Steve and I doing it again, just shooting the breeze.
We catch up on Round 2 in episode 4 of Armchair Hockey’s podcast – talking Sens-Pens, Rangers-Bruins (4:51), the Leafs’ collapse (6:52), Kings-Sharks (10:10), Blackhawks-Wings (12:42), reffing controversies (20:54), Canucks and Caps (23:48) and hockey business (38:55).
Steve and I had so much fun doing the first one and we’ve gotten some good feedback, so here it is, episode 2!
Guaranteed to be better than Attack of the Clones.
We talk about a potential Sharks sweep and the joyless 2013 Canucks (0:30), the clean Gryba hit and P.K. Subban’s hot temper (17:40) and the delay of game non-call on Alzner that cost the Rangers a powerplay (29:45).
Click to listen to Armchair Hockey Podcast Episode 2! Enjoy.
So, once in a while, Steve and I will shoot the breeze and talk some puck. We decided to record for your listening pleasure. In the podcast, we go through every single series in the playoffs, make our predictions and, of course, make fun of Leafs Nation.
Apologies for the low sound levels and the lack of massaging to the sound. We wanted to get this up before the playoffs start so you have something to keep you busy while you wait.
It’s a long podcast, but click on the link and check out the time stamps listed below to skip to the series you want to listen to.
Cheers!
The most exciting part of the year is here. The season was abridged, but the playoffs won’t be. Two full months of playoff hockey. Glorious.
So many story lines, so many things to go over. Can the Isles make the Pens sweat a little? How healthy will the Blues or Kings be after their series? Can the Red Wings pull off an upset over the second-ranked Ducks? Is this the Canucks’ last chance? Can a re-vitalized Ovechkin get the Caps over the hump?
Without further ado, here’s the quick and dirty for all eight playoff match-ups in the the 2013 NHL Playoffs.
1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. 8 Minnesota Wild
The Blackhawks were probably hoping for Columbus because no team wants to deal with Zach Parise in the playoffs. Parise had eight goals to lead the Devils last year and it was pretty clear Parise was the Devils’ MVP.
Despite the addition of Parise, who scored 18 goals this year, Minnesota has been starving on offense all season. Dany Heatley’s out for the season after getting shoulder surgery, Jason Pominville is questionable for game one, meaning their best goal scorer right now is Devin Setoguchi. Ohhh, scary.
1) With Marc-Andre Fluery and Kris Letang already on the shelf, the Pittsburgh Penguins suffered another major blow this week. Sidney Crosby was forced out of action after taking a puck to the face. It was later revealed that he will out indefinitely with a broken jaw. The only positive in this situation is that the Penguins have built up a huge lead atop the Atlantic Division (16 points). However their #1 seed will likely be surrendered to the Montreal Canadiens. After a 1-2 week they hold a tenuous 3 point lead over the surging Habs. Continue reading »
1) The Pittsburgh Penguins went 4-0 this week and are now riding an 8 game win streak. Sidney Crosby has been lights out, but so has his linemate Chris Kunitz. I know that playing with the best player in the world doesn’t hurt, but what Kunitz is doing right now deserves more recognition. Kunitz has 18 goals and 22 assists in only 30 regular season games. Moreover he is rocking a +24 rating, the highest in the NHL. While Kunitz has always been blessed with extremely talented linemates (Teemu Selanne in Anaheim before Crosby), he has established himself as a durable and productive top 3 forward. I’ve never given him his due, but now I am. Continue reading »
1) Most of the news out of the Eastern Conference this week was overshadowed by the scary incident that took place in the Rangers win over the Flyers. Marc Staal was hit in the face by a puck and it is still unclear how severe the injury is. We all hope that he will get lucky when the news breaks. Obviously this brought the visor debate back to the front of everyone’s mind. Do I think the NHL should mandate visors? No, it is up to the players to decide. But I do think that all players who don’t wear visors need to seriously reconsider their position. To quote Dwight Schrute, “the eyes are like the groin of the head.” They need, and deserve, some protection. Continue reading »
1) Probably the most surprising thing for me coming out of the Eastern Conference has been the Washington Capitals. With a new head coach and several players being in mid season shape thanks to stints in the KHL, I expected the Capitals to be one of the stronger teams in the conference. However, they skated to an abysmal 0-3-1 record this week, and are struggling at both ends of the rink. I still feel like the Caps will be a playoff team this season, but they will be in tough to catch the Lightning for the South-East Division crown. Continue reading »
My favourite post to write every year. I’ve picked 30 players, one from each team, that you should keep an eye on. Not going to toot my own horn (I’m going to do it), but in the past I’ve picked out some breakout seasons. You won’t read this in time for your fantasy draft (unless you’re lame and start after the puck drops) but hopefully it gives you a good reason to watch different teams. I love watching my Canucks, but I make an effort to watch other games too because 1) it’s still hockey, and 2) there are some really, really underrated and overlooked players out there.
1.) Boston Bruins: The Bruins are big, mean, and talented throughout their roster. They boast incredible depth at both forward and defence, able to go toe to toe with any team in the league. Despite the departure of Tim Thomas, the Bruins should be fine in net. Former Maple Leaf Tuuka Rask has shown in the past that he can handle the #1 job. Expect the Bruins to battle for top spot in the east all season long.
2.) New York Rangers: With the addition of Rick Nash to last season’s Eastern Conference finalist core, the Rangers are primed for success in 2012-13. Anchored by the unflappable Henrik Lunqvist, the Rangers will ice a solid d-core and a trio of game breakers up front. Few teams can match the overall depth of the Bruins, but the Rangers are definitely one of them. Continue reading »