Goals Under Review - March 27th

New Jersey Devils @ New York Islanders

Can the Islanders keep their cushion while they are one game ahead in games played? The Devils still need to secure home ice in the first round.

Goal New York by Engvall: The Devils’ defender fell on the play so I’m not going to mark this goal against them. However, this was a great hockey goal from New York. The Devils had pressure in the Islander zone and had a great shot that was saved. The Islanders got control, moved the puck to an open area then pushed the puck down the ice. This is where the Devils’ defender fell over, but the good hockey didn’t end here. The initial shot was saved, but Engvall was on the second wave to clean up what was left behind. I feel great about this if I’m an Islanders fan. They played their brand of defensive hockey and got the mock moving in the other direction and converted good defensive play into a goal on the other end with fundamental hockey. This is what you want to see going into the playoffs. So much so you could convince yourself the team has a chance in the first round. The East playoffs are going to be so good this year. Islanders 1-0

Goal New Jersey by Haula SHG: Oof, that’s a tough one to give up, but a classic shorty where the defense gets a bounce and has the momentum going in the right direction. This game has turned into a story about the Islanders. Can they shake this one off and get the lead back? Tied 1-1

Goal New York by Palmieri: Great individual play answers the previous question with a “yes”. The “around the world” orbit of the goal causes confusion followed by a sick backhand for the goal. These are the kinds of goals the Islanders need to win games. Individual effort and ugly/good hockey goals. The Engvall goal fell into the second category. Honestly, I’m thrilled if I’m an Islanders fan. They are playing well, now just get the win and build that playoff cushion. There is another potential benefit to beating the team you might play in the first round. A lot has to happen for that to be true, but beating the teams higher in the standings can pay dividends later in the playoffs. Islanders 2-1

Game Note: The Devils just put the goal in the Islanders’ net and it was disallowed because of a kicking motion. I hate this rule. The rule should read “as long as the skate blade is on the ice, the skate is a legal method to score a goal. I get it, the league doesn’t want skate blades flying around the ugly goal areas of the ice, but this reversal doesn’t feel right.

Goal New York by Palmieri: Just a great Islander goal. The forecheck being a pest, the puck getting to Palmieri on a turnover and a great shot to finish the play. The Isles did what they needed to do today. They played their brand of hockey against a good team. They won a game at their pace and they never looked out of control. Islander fans should feel good about what this means for the start of the playoffs. Islanders 3-1

Goal New York by Horvat: ENG Islanders 4-1

Goal New York by Parise SHG: ENG Islanders 5-1 (Final)

Seattle Kraken @ Minnesota Wild

A win for Seattle basically secures a playoff spot and makes the Oilers 3rd in the division a possibility. The Wild have to win to keep pace in the race for the Central Division crown, probably the most interesting and high-stakes race left in the NHL.

Goal Minnesota by Middleton: Seattle overcommits to the goalies left. The Wild find the open skater on the other side of the ice, a screen, and a nice shot and Minnesota is leading the game. Yes, there was a defensive overcommit from the Kraken. It’s early in the game and if you’re a pessimist and think this means the Kraken will lose, they are not really at risk of missing the playoffs. I’d be worried about the team correcting that kind of overcommit before the playoffs get started. Wild 1-0

Goal Minnesota by Boldy PPG: Seattle played a really sound rotation on the Penalty Kill. It wasn’t until the bottom right corner of the box goes after the puck but the pass gets through, The top left point of the box fell back to cover the open space, but Boldy had too much room and the shot was too good. Stay out of the box and don’t give good teams opportunities. The flow of this game at this point with 13 minutes left in the second feels like this is Minnesota’s game to lose. Seattle will need two quick goals to tamp down the Wild’s momentum if they want a chance. One goal in the second and third periods is not going to get the job done. it just doesn’t feel like Seattle has Wild+1 goals in them tonight. They show moments, but they need to finish one of their shots.

Game Note 5:37 left in the 2nd: The Kraken are pushing for a goal in the last 7 minutes of the second period. They’ve had a half-dozen great opportunities that are missing due to a skate blade or missed pass or puck rolling off a stick. With the amount of effort going into this push, they almost need to score before the last minute of the second period. Minnesota will score in the last minute out of nowhere and this game will be over. Even if Seattle doesn’t score and keeps the deficit to two, will they believe they can score against Fleury this game?

Goal Minnesota by Boldy: Welp, the Wild didn’t bother to wait for the final minutes. They didn’t even wait for a minute of the clock to pass. Boldy throws the puck at the net and it goes in. The shot was well-placed and this game feels like it’s over. Fleury is playing too well to give up 3+ goals in 23 minutes of game time. Minnesota is playing its game and doing it well. Wild 3-0

Goal Minnesota by Boldy: Ok, game over. The Wild clearly came out in the third period and decided they were going to put this game away. The forechecked hard and brought more than just one extra step when compared to the Kraken. I’m not saying the Kraken quit, but when compared to the Wild, they were going through the motions. Great hockey goal scored by Minnesota. Wild 4-0

Goal Minnesota by Hartman: Seattle forgets there is more than one opposing player on the ice. They decide to double-team the puck carrier then the second wave pushes up the ice, gets the pass and scores on a really nifty shot. What is Seattle doing? If they are trying to preserve energy, fine, I guess. The effort on the ice is poor. I’d be changing the channel. Wild 5-0

Goal Seattle by Schwartz: Ugly goal that I can’t get excited about. The shutout is canceled but the goal is too little too late. Wild 5-1

Colorado Avalanche @ Anaheim Ducks

On a night when the Wild play a tough team and the Stars are idle, the Avalanche can take over first in the division.

Game Note: Are you wondering why this isn’t a Game Journal? Because the NHL hates its fans. I am blacked out from Ducks and Kings games so I’m listening to the radio feed.

Goal Anaheim by Grant: I hated the west coast trips when the Avs struggled, and I hate the west coast games now. Not only am I blacked out of the games but the west coast teams play the Avs so tough. That vibe extends to this goal. A tough one to give up. Not only was possession lost into the middle of the Avs’ defensive zone, but the puck bounces off Johansson’s pads and in. Tough one, but lots of game left and a game the Avs need to win. Ducks 1-0

Goal Colorado by Byram: It’s nice to see the Avs get one of those floater goals that finds a way into the back of the net. I see those go against the Avs more often than not. I guess the comes with the territory with a team that is so good on the Power Play and 5-on-5. The goals lean towards pretty. In this case, the boys need a little boost for the legs against a team that finds ways to play the Avs tough. Tied 1-1

Goal Colorado by MacKinnon: What a sick shot. What a time to score the goal with 8 seconds left in the period. Another kind of goal I see go against the Avs more often than not. This might be the goal that takes the Avs to victory in this game. If they can come out in the second and get an early two-goal lead, maybe they can gear it down and cycle the lines evenly to get the victory. Avalanche 2-1

Goal Colorado by JACK JOHNSON: This is the goal I wanted for the Avs but it didn’t come from the player I expected and I love it. You know the team is pumped for him. The last time he scored was the first goal in the first game of LAST SEASON. He has been on a whole other team since that goal. This is a great follow-up to the last game when the Coyotes gave the Avs such a hard time. On a night when the Wild won so easily, the Avs are well to do getting an easy win of their own, especially on the second of the back-to-back. Avalanche 3-1

Goal Colorado by Nichushkin: The Avs are ready for the playoffs. That goal was sick. I really appreciate the Ducks overcommitting and forgetting about the 6’4” Nichushkin. MacKinnon makes an amazing pass and Val finishes the play. The Avs are vibing and when they are playing like this I am filled with all the confidence in the world. Even against a team less talented and out of the playoffs, the Avs need the game speed practice on these plays before they get to the business of defending their Stanley Cup in post-season games. When they play like this, where they finish in the standings does not matter. Avalanche 4-1

Goal Colorado by Girard PPG: The value in this goal is Girard seeing the puck go in the net and setting a new mark for goals in a season. I don’t care if the goal was fluky, a puck in the twine is a puck in the twine. Girard was brought to the Avs for his steady defense and the offense he offered from the blue line. This season, he has scored the most points in a season. Another player that when he is going and can add a goal here or there during the playoffs, the defense of the title will be made a little easier. Avalanche 5-1 (Final)