Ducks eliminate Jets, Senators stay alive against the Canadiens and more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
LOS ANGELES TIMES/WINNIPEG SUN: Two third-period goals by Ryan Kesler powered the Anaheim Ducks to a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, sweeping their best-of-seven series. The Jets reportedly had eight players dealing with significant injuries in this series.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even if the Jets were healthy they lacked the experience and depth to match up against the Ducks. Perhaps they could have won a game or two but the Ducks simply were too strong. Still, this version of the Jets gave a good accounting of themselves in their first-ever playoff appearance. They’ll draw upon this experience and be a better team for it next season.
Mike Hoffman celebrates his goal against the Canadiens with teammate Patrick Wiercioch.
OTTAWA SUN/MONTREAL GAZETTE: Mike Hoffman scored the game’s only goal and Craig Anderson made 28 saves as the Ottawa Senators staved off elimination by edging the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game Four of their best-of-seven series. Game Five goes Friday in Montreal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Desperation gave the Senators the edge in this game. Determination could work in the Habs favor back on home on Friday. Barring injury or a poor early performance from Anderson, I think we’ve seen the last of Andrew Hammond between the pipes in this series.
Senators coach Dave Cameron was second-guessed by some observers for starting Anderson in Games Three and Four but that decision was obviously the right one. Anderson has the playoff experience and the ability to pull off an upset. “The Hamburglar” got the Senators to the playoffs, but it’s Anderson who will carry them the rest of the way.
CALGARY HERALD/THE VANCOUVER SUN: The Calgary Flames “big three” defensemen – Dennis Wideman, T.J. Brodie and Kris Russell – are averaging over 26 minutes per game against the Canucks, who will give rookie winger Sven Baertschi his first-ever playoff appearance against his former club in Game Five tonight. The Canucks are also expected to start Ryan Miller in goal for this crucial game.
EDMONTON SUN: Former Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli was reportedly in Edmonton yesterday being interviewed for a job with the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s speculation he could be replacing Kevin Lowe as team president or Craig MacTavish as general manager. Most likely he’ll be in an advisory role, but it would certainly be a step in the right direction if he were to replace Lowe or MacTavish. Time will tell.
TORONTO STAR: When the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs, it adversely affects the NHL’s revenue.
I second guess every decision made by the coach of my team. Guess its good I’m not the coach haha.
Habs maybe playing with fire. They look to be lacking that killer instinct. Going back to montreal they have to play better. Stone took a few shots that game. You can tell it bothers him but that is a good sign from my point of view. The longer the series goes the Healthier Stone gets, the more of a threat he becomes and more balanced the Sens line up is. He averaged in the season 4 shots/game. I think last night was the first game this season he took a shot at the net after taking the slash.
Ottawa wins in montreal look out Hab fans. Once the Stone gets rolling its tough to stop. Oh sure you can always hack our best player again.
Montreal’s anemic powerplay + Senators Healthy top 2 lines = a come come back. Just got to keep extending the series and buy some time for Stone to heal up.
sens won 1 game lets see how they do tonight … habs powerplay has been the same all yr
sens played hard on wed habs didn’t
I expect a better game tonight
PJ Stock if you read this between you and mike Johnston its scary who they will let make comments on hockey these days …. howie meeker lol
Chia will replace kevin lowe. u do not bring a guy with cup to be an advisor.
I wonder if the Oilers would be a better team and organization without Lowe presiding. The Oilers have missed the playoffs for nine seasons and have seen six coaches and two general managers in Lowe’s presidency. Many first overall picks have struggled.
Everybody and the Titans from attck of titan know it all kevin lowes fault.I think Katz finally has stop listening to his misphisto
I doubt he will out of the organization completely but will not be in making the decision of hockey operation.