Coaches blameless?

With all the upsets in round one, there has been plenty of talk about who is to blame. There are the obvious targets like Ovie who, while he most assuredly deserves some blame also gets extra from all the Crosby lovers who compared the latters superb performance vs. Ottawa to AO's lackluster one vs. the Habs.

Frankly, I think the blame for Washington fiasco lays 95% at the feet of Bruce Boudreau. He had a team that most coaches would drool over, he has a GM who made moves at the deadline to address what few shortfalls they had, and he had home ice advantage. Somehow, he is safe and it is everyone else's fault.

The next coach who I think should be on notice is - surprise! - Joel Quenneville. This guy is great in the regular season and seemingly can never come through in the post-season. The Hawks are right up there with the Caps and Sharks as far as having a drool-worthy talent level, but have been inconsistent and very, very sloppy around their own net. Now the Canucks are light years better than the Habs, but if Quenneville can't guide the Hawks in to the next round, then he should be right next to Boudreau on the hotseat to start next season.

Dusting off the keyboard...

So long since I posted anything; this time I want to make this a habit.

Round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is winding down after last night's game seven victory for the Wings. Watching how thoroughly Detroit dominated the Coyotes, it is kind of amazing this series went the distance.

For me, it raises a few questions:
1.) why didn't the Wings play like this every game? and
2.) do they have the team stamina to be able to pull out that kind of effort after another 14 games?

So far, only one upset so far with the B's taking out the Ryan Miller and the Sabres. I know Vanek was injured, but what I really think this one came down to was Tuuka Rask outplaying Olympic hero Miller.

The big upset - or the big "It's about time" - will be decided tonight when the Caps host the Habs for a HUGE game seven showdown. AO and his crew had better get their act together if they want to prove that they are a great team instead of just a group of highly-talented individuals. He will be remembered as Alexander the not-so-great unless he steps it up and leads his team the way Crosby has led the Ice Chickens.

J'ai la fièvre de Rangers!

Puck Today

5:30 practice with the kids
6:30 game
8:30 game

Over 30 is over for a few weeks and I'm not sure Monday and Wednesday nights are working out that well.

Tomorrow is the start of Ranger training camp!

Dunc