Night One Of ’08 Playoffs

Oh yes, the day that many of us have been waiting for has essentially come to an end (essentially because the Flames/Sharks is still in play). So here is the wrap-up of the festivities.

Penguins vs. Ottawa

I say versus Ottawa, but what I really mean is nobody. Ottawa never really showed up for this one and the Penguins were all over the Sens. Gary Roberts potted two goals, and continued his dominance over the Sens during playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury may have shushed some of his critics for a little while, by shutting out the high-powered Senators (can we still call them that?) Volchekov, staying true to his style of play, was blocking shots like an offensive lineman, until he took a shot in the face. He tripped over the foot of a Penguins in front of the net and was smoked in the face with a hard Malkin shot. The game ended with some fiestiness as Roberts was kicked out after a questionable hit, and he then appeared as though he challenged every Senator on the ice to a fight… I bet those Sens are still really wishing they had this guy last year. Penguins win 4-0 and lead the series 1-0.

New Jersey vs. New York Rangers

I believe this game was a lot closer than the score indicates. I didn’t catch the majority of this game as I was watching the Pens/Sens, but I did see the two goalies putting up a duel in the first part of the game. There should be much more of that to come as this series carries on though, so we should expect no less. Gomez stuck it to his former team, and fans as they booed him every time he touched the puck. There was also some intensity to this game, and the fans sounded like they really into it until the Rangers took over. I might have to start watching this series unless the Senators actually show up. Rangers win 4-1 and lead series 1-0.

Minnesota vs. Colorado

Again, I didn’t watch this game, at all really because I was half-assed working on a paper and half-assed watching the Flames/Sharks game. Of the highlights that I saw though, it appeared as though it was a physical game, with a goal disallowed due to a kick, and that was a kick, so good call. The game went into overtime and Mr. Clutch Joe Sakic scores his record 8th career playoff overtime goal. Avs win 3-2 and lead series 1-0.

San Jose vs. Calgary

So the newly mohawked Flames, trying to be less uptight this year than last came into the Shark Tank and did not waste any time. They came out flying and scored a quick one that had to be reviewed. Yelle’s stick was well under the cross bar and it counted and they never really looked back from there. Yelle’s second goal also had to be reviewed because the net came off the pegs just after he slid it across the goal line. San Jose did make it interesting though, scoring a last minute goal with their goalie pulled, and then they were buzzing all around the Flames end while Kipper flipped around like a shark out of water (see what I did there? Genius!) Flames win 3-2 and lead series 1-0.