04/24/24
June 08, 2006
Anti-Climactic: After a thrilling Game One, the Carolina Hurricanes took it to an undisciplined Oilers squad 5-0, taking advantage of home ice to open up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals.
posted by The_Black_Hand to hockey at 05:58 AM - 25 comments
In not un-anti-climactic news, the Islanders have hired Ted Nolan and Neil Smith. And I didn't think it would be possible for Smith to get booed at MSG. It's good to see Nolan get his next shot. Since it's on the island, I hope he fails miserably.
posted by 86 at 08:01 AM on June 08, 2006
Not a close follower of hockey, but given the goaltending situation, isn't the question now 'will Edmonton prevent a sweep' rather than 'will Edmonton win?' (Serious question I'd love to have answered by the hockey nuts who have paid attention to the details.)
posted by tieguy at 08:20 AM on June 08, 2006
The Oilers have already come back from being down 0-2 in this years playoffs, so winning isn't out of the question. Basically, Carolina has held serve at home. Now Edmonton gets the chance to do the same. I really don't think last night's loss is the result of the Oilers' goaltending. Jussi was more than adequate. It was the skaters over-compensating and taking stupid penalties that did them in. With that said, I'm not sure adequate goal tending will trump how well Ward is playing at the moment. Last night the Canes kept shutting down the Oilers' rush/break out before Edmonton got to center ice, preventing opportunities for the Oilers to use their speed and chances to rattle Ward, while winning the territorial battle. These turn overs not only stymie Edmonton's offense, but fuel Carilona's. And when the Oil do get some O time, they are making that one extra and unnecessary pass for the perfect play and forgoing the statistically favorable play of shooting the puck (Hemsky, especially) or are getting their shots blocked. Tough to win a game when the puck doesn't get to the net. I can see Edmonton winning one game at home, but I wouldn't be surprised by a sweep.
posted by garfield at 08:54 AM on June 08, 2006
Hemsky is just infuriating. He looks like he can do what he wants with the puck, but what he wants, apparently, is to deke all the guys on the other team twice, even if he has to go back to his own zone to do it.
posted by qbert72 at 09:04 AM on June 08, 2006
Its not over yet. All the oilers need is a goalie to get a hot hand. they have the defense to keep them in it.
posted by Debo270 at 09:06 AM on June 08, 2006
I don't know why MacT hasn't developped him into a penalty killer. With his wheels and hands he could be deadly. What do you mean by 'the defense'?
posted by garfield at 09:06 AM on June 08, 2006
I have not seen anyone block shots like the oiler. They just took WAY to many penalties. They put a Young goalie in bad spots all night.
posted by Debo270 at 09:11 AM on June 08, 2006
Markkanen turned 31 last month. He's not young, and he's not very good. Still, it would have been hard for any goalie to get the win yesterday, unless he could score goals too.
posted by qbert72 at 09:15 AM on June 08, 2006
Yes it is hard to win with the big goose egg on the board. I ment inexperienced as opposed to young
posted by Debo270 at 09:47 AM on June 08, 2006
Bad game by Edmonton. Not a good sign (unless you're NoMich). Sometimes the home team holds serve, and sometimes they make you look foolish - and after the first (which was pretty even up, but a little sloppy) Carolina was ahead of the play all night. Ward had an easy night. But the series sure isn't over. Not yet, anyway. Hemsky, Samsonov and Ethan Moreau have disappeared. Of course, Eric Staal has too and if that changes the Oil are in deeper trouble. But c'mon - those three Oilers were much more effective earlier - they've got great talent - but they're barely noticeable (though with the amount of penalties the Oil had last night, they barely saw the ice).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:52 AM on June 08, 2006
The series isn't over yet, but Edmonton is reeling. I thought Markkanen was okay, but Edmonton looks very much like the Oilers team that played the first 3/4s of the season. It's all about confidence in your teammates. No matter what they all say in the interviews I don't think the players have a 10th of the confidence in either of their available goalies as they had with Rollie. On a positive note for Edmonton Stall has been invisible during the first 2 games. During the first 3 series he was flying... my guess is he is playing hurt. If Carolina is going to win they have to do it right now (ie. in 4 or 5 games). If it goes longer I think they will get worn down and Edmonton will be able to pull out a victory.
posted by camcanuck at 11:59 AM on June 08, 2006
It was a bad loss, but it was still a close game (until I started watchign) through a period and 19 minutes and 58 seconds. That late goal in the second killed Edmonton's chances for a comeback and they just didn't seem into it in the third. It's still a bad loss though. But, remembering SanJose, after they got manhandled in the first two games (granted, the scores were closer), did anyone think they'd win the next 4? Similarly, after being blown out in game 1 and then losing a tight one in game 2, did anyone think that Carolina would beat Montreal? If Edmonton can win their next game, they're back into the series. If not, then Edmonton will see the cup this year... being awarded to the other team.
posted by mkn at 12:40 PM on June 08, 2006
The Canes knew they had a chance to knock the Oilers back a long way last night. I didn't see the game, but I figured the only way the Oilers had a shot in this series was to come back strong in last night's game. Now, I can guess where the morale is in the Oilers' dressing room. They won't be all 5-0 games, but there won't be hockey past this weekend.
posted by chicobangs at 02:41 PM on June 08, 2006
Are you saying they might cancel game 4 on Monday?
posted by MrFrisby at 03:03 PM on June 08, 2006
Shotblocking stats: Game 1 - EO (15) CH (17) Game 2 - EO (7) CH (24)
posted by garfield at 03:14 PM on June 08, 2006
Yup. Canes in 3.
posted by chicobangs at 04:08 PM on June 08, 2006
First. Hockey is about a team and Carolina has one. Edmonton got hot, made a run and ran into high quality opposition. They somehow got SJ to lay down. I am still scratching my head ovr that one. The Sharks *should* be in the finals. The 5-0 score is just a symptom of that. The Oil Cans don't have a chance. Never did - even with 3 Rolli's. Second. Carolina has been on a mission. Nothing will stop these guys this year. I've watching all year and they consistently find ways to get it done against all comers. With that said, the Oil Cans will win a game in Alberta - if they have any pride or professionalism - that is, if they are team that plays for each other. Then Canes finish it on June 4th in Raleigh. Take it to the bank. Interesting shot blocking stats. Looks like the Oil Cans suck at that.
posted by storagepro at 04:34 PM on June 08, 2006
The Oil Cans don't have a chance. Never did - even with 3 Rolli's. When you only look at your team, you end up saying things like this. Take it to the bank. The odds are pretty high after two wins, so it won't make me rich. I wish you had been there before the playoffs with the money tips.
posted by qbert72 at 05:32 PM on June 08, 2006
I thought it was a pretty bad tip, considering today is June 8th.
posted by MrFrisby at 05:40 PM on June 08, 2006
Maybe he meant June 4, 2007.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 07:14 PM on June 08, 2006
The Oil Cans don't have a chance. Never did - even with 3 Rolli's. That's crazy talk, man. I assume you watched game 1 of this series. It was a pretty close game, right? And the Canes didn't win until Roloson was injured late in the game, right?
posted by Samsonov14 at 07:40 PM on June 08, 2006
Maybe he meant June 4, 2007. Woah, that totally flew by me.
posted by qbert72 at 07:57 PM on June 08, 2006
Interesting shot blocking stats. Looks like the Oil Cans suck at that. Yeah, I've watched them this year and they certainly sucked at that. ¬¬ Oil cans? What's the equivalent... Hurrican't ?
posted by mkn at 10:37 PM on June 08, 2006
Sure hope he's better at storage than he is at hockey talk.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:37 AM on June 09, 2006
And, more on the WHA angle in this year's Finals.