Goals Under Review March 16th

Colorado Avalanche @ Ottawa Senators

Can Colorado keep up the pace on the second of the back-to-back?

Goal Colorado by Makar: A good play off the faceoff a lovely little backhand pass from Rantanen and Makar snipes the post. The Avs don’t score a lot of ugly goals and this is one of their pretty goals. Witness the greatness that is Cale Makar, that’s all I have to say. Avalanche 1-0

Goal Colorado by Nichushkin PPG: This was a nice play off the Power Play faceoff. The Avs can sometimes have issues getting the puck to the net from the blue line, at least, it feels that way. When Makar can throw the puck at the net and Nichushkin gets the tip-in goal this is great, everything is great. Pretty wrist shots and tip-in goals. Are the Avs back? Can they keep this up? More importantly, can they put this game away in the first period? Avalanche 2-0

Goal Ottawa by Batherson PPG: The answer to the last question there is no. Ottawa, to their credit stuck with the process and scored a goal on the Power Play, a questionable call, but a call nonetheless. Ottawa scored before the period ended and what could have been a coast to the finish of a back-to-back is now a game once again. Avalanche 2-1

Goal Colorado by Rantanen: A very pretty Colorado play with the pass and shot from MacKinnon then the tip by Rantanen. The Avs are good and this is what their good brand of hockey looks like. Can they make this a three-goal lead? Avalanche 3-1

Goal Ottawa by Pinto: Apparently, the answer is no. The Avs were pushing for a three-goal lead and over-committed to the right side of the ice. Ottawa gets the rush going the other way and they score when Pinto gets the puck wide-open in the slot. I don’t like giving young teams hope. Not that the Avs are old. All potential titles are erased when you lift the cup :) Avalanche 3-2

Goal Colorado by Rodrigues: What a great shot from a snake-bit player. I’m so happy for him and so are his teammates you can see in the on-ice team celly. Rodrigues has been moving fast and working hard in this game, it is great to see him score. There are a number of players I want to see get going before the playoffs, he is one. Avalanche 4-2

Goal Colorado by Eller: Ugh, the Avs were the beneficiary of a play that looked weird, and doesn’t feel good to be on the scoring end. What looked like icing wasn’t and the puck stops in the crease and Eller pokes it into the net. Nothing to learn here. A goal I’m not proud of but I’m not giving it back, haha. This is the three-goal lead they have been fighting for the entire game. Are they able to hold this lead? Avalanche 5-2

Goal Ottawa by Hamonic: Ottawa gets the early goal in the period to close the gap and keep their heads in the game. I’d be more mad if the Avs were not on a back-to-back but they are, so I will hope they are able to get the goal back or keep the lead at two before this gets to the empty net part of the clock. Avalanche 5-3

Goal Ottawa by Tkachuk PPG: This was a good shot against a team on tired legs. Credit to the Senators for creating the play. It’s hard not to take penalties when you’re tired. This is the hope a young team needs to tie the game and make a name for themselves. Will Colorado hang on? Avalanche 5-4 (final)

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

Can Pittsburgh solidify their playoff spot while New York pushes for home ice in the first round?

Goal New York by Zibanejad: How does the defense let Zibanejab get that far behind the defense? It could have been called cherry-picking, but the flow of the play suggests the Penguins were overcommitting to the push in the offensive zone. Not the kind of goal you can afford to give up on the road to a team playing for their own reward. That being home ice advantage. Rangers 1-0

Goal Pittsburgh by Rakell: Broken plays lead to goals when players get themselves in the right place, love it. Credit to Rakell for finding a way to get to a scoring position without a Rangers’ player pushing him off the spot. Tied 1-1

Goal New York by Motte: A terrible turnover leads to a nice five-hole shot from Motte. Make that two goals this game that should not have happened. The hill was a big enough climb before the Penguins got to the rink, now they are two “should not have happened” goals in the net and they only have a little over one period of hockey to get back in this game. They aren’t out of it, but how many of these kinds of goals can you give up before it breaks your back? Rangers 2-1

Goal Pittsburgh by Guentzel: Alert hockey gets the Penguins into the open slot with a pass and a nice shot through the five-hole. I like the fight Pittsburgh puts into the game. I’m also thinking about what this game looks like if they play better defense. This won’t fly in the playoffs. Tied 2-2

Goal new York by Kreider: New York won the 1-on-1 battle in front of the net, simple as that. Nothing to learn here, Kreider won the spot, got the rebound and put the puck in the net. Rangers 3-2

Goal new York by Kreider: ENG Rangers 4-2 (Final)

Tampa Bay Lightning @ New Jersey Devils

Does Tampa Bay see potential for home ice in the first round? Can the Devils make the jump to best in the Metro?

Goal Tampa Bay by Colton: A nice play off the faceoff. Tampa Bay scored by playing tough in front of the net. A good play off the faceoff gets the puck to where the battle in front deflects the puck into the net. I am repeating from the last time these two teams played. This game is less about Tampa Bay, we know they are. This is about New Jersey and who they are telling the rest of the Eastern Conference and the NHL who they are as a team. Are they a this year threat or a next year threat? Lightning 1-0

Goal New Jersey by Tatar: This was pretty hockey. This is the New Jersey team that has a name to make for itself. Bonus, this was not the top line scoring the goal. The Devils need to get the lead against a team like Tampa Bay. Playing catch up all the time is hard, especially against a team like Tampa Bay. Tied 1-1

Goal Tampa bay by Stamkos: This is a goal New Jersey can’t give up. Right off the Power Play, Tampa bay gets the puck down the ice. The defense gets lazy and the Lightning put the work in behind the net which leads to a pass in front and a goal. Here we are again with the Devils being behind. Tampa Bay 2-1

Goal New jersey by Meier: A sort of broken play. The Devils got a tight-angle shot where the defense was not in a position to play defense. The play to get there was nice as the Devils tried to catch the Lightning in a line change. it worked and they got the goal. Now, they need to push for the lead. Tied 2-2

Goal Tampa bay by Stamkos PPG: Tampa bay ran a nice Power Play, they were able to find the open Stamkos who buries the slap shot. Don’t take penalties and also, STOP PLAYING FROM BEHIND! Lightning 3-2

Goal New Jersey by Meier PPG: A very nice shot on the Power Play. As much as I harp on the playing from behind, the Devils keep coming back. That’s its own brand of calling card. Not the one you want when you are serious about a cup run but never being out of a game is a good thing. Also, as much as I’ve complained recently, they have a good record and are basically assured a playoff spot. Tied 3-3

Shootout win to Tampa Bay: C’est Fin. Lightning 4-3 (Final)

Boston Bruins @ Winnipeg Jets

Has Boston set the cruise control? Will Winnipeg bring some urgency to their tenuous playoff position?

Goal Boston by Frederic: Four Jets down low, the slot is wide open, of course, there is a pas to a trailing Bruin for the score. I just throw my hands up. What is the Winnipeg defense doing? This is defense 101, communicate, and cover the trailers. This is the Bruins, not the Coyotes. Bruins 1-0

Goal Boston by Zacha: Boston gets a zone entry turnover on the Jets and turns the possession into a wide-set 2-on-1. The defender isn’t able to commit to the forward. This gives Zacha room to take an incredible shot and score. I’d be frustrated. The Jets do this to themselves. Bruins 2-0

Goal Boston by Nosek: ENG. Bruins 3-0 (Final)

Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers

Team desperately trying to hold on to division lead vs Team desperately trying to avoid the wildcard, who wins?

Goal Edmonton by Foegele: What a play, that was really pretty. That whole sequence in the offensive zone. would have been a shame if the Oilers didn’t score. Edmonton doing what they need to do at home against the Stars, get ahead and stay there. They have the offense to do it, does the defense hold up their end of the bargain? Oilers 1-0

Goal Edmonton by Janmark SHG: I know Janmark’s name goes on the goal credit but that was all McDavid, surprise. His speed down the ice gets all the defender’s eyes to look at him. Janmark gets open with his stick available for the pass and he finishes when McDavid gets him the puck. Pretty play, fast play, Edmonton offense. Oilers 2-0

Goal Dallas by Johnston: This is a great hockey goal. A shot, a rebound, the original shooter follows the shot and scores. This is what the Stars need to get going because that’s the brand of hockey they play. Keep it close, make it to overtime. Oilers 2-1

Goal Edmonton by McDavid PPG: Going back to the opening question of the game, the Oilers are facing the no playoffs reality if they don’t win games like this one. McDavid plays the driver of some great puck movement and gets a shot from the slot for the goal. Pretty goal. The lead is back to two goals and Stars are running out of time to catch up. Oilers 3-1

Goal Edmonton by Janmark: ENG. Oilers 4-1 (Final)