Seraph

Wasn't that Ducks/Sens finals just a brutal year?!

It happens when the first round team comes in gunning for the body. To me, Hank seems like he's having trouble reaching for the puck when it's out ahead of him. Maybe a back thing? Keep an eye out for it.

I don't usually follow as closely. I will definitely root against the Pens (or any other team that has eliminated the Wings in recent history) and any Canadian team. That's my formula.

One of my coaches told me the most "real" ice hockey feeling you can get is stuffing a whiffle ball full of tennis ball shreds. I never tried it because it seemed like too much work and an idiotic thing to say.

HOLMSTROM WILL NOT MOVE!!

That was actually really satisfying for me. I feel like we really accomplished something.

A lot of it comes from the fact that we HAVE a lot of fans. The perception is that people like the team because they win, not because of the team itself. I think the fans are seen as bandwagoners who wouldn't have liked the team if they were not as successful through the years. I think that the fact that we have had such a long string of success and anyone who has come through Detroit or moved away, continues being a fan, has given off a bad vibe. And it's frustrating to others to have their arenas fill up by the opposition's supporters when it looks like they're a bunch of bandwagoners and only like their team due to their success. They don't call it Hockeytown for nothing though. You spend some time in Michigan, you're pretty much converted for life. It's a great team and a great tradition.

I wouldn't blame Ovie for coming off arrogant, upset, or whatever. He just finished a very successful season, lost a seven game series in the first round against a heavy underdog AND there are about thirty freaking microphones in his face asking him if this is the s***tiest point of his career. I wouldn't be enthralled either. Truth be told, I don't think the Caps are built for the playoffs. They touted Ovechkin's captaincy as a representation of the attitude and excitement they want their club to bring to the game. I really don't think that whole spirit matches up well in high pressure, playoff situations. The Capitals right now are a highly offensive team with gunners on every line. They play to have fun, toss the puck around, and use raw talent to put the puck in the back of the net. That's not something you can harness, control, and kick up a notch when you're down a goal in a game-seven situation. It's not a system that you can "buy into," "prepare for" and "trust in" like Babcock always talks about. When it comes down to it, their "system" (or lack thereof), turns into a streak of sloppy runs at the net and a series of blocked shots. Montreal's game plan was obvious tonight: stifle whoever gets the puck because they probably aren't going to use their teammates--and it worked. I really think they are going to see some sort of coaching change, or at least they should, before they become successful.

Patrick Eaves with the OT winner.

This is assuming the beards keep growing... let's not jinx it people.

The only cool part was the fact that the fans actually raised $500 that fast. I'm actually not a huge supporter of throwing octopi at away games. I feel you should respect your enemies turf a little.

I think what we need to be talking about MORE is why there is weird music and children waving hockey flags in the entry of the Montreal players. That is just creepy. It's like a weird ritual to them. Are they gonna bleed the kids from the neck after and sacrifice them to the hockey gods?? Good on Ovie for breaking down that awkward vibe a little.

If you don't have the heart of a lion to stop the puck without a mask, then just get out of the way and get scored on. Simple solution. Jim-my, Jim-my, Jim-my, Jim-my!!

I was watching a similar thing where it had the announcers talking during the commercials and Larry Murphy told the announcer at ice level to, "say some mumbo jumbo about how the team is in it to win it, but will have to battle hard through some adversity in the third"... then the commercial break ended, and the other guy said the exact thing with so much flair and an eyebrow raise. It made me believe it. Was pretty funny.

I was watching the TSN feed and Pierre was like, "I guess they really like Bon Jovi?" Hahha.

Looks like a baby monster hatching... or is it??

THE SERIES MAY HAVE TAKEN A TURN... HE TOUCHED THE OCTOPUS!!

Good for Sammy. He looks so cocky too these days when he scores as his Canuck buddies hug him and toss him about. I wonder why he couldn't snipe the corner of the net like he did tonight last year. Funny how these things work.

I'm pretty sure when you're a professional athlete, that drive to win is always there. I think that's what pulls you through all the tough practices and through the long season. I don't think people who at any point in their life coast and let their performance suffer ever make it this far. The people on this team are world class players. And with a disappointing year last time around, I don't think there is a lack of a drive to win. Maybe they are fatigued and can't muster the strength to play as much of a physical game, but I don't think they are coasting through it indifferent to the outcome.

hockeystreams is available on iPhone now. I would go with that if you want to have at least some sort of access to the games. You are unlikely to find it on TV. If you are sketched out about putting in your payment information on hockeystreams (like I was), go to your bank or grocery store and get yourself a credit card "gift card" and register with some fake name. That's what I did. It's 18 or so dollars to have access to all the playoff games with no blackouts.

He'll grow to be better if we make it out of the series. The intensity is much higher here. A goalie's gotta adapt.

If you're really complaining about a hilarious dude doing a handstand in a green suit next to the visiting penalty box, you may need to loosen up a little.

I feel a big Franzen goal coming on, guys. It's gonna be so good.

Put up the Kronwall!! We got to get them worried about getting hit too.

What a beast, HELMER!!