There is an article on ESPN.com today about the Devils “dynasty.” I’ll concede that the Devils are a dynasty as long as the Wings are recognized as one too. If the Devils are a dynasty just for going to the Finals 3 times in 4 years, the Wings are a dynasty for winning the Cup 3 times in 6 years.
Monthly Archive for May, 2003
Page 2 of 6
ESPN’s Sportsnation has a new playoffs poll. Here are the results so far:
1) Anaheim vs. New Jersey in the Stanley Cup finals is …
85.2% Good for hockey … I’m sick of seeing the same teams each year
14.8% Bad for hockey … Gimme Detroit-Colorado any day
2) How many games will go into overtime?
43.6% 2
31.0% 3
13.3% 1
8.0% 4
1.9% 5
1.2% 6
1.1% 7
3) Who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy?
55.8% Jean-Sebastien Giguere, G, Anaheim
28.1% Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey
5.0% Jamie Langenbrunner, RW, New Jersey
4.4% John Madden, C, New Jersey
3.0% Scott Stevens, D, New Jersey
2.5% Paul Kariya, Anaheim
0.6% Keith Carney, D, Anaheim
0.5% Steve Rucchin, Anaheim
4) How should the Devils go about trying to score on Jean-Sebastian Giguere?
58.4% Crowd the crease lurking for rebounds
21.5% Bribery
16.6% Top shelf
3.5% Five hole
5) Who will win the Stanley Cup?
32.3% Anaheim in 6
28.4% New Jersey in 6
12.7% New Jersey in 5
9.3% Anaheim in 5
7.2% Anaheim in 7
5.9% New Jersey in 7
2.4% Anaheim in 4
1.8% New Jersey in 4
Total Votes: 18,501
I’m surprised at how many people think this series will be good for hockey. I guess not many knowledgeable fans must have voted. The trap is not good for hockey and a series showcasing it exclusively is a not either. Like watching paint dry…..
Wings Update
Igor Grigorenko appears to no longer be in danger of dying from his injuries, according to the Free Press. The story builds on the news from yesterday and says that Igor’s leg injuries should not keep him from playing in the NHL but there still could be other damage that would prevent him from playing again. His lungs and brain might have permanent damage from the fat embolism and from the coma. Right now he’s heavily sedated and the doctors have to wait until he is off the ventilator, talking and moving around before they can tell just how much damage was done. He’s been doing things like sticking his toungue out when the doctors ask him so he is able to understand what’s going on. Keep it up, Igor!
Playoff Update
Once again, the Devils are going to the Finals. Thanks to a defensive screw up from Wade Redden and Karel Rachunek, Jeff Friesen scored the game winner with 2:14 left in the game, just when it looked like the Sens would overwhelm the Devils. There was sort of a two-on-one break into the Senators zone and Redden went to close down on Grant Marshall and pin him to the boards. Rachunek, coming from behind, also went over to pin Marshall. That left Friesen wide open in the middle and after a pass through Redden’s legs by Marshall, Friesen beat Lalime, who had no chance. Redden broke his stick on the glass. I’d put the blame more on Rachunek but I wonder if something along the lines of what Shanahan said last year (after he missed all those chances in Game 3) was going through Wade’s head: “If I’d had a knife, I would have cut my throat” (paraphrase). The Senators had been keeping everyone out of their seats for the previous 5 minutes or so and looked like they would finally break the Devils down before Friesen scored. After that, they never got anything really dangerous going. Hossa had a couple of awesome chances and may have arguably lost the series when he froze and didn’t shoot on one of those chances at the side of the net. He might have been waiting for Brodeur to drop (wishful thinking Marian) but he should have shot the puck. Anyway, my hatred for the Devils is now undying. I’m not sure what normally happens but to me, wearing your Conference Championship hats when going through the hand-shaking line is a little unsportsmanlike. And then posing with the Prince of Wales Trophy? I’m sorry if I’m having a selective memory here but that just made me sick. Go Ducks Go Ducks GO Ducks! I want to see another sweep by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Giguere, this is where you show how good you really are. Hardline hockey fans, get ready for the Stanley Trap Finals because there sure won’t be anyone else watching the games except die hards. I feel bad for the Sens fans. So many years of frustration. At least they have the class to cheer their team as they left the ice, unlike some “fans.” (*cough * Avs fans *cough*)
For those of you who might think all athletes are greedy and only looking out for themselves, check this out. It might change your perspective a little.
Wings Update
The Detroit News said today that Igor G. is going better as of yesterday. He opened his eyes and was able to communicate with doctors using his eyes. He showed emotion when he saw his parents and was aware of his surroundings. Come on, Igor, pull through this!
Tonight’s Games
New Jersey @ Ottawa, 7 ET, series tied 3-3.
As I’ve said before, I would like the Senators to win this game. I do not want to see the Devils in the Finals. The series will be boring enough (other than JS’s brillancy) and low scoring enough without a master trap team like New Jersey doing things like icing the puck on purpose constantly. I find it hard to cheer against a team like the Senators, after all they’ve gone through this year.
Wings Update
Igor Grigorenko is making a little progress, the DetNews reported today. His agent said yesterday that his lung was open (since when was it closed? I never heard that….) and he was breathing better. The Free Press isn’t so optimistic. They have quotes from David Collon, the Wings team orthopedist, that aren’t too encouraging. I hope this all works out. It sounds a lot worse now than it did originally.
Playoff Update
Oh yeah! The Senators held on again last night and beat the Devils in New Jersey in OT 2-1. That was the first time the Devils have been beaten on their home ice this postseason and only the 2nd time the Sens have won in an elimination game. The Senators looked pretty good last night and hit a couple posts/crossbars in the last few minutes. They almost had a breakaway when Bonk got a pass up the middle but got a PP instead, which they did nothing on. Game 7 is on Friday in Ottawa and the winner will play the Ducks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Tuesday. The Ducks haven’t played since last Friday. That’s a long time to not play. It seems like teams that get that much time off in the playoffs don’t do so well in the next round. We’ll see how it goes with the Ducks. I doubt they are going to slow down much, I think JS is a better goalie than that.
Wings Update
The news on Igor that I posted last night has been confirmed, though his agent says he’s not in a coma. He does have a fat embolism, which in 10 to 15% of cases can be fatal though Igor is young enough and in good enough shape that he should be able to beat this. The Wings won’t be sending a doctor to Russia to help treat him because they are confident in the medical treatment he’s getting. They’ve been using Igor Larionov as a translator in some calls between Detroit and the hospital. If you want to send your get well wishes for Igor out, go here. I’ve heard a reason why the accident could have happened. The driving conditions in Russia are really bad, the roads are ’60s era and there aren’t many lights on the freeways. Igor could have just had a legitimate accident and not one caused by drunkeness.
Apparently, the Wings have offered Sergei a 4 year, $40 million deal. Ken Holland says “There are a lot of rumors out there. All I can say is I talked to Pat (Brisson, Sergei’s agent) recently and I plan to talk to him again later in the week. My hope, as it’s been all along, is to have Segei signed.” If this rumor is true, Sergei’d better sign it. The Wings can’t afford more and he should know that going to New York will automatically take him out of the Cup race.
An update on the Hasek incident: Dom says the man he’s been accused of attacking actually attacked him first. Hasek said “I’m sorry if he was injured in the scuffle. If it’s true, I wish him early recovery.” The man supposedly has a broken nose, a concussion and a spine contusion after Hasek beat him with his stick.
Brett Hull: “I’d rather play golf than hockey. I just love the game. I love the challenge. It’s my favorite sport.” Hull was in Austin, Texas trying to make it through the qualifying stage for the US Open Championship. He didn’t make it.
Tonight’s Games
Ottawa @ New Jersey, 7 ET, Devils lead series 3-2 and are 8-0 at home this postseason. The Senators are 1-6 in elimination games.
I haven’t been able to confirm this yet but I’m hearing now that Igor doesn’t just have a broken hip as his main problem. He’s apparently in critical condition, comatose and on a vent. He has been diagnosed with a fat embolism which is similar to a blood clot but more serious because it cannot be treated with anticoagulants (which dissolve a blood clot). This is much more serious than a hip fracture.
Playoff Update
The Senators kept their season alive last night when they beat the Devils 3-1 in Ottawa. Jason Spezza, who had 21 poinst in 33 games during the regular season, had a goal and an assist in his NHL playoffs debut. Now the series shifts back to New Jersey, where the Devils are 8-0 this postseason. The Senators snapped a 3 game losing streak and a 0-6 run in elimination games for the team history. That can’t be too encouraging to Sens fans. The Sens need to hang on for at least 2 more games and given their past record and the team they’re playing, that’ll be tough. They had a lot of jump last night though and may be able to overpower the Devils if they keep that up and not let the trap slow them down. I hope they do keep it up. I want to see the Senators in the Finals, personally. Next game: Wednesday @ New Jersey, 7 ET.
Wings Update
Ted Kulfan has an article about Darren McCarty in today’s DetNews Red Wings Rap. He’s doubtful McCarty will be back because the Wings aren’t willing to offer him the money and years he wants and would be able to get on the open market. He was reportedly offered 3 years @ $2 million a year by the Wings but probably could get close to $3 million a year for 4 year contract. Kulfan doesn’t think McCarty’s strong ties to Detroit would be enough to overpower his lust for money. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent and the Wings might be unwilling to match offers from other teams. Come on, Mac. Don’t do that to us!
Tom Markowski has an article on Maltby and some of his thoughts on the yearly exit.
A follow up on the Hasek news from yesterday: I doubt we’ll see Hasek return now. If he doesn’t end up in jail, he probably won’t be allowed to leave the country and I can’t see many teams wanting a guy who would beat someone with their stick when they get mad.
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