Monday Night Takeaways - NHL Game 2's

Pittsburgh had one of the most pathetic playoff performances I’ve seen in quite some time. As someone who’s often attended live sporting events - including playoff games - I always feel for fans in the stadium who paid their hard earned money to go watch their team not even show up. That’s all I could think about for most of Game 2.

The takeaway here is that the Flyers look head and shoulders better than the Penguins. This 19 year old Martone scored another goal. Vladar was awesome, but to me it was the Flyers physicality that stood out. I had to check the box score after the game and sure enough, Philly outhit the Penguins 48-32. 

I thought the Penguins did a good job mucking it up and matching in the 1P, but they were just absolutely terrible in the 2nd. I don’t even know what sport they were playing. This series feels all but over. It would be a real shame if you didn’t get Pittsburgh's best effort in Game 3.

After watching most of that dreadful Penguins game, I flipped to the Canes/Sens which was so refreshing to see some good hockey. Granted it’s another scrappy, tight defensive game, but these teams can play hockey. 

Freddie Anderson was awesome. I couldn’t shut my trap and had to tweet about it. Of course, he lets in an awful game tying goal shortly after. My bad! But seriously, hell of a job from Freddie in net last night. He’s looked like the type of goalie Carolina has been begging for the past few years in the postseason. Good to see.

I’ve been a Hurricanes believer for quite a while, but I finally pulled the trigger. It’s now or never for Carolina. If they get past Ottawa, they are winning the East. Ottawa proved that’s not going to be a cakewalk. Their offense was nonexistent in Game 1 but showed up last night. I thought Drake Bratherson was awesome and the Sens were buzzing for a long stretch. This was a tough L, but I think this series is far from over.

As much of a believer that I am in the Canes out of the East, I am that way about the Stars in the West. I’ve been very critical of Jake Oettinger in the playoffs calling him Jake NOTinger. Last night, he was fantastic. That’s exactly what Stars fans needed to see. 

Dallas needed its Stars to show up and they did. Wyatt Johnston got them on the board early and Jason Robertson scored the go ahead goal. 

Still though, the Wild were knocking on the door all game. Minnesota is terrifying. That’s the takeaway. The Minnesota Wild are fucking terrifying.

Good to see the Ducks come out and make life difficult for Edmonton. You thought the Oilers would cruise to a victory after going up 2-0, but you thought wrong. Because the Ducks are not the Penguins. Anaheim scored 3 goals in the 2nd period to take the lead going into the 3rd. 

The Oilers won’t be comfortable in any game of this series if Ingram continues to play like that. The Ducks comeback felt effortless. If not for some dude named Jason Dickinson, Edmonton should be waking up today down 1-0 in the series.

Fun night of hockey. Can’t wait to do it again.