[CanuckJohnny]

Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap




Round 1:
West
(1) Nashville 4 - (WC2) Dallas 1
(2) St. Louis 4 - (3) Colorado 0
(1) Anaheim 2 - (WC1) Chicago 4
(2) San Jose 4 - (3) Edmonton 1

Chicago's experience proved decisive as they eliminated the class of the Pacific in six games. It was not primarily the usual suspects carrying the series for the Hawks however, as they were led by Teuvo Teravainen (5-2-7) and Andrew Shaw (2-5-7) offensively. Nashville manhandled Dallas, getting five goals and nine points from James Neal in just five gamews, while Ribeiro had 8 points and Forsberg had 7.

East
(1) Boston 4 - (WC2) Tampa Bay 1
(2) Montreal 4 - (3) Detroit 1
(1) NY Islanders 3 - (WC1) Ottawa 4
(2) Philadelphia 2 - (3) Washington 4

Ottawa upset the Islanders in round one, led largely by the efforts of Mike Hoffman (5-3-8) and Mika Zibanejad (2-6-8). Ovechkin had seven points as his Capitals upset the Flyers in a close series. Carey Price had two shutouts and the Canadiens dominated the Red Wings in five games.

Round 2:
West
(1) Nashville 2 - (2) St. Louis 4
(2) San Jose 3 - (WC1) Chicago 4

The Blues haven't gotten a ton of press so far this postseason, and they took that personally and put the NHL on notice after polishing off both Colorado and now Nashville to earn their berth in the Conference Finals. After splitting the crease with Brian Elliott pretty evenly all year, Khudobin was given the reins to start the playoffs and has held the starter's crease through two rounds, racking up three shutouts so far. Tarasenko has a remarkable nine goals in ten games for them. The Sharks had an incredible run, and saw some amazing performances, like Jeff Carter returning to his glory days with thirteen points in twelve games, or Brent Burns leading all defensemen in playoff scoring through two rounds with fourteen points in twelve games, but in the end they were simply overwhelmed by the defending champions as Chicago wins another key game seven. Patrick Kane has nine goals and fourteen points this postseason but their leading scorer is actually Andrew Shaw with sixteen points in thirteen games.

East
(1) Boston 4 - (2) Montreal 2
(3) Washington 4 - (WC1) Ottawa 3

The Bruins simply overpowered the Canadiens, who succumbed in six games despite Carey Price's efforts and an additionaly shutout from him. Marchand, Pastrnak and Bergeron has to be the most formidable line in hockey right now. Alex Ovechkin is a man on a mission for the Caps, leading the playoffs in scoring with 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 total points. It took them seven games to overcome the Senators but in the decisive match they got off to a three goal lead in the first and never looked back, pounding Craig Anderson with 38 shots while only allowing 24 on Holtby who saved all but one of them, including all thirteen third period shots when Ottawa was desperately pressing to catch up.

Round 3:
West
(2) St. Louis 4 - (WC1) Chicago 2

Well, the Blues have done it. They sit down the defending champions in six games. Chicago looked like they were on another unstoppable run but this deep St. Louis team fought hard and earned their four wins to go to the Finals. Tarasenko was held to only one goal this series but as a team they rallied and found ways to win. Khudobin now has four shutouts through three playoff rounds.

East
(1) Boston 4 - (3) Washington 1

In spite of leading the playoffs in scoring through three rounds (12-14-26) Ovi couldn't will his team to victory against the mighty Bruins, who steamrolled them in five games. Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak have a combined 19 goals, 43 assists, 62 points and +33. They're looking virtually unstoppable through three rounds.

Round 4:
(1) Boston 4 - (2) St. Louis 0


The Blues looked like the real deal this year until they ran into the beast that is the Bruins. After a mediocre postseason by his standards, Rask stepped up and shut the door, allowing only two goals in four games and earning two shutouts en route to the sweep. The Blues couldn't muster anything offensively to support some very strong performances by Khudobin, who, besides a rough Game 2 in which he allowed five, only allowed five goals in three of the games yet wasn't rewarded with a single victory. Torey Krug had 3 goals and 3 assists and the top line of Bergeron, Pastrnak and Marchand was dominant throughout.