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NHL Playoff Observations -- Friday Night

Just a few things that caught my eye:

  • Oh, how fickle Penguins' fans can be. Two nights ago, Marc Andre Fleury heard chants for "MVP! MVP!" Tonight, they were boos. And deservedly so. Ouch.
  • There was more entertainment in the pre-game exchange between Rangers' coach John Tortorella and NY Post writer Larry Brooks than there was in the Caps-Rangers game. Ouch.
  • So, who else thinks the Blackhawks purged a little too much sandpaper after last year's playoffs?
  • Marty St. Louis had some real bite to his game... even if he was missing those three teeth. Steven Stamkos was simply snake-bitten.
  • Worst goal celebration of the night? Victor Stalberg. Raising your arms in the air after three steamboats is a bit pathetic. 
  • The best series no-one is watching? Ducks-Preds. And my gawd, is Teemu Selanne the fastest soon-to-be-41-year-old you've ever seen? He's coming off an 80-point season (1.1 ppg) and looks better than he did 10 years ago.
  • Patrick Kane pulled a pout in Game 1 when he was "forced" to skate on the second line with Ben Smith and Michael Frolik. Suck it up, buttercup -- Ben Smith had two goals Friday night and that line was buzzing. And can someone PLEASE tell me why Kane makes the same money as Jonathan Toews? The only thing I can think of is that Toews -- being ever the leader -- agreed to a matching contract to keep Poutrick from feeling hard done by. And I'm a Hawks' fan. Spit.
  • Like him or not, Ray Emery's comeback has been nothing short of miraculous. Docs took a piece of bone from his lower leg and implanted in that hip of his to replace dead bone. And he then busted his hump in rehab every single day for seven straight months. I never thought he had that level of commitment in him. Looks like he has grown up. Good for him.
  • You know you're hard core when you spend time in your local electronics store to watch the Caps-Rangers' game when you're supposed to be buying groceries. Guilty as charged. 
  • Most impressive deadline deal? You'll never guess. Eric Brewer of the Bolts. His defensive game helps stabilize the whole team and his offense has been remarkable. But then again, the guy has produced very good offense whenever he has been in the postseason. That just hadn't happen since 2002-03...