Posts Tagged ‘Mikael Samuelsson’

The Conn Smythe

3, May 2010

The playoffs are an exciting time of year, and become even more exciting when certain players truly step up and stand out. That is what the Conn Smythe is all about.

When Big Deflates, Little Creates

30, Apr 2010

Anthony Curatolo and Joe Depto discuss a rising star within the NHL. A baby Shark swimming with the killers, Joe Pavelski has been a beast.

Pros & Cons: Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

30, Apr 2010

Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series.  We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will fare against each other.
Vancouver Canucks by I-5 Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks will [...]

The Sports Dish Exclusive: All-NHL First Round Team

29, Apr 2010

 

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have always been an intense event and this year has been no exception to that. In the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs we have seen so many close games, close series, and upsets throughout. There has been many players that have stepped up and contributed so much to their teams success. Now, The Sports Dish will recognize the players who we felt helped their teams the most in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Goalie- Craig Anderson, Colorado Avalanche (2.62 GAA, 223 SV, .933 % SV%, 1SO)

The feel good story of the playoffs, Craig Anderson, played fantastic throughout the playoffs despite the Avalanche losing in six games. Anderson, had arguably the best game in the playoffs with a 51-save shutout against the San Jose Sharks. Although he did seem to give up a lot of goals in the playoffs, his defense wasn’t really playing their best either because he was shot on at an average of 40 times per game, and he still had a .933% save percentage.

Defenseman- Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers (2 G, 3 AST, 5 PTS)

Known as the main man who shut down the outstanding New Jersey offense this season, Chris Pronger, played great defense in about every game in the series. Pronger, was one of the reasons why Brian Boucher played so well during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In addition, he also did have two goals and three assist in the playoffs and helped the Flyers slide past the Devils.

Defenseman- Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens (0 G, 4 AST, 4 PTS)

“Defense wins games,” is a statement that many people probably doubted,  until they saw how great the defense was for the Montreal Canadiens against the No. 1 seeded Washington Capitals. Down 3-1 in the series, the Canadiens really were not expected to win more than two more games of the series,  but with great defense, especially Defenseman Andrei Markov’s the Canadiens shut down the strong Washing offense. Markov played great against Washington stars Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin in the final three games and in the final three games Markov and the defense held the Capitals to three goals in those three games. Markov also did finish off the series with four assist including an important one in Game Seven.

To see the rest of the team and article, visit The Sports Dish (http://www.thesportsdish.com)   

Read more NHL news on BleacherReport.com

2010 NHL Playoffs: Overtime Periods Abound, Rivalling 1993

25, Apr 2010

Where there’s extra time, there’s a good time to be had.

So far this post-season, the original 16 combatants of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs have waged war into an extra period 12 times through 42 games.

Twelve times may seem staggering, but it’s not the record. But it is close.

The record for the most overtime games in Round One of the playoffs came back in 1992-93, when teams played overtime 14 times through 44 games.

In 1993, overtime heroes included Nikolai Borschevsky, whose Game Seven goal eliminated the heavily favoured Detroit Red Wings, and David Volek, whose stunning goal prevented the Pittsburgh Penguins from capturing a third straight Cup.

And who can forget the famous “May-Day” made famous by Buffalo Sabres’ announcer Rick Jeanneret when Brad May scored the series-winning goal in a 6-5, Game Four victory to sweep the heavily-favoured Boston Bruins.

Fast forward to 2010, and there are already many heroes, likely and unlikely.

One unlikely hero was Ottawa Senators defenseman Matt Carkner, who scored in triple overtime of Game Four to end the 29th longest game in NHL history.

The not-so-unlikely hero was Vancouver Canucks forward and Stanley Cup champion Mikael Samuelsson in Game One.

Even Niklas Backstrom guaranteed an overtime winner and went and got it in Game Two against the Montreal Canadiens.

One of the most unreal overtime heroes was Chicago Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa, who went from goat to hero. He took a five minute major and then came out in overtime to net the winner in a pivotal Game Five.

With 28.5 percent of games going the extra few miles in 2010 in the quarterfinals alone (compared to 31.8 percent in 1993), could the last few remaining games grab a case for most overtime games in a single playoffs?

Read more NHL news on BleacherReport.com

Canucks solve Kings in game 5

25, Apr 2010

The Vancouver Canuck finally figured out what it will take the beat the Los Angeles Kings in their first round matchup. It’s something that many hockey writers, bloggers, and Canucks fans have been going on and on about since the start of the series. What is the answer? Simple, stay out of the penalty box! [...]

Free Agents: A Look Back

24, Apr 2010

Anthony Curatolo takes a look at the better free agent signings from the off-season and who he feels tops the list.

Pros & Cons: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks

14, Apr 2010

Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series.  We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.

Los Angeles Kings by Anthony Curatolo
It’s been a season that saw [...]


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