See ya next season Rangers!

Next team to get eliminated in the NHL playoffs was the New York Rangers.  Let’s take a look at their season.  They were 8^th in their conference and 3^rd in their division.  They ended up with 44-33-5 with 93 points.  The power play was a 16.9% ranking them 18^th in the league while their penalty kill was 83.7% ranking them 10^th in the league. 

The Rangers won their last game of the season, but had to wait for results of the Lightning/Hurricane game later on that night.  The Lightning did win the game which secured the Rangers for an 8^th spot in conference to move onto the post-season. 

Top leaders in each category for the 2010-2011 season

Goals- 24 Brandon Dubinsky

Assists- 30 Brandon Dubinsky

Points-  54 Brandon Dubinsky

+/- +20 Michael Sauer -7 Ryan Callahan

PIM- 174 Sean Avery

S%-  14.9% Brandon Purst

FO%- 52.5% Brandon Dubinsky

Hits- 240 Brian Boyle

Blocked Shots- 236 Dan Girardi

Giveaways- 51 Dan Girardi

Takeaways- 54 Marc Staal

Shutouts-11

Here is a few interesting things that happen this year for the Rangers.  Derek Stephan had his first NHL career hat trick in his first NHL game (Oct 9^th 2010).  He is the 4^th player in NHL history to do that.  On March 18^th, 2011....Henrik Lundqvist became the first goalie in NHL history to record 30 wins or more in every season (6) he has played so far.

So here’s a look back at their series with the Washington Capitals.

Game 1

Caps win 2-1 in OT

There was no score until the 3^rd period.  Gilroy scored early in the period and Ovechkin scored late in the period which made it go into overtime.  Semin was able to score 18:24 in OT to secure the Caps a win.

-Caps outshot the Rangers 33-25

Game 2

Caps win 2-0

Chimera and Arnott scored 1:57 apart early in the 2^nd period to give them the win for the game.  Neuvirth got the shutout for the game. 

-Caps gaveaway 8 while Rangers had 0

-Caps blocked 21 shots while Rangers only blocked 15

Game 3

Rangers win 3-2

The score was tied 2-2 but Dubinsky scored just 1:39 left into the game to give the Rangers their first victory in the series. 

-Rangers were only 1-for-7 on their power play (WOW!)

-Rangers outshot the Caps 35-25

-Rangers outhit the Caps 41-29

Game 4

Caps win 4-3 in 2^nd OT

Rangers scored all their goals in the 2^nd period while the Caps scored all their goals in the 3^rd to tie the game up and go into overtime.  Chimera scored 12:36 into the second overtime for the Capitals to win the game.

-Caps were 0-for-4 on their power play while Rangers were 0-for-7 (WOW! Again)

-Caps outshot the Rangers 53-39

-Rangers outhit 69-51...(Boyle for NYR lead with 10)

Game 5

Caps win 3-1

The Caps were up 3-0 before the Rangers scored a goal 32 seconds left in the game.  A little too late for New York.  Caps win the series 4-1

-Marc Staal with 6 blocked shots for the game

-Rangers were 0-for-2  and Caps were 1-for-4

Overall, the Rangers had a crazy season.  They were fortunate to make the playoffs...just wasn’t able to capitalize.  My suggestions....get some more offensive players and work on your power play.  Twice you were given 7 opportunities and you only scored once out of that.  You guys need some work to do!  See ya next season!  GO RANGERS!

P.S.  Once again stats can be found on NHL.com or New York Rangers website. 

See ya next season Yotes!

Hey hockey fans....how’s the playoffs been for you??  Exciting....YES!  Unexpected.....YES!  We know as fans how some teams make it and others don’t.  Well I decided to make a blog for each team that has been eliminated.....of course this may be the only I do....who knows...but right now it’s all about the Phoenix Coyotes. 

Overall, the Yotes ended up in 6^th place in their conference and 3^rd in their division.  Their record was 43-26-13 with 99 points for the season.  The power play was 15.9% which was ranked T-23^rd in the league and the penalty kill was 78.4% which was ranked 26^th in the league for the season. 

Leaders in each category for the 2010-2011 season

Goals- 20 Shane Doan

Assists- 48 Keith Yandle

Points- 60 Shane Doan

+/- +18 Adrian Aucoin  -2 Derek Morris

PIM- 71 Paul Bissonnette

Takeaways- 46 Lee Stempniak

Giveaways- 61 Keith Yandle

FO%- 55.3% Eric Belanger

Hits- 172 Shane Doan

Blocked shots- 136 Derek Morris

Shutouts- 7 llya Bryzgalov

Shooting percentage- 18.4% Lauri Korpikoski

Here’s something interesting, the Phoenix Coyotes won all six road games in Western Canada (EDM, VAN, and CAL) for the first time in franchise history.  And Coach Dave Tippett is currently ranked 2^nd among all NHL coaches in victories since the beginning of the 2002-03 season.

The Coyotes once again had to face off the Detriot Red Wings in Round 1 in the playoffs except this time the Wings were able to defeat the Yotes in only 4 games instead of 7 (09-10’).  Here’s a look back at the games.

Game 1

Detriot wins 4-2

Coyotes scored early in the 1^st but weren’t able to take advantage of the 4 power plays they were awarded even with a 5-on-3.  During the 2^nd period is when the momentum changed and Wings scored three goals.  

-Coyotes were 0-6 on their power play while Wings were 1-3.

-Wings blocked 18 shots compared to Yotes 8

-Coyotes were 55% at the dot compared to Wings 45%

Game 2

Wings win 4-3

Wings were up 4-0 by 1:11 in the 2^nd.  Doan scored 2 PPG in the 3^rd to cut the lead 4-3 with 11:23 to play but that wouldn’t be enough to change the outcome of the game.

-Wings were 64% at the dot while Yotes were 36%

-Physical game from both teams Yotes with 38 hits and Wings 41 hits.

-Datsyuk 1G, 3A, +2 rating, 2 hits, 3 takeaways, 3 b/s, and 80% at the dot

Game 3

Wings win 4-2

The Wings scored 2 goals in the first 2:41 of the game.  The Yotes scored two power play goals to cut the lead to 4-2 but wasn’t able to catch up with 7 minutes left in the game. 

-Yotes outhit the Wings 36-27

-Yotes were -20 as a team (WOW!)

-Yotes were 2 for 3 on their power play while Wings were 0 for 4

Game 4

Wings win 6-3

It was 3-3 at the end of the 2^nd period.  Wings were able to score 3 more in the 3^rd to win the game and the series. 

-Doan had 11 hits...the most for game...Yotes with 37 and Wings with 17 hits for the game

-Wings with 39 shots on goal while Yotes had 27

Overall, the Coyotes had a great season.  Hopefully their team will stay in AZ....rumors are they are moving to Winnipeg....hopefully its just rumors. Too bad they didn’t go out fighting (hey im just saying cause they got swept) but nice to see them in the post-season.  My suggestion.....Maybe you guys need to tweek your team a bit and come out firing next playoffs (12').  See ya next season......GO YOTES!









P.S. All stats were found at NHL.com or Phoenix Coyotes website

It's playoff time BABY! AWW YEAH!

Well looky here......Hawks are in the playoffs!!  OH YEAH!  Talk about a miracle!  Minnesota Wild upset the Dallas Stars with a 4-3 win.  Yes Minny.....we do thank you!  If it wasn’t for you guys.....the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions wouldn’t have a chance to defend the Cup. 

We all know that in the post-season....it’s a whole another level.  Teams you think will move onto the next round don’t and teams you think wont do.  Happens everytime...that’s what I love most about it!  So let us look back at the 2010-2011 season for the Hawks briefly and then it’s onto are rivals in the first round.....Vancouver Canucks. 

Hawks ended the season with a 44-29-9 record with 97 points.  They were 13^th overall, 8^th in their conference, and 3^rd in their division.  It is interesting to know that in the Northwest Division, if it wasn’t for the Canucks.....no team in that division would have made the post-season.

Top leaders in each category for the Hawks

Points- 76 Toews

Goals-34 Sharp

Assists- 46 Kane

+/-  +28 Campbell   -13 Kopecky

PIM-72 Scott although Kopecky had the most minors at 30 (Tomas stay out of the box!)

S%-14.7 Bolland but he only played 61 compared to Brouwer 13.9 with 79 games

Total on ice-26:53 Keith

FO%- 56.7 Toews overall 8^th in the league with taking a total 1653 faceoffs 2^nd most in the league.....GO TAZER!

Hits-262 Brouwer

Blocked shots-166 Hjalmarsson

Givaways-83 Keith

Takeaways-93 Toews

So here’s a few awards that go out to the Hawks

MVP-Corey Crawford (should get a Calder nomination)

Best forward-Patrick Sharp (would have gotten a lot more goals if he wasn’t hurt....hmmm.....sounds familiar from a few seasons ago!)

Best defenseman-Brian Campbell (Been the most consistent and has the highest plus rating)

Best newbie-Nick Leddy (didn’t get to start the season with the Hawks, but pretty impressive for a rookie....although there are a few things you do need to work on but it’s your 1^st season so you get more lee-way)

Best veteran-Marty Turco (your leadership is amazing...the fact that Crawford took your spot and you have so much class that you took Crawford under your wing...couldn’t think of a better one for him!)

Now it’s time to add in our first round opponent.....the Vancouver Canucks.   The 1^st and 2^nd game is in Vancouver on Wednesday (13th) and Friday (15th).  3^rd and 4^th game will be in Chicago on Sunday (17^th) and Tuesday (19^th).  Guess whos going to the game on Sunday.....AWW YEAH!!!  My brother has hooked me up.....once again....an early birthday present.  This is the 3^rd post-season in a row that i’ve gone to vs. the Canucks.  CAN’T WAIT!  Should be VERY EXCITING! 

The Hawks were 2-2 vs. the Canucks this season.  We can’t really factor in the season (10-11') because Crawford only played one out of the four games.  In the game that he did play,  Hawks won 7-1 in Vancouver.  In the second period Toews and Brouwer scored 2:26 apart early in the 2^nd.  Seabrook and Sharp scored 1:47 apart late in the 2^nd to have Luongo pulled.  The other three games Turco played.  The Hawks went 2-1 (SO), 3-0 Canucks, and 4-3 Canucks. 

In the four games, Hawks averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 2.25 goals to be scored.  The special teams...Hawks were horrible....only scored once out of 20 times having a man-advantage.  When they were a man or two short, Canucks scored 5 times out of 16 chances....giving them a 31.25%. 

When you compare the two teams overall in the season.....Canucks pretty much dominate in each category.  They have the league leaders in points, assists, and wins with the Sedin twins dominating in the offensive play.  The Canucks did win the Presidents Trophy to have the most points in the league.  Im hoping they get the Presidents Trophy curse which a perfect example would be since the lockout (04-05’), 3 out of the 5 teams have been knocked out in the 1^st round, one lost in the 3^rd round and only one won the Cup.  The past two season 09’and 10’ they have lost in the 1^st round....lets hope the tradition keeps up....LOL! 

This is the 3^rd time that the Hawks face the Canucks in the post-season.  The past two (09’ and 10’) playoffs, the Hawks have come back from 1-0 deficits both times to win in six games. In both years they came back to win Game 6, including a 7-5 triumph in '09 and a 4-3 (OT) victory in '10.  Awww, the memories!

Anyways, playoffs will be starting soon and every team has a clean slate. Now it doesn’t matter what happen in the season....all that counts is each series.   The question is how far will the Hawks go.  Well if they play like they did on Friday vs. Wings....they will win the series.  If they play like they did on Sunday vs. Wings.....don’t see the Hawks lasting that long in the playoffs but who knows.....all i know is that IM EXCITED for the playoffs to start.  GO HAWKS! 

The last 12 games

Hey there Hawks fan....what’s been going on.  Hawks haven’t been doing really well lately.  In the last 12 games, they are 5-5-2.  They have gained 12 points out of the 24 they could have gotten.  They are standing in 8^th place in their conference, 3^rd in their division, and only 4 points away from catching up to 4^th place which would give them home-ice advantage for the playoffs.

Here are your leaders for each category

Points- Toews 75

Assists- Toews 44

Goals- Sharp 34

+/-  +26 Campbell -11 Kopecky

PIM- 72 Scott (he’s only played 40 games so far)

Shooting percentage-14.2% Bickell (actually Bolland but he won’t be back)

TOI-26:56 Keith

Blocked Shots-155 Hjalmarsson

Hits-261 Brouwer

Giveaways-79 Keith

Takeaways-90 Toews

Report Card

Power Play-In the past 12 games, Hawks have scored 9 goals while having the man-advantage which gives them a 23.08%

Grade-A

Penalty Kill-Hawks have allowed 5 goals in 32 opportunities of being short-handed giving them a 84.37%

Grade-C

Goaltending-I think the Hawks need Crawford to rest.  He looks burnt out. 

Grade C-

Offense-The Hawks have averaged 2.33 goals per game in the last 12.

Grade-C

Defense- In the last 12 games the Hawks have allowed 2.66 goals per game.

Grade-D

Overall-C-

Game Recaps

Hawks vs. Panthers (3/8/11)

Panthers win 3-2

Corey Crawford was pulled after the first period allowing 3 goals in 8 shots.  Marty Turco only had to make 7 saves for the next two periods.  Hossa and Kane both score in the 2^nd period to make it 3-2 but Vokoun made 37 saves for the game making him the number one star for the game.  The Panthers ended the Hawks 8-game winning streak.

Hawks vs. Lightning (3/9/11)

Lightning win 4-3 SO

Once again Corey Crawford gave up 3 goals on 11 shots on goal.  The first shot on goal in the 2^nd was scored by Purcell to have Tampa lead 3-1.  The Hawks scored goals from Sharp and Toews to tie the game 3-3 with 16:30 left in regulation.  The game goes into overtime and Martin St. Louis scored the only goal in the shootout to win the game.   

Hawks vs. Capitals (3/13/11)

Capitals win 4-3 (OT)

Gordon and Arnott both scored for the Caps on special teams for the 1^st period.  Toews scored 38.5 seconds left in the game to force an OT.  Knuble scored the GWG with only 1:09 left.  They outshot the Hawks 42-30 and pretty much dominated the game with every category including hits 31-23.  Hossa was the only Hawks with a +1 for the game.

Hawks vs. Sharks (3/14/11)

Hawks win 6-3

Hossa scored two power play goals in less than 3 minutes in the 2^nd to build the momentum of a powerful 5-goal period for the Hawks.  Kane and Toews both had an assist and goal in the period too!  Niemi was pulled at 7:25 of the 2^nd period after allowing four goals on 18 shots.  Niittymaki replaced him and stopped 14 of 16 shots. 

Brent Seabrook had 1A, 4 hits, 6 blocked shots, and +2 for the game.

Hawks vs. Stars (3/17/1)

Stars win 5-0

Corey Crawford got pulled after allowing 3 goals on 10 shots with 2 goals being scored in 2 ½ minutes in the 2^nd.  Turco replaced him and made 15 saves.  Lehtonen made 23 saves for his 16th NHL shutout.  Segal vs. Dowell....Dowell gets the nod with Segal getting cut in the face.  Not a single player on the Hawks was in the plus category. 

Hawks vs. Yotes (3/20/11)

Hawks win 2-1

Hawks vs. Panthers (3/23/11)

Hawks win 4-0

Hawks vs. Ducks (3/26/11)

Ducks win 2-1

Hawks vs. Red Wings (3/28/11)

Hawks win 3-2 OT

Hawks vs. Bruins (3/29/11)

Bruins win 3-0

Hawks vs. Blue Jackets (4/1/11)

Hawks win 4-3 SO

Hawks vs. Lightning (4/3/11)

Lightning win 2-0

Interesting notes

-Leddy scores his first goal since Feb 1^st vs. Caps (3/13/11)

-1^st time the Hawks lost to Tampa Bay Lightning since Dec 2005.

-The Hawks went 110 minutes between penalties ....longest stretch since 1979

-Hawks have given up 3 short handed goals this season so far

-Jonathan Toes is having a career high in point this season with 75 so far

-Kane gets his 100^th goal of his career vs. the Sharks (3/14/11)

-5 goals in a period is the most this season vs. Sharks (3/14/11)

-Sharp tied (6^th) a team record with four assists in one period. The last Blackhawks player to do it was Jim Pappin in 1973

Overall, the Hawks are REALLY struggling.  They look like they are out of gas every game for at least the past 3.  They need a vacation but it doesn’t help that they have 4 games left in 6 days.  It’s basically going to go to the wire.  I predict the Hawks will end up either 6^th or 7^th.  The game tomorrow will be ruff if Carey Price is in net.  He’s been great for the Habs.  Hopefully Sharpie is back soon and give the team some sort of momentum and energy that they are missing.  GO HAWKS!