96Homer 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 Three Stars Saturday's three stars: It's Franzen again ... and again By Matt Romig No. 1 star: Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings If you think it's tough clearing Tomas Holmstrom out from in front of your net, try clearing two Holmstroms. That's the challenge the Colorado Avalanche are facing now that Franzen has emerged as a force in the 2008 playoffs. Actually, to be fair Franzen turned it up toward the end of the regular season, and it was an injury to Holmstrom that spurred the third-year forward. Saturday's Game 2 hat trick gives the 2004 third-round pick 22 goals in his last 24 games. Emulating Holmstrom's crease-clogging behavior, Franzen scored Saturday's first goal by camping out in front of Jose Theodore and tipping home a Mikael Samuelsson shot-pass. His third goal also came on Theodore's doorstep as he batted a rebound out of mid-air and into the Colorado net. His totals in 16:52 of ice time: three goals (two power-play, one shorthanded), six shots, one hit and 2:27 unblemished minutes on the penalty kill. No. 2 star: Martin Biron, Philadelphia Flyers Stopped point-blank by a Biron glove save during a second-period power play, Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec momentarily entertained the notion of breaking his stick over the crossbar. He thought better of it, but frankly you couldn't blame him if he'd unleashed some frustration. He was simply robbed by Biron on the play, and that stop came on the heels of a breakaway save on Plekanec earlier in the period. You may remember Biron's penalty-shot save on Andrei Kostitsyn in Game 1, but the Flyers netminder also stymied a breakaway in that game, too. The victim? You guessed it – Plekanec. Biron was simply incredible Saturday, stopping 34 of 36 shots in the 4-2 victory. Montreal's only goals game in 5-on-3 and 4-on-4 situations. Biron's been the better goalie in this series and that's saying a lot. No. 3 star: R.J. Umberger, Philadelphia Flyers Montreal goalie Carey Price's glove was useless against Umberger in Philadelphia's series-evening win Saturday. In the first period Umberger capped off a long Flyers cycle by skating toward the right wing faceoff circle and beating Price high on the glove side with a seeing-eye wrist shot. With the outcome hanging in the balance late in the third period, it was Umberger's stick that won a battle with Price's glove with the winner gaining control of a floating puck. All that was left was a backhand stuff-in and Philadelphia had a much-need insurance goal. Umberger scored on two of his four shots and was a plus-2 in 15:15 of ice time. Major penalty: To make sure we're all up to speed on the rules: octopus twirling is bad. Picking up said octopus, taunting your opponent with it and then tossing it in the direction of two unsuspecting ushers: perfectly acceptable. Simplified: anything that keeps those little octo-bits off the ice is in the clear. At least it was Saturday. In the era of the Avery-rule, we might just have a McLeod-directive issued by the league after Avs winger Cody McLeod told Al Sobotka "I got this one," then did everything but bite the cephalopod's head off in a display of pregame aggression. Seems like another attempt from the Colorado side to manufacture some hostility in a rivalry that in 2008 is destined to be settled by a war of skill. That was about all we heard from McLeod, whose in-game contributions were limited to three hits and two minor penalties when the Avs trailed 4-0 and needed every last even-strength minute. Minor penalty: The Flyers got away with it Saturday, but taking after-the-whistle penalties is no way to win a series against a No. 1 seed that comes armed with the league's top power play. Montreal's 5-on-3 goal came after Braydon Coburn was sent off for roughing up Alex Kovalev after a stopping in play. Jeff Carter could have been whistled for a cross-check as well. Scott Hartnell was guilty of the same infraction in the second period. There's something to be said for protecting your goalie, of course, but Biron was holding his own in the physical exchanges and frankly would probably rather have the occasional snow shower than two-minute rubber barrages. Conn Smythe watch (Based on playoff performance to date and likelihood of deep playoff run.) 1. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins 2. Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings 3. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins 4. Alexei Kovalev, Montreal Canadiens 5. Marty Turco, Dallas Stars Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
96Homer 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 hmm no replies, it's a good article come on discuss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 Three Stars Speaking of Conn Smyth how bout this gem from the talking heads. Obviously this is before the Avs meltdown 4. We've seen one round. Who's your Conn Smythe front-runner? Burnside: At the start of this round? Jose Theodore. It will be different when the smoke clears at the end of Round 2. Hradek: Jaromir Jagr. He had a great first round. And, if he wins the Conn Smythe, he'll trigger the $8.36 million contract option for the 2008-09 season. In case you're wondering, select members of the hockey media will vote for the Smythe. In other words, the press might have a hand in keeping Jagr in New York next season. Melrose: Colorado's Theodore. He's been the best goalie in the playoffs so far. And, nine out of 10 times, the Conn Smythe should go to the goaltender Yea, cause he was awesome against an inept Minnesota offense. This just goes to show you how wrong the "experts" usually are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
96Homer 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Totally agree on how wrong the experts usally are. Like Pierre saying we won't win the cup in Round 1. Why do experts always go against Detroit? Why? I'd really like to know a solid answer from them! Edited April 27, 2008 by 96Homer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 good article, thx forr the post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidstrom5 D-Man 0 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 Totally agree on how wrong the experts usally are. Like Pierre saying we won't win the cup in Round 1. Why do experts always go against Detroit? Why? I'd really like to know a solid answer from them! I actually like it when the "experts" go against Detroit. No expectation...under the radar...and when it's all said and done, the "experts" look even stupider than before! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest drwings1 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 good article, i especially liked the part about mcleod where it said "and that was about all we heard from him...two minors when the team was down 4-0" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted April 27, 2008 How can Franzen not be on the "conn smythe watch"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted April 28, 2008 How can Franzen not be on the "conn smythe watch"? Because it's highly unlikely he'll get it. Let's face it, he's really only been great for 3 games out of 8. That being said: DAS MULE!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
