on the rise

Source: SI.com

Rangers reign in opener

Source: SI.com

The Rangers and Devils were even for two periods, but not the third. New York scored three in the final frame, backing Henrik Lundqvist for a 3-0 win and a 1-0 lead in the East finals.

Twice As Nice

Source: SI.com

Henrik Lundqvist earned a shutout as the Rangers grabbed the East finals series opener with the Devils. Back on its home ice, can New York make it 2-for-2? New Jersey has a 1-0 lead.

Devils put a lot of firepower on their top line

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Kovalchuk, Zajac, and Parise were on the same line during Wednesday's pre-game warm-up.

Devils put lots of firepower on their top line

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

Kovalchuk, Zajac, and Parise were on the same line during Wednesday's pre-game warm-up.

Kings blank Coyotes 4-0

Source: SI.com

With more road magic, and plenty of Jeff Carter, the Kings took a 2-0 lead on the Coyotes. Carter had his first playoff hat trick as Los Angeles cruised 4-0 in Game 2 of the West finals.

Sutter talks more about recent Penner remark than Torts does in entire Q&A

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Ryan Dadoun

In a Kings-Rangers finals, Darryl would dominate the battle of the words.

Phoenix's Hanzal suspended 1 game for playoff hit (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NEW YORK (AP) Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been suspended one game for a hit on Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown.

Coyotes forced to regroup after two home losses

Source: NHL.com Features

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Frustration is usually a friend to the Phoenix Coyotes. They have won a division title and pushed all the way to the their first Western Conference final by twisting more skilled teams inside-out with a combination of work ethic ...

NHL suspends Phoenix's Martin Hanzal 1 game for hit on LA's Dustin Brown

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been suspended one game for a hit on Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown. The NHL announced the penalty Wednesday, a day after Hanzal was assessed a major penalty and game miscondu...

Phoenix's Hanzal suspended 1 game for playoff hit

Source: NHL.com

NEW YORK (AP) - Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been suspended one game for a hit on Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown. The NHL announced the penalty Wednesday, a day after Hanzal was assessed a major penalty and game misconduc...

PHT Extra: Coyotes lose composure, Patrick Kane parties

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Mike Halford

Both need to do a better job of keeping it together.

With Three Postseason Goals, Rangers' Kreider Ties Obscure Record

Source: N.Y. Times by By JEFF Z. KLEIN

With his goal in Game 1 Monday, the Rangers rookie Chris Kreider tied an N.H.L. record for most playoff goals scored in a single postseason by a player who has not yet skated in a regular-season game.

Top prospect Grigorenko is less top than he used to be

Source: ProHockeyTalk by Jason Brough

The talented Russian's draft stock is falling.