The Guru Report: Monday 4/20

by Hockey Guru


A great night of hockey on Monday. The Guru set the DVR and managed to view all three games in their entirety – almost in real time!

Through the magic of technology, sitting through commercials was unnecessary. The first five minutes of the Montreal-Boston game were watched – then paused – so the Guru could watch the first five minutes of the Rangers-Caps game.

It was hockey bliss.


Boston 4, Montreal 2

The Bruins defense looked shaky throughout much of the game. Whether this was due to bouncing pucks, frayed nerves, or the pressure of playing in Montreal, they simply didn’t handle the puck well, especially around their own net. Had the Canadiens been more opportunistic, they might have scored three or four extra goals.

Sure, Carey Price gave up some juicy rebounds, and the injuries impacted the Habs line-up. I know. But at one point early on, Kovalev had a wide open net to shoot at and he chose to simply dump the puck into the corner (all right, you could argue he was actually shooting at the net, but missing the net by 15 feet, from 15 feet isn’t exactly an “All-Star” calibre effort).


Washington 4, New York 0

Game three unfolded perfectly for Washington. Scoring the first goal of the game is proving to be more important in this series, than in the others. The danger for Washington is that they become complacent or to think that they’ve accomplished something simply by winning this game. Sure, it was a must win game, but they’re still trailing in the series.

The goalie change for Washington was the perfect move, but as the Guru stated in his predictions, it probably should have been made prior to Game 1. Washington is likely still a year away from a serious playoff run. The missing piece is still the goaltender. This season, it's time to find out just what they have, and to allow Varlamov to gain the experience and get a taste, so that he can be better prepared for the future.

Now, this year is not written off by any means – Washington can still make noise in these playoffs, and game 4 is much anticipated, to see if they are ready to compete now (the Guru's hunch is that they may be feeling too good about themselves right now, and that the Rangers and Lundqvist will now have a great chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead).


Calgary 4, Chicago 2

This was hit-a-minute hockey. Not merely riding guys off, but finishing checks with authority all over the ice. Great hockey, great intensity, great drama.

Calgary got a major break on the go-ahead goal to extend their lead, and cruised to the Game 3 victory. This game was so much closer than the score indicated. This has been a physical series, with the teams trying to wear each other out, regardless of the score.

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The Guru Report: Thursday April 16

by Hockey Guru


Boston-Montreal

Great start by the Bruins and when Krejci put the B’s ahead 2-0 – Hockey Guru thought – here we go with another boat race.

But Montreal scored the first “gut goal” of the playoffs. “Gut goals” are the goals that teams score mostly because of desperation, determination and grit. There weren’t too many scoring chances to that point but Montreal desperately needed to answer back and Christopher Higgins scored the third goal of the game. Remarkably it was done 2 minutes after that 2 goal lead was held.

This series will be close and the score will likely be tied or a 1-goal game at all times. It’s how the hockey gods want it to be. It’s Montreal-Boston. It’s awesome!

Whether this series goes 4, 5, 6 or 7 games – these are must-see games.


Detroit-Columbus

With the Bruins-Canadiens game competing for the Hockey Guru’s attention – the occasional flip to check-in on this game showed what the Guru knew. Detroit is an amazing team.

When they have to – they can take their game up a level. They have the skill, they have the experience and they have the heart. They have been champions for a reason.

RJ Umberger is trying to prove he isn’t another John Druce or 1-year playoff wonder – he scores big goals in big games.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect from the box score is that Detroit held Columbus to 2 shots in the third period. At a time when a team is desperately trying to get back into a game – that’s IMPRESSIVE.


Chicago-Calgary

The Hockey Guru did not Tivo the game – so when watching the third period and 12 seconds of overtime – the feelings of regret about missing most of the first two periods eroding the enjoyment of this game.

The Chicago crowd was tremendous and this was an awesome game but there’s not much insight for the Guru to impart.

San Jose-Anaheim

Anaheim has captured the home ice in the series!!!

Many of the readers of that know how the Guru feels about that phrase. But Anaheim winning the first game of this series demonstrates how difficult the Stanley Cup is to win.

Having the best record in the NFL – your team doesn’t even have to play in the first round of the playoffs. Then, you get to face the lowest seeded remaining team at home when you’re rested and they’ve gone through a playoff game the week before.

Losing that first game is a major upset in the NFL.

But in the NHL – the disparity between the 1 and the 8 seed is not the disparity between the 1 and 8 seed in the NCAA tournament.

As a long time fan of Jumbo Joe and defender of his – this year there are no excuses. With San Jose’s regular season – he should be rested, healthy and primed for a run.

Game 1 saw 1 shot on net from Big Joe – and he was a non-factor on most of his 28 shifts. Through the Guru’s eyes (yes they were a bit heavy during this game – and distracted with a teething baby) – San Jose didn’t generate too many quality scoring chances. For the offensive juggernaut they had been – they certainly weren’t in game 1. Credit Anaheim’s defense, credit Randy Carlyle – or blame Joe Thornton.

1 game is not a series – but the questions and the pressure are going to make it harder and harder for San Jose in this series.

It’s often said that until a team loses on its home ice – a “series” hasn’t begun – well then this series has begun – and if San Jose doesn’t respond in game 2 – it could be on its way to being over.



The Guru’s forecast for tonight’s game is put on sunblock for the Philly-Penguins game as the red light should be lit often.

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The NHL Eastern Conference Preview

by Hockey Guru, Will-he-M and TD O'Dell



I know that you’ve probably heard all this stuff before. Hell, you might even have read these exact words elsewhere. Nevertheless, DJ Tito O’Dell presents the 2009 Playoff Preview Mash Up (Eastside Club Mix). Enjoy.

Montreal (8) at Boston (1)

Hockey Guru: It’s deja vu all over again. The exact rematch of the #1-8 series from 2008, but in a Bizarro world, the Bruins are the one-seed, and Montreal the eight-seed. The odds will be overwhelmingly for the Bruins, but they have had a dream season with minimal adversity. They may be the Rodney Dangerfield of the 2008-09 season - they didn't get too much respect. The Bruins went through the season with playoff intensity, throughout. The Krejci-Ryder-Wheeler line was unbelievable, for a stretch during the season. Krejci was a Top 10 player for a month, but hasn't sniffed that level in some time. Ryder has a history of disappearing and Wheeler is a rookie that may have hit the wall. In my opinion, the Bruins don't have another level to which to raise their game, but their game is already at a high-level and may be enough to make a serious run. However, I'm not a believer. If the Habs were healthy on the blueline, they'd easily be my pick for the series. The "second season" gives them a chance to start over with a clean slate after a tumultuous season. So basically the Guru (I'm now writing in the 3rd person) calls this series a toss-up; a pick'em. If the Bruins get off to a good start and win their home games, and gain some confidence and swagger, it could be over in five. But, the Guru isn't afraid to look stupid (some would argue it comes naturally to him). The belief is that they may have false confidence, thinking that being the number one seed means something in itself, when it doesn't. If you're still reading this, I apologize. If, however, you are reading this because my wife is trying to have me committed, then I'll go voluntarily, if I can have the NHL package. Guru's prognostications are totally wrong, but hopefully they were more entertaining than the countless articles we'll be reading this week. Prediction: Bruins in 7 (this way, if Montreal wins, I can say that I knew it would be close) Prediction: Montreal.

Will-he-M: For the millionth time in NHL history, the Habs and Bruins meet. For some reason, it doesn't matter where Montreal finishes. 1st or 8th, they play the Bruins tough, and win. Remember 2002? Bruins finish 2nd overall in the NHL, meet the Habs, thinking cakewalk. What happens? Bruins lose in 6. Remember 2004? Bruins finish 4th in the NHL standings, play the lowly Habs again. They think they know what to do now. What happens? Bruins blow a 3-1 series lead and Habs move on while Joe Thornton again proves why he can't play in the Playoffs (0 points in 7 games). The Habs’ PP will be fine with young Yannick Weber and old Mathieu Schneider capitalizing on Boston's need to bully the Habs. (The Habs’ PP scored 3 times against the Bruins on Thursday). Last year the Bruins surprised the Habs, but come Game 7, Tim Thomas shat the bed, and Carey Price stood on his head. And with word that Andrei Markov will be ready by Game 1, that alone improves the Habs’ chances greatly. Prediction: Habs in 6.

TD O'Dell: You’re both wrong! Nah – jus’ kidding. I always wanted to say that in a format like this. It’s like we’re sitting beside each other on a panel, discussing this in real time. Cooool. Anyway, yes, these two teams have met a lot over the years. And yes the Habs have dominated. I’m not sure where Vegas has them, but I’d bet it’s somewhere close to “biggest long shot” to come out of Round 1. So who knows? Being a massive homer, I’m probably giving them too much credit, but I too see the Bruins faltering. Prediction: Canadiens in 7.

New York (7) at Washington (2)

Guru: Ovechkin on Broadway. Rangers have the goalie to win but may not have the players in front of the goalie. Capitals have the players to win but may not have the goalie to win. The Guru loves watching the Caps. Mike Green and these Russians named Alex are pretty good hockey players. If only a Russian were in net it would be easy to pick the Caps. The Rangers were boring hockey personified, but since the coaching change, they actually skate and fore check. This could be a wide-open series, with the clear edge in scoring to the Caps and the clear edge in goaltending to the Rangers. Conventional wisdom is that defense wins in the playoffs. Conventional wisdom is to draft your team and hold. Guru likes streaming. Guru likes offense. Guru likes Washington in the series. Prediction: Caps in 5 (I'll be bold here) .

Will: These teams are complete opposites. The Caps have two great forwards, one great defenceman and no goalie. Rangers have several under-achievers on offence and defence, and a goalie who is considered one of the best. This series will be a cakewalk for the Caps, but Lundqvist will give the appearance that the Rangers stood a chance. Prediction: Caps in 5.

TD: If you had asked me, I might have ranked cake waaaay down on the list of most desirable strolling surfaces. Not all the way down near hot coals or broken glass, and not even as low as a new gravel road in bare feet, but certainly below cold wet grass and even knee-high snow. With skates on, cakewalking can only get worse. Forget about Green, and his supposedly adequate defensive abilities, when your next best blue liner is a toss-up between Erskine, Pothier and Jeff Schultz, aren’t you depending a lot upon your goaltender? That’s not even mentioning the 17-18 minutes per game that Theodore will be helped by the tandem of Jurcina-Morrisonn. That said, the Rangers just don’t have the top-end talent to answer almost ten goals from Ovie. Prediction: Capitals in 6.

Carolina (6) at New Jersey (3)

Guru: Based on their histories, this would appear to be a trapping snore fest - a soccer game on ice. Au contraire mon frere, this is 2009 - and both teams have become more aggressive, finishing in the middle of the pack, in terms of goal scoring. Maybe the best thing about this series is it's a first round series and there'll be other games to watch. Seriously, this series seems to be of little interest and would only be rated as the 7th or 8th most interesting series in the 1st Round. But from low expectations, you can be pleasantly surprised. It's like fantasy drafts - sure you're happy with Eric Staal's season this year, but for a 2nd Rounder, you kind of expected it. On the other hand, you’re psyched for 45 goals from Zach Parise in the 5th Round. The Devils were written off before the season. When Brodeur went down, the book was closed. This team is like Jason in the horror movies - they don't go away. But the Guru predicts that Cam Ward will rival Marty Brodeur in this series and that Eric Staal and the Whaler-canes will advance.

Will: This series will be won by goaltending. The greatest of all time, versus the (thus far) one-year (playoff) wonder. I've bet on Brodeur before in the face of adversity and lost. He struggled, to end the season, and I see that continuing. Prediction: Canes in 7.

TD: I was beginning to get worried about the level of consensus in the room until now. I honestly don’t know what I would have said, had the two of you picked the Devils. I just might have abandoned my pick of the East to avoid agreeing with you guys a third time. Thank God that wasn’t necessary. I’m not discouraged by Fat Marty’s lacklustre play of late. The guy should have plenty in the tank after taking his first months-long vacation since he was 10 years old. Prediction: Devils in 4 straight.

Philadelphia (5) at Pittsburgh (4)

Guru: The re-match of the Eastern Conference Finals from a year ago. This time there is no guarantee that the winner gets to play for the Cup. Running out of gas, fingers bleeding, life calling - this one will be quick. The heart wants Pittsburgh, but the head tells me that Philly is going a long way this year. They have a beast of a team to play against for a series. Guru doesn't like going against his heart, but the head says Philly will prevail this time around.

Will: Flyers are vastly over-rated. I have no doubt that they have the forwards to compete, but I question their defence and goaltending. Outside of Timonen and Coburn, who's there? Randy Jones? Matt Carle? Ryan Parent? Andrew Alberts? Not exactly a frightening combination to play against. Biron? Please, the guy's had two mediocre seasons and one good playoff, as a Flyer. He'll crash and burn against the Pens. Prediction: Pens in 6.

TD: I’ll wrap this one up quick – something neither Pennsylvania team will be able to do. Prediction: Penguins in 7 games.



We’ll do a quick run-down of the Western Conference shortly, but we won’t have time to delve into things too deeply.

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