Allsports Thinks Animosity Building in NHL's Second-Round Playoff

If you're looking for sports on the web involving hockey there will be two subjects that pop up most readily.

The first is the National Hockey League second round playoffs and the other is the IIHF “World Hockey Championships“.

Canada remains unbeaten with a 5-0 record, which is no surprise at this stage of the tournament.

So the sports news on the web that will be the major topic of discussion today is the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Three of the four match ups have played two games so far with them all tied up at one game apiece. The animosity and hate is building up so the recipe for some great hockey is evident. Here is a recap of what's going on.

Washington and Pittsburgh have only played one game so far in their series, a 3-2 Capitals win. If this series can’t generate interest in the US, nothing can.

It features arguably the best young players in the game today, although I am sure some players on the Chicago Blackhawks would disagree.

Crosby brought his usual game with a goal. He would have had two if not for the save of the playoffs by Simeon Varlamov.

Pittsburgh will be better tonight and hopefully the search party they sent out found Evgeni Malkin, who was invisible in game one.

The Capitals grinders outplayed the Penguins grinders and that was the difference in game one. That, and the Malkin disappearing act.

Here is the save if you have not seen it yet.

In the Boston Bruins-Carolina Hurricanes series, Boston opened with a convincing 4-1 win. Game two last night was a different story. Paul Maurice had his charges playing a gritty disciplined game.

Two players stood out. Cam Ward was phenomenal in the net, and Eric Staal went right after Cedeno Chara and refused to be intimidated by his size. Ward shut the Bruins out 3-0, stopping something like 36 shots in the process, many of which were point-blank.

Detroit took game one 3-2 on a late goal in the last minute by their captain Nick Lidstrom. The Wings weren’t so lucky in game two, however.

The Ducks scored the winner about three minutes into the third overtime period to escape Detroit with a split.

Jonas Hiller was strong in the Ducks net stopping 59 of 62 shots for the win. Allsports bets that’s the longest game the young Swiss goaltender has ever played.

The Vancouver-Chicago series is also tied up 1-1 as the locale shifts to Chicago. The Stadium will be rocking as the Blackhawks fans will bring up the decibel level. Vancouver should be thankful they're not down 0-2 in the series.

They managed to win game one 4-3 on a last minute goal by Sammy Salo. The Canucks added one into the empty net for a 5-3 final. The young Hawks got over exuberant and gave the Canucks a four-on-one for the goal.

What should worry Vancouver though is they were leading the game 3-0 going into the third period. In game 2 the Canucks were up 2-0 and then the wheels fell off.

Chicago seemed to find a new gear, turning the speed up a notch and Vancouver seemed to be a step behind for the second half of the game.

Chicago won 6-3. Luongo has not played his best hockey in the series yet and they will need him at his best in Chicago or the Hawks will run away with the series. They are young and skilled, they never quit and are gaining confidence by the minute.

That could kill the Canucks Stanley Cup hopes. Thunder Bay native Patrick Sharp was a standout for the Hawks in game two.

As is Allsports custom, if the Blackhawks take out Vancouver, the lone Canadian team left. I will be rooting for the Hawks the rest of the way. Vancouver will have to match the Hawks' speed and enthusiasm to have a chance.

“No Guts No Glory”

Walt Webb

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