Western Conference Weekend Wrap Up

Series- Blackhawks vs Coyotes (series tied 1-1)

Game 1-Phoenix 3 Blackhawks 2 OT

Game 2- Blackhawks 4 Phoenix 3 OT

The first two games of the series have been a carbon copy (sorry those younger than 25 that won’t get that reference) except for the overtime period.  In case you missed it here’s the cliff notes, Hawks score early, the Coyotes dominate  the 2nd period and take the lead until the waning seconds of the third period where Brent Seabrook will score or assist on a score in the last 15 seconds to send the game into overtime.  Game 1 the Hawks lost in OT after consecutive icings and a lost face off in their own zone.  Game 2 the Coyotes turned the puck over in OT and Bryan Bickell burying in the game winner. Corey Crawford has been great especially in the third periods stopping everything shot at him to make it possible for these last second heroics!

NEXT- Tuesday night in Chicago. Pivotal Game 3 with the Hawks stealing home ice advantage, the Hawks will need to use the their skill at home to beat Coyotes.  Marian Hossa sighting at the United Center would be helpful too.  The Hawks have gotten 95 shots on goal in the first two games, and hopefully a few more of those will get past the very theatrical Mike Smith. If you are faint in heart or experience heart pains it is not safe to watch the Blackhawks so far this series!!

Series- Nashville vs Detroit (Nashville leads series 2-1)

Game 1 Nashville 3 Detroit 2

Game 2 Detroit 3 Nashville 2

Game 3 Nashville 3 Detroit 2

First team to 3 wins each game.  Shea Weber has been the story most of this series, first with his head slam of Henrik Zetterberg. Sunday he scored on the power play that led to the3-2 win in Joe Louis Arena.   Nashville is trying to beat the Red Wings for the first time in three tries in playoff series after losing to them in 2004 and 2008.  They will need to keep the pressure up and continue to get good goal tending from Pekka Rinne.  Jimmy Howard after a shaky Game 1 has played good the other two games and will be asked to stop the Predator momentum in Game 4.

Next- Game 4 in Detroit Tuesday Night

Series- San Jose vs St Louis (Series tied 1-1)

Game 1 Sharks 3 Blues 2 Ot

Game 2 Blues 3 Sharks 0

This series which was quiet and a little boring, could be exciting now that both teams went a little nuts at the tale end of Game 2. As coach Hitchcock stated that you can’t open the Roman Polak door which led to 132 penalty minutes being assessed and this could have all the makings of a great game 3.   Jaroslav Halak did get hurt early in the 2nd period but no worries for the Blues, when you can replace him with Brian Elliott and one the best GAA in the NHL this season. He shut down the Sharks offense for the rest of the game, and after an early goal St Louis was able to dictate their style he rest of the way until the fistacuffs began.  For San Jose to be successful it has to get a lead early in the Shark Tank or they could be fish food or singing the Blues.

Next- Game 3 is tonight in San Jose 10 eastern

Series- Vancouver vs LA (Kings lead series 3-0)

Game 1- Kings 4 Canucks 2

Game 2- Kings 4 Canucks 2

Game 3  Kings 1 Canucks 0

Twitter update-follow LA Kings twitter feed its the 2nd best in the entire NHL behind Blackhawkup twitter feed!  This has to be the best series so far! Total domination by the Kings and Jimmy Quick versus the Canucks.  The loss of Daniel Sedin is most apparent during the Canucks power play which has not scored yet in the series. It seems very improbable that the Canucks can defeat Quick four straight games even with the switch in goal by the Canucks with Schneider replacing Luongo.  As much as everyone in Chicago hates this Canucks team, it is still a surprising 3-0 deficit they face now!

Next- Kings go for the series sweep Wednesday night in LA.