HNIC- Coachs Corner- May 30th 2012

SCF GAME 1: Kings @ Devils

KOPITAR SCORED O.T WINNER; KINGS LEAD TAKE A 1-0 SERIES LEAD

GOAL SCORERS

LAK:   C. Fraser (09:56 - 1st) , A. Kopitar (08:13 - OT)

NJD:   A. Volchenkov (18:48 - 2nd)

GOALIES

LAK: J. Quick (W)

 NJD: M. Brodeur (L)

           Last night in New Jersey, it was Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings. 10 minutes in, Nolan centred the puck to Fraser and he one-timed a shot between the legs of Brodeur to make it 1-0 LA. That was Frasers first career NHL goal. 3 minutes later with the Devils on a powerplay, Elias centred the puck to Zajac and his one-timer was stopped by the right shoulder of Quick. After 1 period of play, La had the lead and the shots were 5-5. With 5 minutes left to play in the second, Elias turned the puck over and played it to Zubrus on the left wing and his shot was stopped by the glove of Quick.Then with under 2 minutes to play, Volchenkovs point shot was stopped, but it went off an LA defenseman and in to tie the game.

         The shots in the second were 9-3 LA. There was no score in the third and the shots were 3-2 LA. So we needed overtime. 8 minutes in, Kopitar had a breakaway and he went from right to left and scored to win the game for LA 2-1 is the Final.''To put it past a goaltender like Marty is a good feeling,'' Kopitar said. The shots in this game were 25-17 LA. LA was the better team in this game. It showed mostly in the second when they didn't give up a shot for the first 8 minutes of that period.''I think it was probably the worst game in the playoffs for us,'' said Ilya Kovalchuk, who only had 1 shot on goal. ''Maybe we were a little too nervous before the game started, but it's all excuses. We've got to make sure we know what we didn't do right and be a different team next game.'' In the win, Quick made 16 saves. In the loss, Brodeur made 23 saves.

          Game 2 will be Saturday night at 8:00 PM E.t on CBS, RDS (French) & NBC

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

SCF Preview: L.A Kings VS New Jersey Devils

Devils: 48-28-6, (102 points), 6th in Eastern Conference
Kings: 40-27-15, (95 points), 8th in Western Conference


SEASON SERIES: Devils won 2-0

Players to watch:Brodeur(NJD), Parise (NJD), Quick (LA),Brown (LA), Zajac (NJD), Carter (LA), Zubrus (NJD),Richards (LA),Elias (NJD), Gagnet (LA), Kopitar (LA), Doughty (LA) & Penner (LA)

          Wednesday night in New Jersey, it is the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings. In the regular season, both LA and New Jersey only met twice all the way back in October and the Devils won both games. But it means nothing when it comes down to the Cup Finals. In Round 1, LA pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NHL history by knocking off the best team in the NHL,the Vancouver Canucks in just 5 games. As for the Devils in round 1, they took on the Florida Panthers who made the Playoffs for the first time since 2000. The Devils won that series in 7 games. In round 2, the Devils became the underdogs as they took on the Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils found a way to win in 5 games.

            The Kings also surprised a lot of people in round 2 as they pulled out the brooms and swept way the St.Louis Blues. In Round 3, the Devils beat the Rangers in 6 games and the Kings beat the Coyotes in 5 games. The Kings held a NHL record for going 8-0-0 on the road. they also had a Playoff record of 12-2-0. The only other team that had a better record than the Kings through 3 rounds was the 1968 and the 1976 Montreal Canadiens as they had a 12-1 record. The Kings powerplay is at 8.1% and their Penalty kill is at 91.2%. As for the Devils, their powerplay is at 18.2% and their penalty kill is at 74.4%. So both teams are about equal there. As for Goaltending, the Kings have the advantage in a young Johnathan Quick as the Devils have a 40 year old in Marty Brodeur. Due to that I think the Kings will win this series in 7 games.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL
Series O	Time (ET)	#6 vs. #8	Networks
WED, MAY 30, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS	NBC, CBC, RDS
SAT, JUNE 2, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS	NBC, CBC, RDS
MON, JUNE 4, 2012	8 pm	NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
WED, JUNE 6, 2012	8 pm	NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*SAT, JUNE 9, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS	NBC, CBC, RDS
*MON, JUNE 11, 2012	8 pm	NEW JERSEY DEVILS AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBC, CBC, RDS
*WED, JUNE 13, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS	NBC, CBC, RDS
*if necessary

McGuire post interview: Marty Brodeur

John Tortorella: Post Game 6 5/25/12

Devils celebrate Eastern Conference championship

GAME 6: Rangers @ Devils - HD

DEVILS WIN 3-2 IN O.t TO ADANCE TO THE CUP FINAL

GOAL SCORERS

NYR:   R. Fedotenko (09:47 - 2nd) , R. Callahan (13:41 - 2nd)

NJD:   R. Carter (10:05 - 1st) , I. Kovalchuk (PPG, 13:56 - 1st) , A. Henrique (01:03 - OT)

GOALIES

NYR: H. Lundqvist (L)

 NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

            Last night in New Jersey, the Devils were looking to knock off the Rangers in Game 6 so they can advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2003.10 minutes in, Giontas shot was stopped and Carter was there to put home the rebound to make it 1-0 Devils.4 minutes later,Zubrus played the puck to Kovalchuk at the side of the net and he scored to extend the lead.10 minutes into the second Mcdonaghs shot was stopped but Fedotenko was there to put home the rebound to cut the lead to 1.

            5 minutes later, Giradis point shot was tipped in by Callahan to tie the game. The score was still tied after 3 periods of play so we needed overtime.1 minute in, Kovalchuks shot was stopped. It Henrique put home the rebound to win the game for the Devils! 3-2 was the final! "Johnny on the spot for that one," Henrique said. "I was sitting there. I couldn't see the puck. I knew it was down, and I was just praying it was going to come under his pad. It's a big one. It's one you dream about."In the win,Brodeur made 33 saves."I wasn't sure if it was in or not. When I saw everybody celebrating, it was just a big relief," Brodeur said. "We played really hard this playoff series, and this was an emotional series against the Rangers. To pull it off in that fashion, it's even sweeter."

            In the loss, Lundqvist made 26 saves."We're a team that just keeps battling," said Rangers center Brad Richards. "We had our fair share of opportunities. It's a fine line. To get this far, it's a bounce here or there." In the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals it will be the Surprising LA Kings vs another surprise team In the New Jersey Devils. LA was an 8th placed team in the Regular Season, but in the playoffs they have been the best team with a 12-2-0 record.LA was also the first team in NHL history to go 7-0 on the road in the playoffs. As for the Devils, they finished in 6th in the East and in the Eastern Finals they knocked off the Stanley Cup favourites, the New York Rangers.


Written by Andrew Di Pardo

Stanley Cup Final Schedule: LA vs NYR or NJD

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL
Series O	Time (ET)	#1 or #6 vs. #8	Networks
WED, MAY 30, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT EASTERN CHAMPION	NBC, CBC, RDS
SAT, JUNE 2, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT EASTERN CHAMPION	NBC, CBC, RDS
MON, JUNE 4, 2012	8 pm	EASTERN CHAMPION AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
WED, JUNE 6, 2012	8 pm	EASTERN CHAMPION AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBCSN, CBC, RDS
*SAT, JUNE 9, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT EASTERN CHAMPION	NBC, CBC, RDS
*MON, JUNE 11, 2012	8 pm	EASTERN CHAMPION AT LOS ANGELES KINGS	NBC, CBC, RDS
*WED, JUNE 13, 2012	8 pm	LOS ANGELES KINGS AT EASTERN CHAMPION	NBC, CBC, RDS
*if necessary

GAME 5: Devils @ Rangers

DEVILS BLOW A 3-0 LEAD BUT FIND A WAY TO WIN 5-3

GOAL SCORERS

NJD:   S. Gionta (02:43 - 1st) , P. Elias (04:13 - 1st) , T. Zajac (09:49 - 1st) , R. Carter (15:36 - 3rd) , Z. Parise (EN, 19:28 - 3rd)

NYR:   B. Prust (15:41 - 1st) , R. Callahan (00:32 - 2nd) , M. Gaborik (00:17 - 3rd)

GOALIES

NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

 NYR: H. Lundqvist (L)

                 Last night in New York, the Rangers returned home with their third round series VS the Devils tied at 2-2 and with the home ice it looked like the Rangers had the advantage.But they didn't. 3 minutes into the game, Faynes shot was stopped, but Gionta was there to put home the rebound to make it 1-0 Devils. Just over a minute later, Henriques point shot was tipped in front by Elias and into the back of the net to make it 2-0. At the half way point of the first, Zajac came up the right wing and wristed a shot past Lundqvist to extend the Devils lead. Late in the first, Prust came in on a partical breakaway, he fell, and tipped the puck by Brodeur to cut the lead to 2.

              32 seconds into the second, Anisimov centred the puck and it went off of Callahans shin pad and into the net to cut the lead to 1. Then just 17 seconds into the third, Brodeur came out to handle the puck and it slipped off his stick and into the trapazoid where NHL goalies can't play the puck, so Gaborik skated up and fired the puck off the leg of Brodeur and in to tie the game. Then with under 5 minutes remaining, Gionta centred the puck right to Carter and he scored to give the Devils the lead. Parise would add an empty net goal as the Devils win 5-3 and take a 3-2 series lead going back home.''It's a good feeling,'' goalie Martin Brodeur said of the Devils' status. ''We worked really hard to get in that position. (There's been) a lot of unsung heroes and guys producing at different times. Players are playing well. We've just got to keep going.

                   ''Nothing is done yet.'' In the win, Brodeur made 25 saves. In the loss, Lundqvist made 12 saves.''We have to have a short memory,'' McDonagh said. ''We've been in this position before in this playoffs and we found a way to get it done. We don't want to look ahead. We have to win two games, but we just have to focus on winning one.''

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

GAME 5: Kings @ Coyotes

PENNER SCORES OT WIINER!: KINGS ADVANCE TO THE CUP FINAL

GOAL SCORERS

LA: Kopitar (SHG-11:13 - 1st) ,Doughty (11:06 - 2nd) ,Richards (13:43- 2nd),Penner (17:42- 1st Overtime)

PHX:   Pyatt (PPG- 4:20 - 1st),Pouliot (6:23 - 2nd), Yandle (16:23- 2nd)

GOALIES

LA: J.Quick (W)

 PHX: M.Smith  (L)


                 Last night in Phoenix, the Kings had a second chance to knock off the Coyotes to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. 4 minutes into the first with the Coyotes on the powerplay, Hanzal played the puck to Pyatt and he ripped a shot into the back of the net from the slot. 7 minutes later, the Coyotes were on another powerplay, this time the Kings would strike. Doughty got the puck at the point and he ripped a shot and it was deflected off of Kopitar in front and into the net to tie the game. In the first the shots were 9-6 Coyotes and the game was tied. 6 minutes into the second, Klesas shot was stopped but Pouliot was there to put home the rebound to give Phoenix the 2-1 lead. At the 11 minute mark of the second, Doughtys point shot beat Smith to tie the game.

              2 minutes later, Penners shot was stopped but Richards put home the rebound to give LA a 3-2 lead. Yandle would tie the game late in the second. The shots in the second were 20-10 LA. There was no score in the third and the shots were 16-13 Coyotes. 17 minutes into overtime, Carters shot from the right wing was stopped and the rebound went to the slot and Penner received the puck and fired it home. The Los Angeles Kings are going to the Stanley cup Final and they are the Western Conference Champions. "It's the biggest goal of my career so far," Penner said. "Hopefully, there are a couple more waiting in the finals."

              In overtime the shots were 12-6 LA. Overal the shots were 51-41 LA. In the win, Quick made 38 saves. "I have been knocked out in the first round a lot and you think it is going to feel better when you get to the next round, but I don't care when you get knocked out," Coyotes captain Shane Doan said. "It feels awful and you don't want to be a part of it and you wish you could keep going."In the loss, Smith made 47 saves."There hasn't been much success as an organization, but we've got an opportunity to play for the Cup," said Kings captain Dustin Brown. "But there's still a lot of work to be done." The Kings advance to the Cup Final for the first time since losing to Montreal in 1993

Written By Andrew Di Pardo


           

Game 4: Rangers @ Devils

DEVILS WIN 4-1 AND TIE THE SERIES AT 2-2

GOAL SCORERS

NYR:   R. Fedotenko (14:55 - 3rd)

NJD:   B. Salvador (08:10 - 1st) , T. Zajac (11:59 - 1st) , Z. Parise (PPG, 02:41 - 3rd) , Z. Parise (EN, 18:31 - 3rd)

GOALIES

NYR: H. Lundqvist (L)

 NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

               Last night in New Jersey, the Devils were looking to avoid going down 3-1 in the series versus their rivals the New York Rangers. 8 minutes in, Salvador's shot from the point beat Lundqvist to make it 1-0 Devils. 4 minutes later, Parise came in on the right side on a 2 on 1 and he fed the puck to Zajac and one-timed a shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0 Devils. The shots in the first were 12-7 Devils. In the second the Shots were 11-9 Rangers, but the score was still 2-0 after 2 periods. 3 minutes into the third, Kovalchuks point shot was stopped but parise was there to put home the rebound to extend the lead. at the 7 minute mark of the third, the rough stuff would start.

           Brodeur said something to Rupp and Rupp decided to give him a little punch in the chin. Carter would step in for the Devils. Rupp woud recieve a 10 minute misconduct. ''I didn't expect anything,'' Brodeur said. ''I never got punched like that in my career. First time. It kind of surprised me more than anything, but now I know I can take a punch.''Late in the third, Fedotenko would score for New York. Parise would add an empty net goal as the Devild win 4-1 and tie the series at 2-2. The shots in the third were 11-9 New York and 30-29 overall for New Jersey. In the win, Brodeur made 28 saves and had an assist on the empty net goal. In the loss, Lundqvist made 26 saves.

            Game 5 will be Wednesday night at 8:08pm E.t on CBC and NBC Sports Network.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

          

             

ROUND 3: Rangers VS Devils (3 GAME RECAP)

GAME 1:

New Jersey Devils 0-3 New York Rangers

-In the Rangers Game 1 win, Girardi, Kreider and Anismov scored. 

-Lundqvist 21 saves.

- In the loss Brodeur made 25 saves.

GAME 2:

New Jersey Devils 3-2 New York Rangers

- In the win, Kovalchuk, Carter and Clarkson scored.
- In the loss, Staal and Kreider scored.
-In the win, Brodeur made 23 saves.
-In the loss, Lundqvist made 24 saves

GAME 3:

New York Rangers 3-0 New Jersey Devils

- In the win, Giradi,Kreider and  Callahan scored.

- In the win, Lundvist made 36 saves

- In the loss, Brodeur made 19 saves.

GAME 4:

 Monday May 21st 2012

8:08pm E.t

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game 4: Coyotes @ Kings

DOAN'S GOALS & SMITH'S SAVES LEAD THE COYOTES TO A 2-0 WIN

GOAL SCORERS

PHX: Doan (PPG-14:19 - 1st) ,Doan (11:10 - 2nd)

PHX:   Morris (1:03 - 2nd)

GOALIES

LA: J.Quick (L)

 PHX: M.Smith  (W)

                  Earlier tonight in Los Angeles, the Coyotes were trying to stave off Elimination in Gam3 5 against the Kings being down 3-0 in the series. In the first period the shots were 10-5 LA but it was the Coyotes who took the lead. Late in the first the Coyotes were on the powerplay and Doan brought the puck from behind the net and back in front and he backhanded a shot into the back of the net to give the Coyotes the lead. 11 minutes into the second, Vermette won the faceoff right to Doan at the hashmarks and he ripped a shot into the back of the net to give the Coyotes a 2 goal lead. The shots in the second were 13-9 LA. Then in the third, the Kings hit 2 goal posts and outshot Phoenix 13-7 but they lost this game 2-0.

             In the win, Smith made 36 saves. "We had nothing to lose," Smith said. "We had to make sure we played our best game. That would give us a chance to win. We obviously had a huge game from Doaner, and it trickled down through our lineup. He was unbelievable. He was such a great leader tonight. Every guy knew that they were going to do their part to try to force this series to Game 5."In the loss,Quick made 19 saves."We recognize we put ourselves in a tough position, (but) we also know it has been done," said Doan, Phoenix's captain who had 2 goals in the win."I guess that's what sports are all about, trying to do something that someone hasn't done for a while, try to do things (when) the odds are kind of stacked against you. Nobody wants to be in the position we're in, but everybody wants to prove they can answer that call."

                Not to put Doan down or anything but when you are giving up 30 or more shots a game and only firing an average of 19 shots on net, you will not win. It that simple. The Coyotes got luckey in this game as Shane Doan and Goalie Mike Smith were the only players ready to play and thats why they won. But if only 2 players show up to play in Game 5 they will not win. The Coyotes need a full team effort. Game 5 will be Tuesday night.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

WHY QUEBEC CITY SHOULD GET AN NHL TEAM AGAIN

This would have been the logo if Quebec stayed in the NHL back in 1995

Quebec City should get their hockey team back for the following three reasons. Firstly, Quebec still has a fan base second, they only lost their team because the arena was old. Lastly, they have a new stadium. That’s why Quebec shall get their hockey team back.

Quebec Still has a fan base. When Quebec was in the NHL, they had a total average of 86.07% attendance. Quebec fans still buy jerseys of the Nordiques and they are no longer in the NHL.The Nordiques lost their team because the arena was old. The Colisée Pepsi arena opened in 1949. This resulted in Quebec being moved to Colorado to be named the Avalanche in 1995.

 But in New York City, the Rangers arena (MSG) was and still is the oldest arena in the NHL. The arena opened in 1925. So why aren’t the Rangers out of the NHL? It’s because Gary Bettman wants US teams. This shows that Gary Bettman wanted another American team.In Quebec City, the city has decided to make a new arena. The new arena (which is currently nameless) can hold a total of 25,000 fans. With this new arena, the NHL has nothing to complain about. The arena will be finished by the 2013-14 NHL Season and with teams going bankrupt there’s no reason why Quebec can’t have a team again.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Dave Tippett on diving

Game 3: Coyotes @ Kings

KINGS TAKE A 3-0 SERIES LEAD

GOAL SCORERS

LA: Kopitar (03:10 - 2nd) ,King (1:47 - 3rd)

PHX:   Morris (1:03 - 2nd)

GOALIES

LA: J.Quick (W)

 PHX: M.Smith  (L)

             Last night in Los Angeles, the Kings had a 2-0 series lead and were looking to extend that on home ice. It was a goalie battle in the first as there were no goals allowed and the shots were 11-8 in favour of Phoenix. That was the first time in 12 periods that the Coyotes lead in shots. 1 minute into the second Lankow came up the left wing on a particle breakaway and he wristed a shot through the pads of Quick to make it 1-0 Phoenix. That was their first lead of the series. 2 minutes later, Kopitar had a breakaway and he scored on his backhand five-hole on Smith to tie the game. The shots in the second were 7-4 in favour of LA.

             1:47 into the third, Lewis played the puck to King at the edge of the right circle and he ripped a wrist shot over the glove of Smith to give the Kings the 2-1 lead. That would be the final as the Kings take a 3-0 series lead for the third straight series.In the third the shots were 13-4 LA and were 28-19 LA overall.''We wanted to have our own push in front of our owns fans, show our push,'' said Kings forward Jarret Stoll. ''It took us a while to get our own game (going), but we did, especially in the third period.''

           In the loss, the man who called out his teamates in Game 2 (Goalie Mike Smith) by saying, ''if we expect to beat a goaltender of that caliber by letting him see the puck, then we have another thing coming,'' made a total of 26 saves and he didn't call out his team after this one. In the win, Quick made 18 saves. After the loss, Coyotes coach Dave Tippet said that the Kings drew penalty's by diving. But to be honest he shouldn't`t worry about that as the Kings went 0 for 6 on the powerplay. I think Tippet should worry more about avoiding Elimination in Game 4 on Sunday.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game 2: Kings @ Coyotes

CARTERS HAT-TRICK + QUICKS SHUTOUT = 2-0 Series Lead for LA

GOAL SCORERS

LA: King (013:15 - 1st) ,Carter (4:47 - 2nd) ,Carter (PP-18:49- 2nd),Carter (12:56 - 3rd)

GOALIES

LA: J.Quick (W)

 PHX: M.Smith  (L)

             Last night in Glendale, Phoenix, the Coyotes were trying to avoid going down 2-0 in the series versus LA. 13 minutes into the first, Doughtys point shot was tipped in by King to make it 1-0 LA. Then 5 minutes into the second, Richards played the puck out front from the side boards off of Penner and into the slot and Carter was there to put it in the net to give the Kings a 2 goal lead. Late in the second with the Kings on a 5 on 3 powerplay, Kopitars shot from the right circle was tipped in by Carter to make it 3-0. Carter would add 1 more goal in the third to complete the Hat-trick as the Kings win 4-0.

            In the win, Quick made 24 saves for his 2nd shutout of the playoffs. In the loss, Smith made 36 saves. With the loss, the Coyotes are in a deep hole down 2-0 in the series against the Kings."I think the frustration level sets in," Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said. "You're in the penalty box that much against a team that's in the conference finals, you're going to pay." To be honest, with the Coyotes dropping 2 games on home ice I do not see any way for them to come back in the series. Especially when they are turning the puck over all the time and not getting pucks on net. So the series in my opinion is as good as done.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

GAME 1: Kings @ Coyotes

KINGS WIN GAME ONE 4-2

GOAL SCORERS

LA: Kopitar (03:53 - 1st) ,King (8:02 - 2nd) ,Brown (2:11- 3rd),King (EN-19:12 - 3rd)

PHX:   Morris (13:26 - 1st),Boedker (18:05 - 2nd)

GOALIES

LA: J.Quick (W)

 PHX: M.Smith  (L)

             Last night in Glendale, Phoenix, it was Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings. Through 2 rounds both of these teams were the biggest surprises of the 2012 Playoffs where 2 under dogs meet in the 3rd round. The last time 2 underdogs made it to the conference final was back in 2010 when the Montreal Canadiens (who were 8th in the East) took on the Philadelphia Flyers (who were 7th in the East). 4 minutes into last nights game, Kopitar recieved the puck in the slot and backhanded a shot past Smith to make it 1-0 LA. Late in the first, Derek Morris fired a shot from centre ice and it beat Quick and went in to tie the game.

            8 minutes into the second, the Kings came in on a 2 on 1 and Richards shot was stopped but King was there to put home the rebound to give the Kings the lead again. Late in the second, the Kings gave the puck away behind there own net. Then Doan centred the puck to Boedker and he scored to tie the game again. Lets jump to the third now. 2 minutes in, Brown came fast and furuis down the right wing and he ripped a shot into the back of the net to give the Kings another lead. King would score his second of the night on an empty net as the LA Kings win Game 1 by the score of 4-2.

             "It was really important we had a good start," Kings Head Coach Darryl Sutter said. "It wasn't so much scoring or any of that stuff. Just make sure we match their start. We were able to overcome a rare bad goal against us, have the resiliency to stay with it."In the win, Quick made 25 saves while allowing a centre ice goal back in the first."I think we just felt we have to get a couple for 'Quickie,'" Kopitar said. "He was bailing us out all season and a few times in the playoffs, too. I don't think anybody was concerned or worried about it; we just kind of looked at each other and said maybe we should win this one for him." In the loss, Smith made 45 saves.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

ROUND 3 PREVIEW: L.A Kings (8th) V.S Phoenix Coyotes (3rd)

Coyotes: 42-27-13, (97 points), 3rd in Western Conference
Kings: 40-27-15, (95 points), 8th in Western Conference


SEASON SERIES: Kings won 3-2 (Not counting shootouts)

Players to watch: Doan(PHX), Smith (PHX), Quick (LA),Brown (LA), Hanzal (PHX), Carter (LA),Vermette (PHX),Richards (LA), Brule (PHX), Gagnet (LA), Kopitar (LA), Doughty (LA) & Penner (LA)

                  Sunday night in Phoenix, the LA Kings will make the trip over to battle the Coyotes in a Conference final Match up. The 8th placed Kings are surprising everybody. They beat the Presidents trophy Champions (the Vancouver Canucks) in 5 games. In Round 2, LA beat the 2nd Place St.Louis Blues in 4 games. That means that LA will be the more rested team in the conference final because they only played 9 games. The real reason why the Kings are where they are is their stellar offense and their outstanding goaltender, Johnathan Quick (who makes on average 39 saves a game).As for Phoenix, they surprised everyone on route to their first Conference final in Franchise history. In round 1, they beat the Blackhawks in 6 games and in Round 2 they beat the favourite Predators in 5 games.

            Mike Smith is the reason why the Coyotes are where they are.Throughout the post season, the Coyotes had a percentage of  89.5 % on the PK and a percentage of 16.1% on the Powerplay.  Mike Smith played 11 games in the Playoffs and he has a record of 8-3-2 with 2 shutouts and a save percentage of 0.948.As for the Kings, they had a percentage of 92.1 % on the PK and a percentage of 8.1% on the Powerplay. Johnathan Quick played 9 Post season games and has a record of 8-1-0 with 1 shutout and a save percentage of 0.949.So overall I think that the Goaltending and the defense are equal.As for the offense I think the Kings have a big advantage with players like Richards, Carter,Kopitar and many more. So due to that I think the Los Angeles Kings will win the series in 6 games.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
series N	Time	#3 vs. #8	Networks
Sunday, may 13, 2012	8 pm	Los Angeles at Phoenix	NBCSN, TSN, RDS
tuesday, may 15, 2012	9 pm	Los Angeles at Phoenix	NBCSN, TSN, RDS
TBD	TBD	Phoenix AT Los Angeles	TBD
TBD	TBD	Phoenix AT Los Angeles	TBD
*TBD	TBD	Los Angeles at Phoenix	TBD
*TBD	TBD	Phoenix AT Los Angeles	TBD
*TBD	TBD	Los Angeles at Phoenix	TBD

Pop Quiz with Marc Bergevin

MEET THE HABS NEW GM

HNIC - Coach's Corner - May 9th 2012

GAME 5: Devils @ Flyers

DEVILS WIN 3-1 AND TAKE DOWN THE FLYERS

GOAL SCORERS

NJD:   B. Salvador (09:27 - 1st) , D. Clarkson (12:45 - 1st) , I. Kovalchuk (PPG, 05:00 - 3rd)

PHI:   M. Talbot (07:18 - 1st)

GOALIES

NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

 PHI: I. Bryzgalov (L)

                 Earlier tonight in Philedephia, it was a do or die Game 5 for the Flyers against the New Jersey Devils. 7 minutes in, Talbot scored to give the Flyers the lead.  2 minutes later, Salvadors point shot beat Bryzgalov to tie the game. Later in the period, Byzgalov tried to clear the puck and it went off of Clarkson and in to give the Devils the 2-1 lead. Then early in the third, Kovalchuks point shot went into the back of the net to give the Devils a 3-1 lead. That was a powerplay goal. 3-1 would be the Final as the Devils win the series in 5 games just like I prodicted before the series.

                       Sometimes I'm wrong and sometimes I'm partiaclly right. But this time I was spot on as I went against TSN's prodiction that the Flyers would win and I chose the Devils and they won."It was just sticking with the game plan and doing what it takes to be successful," DeBoer said. "Marty made some saves when he needed to, and we held on."In the win, Brodeur made 27 saves. In the loss, Bryzgalov made 27 saves. With the win, the Devils advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2003"The fact that we have four lines and roll six defencemen really helps," DeBoer said. "It's a team game. We play that way, and guys really believe in what we're doing. But that's a good team we just beat over there, and we have a long way to go."  The Devils will take on either the New York Rangers or the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Finals. In that series, New York leads the series 3-2.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo


                  

HNIC - Coach's Corner - May 6th 2012

GAME 4: Flyers @ Devils 05/06/12

DEVILS WIN 4-2 AND TAKE A 3-1 SERIES LEAD

GOAL SCORERS

PHI:   S. Hartnell (PPG, 11:50 - 1st) , C. Giroux (SHG, 13:40 - 1st)

NJD:   P. Sykora (PPG, 15:14 - 1st) , M. Zidlicky (18:09 - 1st) , D. Zubrus (17:47 - 2nd) , D. Zubrus (EN, 19:15 - 3rd)

GOALIES

PHI: I. Bryzgalov (L)

 NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

             Early tonight in New Jersey, the Devils were looking to take a 3-1 series lead on Goaltender Martin Brodeur's 40th birthday. 12 minutes in, the Flyers were on a powerplay.Giroux's shot from the left circle was tipped in by Hartnell to make it 1-0 Flyers. 2 minutes later with the Devils on a powerplay, Giroux had a breakaway and scored to extend the lead. On the same powerplay, Zidlicky (at the right circle), found Peter Sykora at the side of the net and he tipped the puck home to cut the lead to 1.

             Late in the first, Salvador at the point centred the puck to Zidlicky and he tipped the puck home to tie the game at 2-2. With under 3 to play in the second, Henrique centred the puck right to Zubrus and he scored to give the Devils a 3-2 lead. Late in the second with 3.6 seconds to go, Giroux gave Zubrus an illegal check to the head. He went down for a few moments but he did return to the game in the third. In fact, Zubrus would add an empt net goal in the final minute as the Devils win 4-2 and take a 3-1 series lead.
"It's a nice one that's for sure," Brodeur Said."The boys kept plugging away and pretty well dominated the rest of the way."

            In the win, Brodeur (on his 40th Birthday) made 20 saves. In the loss, Bryzgalov had to keep his team in the game as he faced 43 shots and he stopped 40 of them.Game 5 of this series will be Tuesday night at 7:38 pm E.t on CBC, NBC Sports Network and RDS (French).

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Game 3: Flyers @ Devils (HD)

PONIKAROVSKY SCORES OT WINNER; DEVILS LEAD SERIES 2-1

GOAL SCORERS

PHI:   B. Schenn (PPG, 06:08 - 1st) , M. Carle (04:44 - 2nd) , D. Briere (11:04 - 3rd)

NJD:   P. Elias (PPG, 12:33 - 1st) , I. Kovalchuk (12:53 - 1st) , Z. Parise (07:29 - 3rd) , A. Ponikarovsky (17:21 - OT)

GOALIES

PHI: I. Bryzgalov (L)

 NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

             Last night in New Jersey, the Devils returned home seeking a 2-1 series lead. 6 minutes in, Schenn scored to give the Flyers the lead. 6 minutes later, Elias's shot from the right circle beats Bryzgalov to tie the game. That was a poerplay goal. 20 seconds later, Kovalchuk got the puck in the slot and fired it home to give the Devils the lead. 4 minutes into the second, Carles one-time from the left circle beat Brodeur to tie the game at 2-2. Then 7 minutes into the third, Parises rap-around beat Bryzgalov to regain the lead for the Devils. 4 minutes later, Briere would score on a rebound to tie the game.

            This Game would go to overtime. With under 3 minutes to go in overtime, Kovalchuk came in on a 2 on 1 and he played the puck to Ponikarovsky and his shot was stopped but he scored on the rebound to win the game! 4-3 Devils is the Final! New Jersey now has a 2-1 edge in the series. "We got caught in the zone running around," Flyers forward Danny Briere said. "They had the chance to make a change while we were scrambling. When it came out of the zone, I figured a couple guys would try to change to give us some fresh guys and they caught us on a change."

               In the win, Brodeur made 25 saves. In the loss, Bryzgalov made 27 saves."In playoffs, it's a little different and there's more pressure, so he's a great goalie and we know he plays that butterfly style and goes down so we want to create little traffic in front of him and put the pucks in because he seems like he doesn't handle the puck … we want to take advantage for sure," Kovalchuk said.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HNIC - Coach's Corner - May 2nd 2012

HNIC - Habs New GM

 Ron MacLean interviews the Montreal Canadiens new General Manager, Marc Bergevin.

Marc Bergevin New GM Of The Montreal Canadiens. May 2nd 2012.

Game 2: Devils @ Flyers

DEVILS WIN 4-1 AND TIE THE SERIES

GOAL SCORERS

NJD:   A. Larsson (03:08 - 3rd) , D. Clarkson (11:17 - 3rd) , T. Zajac (14:01 - 3rd) , B. Salvador (EN, 17:09 - 3rd)

PHI:   M. Read (02:53 - 1st)

GOALIES

NJD: M. Brodeur (W)

 PHI: I. Bryzgalov (L)

                     Last night in Philadelphia, the Flyers plan was to take full advantage of home ice by winning Game 2 so they can have a 2-0 series lead going back to New Jersey. But sometimes, plans don't always work out. Ilia Kovalchuk was out with a lower-body injury, so Adam Larrson would step in to take his place.3 minutes into the first, Read got the puck in the slot and waited out Brodeur but fired a shot off the side of the net.  Schenn would pick the puck up behind the Devils net and play it to the side boards where Read would one-time a shot into the net to make it 1-0 Flyers. Through the first 2 periods, Bryzgalov was the story as he made 13 saves in the first and 12 saves in the second. It was a surprising 2 periods for the Flyers net minder, but the tide would change in the third.

          3 minutes into the third, Larssons shot from the right wing beat Bryzgalov to tie the game. This game was Larssons first career playoff game and he got his first career playoff goal.At the 11 minute mark of the third, Parise was stopped on a shot from in front, but Clarkson was there to put home the rebound for his first goal of the 2012 Playoffs to make it 2-1 Devils. 3 minutes later, Zajac scored a rap-around goal to extend the lead. Salvador would score an empty net goal as the Devils win 4-1 and tie the series. In the Win, Brodeur made 19 saves. In the loss, Bryzgalov made 31 saves.

          "Down a goal, third period, and it was huge," DeBoer said of Larrsons goal. "I feel great for Larsson. He's been out a few games, and he responded."


Written by Andrew Di Pardo

Marc Bergevin named Habs GM

          This morning in Montreal, Habs owner Geoff Molson announced that Marc Bergevin will take on the reins as the Habs new GM. Bergevin was drafted by the Blackhawks in 1983. He played 20 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman and he had  181 points (36 goals, 145 assists) in 1,191 Regular Season games with Chicago, the New York Islanders , Hartford Whalers,Tampa Bay Lightning,Detroit Red Wings , St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks. Bergevin went from assistant coach to an assistant GM last season in Chiacago and now he is Montreals 17th GM in franchise History.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo