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NHL Playoff Hockey Observations -- Friday

Just a few things that caught my eye:

  • Eric Belanger must have a side job as a stunt double for Chuck Norris -- that's the first time I think I've seen a guy rip his own tooth out of his blood-filled mouth, hand it to a trainer and then go back on the ice for his next shift.
  • Tyler Ennis might look like a prepubescent girl but that doesn't matter with skills like that. He's going to be very, very good.
  • That backcheck was the first sign of life (and unselfishness) I've seen from Alexander Semin the entire postseason. How many times did your coach say, "There is no I in team" when you were playing minor hockey? Guess it translates differently in Russian.
  • Fan really is a derivative of fanatic. And the fanatics in Washington have very short memories -- how else can you explain the boos that rained down on Norris-candidate Mike Green every time he touched the puck? All because he hasn't scored a goal and has just two points this postseason. C'mon people -- you're showing your ignorance.
  • Semyon Varlamov showed his age -- DO NOT TURN BACK when you're being pulled for the extra attacker. It's admirable but it only makes your coach risk an aneurysm. Too-man-men-on-the-ice penalty number 18 so far.
  • Jimmy Howard came thiiiiis close to a severed quadriceps tendon -- I turned away when JovoCop's skate came down hard on the inside of his goal pad. Phew.
  • Zdeno Chara's instigator penalty in the last five minutes could come with a one-game suspension. I doubt it; lesser things have repealed. But it is the letter of the rule book.
  • Best news of the day? Marc Savard was not only back on the ice but he practiced. There was real concern at one point that his career was at risk. Godspeed, Marc -- you were a sight for sore eyes. 
  • Keith Yandle will be a top-10 fantasy defender soon -- maybe as soon as next season. Damn, he's good.
  • The Orcas sure look slick through two tonight. I think they're going to recover from that standing eight count they took.
  • Beware -- fossil on ice. Mathieu Schneider may still be able to carry the puck and distribute it but he's a huge risk on the point when the pressure comes. And the Wings have one of the most aggressive PK strategies in the NHL. Get him out of there.