“Anything can happen”, Nashville captain Shea Weber said. The defending Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks got eliminated in a thrilling Game seven, opening round series with the St Louis Blues. This included scoring two goals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. In that way this Game 7 did not disappoint, in terms of urgency and intensity or physicality and finesse.
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In 2006, Hitchcock and Ruff met when the Sabres eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in six games.
“Duncan Keith was the Blackhawks” best blue liner in the series.
The go-ahead goal came from Troy Brouwer approaching the midway mark of the third period. He ended with a 2.40 goals-against average and a. 929 save percentage. “That’s a lot of pressure for a goalie. He’s deserving everything he’s getting”. 897 save percentage, he insisted that he was not out to validate himself. It feels bigger than just a first-round win. But he played solid in the series. “It creates confidence with myself and with the forwards as well”.
Predators at Ducks, Game 7, 10 p.m. ET, NBCSN (Series tied 3-3) – With no hockey Tuesday, all eyes shift to what will be the final game of the first round, and it’s an always-entertaining Game 7. Seabrook hammered a shot from the point that hit traffic in front and then hit both posts, improbably staying out of the net and leaving the Blues in front.
“I kind of picked it up at the last second”, Elliott said.
“I think from a franchise statement, it was so important. It’s such a prestigious team.” said Brouwer. “A half a second later and it’s in the back of our net”.
“It’s a good feeling to go through that line and smile for a change rather than having the frowns and the sad faces that we’ve had so many times in the first round”, Backes said. This is the most together group of athletes I’ve coached in a long long time. “That was the ugliest goal I’ve ever scored – and probably the most timely goal I’ve ever scored”, Brouwer said.
It was fitting, then, that Coldplay’s “Fix You” blared on the sound system as the Blues and Blackhawks shook hands.
But close enough, isn’t, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and on to the next round go the St. Louis Blues while the Hawks head for the golf course. “A couple huge saves”. Giving us opportunities to win night in and night out. He was calm in critical moments and helps us out a lot. We are going to need that veteran presence. Also, the Blues beat the Stars in four of the five meetings this season, which has to count for something.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points, Justin Anderson had 14 and Zaza Pachulia added 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Mavericks, who were hampered by injuries throughout the series.
“I always say in the playoffs that I don’t care who is scoring goals as long as someone is scoring goals”. “I think you soak it in through osmosis”.
The shot also made me realize that I could see this meme on just about anything and I will chuckle.
The Blues can now look to their series start against the Dallas Stars, who just edged them in the race for the top of the Central division, during the regular season.
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Shedding Bryan Bickell’s salary could provide some much needed cap relief, but the Blackhawks have been unable to trade the underperforming winger. Star players nearing 30 years of age get massive raises for what they did, yet their production during the pricey new contract will be lower.
