Quick Reviews - March 19th
A mercifully lighter day on the calendar. The stakes are just as high as yesterday but there are fewer moving pieces and only one really compelling match-up. Apologies to all non-NJ/TB games.
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
Has Boston put behind them the 3 losses in 4 games? Will a young Buffalo team avenge a 7-0 loss from two weeks ago?
Well, the answer to the opening question was a resounding yes and no. The Bruins matched their goal total from the last time these two teams played. Sure, Buffalo is a weaker opponent but 7-0 wins are the kind of win you expect from a team like Boston when they are playing a non-playoff team. Also encouraging from Boston is the fact that all seven goals were scored by different players. They are too good at the fundamentals to think they were going to fall too far off their historic pace but when they lose three games to teams they should have outclassed, there comes a pit in the stomach that the team is regressing to the mean.
This win today by such a margin and the game against Ottawa on Tuesday will go a long way to giving Boston fans the warm and fuzzies again about where the team is at this point in the season and where they are setting themselves up for the playoffs. This brings us back to the seven players scoring seven goals. This kind of preparation for the team as they approach the playoffs are the good vibes that can build momentum. This is the kind of win that can make fans feel great going into the rest of the season.
Washington Capitals @ Minnesota Wild
The Capitals need to win basically every game they have left to make the playoffs. The Wild are in a battle for top spot in the Central, who brings the energy today?
The opening goal is scored by Minnesota on a goal whereupon it’s entry into the net, there are several defenders standing around watching. Yes, s rebound landed right on Matt Boldy’s stick and the shot was there for the taking. You’d like to see at least one of the defenders collapse down to tie up the only forward currently in the picture. I say that being well aware of how much I harp on teams that collapse too much. In this case, I just want one defender, anyone, please, Beuller?
The next goal starts with a turnover in the Wild defensive zone atrocious turnover. This is the kind of turnover that when you see it, then watch the other team skate up the ice in an odd-man rush you’re repeating to yourself “please don’t score”. In this case, the Wild ran a great passing play and were able to find an open net and they finished the goal. The Capitals have no room for bad hockey this season if they want to make the playoffs. This was bad hockey. The Wild need to play well to keep pace in their own division race, this was good finishing. This second goal was all the answer we need for the open question.
The Capitals tried to make a game of it in the second period. They scored on a classic Ovi from the dot on the Power Play. Minnesota answered that goal with a goal of their own in the period. The game was put away early in the third when the Wild scored to take a three-goal lead. The second goal of this game said all we needed to know about who wanted this game more. For sure, it’s easier to get up for the game when you’re already in the playoffs but I think Washington fans can start looking to the draft and Free Agents in the offseason. Wild 5-3 (Final)
Nashville Predators @ New York Rangers
With New York in a stable playoff position, will Nashville be able to make this a game on the road as they chase a playoff spot of their own?
I’m watching this game live and woah, the Predators are outmatched, outclassed, and getting embarrassed. The thing is, this doesn’t really look like bad play from the Predators. The Rangers look great. they are moving the puck where they want, they maintain control, and they are just a much better team than the Predators.
Nashville has games in hand that would put them in a playoff spot, assuming they won all three of the games they have yet to play. Yes, the win depends on who they are playing. Not all the games will be against the likes of the Rangers, but knowing this version of the Predators lurks out there tells me there is little hope for them to make a push for that final playoff spot in the west.
Just as a side note, I have the Devils’ radio feed playing while I’m watching the Preds and Rangers and the Devils’ radio crew is taking shots at the score in the Preds game when the team they work games for has lost three in a row. Bold move.
New Jersey Devils @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The third time’s a charm for New Jersey, are they ready to be a top-tier elite team? Can Tampa Bay keep up with the games in hand for their push for second in the Atlantic?
The first goal of the game is the exact kind of goal it feels like the Devils have been giving up recently. This was a failed clear attempt that would have killed off the Power Play. The Lightning keep the puck in the zone, the Power Play ends but the offense is still set up, and they score. Now, this isn’t about the failed clear, which is frustrating enough, but this is New Jersey giving up the first goal and making the mountain more difficult to climb. Elite teams are the mountain. In fairness, teams generally have to climb the mountain first before they can be the mountain. This is something the Lightning have done and something the Avalanche just accomplished. I can’t get on the Devils too much, but they’ve lost three in a row and I’ve seen more than a few bad goals given up in those games.
The second goal of the game is scored by Tampa Bay and this is a case of, never leaving your feet unless you are sure you’re going to stop the puck. Credit to Killorn for waiting out the sliding defender and credit to Jeannot for drawing the defenders deeper into the zone. I’d like to see the Devils’ defender covering the shooter, and staying on their skates.
In a change of pace, the Devils answer the goal with one of their own seconds later. This is the kind of goal that makes you forget the goal just given up and provides an opportunity for the team to build their own momentum. This theory was proved correct when three minutes later, New Jersey scored to tie the game. The game is reset boys, where are we going from here? This is why I like new teams to the scene. They are the driver of all the storylines. We know who the Lightning are. We are trying to figure out the real New Jersey team.
In the quest to find out who they are, the Devils score a third goal in the period and take the lead. A lead they are able to take into the third period. A lead they hang on to for ten minutes of the third period when they score to extend that lead to two. A great shot that beats one of the best goalies in the game. The Devils finish the game with an empty netter and they finally get past this part of the mountain pass. It took three tried, and there is more mountain pass to go, but belief in the next steps in now there. Devils 5-2 (Final)
