Ritter's Rant: News and Notes From Around The NHL

P.K's "OK"...

He may have only played just over 10 minutes, but given his Game Six performance, I think it’s safe to say the P.K. Subban era has commenced in Montreal.

There are not too many defensemen that can play in all zones, Subban looks to be that kind of player.

Keeping with the Montreal Canadiens, the Canadiens forced a Game Seven in their first round series against the mighty Washington Capitals.

The Canadiens have kept Alexander Ovechkin off the scoreboard in two of the six games and they have done a marvelous job extinguishing the Capitals ultra-tough power play which stands at an astonishing 3.3 percent success rate.

For the record, the Caps came into the series with the top ranked power play in the regular season, chiming in at a 25.2 percent success rate.

Quick pick for Game Seven: Montreal takes it to the Caps once again with Canadiens goaltender coming up large. Capitals lose, at home, 3-1.

Boo-Buffalo!

On the heals of ousting the Buffalo Sabres from the playoffs (insert massive grin here), the Boston Bruins just got some more good news.

Marc Savard, who has been out of the Bruins lineup since March 7th with a concussion, has been cleared to play.

The final decision will likely go to Bruins head coach Claude Julien, but one has to expect Savard to be inserted into the lineup immediately.

Regardless of the decision, Tuukka Rask will be the key to any playoff success the Bruins have.

Slim Pickings...

Before the playoffs started, I picked the Kings to beat the Canucks, the Sharks to beat the Avalanche, the Blackhawks over the Predators and the Red Wings over the Coyotes in the Western Conference.

In the Eastern Conference, I picked the Sabres to beat the Bruins, the Devils to beat the Flyers, the Penguins over the Senators, and the Capitals over the Canadiens.

So far I am sitting with a 3-3 record (not good).

With only the Detroit-Phoenix and Montreal-Washington series yet to be decided, I have to go 2-0 in order to save face.

I don’t like the chances of either Washington or Detroit heading into game seven! Can you say fisted?

Hero's abound...

If you're looking for a reason why there have been so many upsets in this year's playoffs look no further than the goaltenders.

Teams that have been blessed with good goaltending are moving on, the one’s without it (with the exception of the Colorado Avalanche) are already on the golf course.

What I like about this year's playoffs is that so many players are emerging as possible MVP’s.

One night Colorado’s Craig Anderson is making over fifty saves, next night it’s the Canadien's Jaroslav Halak doing the same thing against the Capitals.

On the flip side, Sidney Crosby is making the highlight reel followed by some tremendous individual efforts by the likes of Mikael Samuelsson.

Simply put, every game has been "can’t miss" hockey—there is a different hero emerging every night.

Where's Semin? Where's Byfuglien?

Washington Capitals sniper Alexander Semin has registered a total of 36 shots on goal in the series against the Montreal Canadiens.

He has NO GOALS to show for his efforts.

If anyone has seen Chicago Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien say "hello"—I missed him in the Blackhawks series against the Nashville Predators.

Was he even playing?

Can Green Pass The Coffey?

Mike Green, affectionately referred to as the next "Paul Coffey" by some, has amassed 19 shots, registering NO GOALS in the process.

Green has also proven to be a defensive liability once again...Paul Coffey? I think not!

Batman and Robin?

If the Los Angeles Kings elect to keep the dynamic defensive duo of Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty together, they will emerge as the NHL’s best 1-2 punch.

That said, given the negative comments directed towards Johnson during the regular season, there are doubts the Kings will elect to sign Johnson long-term.

Let me just say this—separating these two would be a mistake...sign him!

Alarming statistic:

There are only 10 Russian players in this year's NHL playoffs.

Five out of the 10 players (Alexander Semin, Anton Volchenkov, Denis Grebeshkov, Sergei Gonchar, Andrei Markov) have yet to register a goal.

Which brought me to this question—is Russia a dying hockey power?

The Kid is "Great"

For all of you involved in the never ending Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin debate here is the score through six playoff games.

Crosby has five goals, nine assists, along with numerous highlight reel moments.

Ovechkin has five goals, four assists, nine points, and two games kept off the score sheet.

EDGE: CROSBY!

For more NHL news and notes check out my website at
www.theslapshot.com

***Also, check out Louis Pisano (fellow BR writer) and I, Mark “The Hard Hitter" Ritter) NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 31ST at 6:00 PM through 7:00 PM EST as we throw down our hockey podcast “GET THE PUCK OUT” at www.morencysports.com

If you are wondering if this is the same Gabe Morency that was a fixture in the Montreal sports scene for years and was a member of “THE SCORE”—yes, it’s that MORENCY!—it’s his website!

We’ll be throwing out our pick’s for Next weeks games, talking about the playoffs and venting all the rage we have built up!!! Bring your comments, questions and insight. Give us a call (toll free) at 1-866-964-5710—let’s talk some puck!

Until next time,

Peace!