Sorry ig, but your attempted rewrite of history doesn't cut the mustard. Anyone who has followed the hockey threads knows that you wimped out of bets on three separate occasions.
The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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Sorry ig, but your attempted rewrite of history doesn't cut the mustard. Anyone who has followed the hockey threads knows that you wimped out of bets on three separate occasions.
Don't worry - You can be sure that if any of them turns out to be the real deal Burkie will make sure they end up playing for the Bruins. Burkie is the best GM that BOSTON ever had!
Today's rumors around the NHL (as reported by ESPN)
Torts scaring away prospect?
The New York Rangers acquired Wisconsin D Ryan McDonough in the Scott Gomez deal and, although the Rangers wants to sign him to an NHL deal, McDonough chose to go back to school for his senior season. And is he isn't signed by Aug. 15, 2011, he'll be an unrestricted free agent, and he can go anywhere he pleases.
So why is McDonough staying? The Rangers Tribune has an idea: It has to do with coach John Tortorella.
The blog points out how former Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy was treated this season: "Gilroy entered the National Hockey League playing under a coach that apparently did not have much patients to allow him to develop. ... a Hobey Baker Award winner, coming out of college, was shown very little respect by head coach John Tortorella, and barely was given a chance."
They point out that Gilroy was often played less than Wade Redden, the overpriced vet who may be bought out this offseason.
But we will see whether the Rangers situation is simply so unattractive that McDonough would delay signing until fall 2011 to start his NHL career.
One more year for Recchi?
Before this season, Mark Recchi figured this was his swan song. But now he tells the Boston Globe he thinks he might have more left in the tank.
From this sound of this story, Recchi seriously wants to return -- and his kids want him to as well -- but the 42-year-old knows his wife may have other ideas.
Recchi has enjoyed a pretty big role as his career winds down to an end. He played in 81 games, averaging 17:03 in ice time and had 43 points. And with the Bruins tight on money, he may be a cheap option for them, so GM Peter Chiarelli might want to do some convincing, too.
Torts scaring away prospect?
The New York Rangers acquired Wisconsin D Ryan McDonough in the Scott Gomez deal and, although the Rangers wants to sign him to an NHL deal, McDonough chose to go back to school for his senior season. And is he isn't signed by Aug. 15, 2011, he'll be an unrestricted free agent, and he can go anywhere he pleases.
So why is McDonough staying? The Rangers Tribune has an idea: It has to do with coach John Tortorella.
The blog points out how former Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy was treated this season: "Gilroy entered the National Hockey League playing under a coach that apparently did not have much patients to allow him to develop. ... a Hobey Baker Award winner, coming out of college, was shown very little respect by head coach John Tortorella, and barely was given a chance."
They point out that Gilroy was often played less than Wade Redden, the overpriced vet who may be bought out this offseason.
But we will see whether the Rangers situation is simply so unattractive that McDonough would delay signing until fall 2011 to start his NHL career.
One more year for Recchi?
Before this season, Mark Recchi figured this was his swan song. But now he tells the Boston Globe he thinks he might have more left in the tank.
From this sound of this story, Recchi seriously wants to return -- and his kids want him to as well -- but the 42-year-old knows his wife may have other ideas.
Recchi has enjoyed a pretty big role as his career winds down to an end. He played in 81 games, averaging 17:03 in ice time and had 43 points. And with the Bruins tight on money, he may be a cheap option for them, so GM Peter Chiarelli might want to do some convincing, too.
Markov's season likely over with torn ACL
So unfortunate!!! What a blow to the team!!! What a shame!!!
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov, who left Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal after being hit by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke, has been diagnosed with a torn ACL.
The 31-year-old has had a rough season for injuries, as he suffered a lacerated tendon in his left ankle during the Canadiens' first game of the season in October, that caused him to miss 35 games.
So unfortunate!!! What a blow to the team!!! What a shame!!!
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov, who left Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal after being hit by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke, has been diagnosed with a torn ACL.
The 31-year-old has had a rough season for injuries, as he suffered a lacerated tendon in his left ankle during the Canadiens' first game of the season in October, that caused him to miss 35 games.
My team won last night!
Red Wings face 3-0 hole after Marleau finishes Sharks' rally in OT
DETROIT -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks took a huge step toward quieting their critics.
Thornton's assist set up Patrick Marleau's winning score 7:07 into overtime and his second goal in two games sparked a comeback for San Jose, which beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Tuesday night and grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second-round series.
With a come-from-behind, 4-3 overtime win over the Red Wings, the Sharks are revealing themselves to be playoff demons as opposed to being haunted by them in the playoffs. Story
The sweet-passing center has been called "No Show Joe" by some for not producing in the playoffs.
"I don't know how this evolved, but you saw a very determined 19," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said, referring to Thornton by his jersey number.
Thornton, meanwhile, shrugged off what he had done.
"Business as usual," he said.
San Jose has been dogged for failing to get to the Western Conference finals since its longest run in 2004, but an impressive rally from a 3-1 deficit with 13 minutes left in regulation could prove to be pivotal for the franchise.
"Hopefully down the road we can look back and say, 'You know this was a turning point,'" defenseman Dan Boyle said. "But again, there's still too much work ahead of us."
Game 4 is Thursday night in Detroit, where the Red Wings will try to stay alive.
"They didn't have to win that one, they have to win the next one," McLellan said. "That's when it becomes a must win."
The Red Wings looked as though they had put themselves in a great position to win Game 3 -- leading 2-0 in the first and 3-1 in the third -- but they blew chances to pad the lead early, and goalie Jimmy Howard let them down late.
"It's a tough pill to swallow," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.
The two-time defending Western Conference champions haven't been swept since 2003, in the first round by Anaheim, but they are determined to put up a fight.
"It feels bad, but it's still not over," said Howard, who made 29 saves. "You still can't stop believing."
Thornton started San Jose's comeback by scoring 6:42 into the third. Logan Couture tied it with 6:43 left, flicking a shot toward Howard from the right corner. Howard didn't press his body firmly against the post, and that allowed the tying goal to go off him and into the net.
"The coaches have been telling us to throw it at his feet all series," Couture said. "I waited for him to open up his pads."
After the puck went in, Howard tilted his head back and looked to the rafter-filled banners in disbelief.
"It's a tough one," Babcock said. "But the goalie picks you up a lot, too."
Evgeni Nabokov did that quite a bit for the Sharks, stopping 32 shots and none were bigger than grabbing Henrik Zetterberg's backhander on a penalty shot in the first period.
"That was a big wake-up call for us," McLellan said.
The Red Wings got started on time, as Babcock likes to say, when Tomas Holmstrom and Daniel Cleary scored in the first to give them a 2-0 lead. San Jose, though, pulled within a goal when Devin Setoguchi scored with 4 seconds left in the period.
Zetterberg restored Detroit's two-goal lead early in the second.
The Red Wings would've had a bigger lead in the third period if not for a disallowed goal in the first.
Zetterberg had a goal negated by video review because the puck went in off his left skate in what was ruled to be a distinct kicking motion.
"I wasn't kicking," he insisted.
Zetterberg was also stopped by Nabokov on a penalty shot -- awarded in the first when Couture made a rookie mistake of covering the puck in the crease with his glove.
"We had a chance to win this game, for sure," Babcock said. "We had lots of opportunities and it got away from us."
Detroit did have a review go its way in the first period when the puck went off Holmstrom's right skate and the on-ice ruling of a goal stood.
Thornton scored on a wraparound goal -- sending the puck off Pavel Datsyuk's stick and into his own net -- and made a perfect play on the odd-man rush to allow Marleau to score easily into an open net.
"He's a world-class passer," McLellan said. "He even fooled me. I thought he was going to shoot."
The crowd at Joe Louis Arena stood silently for a couple of minutes after the goal, knowing the Red Wings had fallen into a lot of trouble against top-seeded San Jose.
These are suddenly not the same-old Sharks.
"I don't think we were out to convince anybody. We knew we were a different team," McLellan said. "I guess what we have to do is prove that to the hockey world."
Go Sharks!! Make me proud!!! Sweep the Dead Things!!!
Red Wings face 3-0 hole after Marleau finishes Sharks' rally in OT
DETROIT -- Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks took a huge step toward quieting their critics.
Thornton's assist set up Patrick Marleau's winning score 7:07 into overtime and his second goal in two games sparked a comeback for San Jose, which beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Tuesday night and grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second-round series.
With a come-from-behind, 4-3 overtime win over the Red Wings, the Sharks are revealing themselves to be playoff demons as opposed to being haunted by them in the playoffs. Story
The sweet-passing center has been called "No Show Joe" by some for not producing in the playoffs.
"I don't know how this evolved, but you saw a very determined 19," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said, referring to Thornton by his jersey number.
Thornton, meanwhile, shrugged off what he had done.
"Business as usual," he said.
San Jose has been dogged for failing to get to the Western Conference finals since its longest run in 2004, but an impressive rally from a 3-1 deficit with 13 minutes left in regulation could prove to be pivotal for the franchise.
"Hopefully down the road we can look back and say, 'You know this was a turning point,'" defenseman Dan Boyle said. "But again, there's still too much work ahead of us."
Game 4 is Thursday night in Detroit, where the Red Wings will try to stay alive.
"They didn't have to win that one, they have to win the next one," McLellan said. "That's when it becomes a must win."
The Red Wings looked as though they had put themselves in a great position to win Game 3 -- leading 2-0 in the first and 3-1 in the third -- but they blew chances to pad the lead early, and goalie Jimmy Howard let them down late.
"It's a tough pill to swallow," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.
The two-time defending Western Conference champions haven't been swept since 2003, in the first round by Anaheim, but they are determined to put up a fight.
"It feels bad, but it's still not over," said Howard, who made 29 saves. "You still can't stop believing."
Thornton started San Jose's comeback by scoring 6:42 into the third. Logan Couture tied it with 6:43 left, flicking a shot toward Howard from the right corner. Howard didn't press his body firmly against the post, and that allowed the tying goal to go off him and into the net.
"The coaches have been telling us to throw it at his feet all series," Couture said. "I waited for him to open up his pads."
After the puck went in, Howard tilted his head back and looked to the rafter-filled banners in disbelief.
"It's a tough one," Babcock said. "But the goalie picks you up a lot, too."
Evgeni Nabokov did that quite a bit for the Sharks, stopping 32 shots and none were bigger than grabbing Henrik Zetterberg's backhander on a penalty shot in the first period.
"That was a big wake-up call for us," McLellan said.
The Red Wings got started on time, as Babcock likes to say, when Tomas Holmstrom and Daniel Cleary scored in the first to give them a 2-0 lead. San Jose, though, pulled within a goal when Devin Setoguchi scored with 4 seconds left in the period.
Zetterberg restored Detroit's two-goal lead early in the second.
The Red Wings would've had a bigger lead in the third period if not for a disallowed goal in the first.
Zetterberg had a goal negated by video review because the puck went in off his left skate in what was ruled to be a distinct kicking motion.
"I wasn't kicking," he insisted.
Zetterberg was also stopped by Nabokov on a penalty shot -- awarded in the first when Couture made a rookie mistake of covering the puck in the crease with his glove.
"We had a chance to win this game, for sure," Babcock said. "We had lots of opportunities and it got away from us."
Detroit did have a review go its way in the first period when the puck went off Holmstrom's right skate and the on-ice ruling of a goal stood.
Thornton scored on a wraparound goal -- sending the puck off Pavel Datsyuk's stick and into his own net -- and made a perfect play on the odd-man rush to allow Marleau to score easily into an open net.
"He's a world-class passer," McLellan said. "He even fooled me. I thought he was going to shoot."
The crowd at Joe Louis Arena stood silently for a couple of minutes after the goal, knowing the Red Wings had fallen into a lot of trouble against top-seeded San Jose.
These are suddenly not the same-old Sharks.
"I don't think we were out to convince anybody. We knew we were a different team," McLellan said. "I guess what we have to do is prove that to the hockey world."
Go Sharks!! Make me proud!!! Sweep the Dead Things!!!
Today's rumors around the NHL (as reported by ESPN)
Habs may deal Kostitsyn
Andrei Kostitsyn has struggled during the playoffs and, in the regular season, the 25-year-old had just 33 points, which isn't enough production for someone who makes $3.25 million. So the Montreal Gazette writes this could end one of two ways:
Either Kostitsyn turns it around in the remaining playoffs games. Or the Habs decide to trade him -- if they can find a taker.
It may be tough, since $3.25 million is a lot to swallow. Kostitsyn hits restricted free agency after this season, so a team out there might be willing to take a high-risk, high-reward proposition.
Seguin to Oilers?
A scout recently told ESPN's Gare Joyce that he heard a colleague talking about how the Boston Bruins knew the Edmonton Oilers were going to take Tyler Seguin. And we've heard this sentiment before, as the debate about upside and need rages on.
But regarding the Seguin-to-Oilers speculation, Joyce writes: "I have my doubts. I have to believe that either the Oilers are floating misinformation about their intentions or the Bruins are having a bit of fun by stirring the pot. Hall was the best talent coming into this season and the best at its conclusion, regardless of NHL Central Scouting's selection of Seguin as the No. 1 in North America."
That's why Joyce has Hall going to the Oilers at No. 1 in his latest mock draft. That would leave Seguin for the Bruins -- not a bad consolation prize.
Isles may trade first-round pick
The New York Islanders have the fifth pick in the draft, and although there's plenty of speculation on who they will land -- a defenseman seems to be the consensus -- ESPN's Gare Joyce has another idea.
He writes: "The Isles have had 11 picks in the top three rounds of the last two drafts and GM Garth Snow has shown a willingness -- or even eagerness -- to make bold moves on draft day, whether it's moving down to add picks or up to get a player that his scouts have targeted. I'd say it's no better than a 50-50 pick that the Isles will be picking in this slot."
Already, Chris Botta at Islanders Point Blank previewed the moves the Isles could make. They could move up and to No. 3 or No. 4, if they feel defensemen Cam Fowler or Erik Gudbranson are worth trading up for. Or they could trade down, if they feel they are getting the best of the second-tier of players. Either way, we should have a better idea of what they're going to do in the coming weeks.
Habs may deal Kostitsyn
Andrei Kostitsyn has struggled during the playoffs and, in the regular season, the 25-year-old had just 33 points, which isn't enough production for someone who makes $3.25 million. So the Montreal Gazette writes this could end one of two ways:
Either Kostitsyn turns it around in the remaining playoffs games. Or the Habs decide to trade him -- if they can find a taker.
It may be tough, since $3.25 million is a lot to swallow. Kostitsyn hits restricted free agency after this season, so a team out there might be willing to take a high-risk, high-reward proposition.
Seguin to Oilers?
A scout recently told ESPN's Gare Joyce that he heard a colleague talking about how the Boston Bruins knew the Edmonton Oilers were going to take Tyler Seguin. And we've heard this sentiment before, as the debate about upside and need rages on.
But regarding the Seguin-to-Oilers speculation, Joyce writes: "I have my doubts. I have to believe that either the Oilers are floating misinformation about their intentions or the Bruins are having a bit of fun by stirring the pot. Hall was the best talent coming into this season and the best at its conclusion, regardless of NHL Central Scouting's selection of Seguin as the No. 1 in North America."
That's why Joyce has Hall going to the Oilers at No. 1 in his latest mock draft. That would leave Seguin for the Bruins -- not a bad consolation prize.
Isles may trade first-round pick
The New York Islanders have the fifth pick in the draft, and although there's plenty of speculation on who they will land -- a defenseman seems to be the consensus -- ESPN's Gare Joyce has another idea.
He writes: "The Isles have had 11 picks in the top three rounds of the last two drafts and GM Garth Snow has shown a willingness -- or even eagerness -- to make bold moves on draft day, whether it's moving down to add picks or up to get a player that his scouts have targeted. I'd say it's no better than a 50-50 pick that the Isles will be picking in this slot."
Already, Chris Botta at Islanders Point Blank previewed the moves the Isles could make. They could move up and to No. 3 or No. 4, if they feel defensemen Cam Fowler or Erik Gudbranson are worth trading up for. Or they could trade down, if they feel they are getting the best of the second-tier of players. Either way, we should have a better idea of what they're going to do in the coming weeks.
My team won last night!
Go Sharks!! Make me proud!!! Sweep the Dead Things!!!
Your team ended its season a month ago, locking up 29th place in a 30-team league. So if you think it's amusing to call a classy organization like the Red Wings by a juvenile and totally unoriginal insult, go ahead...but any grown-up Toronto fan (if, indeed, such a creature exists!) would KILL to have a team even HALF as good as the Red Wings. The Wings are filled with multiple Cup winners, award winners, and future Hall of Famers...while the sad sack leafs are filled with invisible men, untalented goons, and pouting prima donnas washed up at 24 years of age. As for the Sharks, if they go on to win the Cup (which I doubt will happen), then good for them, but they will never be YOUR team - you are branded for life as a leaf-lover (you poor, poor soul!).
Krejci out for rest of playoffs
This is big hit to the Bruins chances.
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2010/05/confirmed_krejc.html
This is big hit to the Bruins chances.
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2010/05/confirmed_krejc.html
That it is. looks like a sweep is coming tho for the B's, do you think they will put up a good fight against the Pens once they finish off Philly? i think the Pens are primed and ready to repeat for the Stanley Cup..... Pens vs. Hawks or hopefully Pens vs. Canucks , either would make a great finals
Obviously I'd like to see the B's get past the Pens but realistically I don't see it happening, the thing about playoff hockey though is that you never know. I would love to the B's / Hawks in the SC Final.
Bruins' David Krejci out for rest of the season
BOSTON - Boston Bruins forward David Krejci will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs after dislocating his right wrist.
Krejci injured the wrist in the first period of the team's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Krejci collided with Flyers captain Mike Richards just before Boston scored the go-ahead goal. The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.
Krejci had surgery to repair the wrist at a Baltimore hospital following the game.
He has four goals and four assists in nine post-season games, after scoring 17 goals and 35 assists in 79 regular season games.
BOSTON - Boston Bruins forward David Krejci will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs after dislocating his right wrist.
Krejci injured the wrist in the first period of the team's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Krejci collided with Flyers captain Mike Richards just before Boston scored the go-ahead goal. The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.
Krejci had surgery to repair the wrist at a Baltimore hospital following the game.
He has four goals and four assists in nine post-season games, after scoring 17 goals and 35 assists in 79 regular season games.
Miracle recovery: Jordan Staal says he's ready to play in game 4
There are regular humans, there are quick healers, and then there is Jordan Staal.
The hulking centre suffered torn ligaments in his foot this past Friday in a collision with Montreal’s P.K. Subban, but barely six days later, the 21-year-old is a possibility for Thursday night’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semi-final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Canadiens.
Staal said he feels as if he could play – Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said he would be “a game-time decision” – and was blunt about the stakes of this game, where a victory would give the defending Stanley Cup Champions a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.
“This is definitely a breaking point game,” he said.
Off-ice developments provided the main storyline at the teams’ morning skates, and while the news was generally good on the Pittsburgh front – winger Bill Guerin returned to practice and said
“it’s my goal to play in Game 5” – the same can’t be said of Montreal.
Defenceman Jaroslav Spacek, a key cog in defusing the bomb that is Alex Ovechkin in the first round, is still laid low by an inner-ear infection, and will not play Thursday.
And if Sergei Kostitsyn thought his days in red, white and blue were over last fall when he threatened to bolt the team after being sent to the minors, it can now definitively be said that he is no longer part of the Habs’ plans.
The talented, but enigmatic Belarusian was confined to a gym workout as his teammates took to the ice; an inauspicious sign for a team that’s looking to bolster its secondary scoring, something Kostitsyn has occasionally provided this season.
There are regular humans, there are quick healers, and then there is Jordan Staal.
The hulking centre suffered torn ligaments in his foot this past Friday in a collision with Montreal’s P.K. Subban, but barely six days later, the 21-year-old is a possibility for Thursday night’s Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semi-final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Canadiens.
Staal said he feels as if he could play – Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said he would be “a game-time decision” – and was blunt about the stakes of this game, where a victory would give the defending Stanley Cup Champions a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.
“This is definitely a breaking point game,” he said.
Off-ice developments provided the main storyline at the teams’ morning skates, and while the news was generally good on the Pittsburgh front – winger Bill Guerin returned to practice and said
“it’s my goal to play in Game 5” – the same can’t be said of Montreal.
Defenceman Jaroslav Spacek, a key cog in defusing the bomb that is Alex Ovechkin in the first round, is still laid low by an inner-ear infection, and will not play Thursday.
And if Sergei Kostitsyn thought his days in red, white and blue were over last fall when he threatened to bolt the team after being sent to the minors, it can now definitively be said that he is no longer part of the Habs’ plans.
The talented, but enigmatic Belarusian was confined to a gym workout as his teammates took to the ice; an inauspicious sign for a team that’s looking to bolster its secondary scoring, something Kostitsyn has occasionally provided this season.
Go Sharks!! Make me proud!!! Sweep the Dead Things!!!
So what happened in Thursday's game Doc? Did the Sharks "sweep the Dead Things" (sic). Are you proud? Let me check - golly gee, no they DIDN'T. In fact Doc, the Red Wings (to use their proper name, as mature, intelligent people do) annihilated the Sharks. (Sorry for the big word Doc, but maybe you can find some stranger and ask him what it means, since it's unlikely your friend will know it either.) So, uh, MAYBE it was it a little silly to call them "Dead Things"?
I don't thonk Franzen, with his 4 goals and 6 points in the game is quite dead yet. Oh, and by the way, Franzen now has 17 points in the playoffs - tied for the lead with Crosby...and 17 MORE points than ANY of the leafs. Of course, in fairness to the leafs, I guess it's hard to score playoff points when you're never IN the playoffs!
Doc's Sharks eliminate Cairo's Red Wings
Call it the battle of the scapegoat teams:
Wings' defense ends as Marleau, Thornton punch Sharks' ticket for conference finals
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Evgeni Nabokov shouldered the brunt of the criticism for San Jose's past postseason failures.
It's only fitting that those three are the biggest reason why the Sharks are headed back to the Western Conference finals for the first time in six years.
Thornton set up Marleau for the tiebreaking goal 6:59 into the third period and Nabokov bounced back from a Game 4 shellacking to help the Sharks eliminate the two-time defending Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 victory Saturday night in Game 5 of their second-round series.
"It feels good," said Thornton, who scored the first goal for San Jose. "After kind of embarrassing ourselves with the 7-1 loss in Detroit we just wanted to bounce back. I thought we did a great job."
Postseason disappointments have been commonplace in recent years in San Jose. The Sharks have had the second-best record in the NHL the past five seasons, but hadn't made it past the second round in that span until now.
Three straight second-round losses were followed by a first-round defeat to Anaheim last season, raising questions about whether the core of Thornton, Marleau and Nabokov could lead the Sharks to the Stanley Cup.
San Jose is now halfway to that elusive title. The Sharks will play either Chicago or Vancouver in the conference finals. Marleau and Nabokov are the only players remaining from San Jose's only previous trip to the conference finals when the Sharks lost to Calgary in six games.
"It's definitely nice to get back there and be one step closer to winning the cup," Marleau said.
Nabokov survived a blitz late in the second period to keep it tied at 1. Marleau then came through with his second game-winning goal of this series when Thornton found him all alone in the slot and he beat Jimmy Howard.
The goal set off a raucous celebration at the Shark Tank. Marleau also scored in overtime to win Game 3, also off a feed from Thornton.
"I'm damn proud of the Sharks!!"--------- Doc Holliday
Call it the battle of the scapegoat teams:
Wings' defense ends as Marleau, Thornton punch Sharks' ticket for conference finals
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Evgeni Nabokov shouldered the brunt of the criticism for San Jose's past postseason failures.
It's only fitting that those three are the biggest reason why the Sharks are headed back to the Western Conference finals for the first time in six years.
Thornton set up Marleau for the tiebreaking goal 6:59 into the third period and Nabokov bounced back from a Game 4 shellacking to help the Sharks eliminate the two-time defending Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 victory Saturday night in Game 5 of their second-round series.
"It feels good," said Thornton, who scored the first goal for San Jose. "After kind of embarrassing ourselves with the 7-1 loss in Detroit we just wanted to bounce back. I thought we did a great job."
Postseason disappointments have been commonplace in recent years in San Jose. The Sharks have had the second-best record in the NHL the past five seasons, but hadn't made it past the second round in that span until now.
Three straight second-round losses were followed by a first-round defeat to Anaheim last season, raising questions about whether the core of Thornton, Marleau and Nabokov could lead the Sharks to the Stanley Cup.
San Jose is now halfway to that elusive title. The Sharks will play either Chicago or Vancouver in the conference finals. Marleau and Nabokov are the only players remaining from San Jose's only previous trip to the conference finals when the Sharks lost to Calgary in six games.
"It's definitely nice to get back there and be one step closer to winning the cup," Marleau said.
Nabokov survived a blitz late in the second period to keep it tied at 1. Marleau then came through with his second game-winning goal of this series when Thornton found him all alone in the slot and he beat Jimmy Howard.
The goal set off a raucous celebration at the Shark Tank. Marleau also scored in overtime to win Game 3, also off a feed from Thornton.
"I'm damn proud of the Sharks!!"--------- Doc Holliday
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Pens dump Habs 2-1 to lead series
PITTSBURGH -- Crosby and Malkin. Malkin and Crosby. The Penguins' two stars get so much attention that the other key player who was largely responsible for them winning the Stanley Cup last season often isn't appreciated.
Marc-Andre Fleury made certain he wasn't overlooked in the Penguins' 2-1 victory over Montreal in Game 5 on Saturday night, one that Sidney Crosby labeled beforehand as their biggest must-win game since the finals against Detroit last spring.
Fleury made 32 saves, Kris Letang scored on a power play after accidentally setting up Montreal's decisive goal in the previous game and the Penguins moved within a victory of eliminating the Canadiens from the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"He was huge -- and we need him to be like this," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said of Fleury.
Gonchar also scored as the Penguins put themselves in position to close out the series in Game 6 in Montreal on Monday night. The Canadiens, held to four goals in three games, must win to force a Game 7 on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Montreal rallied to win the final three games in the opening round against top-seeded Washington, but Pittsburgh hasn't blown a 3-2 lead since the 1996 Eastern Conference finals against Florida.
Go Pens!
PITTSBURGH -- Crosby and Malkin. Malkin and Crosby. The Penguins' two stars get so much attention that the other key player who was largely responsible for them winning the Stanley Cup last season often isn't appreciated.
Marc-Andre Fleury made certain he wasn't overlooked in the Penguins' 2-1 victory over Montreal in Game 5 on Saturday night, one that Sidney Crosby labeled beforehand as their biggest must-win game since the finals against Detroit last spring.
Fleury made 32 saves, Kris Letang scored on a power play after accidentally setting up Montreal's decisive goal in the previous game and the Penguins moved within a victory of eliminating the Canadiens from the Eastern Conference semifinals.
"He was huge -- and we need him to be like this," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said of Fleury.
Gonchar also scored as the Penguins put themselves in position to close out the series in Game 6 in Montreal on Monday night. The Canadiens, held to four goals in three games, must win to force a Game 7 on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Montreal rallied to win the final three games in the opening round against top-seeded Washington, but Pittsburgh hasn't blown a 3-2 lead since the 1996 Eastern Conference finals against Florida.
Go Pens!
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Today's rumors around the NHL
Markov back for game 6?
The Montreal Canadiens may find a way to get Andrei Markov back for Game 6.
There was some speculation he'd play in Game 5, which they lost last night to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1, but his right knee is obviously not ready. That speculation started, however, because there were reports that the Habs wanted to find a brace to allow him to play.
CBC's Elliotte Friedman tweeted, "Sources: Canadiens trying to find brace that will allow Markov to play. Gauthier: we do not comment on speculation; Markov out indefinitely."
So if they find a proper brace and Markov feels comfortable in it, we might see him for Game 6 on Monday.
LA Kings will pursue Marleau
The Los Angeles Kings may do something big this offseason. As USA Today's Kevin Allen previously wrote, "There is an expectation that the Kings will make a big splash in the free-agent marketplace."
And now, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes that the Kings would go after Ilya Kovalchuk of Patrick Marleau: "Marleau played under Kings GM Dean Lombardi during the exec's time in San Jose, so that's a natural fit."
They may also pursue Ilya Kovalchuk. As Allen wrote, "Flashy Ilya Kovalchuk certainly seems like a player who should live and play in close proximity to Hollywood."
If GM Dean Lombardi can't bring either of those guys in, he may look in the free agent market for a big name. Kovalchuk will be the top option but it's unclear whether the Kings are willing to sign on for such a long-term financial commitment, especially with a strong core of youngsters already on the team.
Kovalchuk may get $12 million KHL offer
We know the KHL really wants Ilya Kovalchuk, and we knows Kovalchuk really wants a lot of money. But how much do these sides really want each other?
That is the big question right now as Kovalchuk hits the free agent market. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports, "One NHL source told ESPN.com Saturday that he's hearing the KHL is ready to lure Kovalchuk with a deal that could pay him as much as $12 million per season. I don't believe it would be that much. But as I've written before in this space, I do think the KHL will make a serious run at Kovalchuk. No question there."
It's all a matter of whether Kovy wants to go to the KHL for more money. But former Thrashers GM Don Waddell -- who failed to negotiate an extension with Kovy and then subsequently traded him to the Devils -- previously said Kovy isn't interested in the KHL.
Flyers may trade Simon Gagne to obtain young goalie
The Philadelphia Flyers need to find a starting goalie this summer. In fact, we previously heard that finding a young netminder this offseason was their No. 1 priority.
There are guys like Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco out there, but it may be more likely that the Flyers trade for a young goalie, since they want a long-term solution in goal. So that means they might trade one of their young stars to bring a stopper in.
The Delco Times writes, "Holmgren could look to pull off a trade for a top goalie, which might entail talk of trading Simon Gagne or, if he gets real lucky, successfully swapping a package of Coburn and Hartnell. Sorry, that%u2019s too much of a fantasy G.M. reach."
We've heard this talk before, with Gagne being used as trade bait to bring in a young goalie. Guys like Vancouver's Cory Schneider and Montreal's Carey Price are likely the hottest names on the market.
Markov back for game 6?
The Montreal Canadiens may find a way to get Andrei Markov back for Game 6.
There was some speculation he'd play in Game 5, which they lost last night to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1, but his right knee is obviously not ready. That speculation started, however, because there were reports that the Habs wanted to find a brace to allow him to play.
CBC's Elliotte Friedman tweeted, "Sources: Canadiens trying to find brace that will allow Markov to play. Gauthier: we do not comment on speculation; Markov out indefinitely."
So if they find a proper brace and Markov feels comfortable in it, we might see him for Game 6 on Monday.
LA Kings will pursue Marleau
The Los Angeles Kings may do something big this offseason. As USA Today's Kevin Allen previously wrote, "There is an expectation that the Kings will make a big splash in the free-agent marketplace."
And now, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes that the Kings would go after Ilya Kovalchuk of Patrick Marleau: "Marleau played under Kings GM Dean Lombardi during the exec's time in San Jose, so that's a natural fit."
They may also pursue Ilya Kovalchuk. As Allen wrote, "Flashy Ilya Kovalchuk certainly seems like a player who should live and play in close proximity to Hollywood."
If GM Dean Lombardi can't bring either of those guys in, he may look in the free agent market for a big name. Kovalchuk will be the top option but it's unclear whether the Kings are willing to sign on for such a long-term financial commitment, especially with a strong core of youngsters already on the team.
Kovalchuk may get $12 million KHL offer
We know the KHL really wants Ilya Kovalchuk, and we knows Kovalchuk really wants a lot of money. But how much do these sides really want each other?
That is the big question right now as Kovalchuk hits the free agent market. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports, "One NHL source told ESPN.com Saturday that he's hearing the KHL is ready to lure Kovalchuk with a deal that could pay him as much as $12 million per season. I don't believe it would be that much. But as I've written before in this space, I do think the KHL will make a serious run at Kovalchuk. No question there."
It's all a matter of whether Kovy wants to go to the KHL for more money. But former Thrashers GM Don Waddell -- who failed to negotiate an extension with Kovy and then subsequently traded him to the Devils -- previously said Kovy isn't interested in the KHL.
Flyers may trade Simon Gagne to obtain young goalie
The Philadelphia Flyers need to find a starting goalie this summer. In fact, we previously heard that finding a young netminder this offseason was their No. 1 priority.
There are guys like Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco out there, but it may be more likely that the Flyers trade for a young goalie, since they want a long-term solution in goal. So that means they might trade one of their young stars to bring a stopper in.
The Delco Times writes, "Holmgren could look to pull off a trade for a top goalie, which might entail talk of trading Simon Gagne or, if he gets real lucky, successfully swapping a package of Coburn and Hartnell. Sorry, that%u2019s too much of a fantasy G.M. reach."
We've heard this talk before, with Gagne being used as trade bait to bring in a young goalie. Guys like Vancouver's Cory Schneider and Montreal's Carey Price are likely the hottest names on the market.
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