Archives › James O’Brien
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(Dikembe Mutombo knows upsets.) One of my biggest criticisms of the NBA is that the league is too predictable. Sure, there’s the occasional Golden State Warriors shocking the Dallas Mavericks/Dikembe Mutombo joyously celebrating an upset of the Seattle Supersonics, but really the big dogs almost always win. That’s one of the great things about the…
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Obviously, the biggest off-season questions for the Phoenix Coyotes center around “who will be their owner?” and “where will they play this year and beyond?” Still, if coach Dave Tippett and the scrappy bunch showed us anything, it’s that the ownership issues aren’t the only story when it comes to this team. It’s difficult (dare I…
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It’s kind of stunning to think that every single Alex Ovechkin Era Washington Capitals playoff series went to a Game 7. Whether it was a marquee matchup with Pittsburgh or seemingly mundane clashes with the Rangers and Canadiens, the Caps have been pushed to the brink each and every time. Oddly enough, each series also…
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If anyone deserved to score a goal for the Chicago Blackhawks, it was John Madden. His empty netter was his first goal (and point) of a series despite the fact that he played some great hockey. Chicago Blackhawks 5, Nashville Predators 3 Blackhawks win series 4-2 Both the Eastern and Western Conferences will wait for…
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After a wild first period, a score-less second period might come back to haunt the Chicago Blackhawks a lot like the Nashville Predators’ disastrous 5 minute man-advantage did in Game 5. The Blackhawks failed to score on 10 minutes of powerplay time in the second period, including a double minor. While Nashville needs to work on staying…
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Jaroslav Halak dominated Game 6 with a sterling 53-save performance, only allowing one goal. Here’s some of his night’s best work from NHL.com.
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He might not have been able to keep his shutout going, but my guess is a lot of people know the name Jaroslav Halak right now. The Slovakian-born goalie put together a sensational 53-save effort, at one point making a glove save with enough flair that I jokingly called him “Roy-aslav Halak.” As I wondered…
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The Boston Bruins advanced to the second round of the playoffs in the same way that they got to the playoffs: by grinding out wins with timely scoring and strong goaltending by Tuukka Rask. Boston Bruins 4, Buffalo Sabres 3 Bruins win series 4-2 Miroslav Satan rose above all the hackneyed (though every-now-and-then clever) devil…
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Mark Recchi defies age. His hockey skills should be bottled by Oil of Olay to preserve a lady’s face against wrinkles. With one goal and one assist through the second period of Game 6, Recchi (41) joins 24-year-old Patrice Bergeron as the Boston Bruins’ leading scorer at 5 points in six games. Recchi isn’t merely…
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Are the Washington Capitals headed for yet another 7-game series? It’s one of those dim-witted but interesting stats: they’ve never made it easy – either for themselves or for their opponents – in the Alex Ovechkin Era. In their first run in the playoffs, they lost a Game 7 at home against the Philadelphia Flyers…
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It’s natural to say “the Los Angeles Kings will be back next year and are a team of the future” as a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel statement following their tough Game 6 loss. In fact, that was more or less my message last night. That being said, the team is reaching a crucial fork in the road; they…
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The Los Angeles Kings came to play in Game 6. Unfortunately for the young bunch, so did Roberto Luongo – and eventually – so did Daniel Sedin. Vancouver Canucks 4, Los Angeles Kings 2 Canucks win series 4-2 After out-shooting the Canucks 26-11 going into the third period, the Kings lost a little steam and…
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When a football player has a case of “Fumblitis,” a coach will often make him carry a pigskin around all week to signify how important it is to avoid turnovers. Perhaps the Vancouver Canucks should consider doing the same with Roberto Luongo and his stick? For the second time tonight the all-world goalie allowed a…
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PHT contributor Joe Yerdon had a lengthy post reacting to Colin Campbell’s decision not to suspend Marian Hossa. Here’s an excerpt from a blistering (but clear-headed) piece of criticism from his personal blog, Gross Misconduct Hockey. The glaring lack of consistency as well as the underlying message that’s delivered when first-time offenders get the proverbial slap…
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There are at least two series that just need to go seven games. Hockey fans (though probably not Detroit Red Wings fans) got their wish when Phoenix dominated Detroit to send it to a penultimate finale. It’s unclear if that will happen between Vancouver and Los Angeles, but so far so good for the Kings. Alexander…
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Last night included three big comebacks from Chicago, Pittsburgh and San Jose but only the last two clubs advanced to the second round. The NBC Crew discussed the Sharks and Penguins today. First, here’s some thoughts on the Sharks getting one of … what, four monkeys off their backs? Next, talk about the Pittsburgh…
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Tonight is a pretty big game even if it’s not a Game 7. The Kings-Canucks series gets a rare “marquee” status, not going head-to-head against any other game at night. I won’t get to do this very often, but here’s a little link roundup for tonight’s clash in Los Angeles. Every player has its ups…
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NBC has gadgets that would make Batman jealous (OK that’s an exaggeration … maybe we don’t have batarangs or a batmobile, but we have a lot of cool microphones and cameras and whatnot). First, check out the highlights picked up on those microphones: Sounds of the Game. Next, let’s take a look at the…
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First, video of all of the goals from the Phoenix-Detroit game. And, for your viewing pleasure, a Keith Yandle interview. So many candle puns, so little time.
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Colin Campbell decided not to suspend Marian Hossa for his hit on Dan Hamhuis, as Brandon discussed in that previous post. Here’s video of the Marian Hossa hit, for your own perusal: So, obviously, Hossa won’t face a suspension but should he have faced one? Let us know in the poll below. Should Marian Hossa have…
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For at least one round, the San Jose Sharks can take a break from all the choking jokes. Then they’ll start over again in Round 2, because god forbid someone think of new punchlines. San Jose Sharks 5, Colorado Avalanche 2 Sharks win series 4-2 It’s been a night full of spirited comebacks. First, Chicago…
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So far, Game 6 is a “typical” contest as far as the Sharks and Avalanche go. To be fair, Colorado is showing more spunk in this one, but it’s still a low-scoring contest in which Craig Anderson is keeping his team in the game. Anderson made 22 out of 23 saves through two periods while…
