This is the sixth of multiple entries from an unprecedented turbo-NHL-mini-dream, covering three NHL games in 24 hours in three cities, from Boston, to New York to Philadelphia.

(the Boston leg is what makes it different. 3 games in 24 hours within the NYC area/Philly isn't unprecedented with a NJ/NYR/or NYI matinee thrown-in. Pro scouts have done it many times.)


Philadelphia: Sunday 3:35 pm

Penguins at Flyers

Not sure who was playing the better “road game”, as both teams took the crowd out of it through forty minutes.

Can you have scoring chances without shots on goal? Apparently yes. The Flyers, down one-nothing, swarmed around on a few occasions in the second period, had shots blocked, failed to take one in a few instances, but still seemed to threaten, despite only two shots on goal in the stanza. Both came on the power play, one from a very difficult angle. This is unusual for a team known to get off to slow starts (1st periods) at home, only to have a +20 goal differential for the season in 2nd periods.

Meanwhile, the Penguins were patient, methodical, and opportunistic. They finished the second period with Evgeni Malkin’s 41st goal of the season to take a two-nothing lead.

THEN, after being outshot 27-10 through two periods, Kimmo Timonen lit the lamp for Philly 31-seconds into the third to steal momentum, make it interesting again, and wake-up the dormant crowd.

4:16 later, Scott Hartnell, having an unprecedented offensive season, went top salami to tie it.

Maybe it’s the Flyers who were the patient, methodical, and opportunistic ones.

Oh sorry, did someone mention in an earlier update the dreaded 3-point game? Sure enough; tied after regulation 2-2.

(with penalties to Coburn and Letang in OT, we got a brief taste of 3-on-3. Blech. Not so much. It didn’t work at Shanny’s R and D camp in Toronto a year-and-a-half ago either.)

And what a finish to the game and the barnstorm weekend! Hartnell wins it with less than a second left (.9) in overtime. The Penguins are one point back of the Rangers, the Flyers now three back.

The eleven game winning streak is over, and the Pens are now 25-0-3 when leading after two periods.

So after this whirlwind weekend, here’s where we stand:

Although just a small slice of the 82-game marathon, the weekend events provided some monumental moments/events.

Boston seemingly got off the couch against Philly and obviously picking up the two points was big. The team seemed in disarray beforehand. Now they’re set-up, if they’re able collectively, to establish momentum and their all-around game heading into the playoffs. The Leafs will be a test Monday, not because they’re good, but because it will test the Bruins focus. (Side note: Hit Kessel once and you take Toronto’s biggest threat out of the game. Plus, it consistently appears he does not like playing against his former team.)

The Bruins need to keep the intensity level up in their upcoming games against the Leafs and Islanders and Ducks, as much as they do against the Conference contenders. A failure to do so in their final eleven games and they’ll see their division-winner seed slip away. Plus, they’ve already taken their mental “vacation”.

The Rangers are a little less dynamic in terms of pre-playoff analysis. Play “black and Blueshirt” hockey, show some finish up front, rely on Lundqvist: win. Give up one goal: probably win. Give up two: probably go to OT. Give up three: lose. Their power play isn’t good enough; nor their 5-on-5 offense deep/dynamic enough, to expect much else. Bonus: They play playoff style hockey in all three zones all season long.

I picked the Flyers for the Final (vs Chicago) before the season started. The longer the season goes, the more I’m starting to like my (East) prediction again. As good as the Penguins are; the Flyers are obviously still a threat in the long run. No Pronger hurts, but a healthy Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossmann provide some nice depth and replacement size to the blueline. Coburn has been a rock.

Up front, Danny Briere is nowhere to be found since coming back from concussion. JVR is questionable for a return anytime soon.

Aside from potential groin problems for Jagr, and other lesser health issues, it will ultimately come down to what it always come down to; which Bryzgalov the team gets. Good hockey universe Bryzy, they win and go deep; bad hockey universe Bryzy, they lose.

The Pens are presently the most consistent team in the Conference. That’s with our without Sid. If he’s healthy, it’s a whole ‘nother level. All teams hit a rut, the Penguins won’t be hitting one here at the end of the season. They appear to be an efficient machine. Their offensive potential speaks for itself, while defensively, they fill lanes, backcheck, and get sticks on pucks as well as anyone. Their collective hockey sense is second to none. As important as Crosby’s return; Kris Letang being in the line-up is just as important. You win with D from the back end first. Plus, Marc-Andre Fleury is consistent and can be spectacular.

The weekend proved only one thing: the top tier of the Eastern Conference has gotten even better this season, and it’s anybody’s puck game. That’s why it ultimately always comes down to goaltending. Sweet and simple.

If I were to rank the all-important goalies at this moment: Fleury, Lundqvist (is he hitting an ill-timed rough patch?), Thomas (believe it or not, might have just bounced right back on top of his game) and Bryzgalov (only because, although he’s been awesome lately, we all need to see it for more than two weeks).

Predictions: Not yet. Need to see where the seeds shake out and match-ups. For me, this was simply an opportunity over two days to spice up the stretch drive, see some great hockey at its highest level, and visit with some fantastic rink friends, media, and hockey people in three cities.


Previously:

Philadelphia: Sunday 12:21 pm

Plenty of early arriving fans at the Wells Fargo Center. The hate factor for these folks is much higher when Sid the Kid is in the line-up. They’re jacked up. Plenty of motivation for the home team; while everyone has been talking about Pitt creeping up on the Rangers for top spot in the East, the Flyers, with a regulation win today would move one point back of the Penguins and three back of the Rangers. (Pitt would still have a game in-hand).

The other motivation for Philly, attempting to end their rival’s 11-game win streak.

Pitt is the best team in hockey right now, just ask Rangers GM Glen Sather, who I think picked an inopportune to point that out, just before the “best team” beat HIS team 5-2 the other night. Sandbagging? Staying down to Earth? Not boastful about having the best record in the Conference? Maybe, but also letting your team know, despite working their arses off all season to get the best record, you’re more impressed with someone else.

It just seemed an odd time to state that fact. Now water under the bridge; the Rangers, having gone 2-and-5 in their last seven games, can sit back today and watch their pursuers do battle. Boston, back on top of the Northeast Division, sits as well, awaiting a home game against the Leafs on Monday.

Puck drop.


Previously:

New York: Saturday 9:46 pm

The anemic power play (1 tally in the last eight games) actually looked good in the third period for New York. Mats Zuccarello seems to have added a spark, and the chances mounted. Semyon Varlamov was outstanding for Colorado, stopping 41 shots, twice as many as Lundqvist saw at the other end.

Rookie NYR first-liner Carl Hagelin summed up the Blueshirts shortcomings.

“It’s just one of those nights you can’t put the puck in the net,” the Swede stated. “I thought we played fairly well, created some chances, forty shots. But, you know, give them credit, they did a good job boxing us out and their goalie stood on his head.”

With the win today in New Jersey, Pittsburgh is now two points back of New York in the East with a game in hand. Philly is now five points back. The two Pennsylvania teams play one another in a matinee Sunday in Philly (game 3 of our whirlwind tour). The worst case scenario for the Rangers; an overtime or shoot-out game where both teams get at least a point.

New York is now 4-5-1 in their last 10, a rut they have not experienced this season. Lack of finish, offensive depth, a hypothetical concern early in the season, has reared its head. The power play woes play into it.

The Rangers host the Devils on Monday night: Another big challenge at this stage. The Devils won’t catch New York in the standings but have all but officially locked up a spot.

Meanwhile, the young Avalanche squad moved three points ahead of the ninth spot in the Western Conference with the win. They played a strong road game, survived, and their young core continues to gain big game seasoning. Former Bruin defenseman Matt Hunwick scored a beautiful goal, Gabriel Landeskog scored again, and the energy level was as advertised.

Their biggest problem at this stage; they don’t really control their own destiny mathematically. Every team in the Conference has at least a game in hand on Colorado, including pursuers, which have as many as four in-hand (San Jose).

Off to Philly for Pens/Flyers Sunday afternoon. Watch it on NBC Sports.


Previously:

New York: Saturday 7:12 pm

Colorado at NYR

Somehow managed to avoid Mass, Connecticut, and New York troopers and otherwise, while hurtling through space to Manhattan. Dropped the Saab on the Upper West Side and just missed the opening draw. I hung around the Bruins room at the TD Garden just a couple minutes too long apparently.

The Rangers are in a similar boat to Boston, although a different make-up and system and for different reasons. The Rangers have missed their Captain Ryan Callahan for six of the last nine, and have also been troubled by injuries to defensemen Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger, and forwards Artem Anisimov and Ruslan Fedetenko (sick), who was questionable coming off the flu.

The Blueshirts don’t have Boston’s depth, especially in terms of scoring, and rely on their grinding cycle. That said, our favorite Norwegian Mats Zuccarello has provided a nice little buzz to the offense since being called up.

With Pitt’s win this afternoon against New Jersey, the Pen’s moved to within two points of New York for the top spot in the division and conference. Even after tonight’s Rangers game, Pitt has a game at hand. They’ve won eleven in a row.

NYR needs to get stops early and play their disciplined style. The Avalanche are very young and energetic. They’ll grind you with speed, but can also be reckless and get out of position. Perfect for New York if they play their game.

The scene in and outside this Garden, was similar to the scene outside the TD Garden up North; loads of green-clad revelers enjoying toasts to Ireland’s Patron Saint.


Previously:

Boston: Saturday 3:42 pm

Final in a shoot-out: 3-2 Bruins. (five of the six shooters scored. Thomas stopped Briere on the sixth shot for the win)

First of all, what a great hockey game: Two teams with great determination, featuring skill, thrills, and physicality. Too bad it had to end with the skills competition.

After a hard practice Friday, that was fresh off an airplane ride from Florida and that wrapped up just 22 hours before game time, the Bruins looked re-focused. In the game, Thomas looked energized, as did the club. As suggested earlier, physicality and identity needed to be re-established. Gregory Campbell did that early first with an entertaining scrap with Flyer Zac Rinaldo. There were slashes, hits, and cross checks going both ways.

Soon after, earlier suggestion number two came true. The Bruins jumped out to an early lead; a very rare phenomenon lately. Boston would make it two-nothing after one period.

From the Flyers perspective, which will take over completely when we move this to Philly Sunday, it was an OK to very good first 40 minutes. They stayed in it, picked up a power play goal in the second and trailed by one after two. They were physical right back, not unexpected. Jakub Voracek tied it in the last five minutes of the game 2-2.

Meanwhile, their Sunday opponent in Philly, their Keystone State and biggest rival, the Penguins, won their matinee in New Jersey 5-2.

For B’s fans, “Thomas re-focused” took on new meaning late 3rd, as he made key saves in the final minutes and forced overtime. Good sign; win or lose, for the recent area of concern.

Potential issue for Philly: They lost Andreas Lilja in the first (puck in the neck/throat), he didn’t return, nor did Max Talbot, who fell awkwardly during a “fight” (lasted less than 2 seconds) with Johnny Boychuk in the second.

It was the 120th consecutive sell-out in Boston, during what could best be described as a weekend celebration of hockey. Later Saturday, the Hockey East Final will be played between Boston College and Maine, in what should be a dandy, and on Sunday, eight different high school teams will take the ice at the Garden to decide various titles, culminating in the top level boy’s state championship game.


Previously:

Boston: Saturday 12:54 pm

Let’s see how this turns out. The Bruins enter this matinee with the Flyers reeling. They’ve lost four straight for the first time in a couple seasons and the fans are close to all out panic, with twelve games (including this one) remaining.

There are a few ways the B’s can right the ship. First of all, they need to get off to a good start, or as Red Wings coach Mike Babcock often states, “start on time”. Boston has fallen behind early and often during a mediocre period that has lasted two months.

Secondly, through hard work and physicality, the Bruins need to re-establish their identity. They’re losing puck battles, they’ve stopped moving their feet, they’ve been, dare I say it, passive at times. Philly is the perfect opponent to get after and bring a violent edge back to their game. Niether team is afraid to hit, intimidate, or drop the gloves.

Third. Tim Thomas needs to make a few early saves to give his confidence, and his team’s, a boost. With Tuukka Rask and potential back-up back-up Anton Khudobin injured, its all about Timmy. Normally that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Lately, its been a problem.

Timmy after practice Friday: “I’m not tired, I don’t really count how many games I’ve played. I am a little sick of the travel,” he said. (Uh oh, West coast road trip coming up.)

From a sports psychology stand-point, I brought up the fact that with so many games, and first hand knowledge of what an absolute physical and emotion grind/battle the playoffs are, this team would have been anxious to start the playoffs two weeks ago. “Absolutely,” Thomas responded. Unfortunately, the 82-game schedule applies to all, regardless of mindset, and now, given the injuries and the team’s swoon, the games remaining could actually be a blessing in disguise. There’s always a flip side.


Follow simmer @simmerpuck

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Kovalchuk's Shift Diary from Game-1 Loss

» Simmer's 9 - ANOTHER one; new and improved

» Simmer's 9 - Quickie to start your week off right

» Is Crosby OK? Sid the Kid's Sunday Diary

» 5 More Series; 10 More "Other" Guys (& picks)