Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Bouthillier

Now Or Never: 2009-10 To Be a Turning Point For The Atlanta Thrashers

Chris Bouthillier — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:36:21 -0400

It's no surprise that the Atlanta Thrashers' management had to make moves this off-season.

The Thrashers have been cellar-dwellers for most of their history, having drafted in the top five the last two seasons and qualiying for the playoffs only once. They suffered a four-game sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers in 2007.

But there was a much bigger reason on why the Thrashers had to revamp their roster.

That reason is Ilya Kovalchuk.

The 26-year-old has been the face of the Atlanta franchise since breaking into the league in the 2001-02 season. He is the captain of the team and is regarded as one of the best pure snipers in the world today.

With the departure of Marian Hossa at the 2008 trade deadline, the Thrashers never accomodated their star forward in hopes of building a stronger offensive core. Instead, Kovalchuk spent the majority of last season on a line with Todd White and Vyacheslav Kozlov.

No disrespect intended, but White is not considered a legitimate first-liner and Kozlov—who is 37—is not getting any younger. Since coach John Anderson had little choice but to use those two on the top line with Kovalchuk, the Thrashers' depth was limited throughout the season.

Considering that team has been toiling for most of its existence and is in a very untraditional hockey market it hasn't been the easiest time for GM Don Waddell to attract free-agents with high value.

Most importantly, Waddell and the rest of the Thrashers' brass had to figure out an equation that would improve the team without removing any key assets—addition without subtraction.

Nik Antropov signed a four-year $16 million contract in July. Though the 6'6" Kazakhstani only posted 59 points last year—compared to White's 73—his addition to the Thrashers will provide balance and his big-body presence gives coach Anderson more variety when juggling lines.

Blueliner Garnet Exelby and checking forward Colin Stuart were deemed expendable adn were dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Pavel Kubina and minor-leaguer Tim Stapleton last month as well.

Kubina has been scrutinized for not living up to his annual $5 million salary, but has put up no fewer than 40 points in the last two campaigns and is also a free agent at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season.

We may also witness plenty of improvement from players who suited up in Atlanta last year.

Rich Peverley finished off the last half of the year with the Thrashers collecting 35 points in 39 games. Averaged over a full schedule, that point total would rise to 74.

Bryan Little could be pencilled in on the second line to start the season, but don't be surprised if he gets a little more time playing on the big unit. Little scored 31 goals in his sophomore year and is showing signs of being a dynamic centreman for years to come.

The one thing that many might underestimate would be Atlanta's defensive core.

Both Ron Hainsey and Tobias Enstrom were tremendous for the Thrashers and a big reason why their powerplay leapt to 11th from a dismal 23rd the previous year. With the addition of Kubina and healthy Zach Bogosian, the Thrashers their top-four will consist of defensemen who can handle the puck well.

The biggest question mark heading into this season will be whether goaltender Kari Lehtonen can elevate his game to a new level.

Lehtonen, 25, has been plagued by injuries over his young career and has only one 30-win campaign under his belt. If he can stay healthy he will only benefit from having the best defense the Thrashers have ever iced.

If the Thrashers can start where they finished off last season there is only room for optimism. Throughout the final months they compiled a record of 12-7, which included a season-high six-game winning streak.

Judging the moves made by Atlanta's management during the summer they appear to be the most improved on paper.

They have added a number of talented players to their roster and are still over $10 million under the salary cap. This could ultimately leave the door open to more potential moves before the season begins in October.

In the end, it will be the team's on-ice performance this season that will convince fans—and Kovalchuk—whether or not this will be a legitimate franchise for years to come.

Which Hockey Team Has the Best Chance to Surprise at the 2010 Winter Olympics?

Chris Bouthillier — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:09:05 -0400

Everybody loves a nice Cinderella story, right?

While nations like Canada, Russia, and Sweden are virtualy able to ice two teams apiece, there are many others who are simply fortunate to be a part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Finns, Czechs, Americans, and Slovaks also sport a large contingency of players in the NHL and throughout Europe, but there is still a list of five countries who have a chance of playing the "dark horse" in February.

Those teams include Switzerland, Norway, Latvia, Belarus, and Germany.

There's no question that all five nations have improved over the years, but they still have a lot of work to do. Though it's highly unlikely any of these countries will be competing for hardware, there's always a chance that one team will push their way through—Even if it's just a lucky bounce.

In 2002, the Belarusians stunned Sweden, as goaltender Tommy Salo juggled a long drive from Vladimir Kopat, sending Belarus to the Olympic semifinals for the first time in their nation's history.

However, they were crushed at the hands of Canada by a score of 7-1.

Switzerland was ousted by the Swedes in the quarterfinal of the 2006 event in Torino but managed to pull off what is arguably their greatest victory in hockey.

In a preliminary round matchup, the Swiss took a 2-0 contest from Team Canada. The world watched as Martin Gerber registered a 49-save shutout, turning in one of the most outstanding performances by a goaltender in international competition.

Who's turn will it be this year? Here's an overview of what to expect in Vancouver.

Switzerland

Since there will be a shortage of offense from the Swiss, they will have to play to their strength: Goaltending.

Jonas Hiller is regarded as arguably the best Swiss netminder today, and he is a sure-fire bet to start when they take on the United States in their first game. He has the capability to steal games, and with the help of a defense-first system, he will face most of his shots from the outside.

Special teams will also be the main source of offense. Mark Streit and Yannick Weber will most likely be running the power play, with each providing a big shot from the point. Severin Blindenbacher and Martin Pluss will also be critical to the team's offense, if they are healthy when the tournament begins.

Norway

The Norwegians will be icing one of the youngest teams in the tournament, with the expectations to gain experience in international events.

Most players who represented Norway at the 2009 World Championship suit up in the Swedish Elite League and the GET-Ligaen, the top Norwegian league. The only players from their national squad that have suited up in the NHL are defensemen Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Arders Myrvold, and forward Patrick Thoresen.

For veteran players such as Tommy Jakobsen, Mats Trygg, and Tore Vikingstad, who have plenty of games under their belts, it will be their job to help their young core in hopes that Norway will evolve into a stronger hockey nation.

Latvia

The addition of Dinamo Riga to the KHL has really helped hockey in Latvia. The lone Latvian-based team finished second in their division and was featured 13 players who dressed for Latvia's national team this past spring.

Between 2006 and 2008 at the World Championship, the Latvians finished 10th, 13th and 11th place, respectively, and did not appear to have much to look forward to. In 2009, they finished in seventh, matching their best performance that was set in 1997.

The Latvians have shown signs of improvement but still lack at depth. Dallas Stars defenseman Karlis Skrastins and international veteran Herbert Vasiljevs—who has played in a whopping 133 games for his country—will be counted on heavily to lead the charge.

Martins Karsums, Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Martins Cipulis will also need to be at their best to help produce offense.

Belarus

The 2010 Olympics may showcase the most talented squad that Belarus has iced in any IIHF-sanctioned event.

Though they might not have depth up front, the Belarusians have three skilled NHL forwards in Mikhail Grabovski, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Sergei Kostitsyn. Coach Glen Hanlon has the option to use all three together or keep Grabovski for second-line duty with Alexei Kalyuzhny—who enjoyed a strong World Championshup playing on the top line.

Defense and goaltending could prove to be the downfall for Belarus.

Ruslan Salei remains the only solidified defenders of the bunch, and he will have to be at his best to hold the blue line.

Andrei Mezin, a 35-year-old goalie, has spent time in 10 different leagues over his career. On the other hand, he was one of the top netminders in the KHL last season and posted a 4-1 record with a 94.8 save-percentage with Belarus at the 2009 World Championship.

They could surprise once again, but would also need to play a hard-nosed game to force their bounces.

Germany

Of this list of teams, the Germans have a much larger population of players who play in North America. That normally wouldn't mean much—considering European leagues have progressed—but the fact that this tournament is being played on NHL soil could benefit those players on Team Germany.

Germany has come off one of their worst international performances, with a 15th place finish at the 2009 World Championship. The Germans went 1-5 and did not have any player post more than two points.

Seriously?

If that's the same lineup that shows up in Vancouver, the Germans won't stand a chance. Hopefully they will get a boost in offense with the additions of sniper Marco Sturm and puck-moving defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.

Defense may be their biggest strength, assuming Seidenberg, Christoph Schubert, and Christian Ehrhoff will be a part of the team. Dimitri Patzold and Thomas Greiss are the front-runners to assume goaltending roles, as it appears Olaf Kolzig is pondering retirement.

If they have any hope of keeping up with the rest of the class, Germany will have to play physical and force turnovers. Capitalizing on their opportunities will be critical to their success.

Sources/More Information: IIHF, HockeyDB, YouTube

EA Sports to Replace Patrick Kane on Cover of NHL 10?

Chris Bouthillier — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:38:26 -0400

As reported in numerous news sources across North America, forward Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly robbing a cab driver in downtown Buffalo.

Kane, along with his cousin, is being charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and theft of services.

Earlier this spring Kane was selected by Electronic Arts to be on the cover of their upcoming title NHL 10, set to hit stores Sept. 15 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Not too long ago, EA had to deal with a similar event. NHL 2004 was slated to feature Joe Thornton on the cover, but he was quickly removed in favour of Dany Heatley after being brought up on assault charges. Later on Heatley was also removed after killing teammate Dan Snyder in a car accident.

EA replaced Heatley with Joe Sakic, but not until the first shipments of the game were released worldwide. Chances are that if—and when—EA decides to replace Kane's cover picture with another NHLer, the game will have already surfaced with the former Calder Trophy winner's photograph.

Coming to that conclusion—an early one, too—it would be wise of the Canadian-based gaming giant to look for another spokesperson for their highly anticipated product.

Here's a look at who could find his picture on the cover of NHL 10.

Sidney Crosby

Contrary to popular belief, Sid the Kid has never been on the front of a video game. The 22-year-old is coming off of his fourth NHL campaign in which he won his first Stanley Cup. His skill—added with the fact that he consistently contributes to his community and is a great role model for kids—makes him an easy candidate for this position.

Zach Parise

Only one American has ever been on the cover of any "NHL Series" games, and that would be goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. Parise is one of the game's top young stars today and could really help grow the game in the United States, both on the ice and on the gaming platform.

Roberto Luongo

Speaking of goaltenders, the "Beezer" was the only netminder to appear on the front of an EA production—and that was in 1997. If any goalie was to be named to the game, it would be Luongo. The Vancouver Canucks captain is widely considered the best goalie in the league and is entering the prime of his career.

Ryan Getzlaf

For anybody who has been following the production and features of NHL 10, Getzlaf is the type of player who best replicates the qualities of being "tough enough." The Regina native can score, hit, kill penalties, and outwork opponents to achieve success. The Cup ring on his finger from 2007 can back up that statement.

Pavel Datsyuk

Datsyuk is arguably the most complete player in the world. This past season he won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward while posting 97 points in the process. The Russian superstar is a highly skilled athlete who matches his moves with his grit and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to win the game.

Who do you think should be on the cover of NHL 10?

Steve Mason Under The Microscope Heading Into The '09-'10 Season

Chris Bouthillier — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:22:46 -0400

Last August goaltender Steve Mason was preparing for training camp, anticipating that he would be between the pipes with Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

While that was the scenario when the season started, it sure wasn't the same when it ended.

There were many worthy candidates for the Calder Trophy last season but in the end it was Mason who prevailed after posting 33 wins and an league-high 10 shutouts. His efforts led Columbus to their first playoff appearance in franchise history.

Though they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings the accomplishment for both Mason and the Blue Jackets organization is raising interest in Columbus. With a strong nucleus of young players and a dedicated coaching staff fans have a reason to be excited about hockey in Ohio.

This looks strikingly familiar, doesn't it?

I mean, where else have we seen a young player exceed expectations only to turn in a sub-par performance the following season?

The "sophomore slump" has been more apparent in the NHL today than ever before. Sam Gagner, Jordan Staal and fellow netminder Carey Price headline the list of players who stood-out in their first year but couldn't repeat their play the second time around.

Not only will Mason face the pressure of following up a tremendous rookie season, he will also be competing for a spot on the 2010 Canadian Olympic team. Mason was one of five goalies who were invited to orientation camp which will take place from Aug. 24-28 in Calgary, Alberta.

Why would this add pressure to the 6'4" netminder?

The other four goaltenders on the list bring stunning resumes to the table. Martin Brodeur is the league's all-time winningest goalie, Roberto Luongo is the first puck-stopper to captain a team in modern era, and both Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Ward boast Stanley Cup rings at the ripe ages of 24 and 25 respectively.

It's unlikely that Mason will be any more than the third goaltender but it is clear that Mason will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to wear the Maple Leaf in Vancouver come February.

Until then there's no question he'll carry a heavy work-load in Columbus. After having the luxury of coming in without any expectations he will have many eyes watching his every move this season.

Luckily for the Blue Jackets their young goaltender has been in pressure situations before.

At the 2008 World Junior Championship he claimed the starting role from Jonathan Bernier and led the Canadians to a gold-medal victory over Sweden. While in the Czech Republic for the tournament he was traded from the London Knights to the Kitchener Rangers and captured an OHL Championship later that spring.

It's safe to say that Mason knows how to win. The question going forward will be whether or not he can build on an outstanding year in which he quickly became a household name among NHL goaltenders.

The upcoming season could quite possibly determine how good of a netminder Mason really is.

Can he flourish like Brodeur did in his second campaign, or will he hit the wall in the same fashion as Jim Carey in the late 90s?

One thing is for sure—Mason will be battling between the pipes night after night.

Best of the Rest: Top 10 Remaining NHL Free Agents

Chris Bouthillier — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:17:21 -0400

Albeit only a month has passed since the beginning of free agency, the lucrative Marian Hossa signing seems like a distant memory.

While that may have been one of the most controversial contracts handed out this offseason it sure hasn't been the only one. Since July 1 there have been over 200 players have signed on the dotted line.

And still, there are some key names that are still available:

1. Petr Sykora - RW - '08-'09 Team: PIT

Out of all remaining free agents none were as productive as Sykora last season. The 32-year-old is coming off of his third-consecutive 20-goal season and has found the back of the net 300 times in his career. Any team who is in the hunt for secondary scoring could benefit from Sykora's offensive instincts and leadership abilities.

2. Robert Lang - C - '08-'09 Team: MTL

Lang was the most consistent forward on the Montreal Canadiens roster last season, which hurt the team drastically when he suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon in mid-February. Though his age might scare some teams—turning 39 in December—he would be ideal to fulfill a top-six role on an inexperienced team.

3. Alex Tanguay - LW - '08-'09 Team: MTL

Though he was limited to just 50 games last season Tanguay still managed to pick up 41 points in the process. His numbers have declined over the last three seasons but still has years of production remaining, as he is only 29.

4. Mike Grier - RW - '08-'09 Team: SJ

With defensive-forward Scott Nichol landing in San Jose this offseason, Mike Grier is left looking for a new home. For teams with minimal cap space looking for a bottom-six forward Grier would appear to be an appealing option. The New Jersey Devils may be looking for someone to fill the void left by checker John Madden's move to Chicago.

5. Marc-Andre Bergeron - D - '08-'09 Team: MIN

For teams looking for a steady defensive presence on the blueline—chances are Bergeron's not on your radar. However Bergeron is one of the most underrated puck-movers in the NHL and could definitely help teams who are struggling on the power play. Out of his 62 career goals, 36 have come on the man-advantage.

6. Jason Williams - C/RW - '08-'09 Teams: ATL, CBJ

Williams' versatility allows him to play either centre or wing without any problem. He struggled during the first half of the season in Atlanta but following a trade to the Blue Jackets he tallied 29 points in 39 games on the second and third lines.

If matched up with the right linemates Williams can once again produce at a steady pace and play a solid two-way role.

7. Miroslav Satan - RW - '08-'09 Team: PIT

Having one of the worst seasons in your career looks worse considering you were playing alongside one of the best playmakers in the world in Sidney Crosby. The 34-year-old Slovak might not have first-line offense in him but can still provide help up front if the price is right.

8. Mike Comrie - C - '08-'09 Teams: NYI, OTT

Comrie will never become a top-tier forward in the league but has still managed to score 20-or-more goals in five of his eight seasons in the NHL. Though it looks like his play is on the decline many forget that he is only 28 years of age.

Though he will have to take a pay cut—he collected $8 million in his past two campaigns—he could very well find a team in need of a second or third line centreman.

9. Mathieu Schneider - D - '08-'09 Teams: ATL, MTL

The savvy veteran of 20 seasons has stated he wants to return for at least another year—but it won't be at his previous salary of $5 million per season. Schneider is still valuable on the power play but does not have the speed to keep up during five-on-five action. Once he suits up in the new year he will have played in four decades.

10. Todd Bertuzzi - RW - '08-'09 Team: CGY

We all know that he will never be the same player who was once seen as the top power-forward of this decade. Although he battled injuries last season he still managed to post 44 points in 66 contests.

There might not be many offers for the Sudbury, Ontario native but he could still prove to be a discount second-liner until he decides to hang up the skates.

Erik Karlsson: A Small Fish in the Ottawa Senators' Big Pond of Defensemen

Chris Bouthillier — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:14:36 -0400

Of the eight defensemen under contract by the Ottawa Senators, seven of them suited up in the NHL last season.

The other is Erik Karlsson.

Karlsson, 19, is arguably the top prospect in the Senators system. The smooth-skating Swede was taken with the 15th overall selection in the 2008 Entry Draft.

The Ottawa faithful have already witnessed a sneak peek at Karlsson during last winter's U20 Championship where he led Sweden to a silver medal. His ability to move the puck and produce offensively has left Sens fans highly anticipating his arrival.

However, the question is when.

Although Karlsson is a very skilled blueliner, it appears the deck could be stacked against him.

The native of Landsbro, Sweden, is listed at 5-foot-11 and nudges the scale at 165 pounds. Though he is working on his strength and conditioning, it's hard to imagine he would grow into his frame until his early-to-mid 20s.

Senators GM Bryan Murray signed Karlsson to a three-year, entry-level deal in early May with the hopes that his young defender can run the powerplay while spending minimal minutes at even strength.

While Karlsson hasn't had a history of struggling in his own zone there could be some concern if he can't adapt to the North American game.

Another issue that could prevent Karlsson from playing in Ottawa next season would be the Sens' current depth on the blueline.

As it stands Chris Campoli, Filip Kuba, Brian Lee, Chris Phillips, Alexandre Picard, Jason Smith and Anton Volchenkov make up the defensive core in the nation's capital.

While none of these players are legitimate puck-moving defensemen, it would be hard to see any of them being sent down to the American League.

One scenario that the Senators would like is if they found a team that is willing to take Smith off their hands. The grizzled veteran battled a late-season injury and is not getting any younger.

There's no question Ottawa wouldn't mind seeing his $2.6 million cap hit vanish into thin air.

That move would put Karlsson into the top seven where he would be in competition with Lee and Picard for the final two spots—a competition that could either be a benefit or a detriment to Karlsson.

Lee and Picard aren't typical offensive defensemen and are more effective when used in a defensive role.

On the other hand, Campoli was acquired before last year's trade deadline and contributed on the scoresheet with 13 points in 25 games in Ottawa.

While we're talking numbers, why not talk Filip Kuba? After all, he did set a career-high in points last season with 40.

Karlsson may have better offensive instincts than Lee and Picard, but is he really needed with Campoli and Kuba in the lineup?

I suppose that question can be answered when training camp opens.

It's evident that the Senators blueline is crowded with plenty of uncertainty as to who will start the season.

At the end of the day, it will be up to Murray and coach Cory Clouston to make the tough decisions that could propel the Sens back to the playoffs this season.

As for Karlsson, he might have to wait just one more season before making a permanent trip to Ottawa.

But if he manages to out-play his competition during the exhibition schedule, don't be surprised to see him on Broadway on Oct. 3 when the Sens take on the New York Rangers.

Fisher, Neil Among Worthy Candidates for Ottawa Senators' Assistant Captaincy

Chris Bouthillier — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:31:10 -0400

Over the years the Ottawa Senators have been criticized for a lack of leadership on and off the ice—and with Dany Heatley's trade request there could quite possibly be an opening for a new assistant captain.

Whether or not Heatley is dealt before the upcoming season there's no question that coach Cory Clouston will tear the 'A' right off No. 15's jersey should he attend training camp in September.

Heatley was named assistant captain last fall under Craig Hartsburg who was relieved of his coaching duties 48 games into a three-year contract. After Clouston took over the team's play improved heavily as Heatley's role was minimized.

Quite frankly, this could potentially change the culture of the team as a whole.

The Senators have been looked at as a soft team in recent memory. Though they have had the pieces of an offensive powerhouse they have never possessed the toughness and grit necessary to be a successful playoff team.

The 2007 Stanley Cup Finals clearly demonstrated will over skill as the trio of Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson were outplayed by the likes of Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen, and Rob Niedermayer.

Here's the look at some of the players in Ottawa who can step in and fill a leadership role in 2009-10:

Mike Fisher

Fisher is one of the more likely candidates on the list. He has worn the 'A' and 'C' before in the absence of other captains and has been an integral part of this team during the past few seasons.

Though he has not put up stunning offensive numbers he is a reliable two-way forward who never takes a shift off. His work ethic alone would be enough to put a letter on his jersey sooner rather than later.

Chris Neil

Like many fans I was bothered by the fact that Chris Neil was not under contract heading into the free-agency period.

Neil is as solid as they come, both on the ice and in the dressing room. Though his potential is maxed out as a third-line winger his determination is unparalleled by anybody on the Senators roster. If the Sens' brass are considering rebuilding this is one of the guys that you would want around your youngsters in upcoming years.

Jason Spezza

This may strike many as a surprise seeing as Spezza has been very inconsistent over the last two seasons. But if Heatley is moved before the season begins coach Clouston will definitely consider Spezza to assume the role of a leader.

During the Heatley saga Spezza has shown signs of maturation. In interviews about his friend's trade request—as well as being left off the olympic orientation roster—he has stated that his will to improve as a complete player has risen. His play at the World Championship this spring could back up that sentiment.

Anton Volchenkov

We all know the big Russian defenseman for his bone-crushing hits and willingness to block shots.

Unfortunately, that's all we know.

The man known as the "A-Train" is a pretty quiet guy and his work often goes unheralded. He has been part of the Senators' top shutdown unit with Chris Phillips and lays it on the line (literally) every game. You can slap a letter on his chest and I don't think anybody would complain.

Jason Smith

Smith is a veteran player who is a proven leader. If this were 10 years ago, he would be a sure bet to wear the 'A' for the Senators.

The Calgary native is turning 36 in February and has a $2.6 million cap hit. There is a good chance he could be dealt, or even bought out by the Senators to make room along the blueline.

The Sens currently have seven defenseman signed heading into next season and Erik Karlsson could also crack the top six. This may lead to Smith being the odd man out come October.

Who do you think should be assistant captain? Leave your thoughts and opinions as well as your candidate(s) for the position.

Senators Management Faces Tough Tasks During Off-Season

Chris Bouthillier — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:52:29 -0400

The Ottawa Senators have been one of the most publicized teams in the off-season.

From the Dany Heatley saga to the surprising signing of sniper Alex Kovalev the Sens have been under the microscope for the last several weeks. But if you're Ottawa's management team you have three glaring problems that need to be addressed heading into next season:

1 - You have an elite forward who wants out of a lengthy contract with an enormous cap hit of over $7 million per season

2 - Your defense core—which struggled to move the puck—has not been improved

3 - You are sitting over the salary cap

It's hard to evaluate moves made (or not made) in the off-season because its effect won't be seen until the Senators hit the ice for the 2009-10 season.

To be fair to general manager Bryan Murray, he and his colleagues have been trying to improve their club while having their hands tied by the Heatley camp. The same man who was given a second chance after an unfortunate turn of events in Atlanta does not want to be in the nation's capital. And from what we have seen, he doesn't want to be in Edmonton, either.

Heatley, who is in his prime at the age of 28, endured a tough season last year. Although he was named an assistant captain and still managed to post 39 goals it was evident that things weren't going well.

On the other hand, the same thing could be said for the entire Senators roster.

The team couldn't match the scoring prowess that they have been known for over many years. At the same time they weren't equipped with the right pieces to be a stingy defensive. Just 48 games into his tenure with the Sens, coach Craig Hartsburg was relieved of his duties.

Enter Cory Clouston. The club's head coach for the AHL affiliate in Binghamton was given the task of closing out the year behind the bench in Ottawa with no guarantee of where he would be in the fall.

The Senators won 19 of the 34 games under Clouston, but it was to Heatley's chagrin. He was demoted to the second powerplay unit which saw a slight reduction in ice time for the two-time 50-goal scorer.

What makes this very interesting is that Heatley was an effective player in Clouston's system, racking up 28 points in 34 contests and often finding himself as the difference maker in games late in the season.

Though this makes Heatley look like the antagonist in this story, one has to believe that the rest of the Senators will have to band together and commit to hard work more than ever. If Heatley is gone before camp begins expect the team to move forward as a tightly-knit group.

Whether he returns or not is yet to be seen, but as the days countdown to training camp it looks like Heatley could be returning to action with the Senators this season. Murray has stated that he won't be dealing his star forward unless he finds the right deal which is looking very bleak now that many teams have committed a lot of money to the salary cap.

The team inked Alex Kovalev to a two-year/$10 million contract in an attempt to fill the void for a top-six forward. However, if Heatley is on the move the Senators will be in the same situation as they were before the "AK-27" entered the fold.

Kovalev's signing was something that many didn't see coming. That's because there is a need for an offensive defenseman who can move the puck up the ice and join the attack when necessary.

The Senators acquired Chris Campoli from the New York Islanders at the trade deadline in March in hopes that he is up to the task of being the blueliner the team looks to for quick breakouts. With Campoli alongside powerplay set-up man Filip Kuba the team's numbers with the man-advantage could improve next season.

Ottawa's former first-round selection Erik Karlsson was signed to an entry-level in May and will be attending the team's training camp in September. While it looks like he will either spend the season at home in Sweden or in Binghamton there is still a shot he could crack the lineup as a sixth defenseman and see time on the powerplay.

The deal that sent Alex Auld to the Dallas Stars for a sixth round draft pick in 2010 may have given the Sens some cap space, but expect it to be used really soon. They are currently sitting $293,000 over the salary cap and still need to sign restricted free agent Brian Elliott.

Elliott posted a 16-8-3 record last season and was set to battle for back-up duties behind Pascal Leclaire in the fall. With the subtraction of Auld on Wednesday evening Elliott will be in Ottawa this season after he resigns during the summer.

Owner Eugene Melnyk has said he's not worried about moving contracts, but there is reasons to believe that statement could be wrong.

The two players that could be on the moving block are Heatley and Jason Smith. While the Sens know that there is a good chance Heatley will be returning they would love to see Smith's $2.6 million cap hit vanish into thin air.

In all honesty they have a better chance dealing Heatley than a worn-down veteran who is making what he was worth five seasons ago. With that being said, Smith is a great commodity in the dressing room and would be good at working with young defenders.

With the season still months away the front office in Ottawa will be working non-stop to get these issues resolved. Though they will be hard-pressed against the salary cap there's no question that everybody in the Sens' dressing room will have something to prove after missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 24 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:44:26 -0400

Game 4 is the most crucial game in a best-of-seven series. Tonight, two teams will attempt to tie their respective series' while the other two will be looking for a stranglehold with a win.

Both Eastern Conference games on Wednesday night were decided in overtime. Kris Letang scored to bring the Penguins back in their series against the Capitals, while Jussi Jokinen potted the game-winner to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead over the Bruins.

Chris' record after Day 23: 31-24.

Eastern Conference

Washington (2) @ Pittsburgh (4)—WSH leads 2-1

Superstar Alex Ovechkin made it clear that the Capitals did not play their best game of the playoffs. Accordingly, the end result didn't lie.

After taking the early lead off a lucky bounce, the Caps had to score late to send the game to overtime. Defenseman Kris Letang threw the puck at the net and it found its way behind postseason sensation Simeon Varlamov.

Even though Washington still has a 2-1 advantage in the series, they might be in trouble. Alexander Semin didn't dress for the morning skate, leading to speculation that he won't be in the lineup for tonight's meeting.

Ovechkin quickly countered, stating that Semin will play tonight. Whether or not he'll be 100 percent will be the question.

If the Penguins can generate momentum to start the game, they should be able to tie the series a two games apiece. Marc-Andre Fleury played much better in Game 3 and will look to keep improving his play as this series goes on.

Washington needs to step up in the effort department. They know that they can't rely on Varlamov to lead them to victory. It will require a full team effort, and they should bring up their level of intensity in Game 4.

Game 4 Winner: Washington

Boston (1) @ Carolina (6)—CAR leads 2-1

Jokinen's goal in Game 3 didn't only give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead against Boston—it gave them their first series lead.

Carolina might be taking some by surprise, but those who have been watching their play thus far in the postseason know they have been the hardest working team in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes have been earning their bounces and making the most of their opportunities

Boston now has to win three of its next four to advance after winning the first five games of the playoffs. Tim Thomas played spectacular in Game 3 and will require more defensive support

If a goalie can make the first save, the least a D-man can do is clear the rebound.

That being said, Boston's offense needs to wake up. After being shutout in Game 2, they were just as lackluster in the third meeting. Marc Savard and Phil Kessel—among others—have to go back to playing in high traffic areas.

It's sad to say that, with the other three playoff matchups going on right now, this might be the most underrated matchup of the postseason.

If anybody has an opportunity—even during the Washington/Pittsburgh intermissions—check out this game and see for yourself.

Game 4 Winner: Boston

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 23 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:40:22 -0400

After two thrillers from the East we head out West for a pair of games tonight. Detroit and Chicago are each looking to tie their series at two games apiece in Thursday's double-dose of Game 4 action

Just for the record, I scored a win last night. It could have easily been two as well. Thanks a lot, Jussi Jokinen.

Chris' record after Day 22: 29-24

Western Conference

Vancouver (3) @ Chicago (4)—VAN leads 2-1

It took a perfect road performance by the Vancouver Canucks to hand the Blackhawks their first home loss of the post-season. You have to be sure that the young team from Chicago will be looking for a quick start. They have yet to score the first goal in any game during this series.

Chicago needs to score first to set the tone. Spotting the Canucks any lead wouldn't be a smart thing to do, seeing how they have Roberto Luongo in net at the other end.

Speaking of goalies—where has Nikolai Khabibulin been? He has allowed 11 goals in three games, some of the weak variety. Cristobal Huet isn't your typical playoff performer but coach Joel Quenneville has to re-evaluate his goaltending if the 'Bulin Wall' folds under the Canucks' pressure.

Vancouver is getting Sami Salo back into their lineup tonight. Clearly this could only boost the Canucks' momentum, but you can bet the 'Hawks will come out firing from every angle and get into Luongo's kitchen.

Expect a very entertaining game, with the Blackhawks picking up the win to knot the series at 2-2.

Game Four Winner: Chicago

Detroit (2) @ Anaheim (8)—ANA leads 2-1

I am going to state the obvious: Detroit got screwed two nights ago.

Whether you're a fan of the Wings or a fan of the Ducks there is no way to deny this. Any negligence of this fact will result in your IQ dropping.

However there is nothing that suggests Detroit would have won that game. That was a goal to tie it. If it would have counted, they would have went to overtime. Again.

Anaheim has had Detroit's number in recent playoff series, especially in the extra session where they are a perfect 5-0.

That was Tuesday, and today is—you guessed it—Thursday.

The Ducks have been playing good hockey with plenty of help from their 27-year-old netminder Jonas Hiller. The Swiss goaltender has a .955 save percentage to go along with his 1.74 GAA. Without question he has outplayed Chris Osgood, a winner of three Stanley Cups.

While Detroit will be focused at all points of the game, the Ducks may have a different thought in the back of their minds. They know they caught a gigantic break in Game Three and knows the officiating crew could potentially swing the calls in the Red Wings' favour.

At the end of the day, the team that works the hardest will come out with the win.

Game Four Winner: Detroit

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 22 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:29:59 -0400

Ladies and gentlemen, my skid will end tonight. After going winless for the last three days, I guarantee that I will record at least one victory on Wednesday evening.

I'm sure of it.

Two matchups in the Eastern Conference Semifinals will take place this evening. The Boston Bruins are looking for vengeance after their first loss of the postseason against Carolina, while the battle of the superstars will write its third chapter as Washington heads to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.

Game Two in both series proved to be a spectacle of skill. Cam Ward turned in one of the best goaltending performances of the playoffs, while Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby each notched hat tricks at Verizon Center two nights ago.

Chris' record after Day 21: 28-23

Eastern Conference

Washington (2) @ Pittsburgh (4)—WSH leads 2-0

This series is living up to its billing.

Both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have embraced the spotlight as they lit up the scoreboard in Game Two. Through the series they have matched one another as each have picked up four goals in two games.

Wait a minute—isn't there another superstar we should be aware of?

Evgeni Malkin has been invisible thus far in the second round. Most people would have thought with all the Ovechkin-Crosby hype that Malkin could fly under the radar and play with more effectiveness.

All those people, along with myself, have thought wrong.

I picked Pittsburgh to take both games in Washington with the impression that this year's Art Ross winner would be a factor. It would be an understatement to say that Malkin has not been impressed with his own performance in this series.

The ball is in the Penguins' court—literally—as we head to Mellon Arena for Game Three. Pittsburgh must have the "backs-against-the-wall" mentality as they need to win four out of the next five. That is a much easier task than having to win four straight if they drop tonight's game.

Crosby and Ovechkin will continue their stellar play, but the Penguins have to follow their captain's effort in order to prevail with a win.

Game Three Winner: Pittsburgh

Boston (1) @ Carolina (6)—Series tied 1-1

Game Two was a hard-fought battle as the Bruins deserved a better fate for their work. Cam Ward stole home ice for the Hurricanes, no questions asked.

Boston will be looking to avoid their second loss of the playoffs as they travel to Raleigh tonight. Tim Thomas played well on Sunday but will need to have better defensive support in front of him.

Even though the Bruins generated 36 shots, none of them beat Ward. They need to keep working at getting traffic in front of Ward to obstruct any view he could have of the puck.

The Hurricanes will be building on a strong game. Eric Staal picked up two points, including the empty-net goal, to solidify his efforts after being bounced around by Zdeno Chara earlier in the contest. Look for Staal to have a productive game if coach Paul Maurice can get him on the ice when Chara's on the bench.

Carolina has last change, and it may prove to be the difference. But if Boston can go back to playing ugly, hard-nosed hockey, they should come away with a win.

Game Three Winner: Boston

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 21 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:49:49 -0400

Tuesday evening will feature a pair of showdowns that are tied going into Game Three. Vancouver travels to Chicago while Detroit will face-off with the Ducks in Anaheim.

I have gone two days without a victory. Something has to give tonight.

Chris' record after Day 20: 28-21

Western Conference

Vancouver (3) @ Chicago (4)—Series tied 1-1

The Canucks have no problem getting an early lead. Holding onto that lead is a whole different story.

Vancouver blew a 2-0 lead in Game Two which lead to a 6-3 Blackhawks' win. Not to mention that the Canucks gave up a 3-0 lead after two periods in Game One only to hold on for a 5-3 victory.

Injuries may throw the Canucks off track as Sami Salo—a vital part to his team's defensive core—did not travel to Chicago for Game Three. Forward Pavol Demitra will be a game-time decision. Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault did not discuss the status of Demitra on Tuesday morning.

Many will point to poor goaltending being the factor in both games. However it is evident that each team needs to be stronger in their own end. With most goals in the series coming on turnovers both teams will have to bear down and find a way to move the puck out safely.

Both teams have to play a complete game. It won't matter who gets the early lead if neither team can hold onto it.

Game Three Winner: Chicago

Detroit (2) @ Anaheim (8)—Series tied 1-1

If Todd Marchant's triple-overtime goal hadn't gone in it would be fair to suggest this game would still be going on right now.

With more than one-hundred minutes of hockey played in Game Two it was clear that the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings had no gas in the tank. Ryan Getzlaf told the media after that he was "playing on fumes" for the second and third overtime periods.

Jonas Hiller gave up only three goals on 62 shots making plenty unbelievable saves in the extra sessions. Chris Osgood wasn't as busy but still kept the Red Wings in the game as he made numerous shots from close range late in the game.

The Ducks may have swung momentum into their favour but don't tell the Wings that. Anaheim needed six periods to hand the Red Wings their first loss this post-season. Detroit will be looking to control the tempo and let their skill take over in Game Three.

Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa have been virtually invisible this series. Even with the tremendous depth the Wings have they need these two All-Stars to step up and contribute both offensively and defensively. Tonight may just be the night for the two European snipers to light the lamp.

Game Three Winner: Detroit

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 20 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:09:22 -0400

In a series full of All Stars, it was Capitals goaltender Simeon Varlamov who stole the show in game one with his incredible save on Sidney Crosby.

Tonight, the Penguins will look to steal a game in Washington to head home with a split.

Both games on Sunday featured their own hero. Todd Marchant scored in triple-overtime to lead the Ducks, 4-3, over the Red Wings, while the Canes' Cam Ward made 36 saves to shut out the Bruins to tie their series at one apiece.

On a personal note, I slipped yesterday going 0-for-2 on my picks. Not to worry, I'm still eight games above .500—for now.

Chris' record after Day 19: 28-20

Pittsburgh (4) @ Washington (2)—WSH leads 1-0

The score might not have been indicative of the game's momentum, but the Washington Capitals escaped with a win.

Washington put forth a mediocre effort and still managed to cling to a 3-2 victory to put them ahead in the best-of-seven series. Simeon Varlamov was the story of the game but received a lot of help from Pittsburgh's porous power play performance.

Alex Ovechkin publicly said that his team needs to be better in order to win game two. The Caps didn't play their best hockey, and it showed as the Penguins controlled most of the game. Washington capitalized on their chances and edged Pittsburgh.

There's no question that the Penguins will come out firing and try to establish the tone. Even though they have last change, Pens coach Dan Bylsma has to find a way to put Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the ice without having to face John Erskine on the Caps blueline.

Varlamov has only allowed more than two goals against in one outing. Pittsburgh has to create more opportunities to score and not be afraid to go to the high-traffic areas.

Game two winner: Pittsburgh

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 19 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:01:04 -0400

Even though I walked away with the split yesterday I'm glad to say that I witnessed two very impressive games. Here's to hoping that Sunday will provide the same level of excitement.

Today will showcase a pair of Original Six teams that look to keep their playoff slate perfect as Boston and Detroit carry 5-0 records into Sunday's action. It will be up to the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks to respectively hand their opponents a first loss with hopes of evening the series.

Chris' record after Day 18: 28-18

Western Conference

Anaheim (8) @ Detroit (2)—DET leads 1-0

The Detroit Red Wings are doing the exact thing the San Jose Sharks failed to do in the first round: Get bodies to the net.

Jonas Hiller had to face the likes of Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom in his kitchen as the Red Wings powered their way to a 3-2 victory on Friday night. Much to the dismay of Ducks coach Randy Carlyle he knows that his defensemen will have to do a better job of boxing out any potential crease-crashers.

Anaheim needs to have better offensive production from their second and third lines. The trio of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan have been playing solid hockey, but the Ducks cannot rely on their top line to do all their scoring.

The tempo was controlled by the Wings for most of Game One. Don't expect their game plan to be any different. Brian Rafalski will miss Game Two with an upper body-injury.

Faceoffs will be key if the Ducks want to have better puck possession. They won a measly 29 percent of the draws on Friday, proving that their centremen have to be better.

Game Two Winner: Detroit

Carolina (6) @ Boston (1)—BOS leads 1-0

If the Bruins can play the same way they did in Game One this match-up will be over before the 'Canes know what hit them.

The Bruins dominated the Friday's game without showing any vulnerability. The most impressive stat is that after their fifth game of the playoffs is the Bruins have only taken nine minor penalties. Boston has killed off every single one of them.

There's no surprise that the Hurricanes lost seeing as Eric Staal was pointless in Game One. It's safe to say that if the Bruins can hold Staal off the scoreboard their chances of winning drastically increase.

Cam Ward allowed four goals in the first meeting and will need more defensive support if Carolina can beat the Bruins. Ward knows that he has to be as good as Vezina finalist Tim Thomas at the other end of the rink.

Game Two Winner: Boston

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 18 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:43:42 -0400

This is the day the league has been waiting for since the end of the lockout.

For the first time ever, NHL fans will witness the league's top stars in a playoff battle as Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Also this evening the Chicago Blackhawks try to build off a strong third period in Game One with the hopes of stealing home-ice advantage from the Vancouver Canucks.

Chris' record after Day 17: 27-17

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (4) @ Washington (2)

The Washington Capitals dominated the season series as they took three victories in the four games. But don't expect this tilt to be a one-sided affair.

Not even for a second.

Pittsburgh capped off a first-round win by overcoming a 3-0 score in Game Six to beat the Flyers 5-3. The most intriguing part about this is that it happened in Philadelphia, one of the hardest places to play if you're the visitor.

It all comes down to fire-power in this series. With names like Crosby, Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom this has the potential to be one of the best displays of skill in a Stanley Cup playoff round.

The Penguins have been on fire under coach Dan Bylsma and are poised to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals for a second consecutive year. On the other hand, the Capitals erased a 3-1 series deficit to beat the New York Rangers in dramatic fashion in Game Seven.

I would have to give the edge to the Pens in this matchup. They have more experience as a team and have been the better of the two down the stretch. Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov was tremendous in round one but will have to deal with a stronger Penguins team that knows how to score goals.

If Ovechkin and Mike Green don't step up for Washington the Caps will be polishing their golf clubs.

Game One Winner: Pittsburgh

Western Conference

Chicago (4) @ Vancouver (3)—VAN leads 1-0

Vancouver held on in Game One to keep a perfect record through the 2009 Playoffs.

Just barely, but they held on.

The Canucks played a perfect game until the third period began. With a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes not even Roberto Luongo could hold the young Blackhawks off the board.

Patrick Kane scored a pair and David Bolland added another to pull the game even late in the third. It took a monumental collapse in the dying minutes as the Canucks scored on a four-on-two attack to take the first game.

From a Blackhawks perspective, the message has been sent. They proved to the Canucks—and everyone who was doubting them—that they are playing beyond their years and have the ability to turn things around at any moment.

Vancouver needs a full 60-minute effort in order to win Game Two. If Nikolai Khabibulin can improve his play the resilient Blackhawks have a good chance at knotting the series.

Game Two Winner: Chicago

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 17 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:14:18 -0400

As a hockey team you know you are doing something right if you're playing in May.

But rather than admiring what you've accomplished as a team, you have to be even better to play in June.

We kick off May with a double-dose of hockey as the Anaheim Ducks travel to Detroit for a matchup between the last two Stanley Cup champions. Meanwhile, the upstart Carolina Hurricanes storm into Boston to try and give the Bruins their first loss of the post-season.

Chris' record after Day 16: 26-16

Western Conference

Anaheim (8) @ Detroit (2)

The Ducks had a tough time with the Red Wings this season winning one of four games against the reigning champions. However the last meeting between the two teams was on Feb. 20, a date that is well before the time the Ducks caught their stride.

Anaheim was one of the hottest teams down the stretch and proved it as they took down the top-ranked San Jose Sharks in round one. They'll look to build off a strong performance in order to earn the split at Joe Louis Arena.

Fans in Detroit are still waiting for playoff action as their last home game came on Apr. 18. The Columbus Blue Jackets proved to be no match for the Wings until Game Four, where Detroit still prevailed with a 6-5 victory to eliminate the Jackets.

Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller was spectacular against the Sharks as he posted two shutouts and a 1.67 GAA in his playoff debut. With many critics doubting the play of Chris Osgood the Wings goaltender made big saves early in the first round to keep the Blue Jackets off the board.

While some stats may be deceiving there is one that may catch your attention. Thus far in the playoffs the Red Wings have outshot their opponents by an average of 7.5 shots per game. At the other end of the ice the Ducks have been heavily outshot through round one, giving up an extra 12.3 shots in their six games against San Jose.

The Red Wings have as much—if not more—offensive fire-power than the Sharks and the Ducks defensemen will have to keep the shots to the outside and limit Detroit's scoring chances. Hiller won't be able to hold off the Stanley Cup champs by himself.

This series will come down to a battle of the D's when Niedermayer and Pronger go head-to-head with Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski. Unfortunately, Rafalski will be unable to go in Game One as he will sit with an upper-body injury.

Game One Winner: Anaheim

Eastern Conference

Carolina (6) @ Boston (1)

With less than two minutes left in Game Seven against the New Jersey Devils it looked all but over for the Carolina Hurricanes.

In a 48-second span, their fortunes took a turn for the better.

The Hurricanes rallied late in the decisive game and stole the series from a stingy Devils team. Eric Staal proved to be the impact player of the series as he tallied five goals in total with three of them coming in the final two contests to keep Carolina from getting knocked out of the playoffs.

Staal will have his hands full with Zdeno Chara this round and won't have an easy time scoring on Tim Thomas, either.

Chara and Thomas were nominated for the Norris and Vezina trophies respectively and both have great odds of coming away with the awards. But there's a bigger trophy that these two would rather win.

The Bruins took out the Montreal Canadiens in round one despite playing average hockey. Even though they swept the season series with the Hurricanes there's no doubt that Claude Julien and his team will be prepared to take on a resilient Carolina squad.

Thomas and Cam Ward will be locked in a goaltending duel, one that could even prove to be better than the Ward/Brodeur matchup in the first round. The edge definitely goes to Thomas as he has a much stronger defensive core playing in front of him.

While this series may be one-sided on paper don't expect the Hurricanes to roll over for the Bruins. This will be a physical series and will ultimately rely on special teams.

Game One Winner: Boston

Stanley Cup Playoffs Day 16 Predictions: Canucks and Blackhawks Start Series

Chris Bouthillier — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:39:49 -0400

Round Two of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs kicks off with what earlier looked to be a potential first-round matchup as the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks renew acquaintances this evening.

The Canucks have enjoyed a nine-day rest, whereas the Blackhawks will be heading back to Western Canada after eliminating the Calgary Flames earlier this week. Both teams came away with two victories in the head-to-head meetings during the regular season and will not have to look far to find bad blood.

Chris' prediction record after Day 15: 25-16

Western Conference

(4) Chicago @ (3) Vancouve

It's safe to say that both teams will be in for a surprise when this series begins.

Chicago took advantage of a depleted Flames defensive core in the first round and won the matchup 4-2.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Canucks played mediocre hockey and still managed a sweep of the youthful St. Louis Blues.

The Blackhawks will have to apply pressure to the Canucks defense in order to get to Vancouver goalie Luongo. The 'Nucks captain stole Games Two and Four to propel the Canucks to victory in Round One.

Vancouver brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin will know full well that there's going to be added pressure on them. After enjoying a solid first round, they will have to deal with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook on the Chicago blueline.

The issue with the Canucks will be the 'Rest vs. Rust' factor. There's no doubt they've had plenty of time to recharge, but they will have to return to game mode quickly if they want to beat an exuberant Blackhawks team.

Game One will come down to goaltending.

If Roberto Luongo can be Roberto Luongo, the Canucks definitely have the edge.

Nikolai Khabibulin will have to match Bobby Lou save-for-save if the 'Hawks truly want to claim home ice.

Game One Winner: Vancouver

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 15 Reflections

Chris Bouthillier — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:45:21 -0400

Let's take a second to catch our collective breath.

Like the players, NHL fans get one day off before the second round starts. After eight grueling series come to an end, we get to see four brand new matchups that could be intriguing to many.

Headlining the second round will be what the NHL has been wishing for: Pittsburgh vs. Washington.

Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin—just to name a few of the combatants in this tilt.

There's no shortage of skill in this matchup. The team that works the hardest will win. Simple enough.

Here's a look at the three other series as action continues on Thursday.

WCSF: Anaheim (8) @ Detroit (2)

WCSF: Chicago (4) @ Vancouver (3)

ECSF: Carolina (6) @ Boston (1)

But now we're left to ponder where things went wrong for the teams who are now enjoying an early summer. Here are my thoughts on all the opening round series in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Western Conference

Anaheim (8) @ San Jose (1)—ANA wins 4-2

The San Jose Sharks had a banner regular season and felt this was the year to beat their postseason demons. It just so happens that they ran into the hottest team in the NHL as the first round began.

Anaheim was the last team in the league to secure a playoff position after going on a torrid run following the trade deadline. They finally caught the league's attention after stealing two wins in San Jose at the beginning of the series.

Jonas Hiller posted a 4-2 record with a .957 save percentage and a 1.64 GAA. He also picked up shutouts in Game One and Game Four.

The Ducks' best players were better than the Sharks'. Their offense was better, their defense was better, and their goaltending was better. Anyone who watched the series should not be surprised at all.

The better team won.

Series MVP: Jonas Hiller

Columbus (7) @ Detroit (2)—DET wins 4-0

Blue Jackets fans got to experience the NHL Playoffs for the first time. After the way their team was manhandled through most of the series, you could tell the Columbus faithful would like another kick at the can.

Detroit disposed of the Jackets in four straight, with their only real challenge coming in Game Four. In the four-game sweep, Detroit outscored Columbus 18-7 and really controlled the play.

It was easy to see the Red Wings' skill and experience took over when the puck dropped in Game One. Since then, they've never looked back.

Series MVP: Henrik Zetterberg

St. Louis (6) @ Vancouver (3)—VAN wins 4-0

Blues coach Andy Murray was right.

Heading into Game Four, the series could have been 2-1 for St. Louis if it weren't for Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo.

As the Canucks improved their play in the final two games, the Blues still had trouble capitalizing on their opportunities. Their power play was running at an anemic 4.2 percent, second-worst behind the Montreal Canadiens (who did not score a power play goal in the playoffs).

Vancouver killed off a vital four-minute penalty in Game Four, and the rest is history.

Series MVP: Roberto Luongo

Calgary (5) @ Chicago (4)—CHI wins 4-2

It was so ugly that it was beautiful.

This series featured all the qualities of old-time hockey. It was fast, it was furious, and there was blood. Bad blood, too.

Both the Flames and Blackhawks won all their games on home ice with the exception of Game Six. For the most part this series could have went either way, although injury problems for key defensemen really took the wind out the Flames' sails.

Rookie Kris Versteeg led the series in points with seven, but it was Chicago forward Martin Havlat who won Game One and carried the team on his back.

With an inexperienced Blackhawks team, Havlat—one of the veterans—really showed the young squad what it takes to overcome adversity to win games.

Although Havlat is my pick for series MVP, I would say that Adam Burish would be the clutch performer. He was a thorn in the side of every Calgary forward and ended up with the series-clinching goal in Game Six.

Series MVP: Martin Havlat

Eastern Conference

Montreal (8) @ Boston (1)—BOS wins 4-0

Game One was a close battle, but as the series went on, the Bruins pulled away from their rivals and proved to be the better team.

All the facts about Montreal having a 24-7 edge in playoff series wins over Boston were tossed out the window in this one. Boston played tight defensively and exploded offensively, scoring 17 goals in four games.

At the end of the day the better team will move on, and the Canadiens as an organization will have a long summer and try to put the right pieces in place for next season.

It's on to Year 101 for the Habs, but on to Round Two for the Bruins.

Series MVP: Michael Ryder

NY Rangers (7) @ Washington (2)—WSH wins 4-3

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions.

New York took a 2-0 lead thanks in large part to goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers held a 3-1 lead after Game Four but let it slip away for the first time in franchise history.

As for the Capitals, they had some strong goaltending of their own. Jose Theodore played poorly in Game One, and that allowed Bruce Boudreau to put rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov between the pipes.

Varlamov had a 4-2 record with an astonishing 1.17 GAA.

Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green were surprisingly ineffective through most of the series and will definitely need to step it up for the next round.

Series MVP: Henrik Lundqvist

Carolina (6) @ New Jersey (3)—CAR wins 4-3

This has got to be the most exciting finish to a playoff series that I've ever seen.

For a series that was back and forth the entire way, though, Game Seven proved to be a battle of its own. The Devils held a 3-2 lead with less than two minutes remaining and were stunned after dropping the decision 4-3.

In regulation, nonetheless.

Hats off to Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur, as this truly was an exhibition of fine goaltending. Both 'tenders were crucial to any success that their respective teams even hoped of having.

Eric Staal was a monster—sorry Pierre McGuire—in this series. He tallied five goals and two assists throughout the series, but scored three of his goals in the final two games, including the series winner.

Series MVP: Eric Staal

Philadelphia (5) @ Pittsburgh (4)—PIT wins 4-2

In a rematch of last year's Conference Final, the Penguins once again ousted their rival Philadelphia Flyers. This time around it took six games to punch their ticket to round two.

Pittsburgh held a 3-1 lead after Game Four and knew full well that the Flyers weren't going to lay down for them. Philadelphia took Game Five in Pittsburgh and jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game Six.

Then the tide turned.

Pittsburgh—led by captain Sidney Crosby—stormed back for a decisive 5-3 win and took the series. Evgeni Malkin picked up nine points in the six-game series, but it was really goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury who stood his ground, making saves at key moments to propel the Pens to victory.

Series MVP: Marc-Andre Fleury

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 14 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:07:29 -0400

We end the first round with two series going the distance. Results from both games tonight can landscape the matchups we will see in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Last night concluded the Western Conference Quarter-Finals as the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks respectively wrapped up their series to advance to round two.

Chris' record after Day 13: 24-15

Eastern Conference

NY Rangers (7) @ Washington (2)—Series tied 3-3

John Tortorella says that the Capitals hold all the pressure since they are tied with the seventh seed. However, the pressure will be on the Rangers as they are in danger of losing a series in which they led three games to one.

After three outstanding performances through Game Four goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has proven to be vulnerable, giving up nine goals in his last two outings. For the Rangers to have a chance to win tonight, Lundqvist needs to return to his form earlier in the series. Help from his teammates wouldn't be too bad, either.

At the other end of the ice Simeon Varlamov has been seldom tested and will need to make sure he's on the top of his game. The offensive guns have finally arrived in this series, and that's not including superstar Alex Ovechkin.

Though he has seven points he has yet to take over any of the games. There's no doubt in my mind that Ovechkin will pull through in Game Seven and help the Caps complete the comeback.

Game Seven Winner: Washington

Carolina (6) @ New Jersey (3)—Series tied 3-3

Who says that all playoff series need bad blood to be appealing?

This has got to be one of the closest contested series in Stanley Cup Playoff history. The Devils and Hurricanes have gone toe-to-toe for six games and will leave it all on the line for Game Seven tonight in Newark.

Goaltending has been the story in this tilt as Martin Brodeur and Cam Ward have had stellar performances in helping their respective teams in tasting the second round. In the previous series between the two teams Ward outplayed his childhood idol Brodeur in a five-game victory.

No team has been able to win more than one game at a time. Does this favour the Devils, or can the Hurricanes pull off a road win to move onto round two?

To be honest, I could care less who wins because I know as a fan of the game I can appreciate that this has the potential to be the best game of the playoff.

There's no shortage of big-game players on both ends of the ice. We should be in for a real treat tonight folks.

Game Seven Winner: New Jersey

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 13 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:41:13 -0400

Four hard-nosed teams, two crucial games, one common goal: Stay alive.

Tonight, the Calgary Flames look to get even with the Chicago Blackhawks after an embarrassing performance on Saturday night while the San Jose Sharks try to force a seventh game in their battle with the Anaheim Ducks.

For those of you with two televisions in your household, be prepared to use them. Action kicks off at 9:30 ET in Calgary and at 10:30 ET in Anaheim.

Chicago (4) @ Calgary (5)—CHI leads 3-2

This series has taken its toll on the players as both sides have been bitten by the injury bug. The most recent name added to the list is Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Phaneuf—as of 1 p.m. ET—will be a game-time decision after a collision on Saturday night with Blackhawks forward Troy Brouwer. Phaneuf may have a concussion, although the Flames would be the last to publicly acknowledge that.

Tonight is do-or-die for the Flames as they return to the friendly confines of the Pengrowth Saddledome. Seeing the two previous games were at the Saddledome is enough to prove to me that the Flames won't lose on home ice.

But even if Calgary is victorious tonight, the team will still have to win on the road if they want to move on to the Western Conference semi-finals.

Game Six Winner: Calgary

San Jose (1) @ Anaheim (8)—ANA leads 3-2

San Jose's big guns came through on Saturday night. Joe Thornton had three points and Patrick Marleau scored the overtime winner to help the Sharks fight another day.

That day is today and the Ducks certainly aren't happy. They played poorly in Game 5 and relied heavily on goaltender Jonas Hiller. Hiller played fantastic, stopping 45 shots, but it still wasn't enough to close out the No. 1 seeded Sharks.

Anaheim has return to doing the simple things and that is putting both pucks and bodies on net. Big forwards like Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have to be in Evgeny Nabokov's face all night in order to put the all-star goaltender off his game.

With the Ducks' experience of coming through in the clutch expect them to waste little time making their presence felt.

Thornton and Marleau have performed well in both Sharks wins, but they've been invisible in all three losses. Their team needs them to be impact players in order to win and if they are incapable of executing, the Ducks will cruise to victory.

Game Six Winner: Anaheim

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 12 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:46:37 -0400

Sunday has a pair of games that could see two Southeast Division teams eliminated from the postseason.

The Washington Capitals travel to New York for a lunch date with the Rangers, while the Carolina Hurricanes will take on the New Jersey Devils at home in Raleigh. Games will be at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET respectively.

Chris' record after Day 11: 21-14

Eastern Conference

Washington (2) @ New York Rangers (7)—NYR lead 3-2

As I watched Game Five on Friday night, I couldn't help but notice that the flow of the game was similar to every other game in the series. The only difference: The Capitals needed to win just to avoid elimination.

Every Capital has outplayed every New York Ranger other than Henrik Lundqvist in this series and will once again need the first goal before the King can put up the wall.

Sean Avery is likely to be added back to the lineup, but that won't guarantee anything. In the third and fourth game, Avery took 22 PIMs, some of which proved costly to the Rangers in Game Three.

For Caps fans there are many reasons to be optimistic. Simeon Varlamov has held his own in the series, going save for save with Lundqvist. Though the Rangers net minder has had more work—including 30-plus shots from NHL goal leader Alex Ovechkin. Varlamov has picked up two shutouts in his last three starts.

The suspension of coach John Tortorella should spark the Rangers, but how much of that spark will turn into a burning path to the penalty box for the returning Avery?

Tune in at 2:00 p.m. for your answer.

Game Six Winner: Washington

New Jersey (3) @ Carolina (6)—NJ leads 3-2

If an unnoticed trend continues in this series there is a good chance we will see game seven action.

No team has won more than one game at a time as the tide shifts to Carolina to pick up the win in Game Six. The Hurricanes were shut out 1-0 Thursday night in a battle between goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Cam Ward.

I can place a safe bet and say that this game could turn into a goaltender duel once again, but the Hurricanes won't be going lightly. All bodies will be heading to the top of the blue paint. The 'Canes need to find a way to get the Devils' legendary goalie off his game.

At the other end, Cam Ward just has to be Cam Ward. He has played well throughout this series and has certainly held his team in during times when they would have been down and out.

Dare I say this game might even need overtime to solve its question?

Game Six Winner: Carolina

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 11 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:28:03 -0400

The Washington Capitals staved off elimination with a 4-0 victory last night over the Rangers.

Saturday features two teams looking to do the same, and there are three highly anticipated games on the schedule.

Chris' record after Day 10: 20-12

Eastern Conference

(4) Pittsburgh at (5) Philadelphia: PIT Leads, 3-2

After failing to finish off the Flyers on home ice, the Penguins must win in Philadelphia to avoid traveling back home for a deciding seventh game.

The Flyers played a sound game on Thursday and will look for their fans to provide energy and fire up the team.

History is not on the Flyers' side, however, as they have never won a series in which they trailed 3-1.

The Penguins have once fallen victim to such a comeback. In 1975 they led the New York Islanders 3-0 before dropping four straight in a quarterfinal matchup.

Game Six Winner: Philadelphia

Western Conference

(5) Calgary at (4) Chicago: Series Tied, 2-2

Both teams used the extra day off to rest and rehabilitate going into the fifth game. This tilt has been an all-out war with neither team taking prisoners.

The home team has won each of the four previous games and it could be said that the last change factor could put the Hawks over the top tonight.

On the other hand, the Flames—after not beating the Blackhawks at all this season—had two strong performances at home and have made a series out of this.

The fire in the eyes of Jarome Iginla is becoming more apparent with each encounter.

Game Five Winner: Calgary

(8) Anaheim at (1) San Jose: ANA Leads, 3-1

San Jose played a great third game but had a lousy outing in Game Four.

Meanwhile, the Ducks are showing signs of the 2007 squad that won the Stanley Cup. They outworked the Sharks heavily in this series, and the scoreboard doesn't lie.

The Sharks will play with desperation and come out on top. Unfortunately, the hole they have dug has become too deep to climb out of.

Game Five Winner: San Jose

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 10 Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:41:23 -0400

From Martin Brodeur's rebound effort to Johan Franzen's late series-clinching goal, viewers got to witness plenty of heart-racing action on Thursday. But that may be something NHL fans will have to pay for on Friday.

Tonight, there will only be one game on hand and it features the New York Rangers travelling to Washington in search for a win to move on to round two.

Chris' record after Day Nine: 19-12

Eastern Conference

NY Rangers (No. 7) at Washington (No. 2)—NYR leads 3-1

The Blueshirts have had the Caps on the ropes for most of this series with goalie Henrik Lundqvist's spectacular play.

Chris Drury's goal in Game Four proved to be the winner and might well be the play that describes the series. In all three Rangers wins, they didn't carry the games but became opportunists, picking their spots to jump into the play.

Coach John Tortorella will have Sean Avery on an even shorter leash in Game Five. Part of me believed that statement is impossible, but if Avery can stick to his game without using verbal attacks, he can be effective.

If the Caps don't score early, don't expect Lundqvist to be getting any smaller in the net.

Game Five Winner: Washington

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Nine Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:32:14 -0400

With two teams already eliminated from the playoffs another pair could quickly be on the outside looking in.

Both the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets are on the verge of elimination heading into Thursday night. The Flyers will need to pull of three wins in a row, while the Jackets have a mountain to climb as they go for what looks like the impossible—four straight wins over the Detroit Red Wings.

Chris' record after Day Eight: 16-11

By the way, I didn't get any of the scores correct from last night. Thanks for having faith in me.

I just want to take a second to catch the attention of Montreal Canadiens fans who really gave it to Carey Price last night—you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Price enjoyed a strong rookie season and was tagged as the next Patrick Roy. A tag that not many goalies will ever be able to hold up to.

He even began the season strong before suffering an injury in the middle of the it. Since then Price has struggled and has not been given help from his teammates' play.

Yet, you all expect miracles. Miracles from a 21-year-old boy from British Columbia.

I find it hard to call you all "fans" seeing how you may have potentially ruined his career. I can't see how he would ever want to go back to play for the Canadiens.

Way to go.

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia (5) @ Pittsburgh (4)—PIT leads 3-1

Pittsburgh can close out their provincial rivals with a victory at Melon Arena tonight.

Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stole the show in Game Four by stopping 45 shots. He is a big reason why the Flyers went 0-for-8 on the power play.

Without question the Flyers have to get out to a quick start, but it's hard to suggest the Penguins won't be trying to do the same. In last season's playoffs Pittsburgh took control of Game Five after coming home with a 3-1 lead. They have the tools to do it once again.

Game Five Winner: Pittsburgh

Carolina (6) @ New Jersey (3)—Series tied 2-2

Carolina had the first 38 minutes of Game Four in cruise control.

Then as Brian Gionta scored before the end of the second period the flood gates opened. The Devils tallied two goals early in the third to tie the game and make things entertaining.

As the clock was winding down the Hurricanes scored a very controversial goal as Martin Brodeur was appeared to be interfered with by 'Canes forward Jussi Jokinen. As defenseman Denis Seidenberg fired a point shot, Jokinen incidentally ran into the Devils keeper and redirected the puck past him with only 0.2 seconds left on the clock.

Brodeur and the Devils were irate, and for good reason. Rule 69.4 of the NHL Rulebook states that if an attacking player comes into incidental contact with the goaltender and a goal comes as a result, the goal is to be instantly waved off. This definitely was not the case the other night.

If New Jersey were to compete the same way tonight as they did in the third period of Game Four there's a good chance they could run away with this.

Carolina might want to hold back on crashing the crease because the world knows that they are going to be under the microscope for the remainder of the series.

Game Five Winner: New Jersey

Western Conference

Detroit (1) @ Columbus (7)—DET leads 3-0

This series has been pure domination as the Red Wings have held the Blue Jackets to just two goals while scoring four in each of their previous three games. Columbus' first playoff experience will be something to remember if they can ever pull off this triumphant upset.

Unfortunately those odds are drastically low—not to mention they are playing the Stanley Cup champions.

If your name isn't R.J. Umberger then you have generated very few scoring opportunities in this series, and it is coming back to bite them. After blowing out Detroit 8-2 in early March, the Wings have won the last four dating back to the regular season, outscoring the Jackets 16-2.

They woke the giant at the wrong time. And now the giant will put Rick Nash, Steve Mason, and co. to sleep tonight at Nationwide Arena.

Game Four Winner: Detroit

San Jose (1) @ Anaheim (8)—ANA leads 2-1

Anaheim's defense held the Sharks' scoring chances in the first two games to the perimeter. In the third game, San Jose powered their way to the net and scored four goals, doubling their output from the combined games at HP Pavilion.

San Jose was lead by defensemen Dan Boyle and Rob Blake who generated plenty of attack from the back end while the forwards followed the puck to the net. With goals going back and forth, it was by far the most exciting game of the series.

The main question will be whether the Sharks can continue their strong play up front or if the Ducks defenders can return to being the bruisers they were at the beginning of the series. Anaheim still holds home ice advantage and even though the road team has won all three games thus far, that trend can end tonight.

Game Four Winner: Anaheim

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Eight Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:47:19 -0400

Tuesday night was the first—and most likely the only—time this playoffs where there were five games on tap.

I guess you can say I picked the best night to go undefeated.

But today is, indeed, a new day. Day Eight to be exact.

I received a request to spice things up by predicting not only the winners, but the final scores as well.

As we all know a score can easily change due to an empty net goal and plenty of other intangibles and it is nearly impossible to get them all right.

So I will take this challenge to see how lucky I can get.

Chris' record after Day Seven: 14-10

Eastern Conference

Boston (1) @ Montreal (8)—BOS leads 3-0

If the Canadiens were to have won Game Three, there would be a good chance they would carry the momentum over to the fourth game. As we all know, the Habs dropped the last game 4-2.

Montreal played a solid first two periods but could not generate any opportunities in the third as they were held to just five shots on Bruins netminder Tim Thomas.

Former Canadien Michael Ryder scored what proved to be the game winner late in the second frame.

Without a question, the Canadiens have already called it in. There are several bulletins and articles surrounding GM and interim head coach Bob Gainey questioning where the season went wrong.

Newsflash, Bob—your season isn't over...yet.

The Bruins can smell the blood and will look to be the second team to punch their ticket to round two.

Game Four Winner: Boston—BOS 3, MON 1

Washington (2) @ NY Rangers (7)—NYR leads 2-1

After sub-par goaltending by Jose Theodore in Game One the Capitals coaching staff decided to shake things up by starting 20-year-old Simeon Varlamov in games two and three.

Who is this guy?

While he is an unknown to over 90 percent of hockey fans, Varlamov has worked his way inside the heads of the New York Rangers, surrendering just one goal in his two games played. Varlamov is currently riding a 112:16 shutout streak.

As the old saying goes, you can't save them all. Just ask Henrik Lundqvist.

Lundqvist made 35 saves in Game Two to shut out the Capitals, but has allowed seven goals in the other two games in the series. That last stat doesn't hold much justice as this series could easily be 3-0 for Washington without the superb play of King Henrik.

Tonight will be a closer game than the 4-0 win the Caps registered on Monday night. Sean Avery will have to be on his best behaviour, otherwise coach John Tortorella will find a nice seat for him on the Rangers bench.

Game Four Winner: Washington—WSH 4, NYR 2

Western Conference

Chicago (4) @ Calgary (5)

Anyone who watched this game—or even just the end—knows full well that this series has the chance to be an instant classic.

Tempers boiled over in the dying seconds of Game Three as the Flames tallied a win to get back into the series.

With the Flames unable to keep third period leads in the first two games forward David Moss scored twice in the final period to ensure the victory for Calgary.

There was a combined 76 hits thrown on Monday night with 64 PIM handed out in the final minute of the contest. Chirping was going down on both sides, as the officials had their hands full keeping these teams apart.

Jarome Iginla received a lot of verbal abuse from the Blackhawks during the final skirmish, which could prove to be lethal. If Iggy wasn't fired up already, it's logical to suggest he is now.

And boy, look out.

Game Four Winner: Calgary—CHI 3, CGY 5

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Seven Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:23:52 -0400

I'm glad to say I've recovered from a very unforgiving flu that kept me from choosing the outcomes for Day Six of the NHL playoffs.

However, off the record, I didn't get one wrong.

Chris' record after Day Six: 9-10 (with the omissions of WSH @ NYR, BOS @ MTL and CHI @ CGY on April 20).

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (4) @ Philadelphia (5)—PIT leads 2-1

Sunday afternoon saw the Flyers jump out to an early 2-0 lead in a very physical affair. Emotions ran high as the Wachovia Center faithful gave it to Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.

It's easy to suggest the Pens didn't play their best game in the series and will be looking to take Game Four on the road to put the stranglehold on Philadelphia.

Game Four Winner: Pittsburgh

New Jersey (3) @ Carolina (6)—NJ leads 2-1

Other than New Jersey's dominance in Game One, this series has been down to the wire with the last two games needing overtime.

This is the only series in which I have yet to win a game. I'm going to go with my gut and take the Hurricanes in Game Four. Carolina will come out hungry and take this game to knot the series at two games apiece.

Game Four Winner: Carolina

Western Conference

Vancouver (3) @ St. Louis (6)—VAN leads 3-0

The Canucks can punch their ticket to the second round if they can close out the Blues on the road this evening.

Even though they led 2-0 going into Game Three, the Canucks knew they had to be better—and they were by going 3-for-5 on the man advantage. The Sedin twins have now combined for nine points in three games thus far and will be looking to continue their offensive production.

Meanwhile, the Blues have confirmed that Paul Kariya will not suit up for Game Four after practicing with the team for the past week. At the other end Canucks forward Mats Sundin will be a game-time decision.

Game Four Winner: Vancouver

Detroit (2) @ Columbus (7)—DET leads 2-0

After keeping up with the Red Wings for most of Game One, the Blue Jackets' play dropped in the second game. Even with Columbus allowing eight goals in the series there is absolutely no way the blame can rest on rookie goaltender Steve Mason.

There's no question the Jackets will be fired up to host their first playoff game ever in what looks to be a sold-out Nationwide Arena. Columbus still needs offensive production from guys like Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius if they want to get back in the series or it could be lights out.

If Detroit can continue their strong play they could very easily sweep this series.

Game Three Winner: Detroit

San Jose (1) @ Anaheim (8)—ANA leads 2-0

This is not the scenario the Sharks pictured heading into Game Three.

San Jose—who won the President's Trophy for best regular season record—lost their first two games on home ice. They need to up their work ethic if they want a shot at prevailing against Jonas Hiller and the Ducks.

The Sharks now have a tough hill to climb. They must win four out of their next five with only two on home ice.

Here's a quick fact: The Detroit Red Wings lost their first two games of the quarterfinals in 2002 after winning the President's Trophy and went on to win 16 of the next 21 games to win the Stanley Cup. There's no reason the Sharks can't do it either.

Game Three Winner: San Jose

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Five Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:26:49 -0400

Saturday night saw a quartet of Original Six teams scoring victories to put them up 2-0 in their series'.

While Detroit, Boston and Chicago pulled through my only loss came at the hands of the New York Rangers as Henrik Lundqvist stopped 35 shots en route to a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals.

Chris' record after Day Four: 8-7

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh (4) at Philadelphia (5)—PIT leads 2-0

The Flyers suffered a crushing loss on Friday evening with Penguins forward Bill Guerin scoring on a 5-on-3 late in the first overtime period.

There is two positives the Flyers can take heading into today's action—they were neck and neck with the Pens for most of Game Two, and they now have a packed house to back them up. History shows that teams who visit the city of brotherly love get very little love from the home crowd.

The good news for the Penguins would be that they took two of the last three meetings at Wachovia Center with the most recent victory coming on February 21st.

Evgeni Malkin leads the playoffs in scoring with a pair of goals and three assists in two contests. Sergei Gonchar and Sidney Crosby both have three points thus far in the series.

Game Three Winner: Philadelphia

New Jersey (3) at Carolina (6)—Series tied 1-1

Tim Gleason scored the overtime winner for the Hurricanes in Game Two to even the series. Cam Ward made 33 saves for the win.

Tonight the Hurricanes will play their first playoff game at RBC Center in Raleigh since winning the Stanley Cup in Game Seven of the 2006 Finals. There's no question that the Carolina faithful will be behind their team once again.

New Jersey captain Jamie Langenbrunner did not skate on Saturday and will most likely miss Game Three with an undisclosed injury. This could prove to be a costly blow to the Devils.

Game Three Winner: Carolina

Western Conference

Vancouver (3) at St. Louis (6)—VAN leads 2-0

Although the Canucks are ahead two games against the St. Louis Blues they have played below par.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo stole the show in Game Two as he shut out the Blues. The Canucks captain made 14 saves in the third period alone.

Vancouver must improve their play before St. Louis takes advantage of it. Along with the possibility of Paul Kariya returning to the lineup, fans at the Scottrade Center could witness the Blues' first playoff win since 2004.

Game Three Winner: St. Louis

Anaheim (8) at San Jose (1)—ANA leads 1-0

This is the final matchup that has yet to play two games in the playoffs. The Ducks stunned San Jose in Game One as they broke a third period deadlock to go on to a 2-0 win. Jonas Hiller had a shutout in his playoff debut as he turned aside 35 shots.

It's hard to believe that there is even more pressure on the Sharks than there already was. San Jose has had a history of playoff failure and are looking to silence their critics by getting back into the series with a win tonight.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan had two days to prepare his team for Game Two. Expect a more energetic start from the President Trophy winners.

Game Two Winner: San Jose

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Four Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:50:19 -0400

Saturday's action will begin with an afternoon grudge match, as the Washington Capitals look to rebound from a tough loss in Game One against the New York Rangers.

Last night, I went one for three on my predictions, with my two losses coming in overtime.

Chris' record after Day Three: 5-6

Eastern Conference

New York (7) @ Washington (2)—NYR leads 1-0

Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin fired 13 shots and laid out eight hits during the first game of the series. Still, it was not enough to lead his team to a Game One victory. Now they'll be looking to tighten up defensively, as they look to earn a split on home ice.

Henrik Lundqvist stole the spotlight on opening night, and will be looking to stymie Ovechkin and the Caps once again. At the other end of the ice, Jose Theodore will be on a tight leash after he struggled in Game One, allowing four goals on 21 shots.

If Theodore lets in an early marker, don't be surprised to see rookie Simeon Varlamon get the tap to replace the Washington starter.

The Rangers offense was very opportunistic on Wednesday evening, converting on only eight registered scoring chances and not a single rebound. Chris Drury is expected to get back into the lineup after missing the first game with an undisclosed lower-body injury.

Game Two Winner: Washington

Montreal (8) @ Boston (1)—BOS leads 1-0

If the end of Game One was a sign of things to come this series will explode on Saturday night.

The Bruins built momentum by beating the Habs 4-2 after giving up a two-goal lead late in the second period. It would be hard to bet against Boston, but after seeing the resiliency of the Canadiens they are proving that they won't be pushed over.

Game Two Winner: Boston

Western Conference

Columbus (7) @ Detroit (2)—DET leads 1-0

For the first half of Thursday's game the Columbus Blue Jackets held their own against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. As the game went on the Jackets found out how good the Red Wings can play some playoff time.

Wings netminded Chris Osgood was outstanding after turning aside a barage of shots in the first ten minutes of the game. After Columbus weathered the storm goaltender Steve Mason was beat on two point shots that were actually deflected off of his own teammates.

The Blue Jackets—who played their first playoff game in franchise history in Game One—will know what to expect coming out of the game. Look to Rick Nash to spark the Jackets offense. Their defensive play will also have to step up in order to tie the series with their Central Division rivals.

Chris Osgood will have to be 'as-good' as he was in the opener to prove he can be consistent.

Game Two Winner: Detroit

Calgary (5) @ Chicago (4)—CHI leads 1-0

The Flames are hot over Martin Havlat's overtime marker in Game One. It appeared that Hawks forward Andrew Ladd interfiered with Havlat's wrister at 0:12 seconds into the extra session.

Havlat—who also potted the game-tying goal—took a vicious shot from Mike Cammalleri earlier in the game.

Flames head coach Mike Keenan was less than pleased with the amount of contact goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff received from the Blackhawks' skaters. He publicly called out the officiating crew after the first game.

Jarome Iginla will be playing on a line with Craig Conroy and Curtis Glencross to start the game. But if things don't improve things could change quickly.

As for the Blackhawks they have to remain focused on the task at hand. Captain Jonathan Toews was remarkable in the faceoff circle and his own end in Game One. His play thus far is proving critics that he is able to play beyond his years and continues to impress every game.

Game Two Winner: Chicago

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Three Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:28:29 -0400

Friday night has three games on the schedule, as teams will be looking to even the series against their respective counterparts.

In case you were wondering, I'm still boasting an even record of 4-4 thus far.

How about you?

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia (5) at Pittsburgh (4)—PIT leads 1-0

The Pens dominated their state rivals for most of the first game and took the series lead with a commanding 4-1 victory.

The Flyers tried to set the tone heading into game two, that included having forward Daniel Carcillo suspended for an elbow to Maxime Talbot's head.

Philadephia will have to come out firing if they want any chance at knotting the series. Look for improved play from the Flyers powerplay unit, as well as stronger goaltending from Martin Biron.

Game Two Winner: Philadelphia

Carolina (6) at New Jersey (3)—NJ leads 1-0

Coach Brent Sutter may be happy that his team is up 1-0 right now, but anyone who knows the Devils coach will tell you he won't be satisfied until the series is over.

Lucky for him, if the Devils continue their play, Sutter will be happy sooner rather than later.

New Jersey had the game controlled from start to finish and held Hurricanes star forward Eric Staal pointless. As long as John Madden's line is given the task of checking Carolina's top line the Devils will cruise to victory yet again.

Game Two Winner: New Jersey

Western Conference

St. Louis (6) at Vancouver (3)—VAN leads 1-0

On paper it would appear the first game was an even matchup.

As the game went on though, it turned into a one-sided game.

The Canucks took a 2-1 lead into the third period and protected it perfectly. If it wasn't for Blues goalie Chris Mason, this game could have been a blowout.

Although the young Blues will know what to expect going into game two, the Canucks are looking to continue where they left off Wednesday evening.

Game Two Winner: Vancouver

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day Two Predictions

Chris Bouthillier — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:26:05 -0400

The first day of the playoffs is in the books and I am currently sitting with an even 2-2 record. Tonight features the other four matchups and should be just as exciting as last night's contests.

Eastern Conference

Montreal (8) @ Boston (1)

This Original Six rivalry highlights all first-round meetings as the Canadiens' quest for their 25th Stanley Cup begins in hostile territory. The Bruins dominated the Habs this season with a 5-0-1 record. While Boston has collectively enjoyed a breakout season the Canadiens have many question marks going into this series.

The lack of secondary scoring and inconsistent play from goaltender Carey Price may have the Montreal faithful in a panic. However, the Canadiens have a history of upsetting the Bruins in recent years—2002 and 2004—and will leave the regular season results in the past.

Boston has all three aspects you need to be an elite team—size, speed and skill. Look for Milan Lucic to establish himself this series as the hometown folk hero looks to put the hammer down on all and any players who don the 'CH'.

If the Bruins can remain focused on the task at hand they should have no problem taking the series.

Game One Winner: Boston

Western Conferece

Columbus (7) @ Detroit (2)

This one has 'upset' written all over it.

Of course Detroit—the reigning Stanley Cup champion—has the depth for another playoff run but we as fans can't help but cheer for the underdog. The Columbus Blue Jackets will be making their first-ever post-season appearance and have the opportunity to prove their credibility in the league.

With coach Ken Hitchcock at the helm the Blue Jackets have been playing blue-collar hockey and win games by out-working the opposition. If Rick Nash can be their best player and Steve Mason can continue his stellar goaltending Columbus might just squeak past the Wings.

As mentioned Detroit will be looking to capture back-to-back Stanley Cups for the first time since the 1997-98 season. They are loaded with offensive weapons and have the the world's best defenseman Nick Lidstrom anchoring the back-end.

Ultimately, if this series comes down to goaltending the Wings' chances just dropped. Chris Osgood has had a lacklustre season while backup Ty Conklin has been seldom used down the stretch. All eyes will be on Columbus rookie Steve Mason between the pipes.

Game One Winner: Detroit

Calgary (5) @ Chicago (4)

If this series plays out the way it did in the regular season it will be over before you can say Miikka Kiprusoff.

Kipper and the Flames lost all four meetings with the Blackhawks this season. Now they need to win four out of seven in order to make it to the second round.

Here's where I'm going to cheat a bit.

As you may have noticed—if you read my Day One Predictions—I chose offensive-powerhouse Washington to deliver some capital punishment to the Rangers. You may have also heard New York coach John Tortorella said publicly that he liked the thought of opening on the road because there's less pressure to steal one game as a visitor than it is to win two as the locals.

Mike Kennan will be echoing that statement and there will be no doubt his troops will be looking to silence a packed house at the United Center.

It won't come at an easy price, though. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and many others are anxious to experience their first taste of NHL playoff hockey.

Game One Winner: Calgary

Anaheim (8) @ San Jose (1)

Let me put on my "Captain Obvious" hat for a second.

San Jose was the NHL's best team in the regular season and have the President's Trophy to prove it. With a revamped defensive core, a talented group of forwards and one of the league's best goalies the Sharks will be looking to sink their teeth into their California rival.

There's only one problem: Since the trade deadline the Ducks have been on fire and finished the season with a 10-2-1 run. And with the return of blueliner François Beauchemin the Ducks have as much—if not more—defensive depth than their counterpart.

After having many successful regular seasons Joe Thornton and his teammates will be under the microscope once again to see if they are up to the task. If the Sharks falter in this series they may go down as the best team on paper never to win the Stanley Cup.

One thing is for sure—this will be a gruelling series. Don't be surprised to see it go the distance.

Game One Winner: San Jose