Of the four second-round series, in our books California’s Freeway Series is undoubtedly the one with the highest pedigree. In total, there is more “hockey team” among the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks than anywhere else across the board in Round 2.
Why would we say that? Because these two big, bruising teams with plenty of depth have emerged from the toughest division in the NHL. Los Angeles has superior goaltending with Jonathan Quick, but Anaheim skates better and has greater depth in skill players. The Kings have Drew Doughty, but the Ducks’ top six might be a tad deeper in the puck-movers needed when the game moves as fast as these ones will.
That this is the first ever playoff series between these two teams not only makes the whole thing that much more intriguing, it also justifies the new playoff format that was designed to create exactly this kind of rivalry matchup. L.A.-Anaheim, Montreal-Boston Chicago-St. Louis, New York-Philly — these are the series the league wanted when this format was adopted.
In the end, the Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry duo, coupled with a supporting cast that can really fly in Anaheim, will prevail in six games. We’re watching the Anaheim goaltending situation through our fingers somewhat, but somewhere in the sum total of Jonas Hiller, Frederik Andersen, and perhaps even John Gibson, Anaheim will prevail.
And the rest of our picks:
Boston in seven.
Chicago in five.
Pittsburgh in six.
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The opinions are starting to creep out, as Sidney Crosby’s goalless streak stretches to 12 playoff games.
“He’s not thinking the game as well,” is one we heard on Friday. “He’s not in the same places he used to be,” was another.
That’s code for, “The concussions have slowed him down mentally,” and, “He’s not going into traffic anymore, because he doesn’t want to get hit.”
Look, there could be a grain of truth here. Crosby has had considerable brain trauma, and may have consciously changed his game, even if from this side of the TV it’s not yet evident that he’s steering clear of the traffic areas.
But he also had six assists in his first six playoff games this spring, and before he and the Penguins were shut down in the Eastern Conference final last year by Boston, he had four goals in five games against Ottawa in Round 2. Oh, and Crosby scored another 36 goals this season, so his scoring touch may be absent through one playoff round, but it has not disappeared. Remember, he led the league in scoring, going wire to wire this season, with 104 points.
Is this just the normal ebb and flow in a long career, or is it a trend that is telling us something about the state of Crosby’s game/health? Personally, we’ll wait a while for making any grand pronouncements on this one.
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It’s 2014, and we’re still seeing press releases like this one, sent out by the Boston Bruins the morning after P.K. Subban’s overtime winner:
“The racist, classless views expressed by an ignorant group of individuals following Thursday’s game via digital media are in no way a reflection of anyone associated with the Bruins organization.”
Who still thinks this way? Apparently, one NBA owner and enough Bruins “fans” to get the N word trending on Twitter in Boston after Game 2. Shameful.
How stupid are these people? Their favourite team gave the NHL Willie O’Ree, has Jarome Iginla in its current lineup, and in the 2012 draft chose goalie Malcolm Subban — P.K.’s little brother.