2011 NHL Playoffs: The Top 10 Story Lines from Week 1
There have been some self-proclaimed pundits who had the audacity to call the 2011 version of the NHL playoffs boring during the first week of action. I'm not sure if they live in the same reality as the rest of us, but the last seven days have provided compelling story lines at every turn.
Whether it is action on the ice or off, there has been no shortage of topics to debate and discuss. So let's skip the rest of the pleasantries and get right to the best of the best story lines from Week 1.
10: Don't Call It a Comeback
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If the first week is any indication of what to expect the rest of the way, we are gearing up for an epic playoffs season. So far there have been two unbelievable comebacks that have completely changed the complexion of the respective series'.
Two nights ago, the Los Angeles Kings went up 4-0 at home against their state rivals and looked to take a shocking lead in the series. Writers pulled out their stories from years past and simply changed the date: "The San Jose Sharks are on the cusp of another playoff meltdown..."
That is until the Sharks decided to show the hockey world that they aren't about to lay down and kiss this series goodbye. In the wildest period of the playoffs, the Sharks fought back and eventually tied the game with an explosion of offense. Capping it off in overtime was only fitting given the swing in momentum.
The other remarkable comeback took place last night in New York. Down 3-0 heading into the third period, all signs pointed to a tied series heading back to Washington. Again, writers began to pull out stories from years past and began to write: "Once again, the Capitals jump out to a 2-0 series lead, only to see it evaporate in front of their eyes...."
Yet, this isn't the same Caps team of recent times. The team showed grit, determination and resolve. Like the Sharks, the Caps completed the comeback in overtime in dramatic fashion to take a stranglehold on the series.
Somewhere, LL Cool J is smiling.
9: Off-Ice Drama
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Off the ice, there has been no shortage of story lines too.
Mike Cammerelli taking a jab at Mark Recchi's medial expertise was amusing.
As was coach John Tortorella's ongoing feud with New York Post writer Larry Brooks.
One of the best exchanges that took place in Week 1 was between Vancouver Canucks' general manager Mike Gillis and the Chicago Blackhawks fans. Gillis called in security to deal with the rowdy bunch underneath his press box, but not before he returned fire on the 'Hawks faithful in a five minute exchange of mutual hatred.
However, the winner of the best off-ice story of the week is Washington Captials coach Bruce Boudreau. After calling out the New York fans following Game 3, the fans in Madison Square Garden returned the favor with a "Can you hear us!" chant in Game 4.
On any other night I would be able to leave it at that and call it a classic, but a couple hours later it was Boudreau who had the last laugh.
Ouch.
8: Canucks Revenge
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For two years in a row, the Vancouver Canucks called the Chicago Blackhawks "Daddy." This season, the entire organization was hoping to meet them again in the first round of the playoffs. They not only got their wish, but they stormed out to an emphatic 3-0 series lead.
Give credit to the Hawks for staying alive in Game 4, but the writing is on the wall—the Hawks are on life support and the Canucks are ready to put the nail in the coffin.
Living in Vancouver, I got a real sense of the dread that the first game posed, but the team never seemed to share the same trepidation. In years past, defeating the Hawks would have been enough for most fans, but the fact that the Blackhawks are just a footnote on the path towards the Stanley Cup shows that this chapter was just an entertaining story along the way.
Revenge is sweet.
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7: The Phoenix Coyotes Head Back to Winnipeg
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The Phoenix Coyotes walked into Game 4 of their series with the Detroit Red Wings already defeated. After Game 3, coach Dave Tippett was already talking about the compounding challenges that the relocation talk had caused the team. The leaked bombshell released shortly before Game 1 seemed to set the tone for the series, and what followed was a swan song performance.
Unfortunately for fans of the troubled team, they limped out of the playoffs with nothing more than a whimper. Adding insult to injury was the lackluster atmosphere that followed Game 4. The players saluted the fans, but it didn't seem to have the same emotion that one would expect. It came across like a sad formality in the painful process of relocation that neither side seemed all that invested in anymore.
The only question remaining question is will they still be called the "Jets?" I have already heard that they will not be—and instead of "Winnipeg," they will be called Manitoba.
Got to love greedy merchandising tricks..
6: Tim Thomas Who?
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I have gone on record many times to say that I don't think Tim Thomas was, or is, the best goalie in the NHL this year. In fact, I would rather have Tuukka Rask in net over Tim Thomas.
Thomas might have had the best numbers in the regular season, but he's never established himself in the postseason.
So far he's been a disappointment. Even when Boston held a 3-0 lead in Game 3, I didn't get the sense that the win was a lock.
Sure enough, he let in two soft goals in the third period to put the series in doubt.
If he is a slam dunk to win the Vezina award this year, I'm still waiting to see what all the fuss is about.
Luckily for him, he still has at least two more games to prove he can handle the bright lights.
5: Concussions
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After Brent Seabrook got smashed by Raffi Torres, it didn't take long before I put an article together about the absurdity that we witnessed in that game. Seabrook hasn't been the only example of the concussion conundrum, but he has been the most high profile case.
For whatever reason, all common sense seems to go out the window once the playoffs kick off.
And frankly, I'm surprised that this incident didn't get more attention within the national media given the sensitivity surrounding concussions this year. Why put the "quiet room" rules into place when head coaches, players and trainers ignore it when the stakes are raised?
Do players and coaches willingly put their health at risk to achieve the ultimate prize? Or is this a case of hyper-masculinity dominating the culture of hockey?
Whatever the root of the problem is, it would be nice to see some consistency, whether it is the regular season or the playoffs.
It's time to start protecting the players from themselves.
4: The Chris Pronger Saga
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Despite the yearly goaltending problems the Philadelphia Flyers have each year, the No. 1 story of this series continues to revolve around a player off the ice. Will he or won't he? That is the ongoing question hovering over this series like a strange alien ship causing unease among the locals.
Handicapping this series seemed to hinge on the status of Chris Pronger's health from the very start. With him in the lineup, the smart money would be on the Flyers. Without him, the Buffalo Sabres saw the most action in Las Vegas.
With four games in the books, the script is playing out as expected.
Stalemate.
Given the fact that Pronger has carried three teams on his back to the finals before, it's safe to say that the outcome of this series could be determined on whether or not he returns.
Stay tuned.
3: Young Stars Dominate the Headlines
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Yesterday I listed the top 20 rising stars from the playoff rosters and it's safe to say that most of them are having huge impacts on the ice so far.
We are in an unprecedented time when it comes to young players in the NHL. Most of them are physically and mentally ready to step right in and be difference-makers from the get-go.
At any given time, you can see Michael Neuvirth, Marcus Johansson, John Carlson and Karl Alzner all on the ice at the same time. This is simply incredible production from four guys who were all competing for the Calder Cup last season.
Guys like Victor Hedman, P.K. Subban, Logan Couture, Cam Fowler and Tyler Myers are just some of the names that are vital pieces of the puzzle in the 2011 playoffs.
The future of this league is in great shape.
2: Suspensions, Suspensions, Suspensions
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The regular season saw an endless amount of on-ice infractions resulting in suspensions. Every other day the radio airwaves were littered with incessant discussions about head shots and dirty plays.
However, there seemed to be the sense that the players would wise up in the playoffs given what is at stake.
Or would they?
Chris Kunitz should have gotten more than a one-game suspension for his bonehead elbow.
Steve Downey seemed to have been released from discipline rehab without approval.
And Bobby Ryan decided that winning a puck along the boards was so important that he should turn his skate blade into a weapon and cut his way through Jonathan Blum.
All this and Matt Cooke has yet to appear.
1: No Crosby? No Problem
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The NHL just landed a major win with their recent television deal, but it was a bit ironic given the fact that their No. 1 money-maker isn't on the ice.
While the rest of the hockey world is focused on Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins are focused on advancing to the second round. It's pretty remarkable what this team has been able to do without their top two offensive players, but it's a testament to what playoff hockey is all about.
Team.
Together, a collection of players can accomplish great feats when they commit to the goal of winning. We often see it in soccer when a team loses a man to a red card, or in football when the star quarterback gets knocked out of the game with an injury.
And this is what we wait all year long to see. Which team will put it all together and survive four brutal rounds to hoist Lord Stanley?
It's only been a week, but it's already been fascinating to watch it unfold.
Bring on Week 2!
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