Fancy (Almost) Passes + No Power Play Goals = Why the Ducks are in an 0-2 Hole

 Last night's Game Two of the Western Conference Finals could have, and should have, been an easy win for the Ducks.  The Oilers came in to Game Two not only tired, but fighting a flu bug as well.  Raffi Torres and Marc-Andre Bergeron didn't even arrive at the rink because their symptoms were so bad,  defenseman Jason Smith was playing against the Ducks 4th line, and Shawn Horcoff, in the words of Head Coach Craig McTavish during the post-game press conference, "was (as white) as this sheet of paper during the third period."  On the ice, the Ducks dominated the game territorially, getting the majority of quality scoring chances.  They were able to cycle the puck in the offensive zone, got traffic in front of Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson, and for the most part, kept the puck in the zone during their power play.

 So what went wrong?

Simply put, the Ducks got too cute moving the puck around.  Head Coach Randy Carlyle said as much during his post-game press conference.  Instead of putting the puck on net, the Ducks tried to pass the puck one too many times.  Credit the Oilers defense for blocking shots and getting sticks into the shooting lanes to be sure; however, trying to get too creative against a team that plays solid defense (not to mention having Chris Pronger) only works against you in the end.  Don't believe me?  Watch the highlight that led to Edmonton's second (and eventual) winnng goal.  RW Teemu Selanne tried to stick handle and deke around one too many an Oiler, had the puck stripped from him, and the Oilers were able to move the puck in thier zone to set up Fernando Pisani's rocket of a shot from about 30 feet out.

The Oilers have many a skilled player, but simultaneously, their defense, much like the Calgary Flames, are their backbone.  They find ways to keep teams to the outside, limiting the amount of quality scoring chances.

This "too cute" mentality also prevented the Ducks from getting the power play working as well.  The Oilers are no slouch on the penalty kill either, and will sacrifice the body each and every time a shot is made.  It's time to go back to basics on the power play, guys.  Shoot the puck from the point, get traffic to the net and hope for a rebound.  If it can work against a Hart and Vezina Trophy candidate like Miikka Kiprusoff, surely it can work against Roloson too.

The Ducks need to dig deep and get it together quick, or else they will be the next victim of what happens when your special teams fail.  Maybe Carlyle should call upon Colorado and Ottawa to see what he can do...oh, wait, their teams suffered the same kind of fate.  I'd forgotten about that.

Tampa Bay Signs Brad Richards to a 5 year, $39 million extension.

It was announced earlier today that C Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning signed a 5 year, $39 million extension with the team.  The completion of this deal ensures that the Lightning's top 3 forwards (Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Richards) will be together for the next 4 years minimum.  Lecavalier signed a four year extension last August, while St. Louis signed a 6 year deal days later.

Richards' deal means he will be paid $7.8 million US per year.  What it also means is that a guranteed $20 million is tied up among those 3 players alone.  While the salary cap ceiling is expected to go up next season upwards of $43-45 million dollars from the current $39 million, that still means that just about half of the Lightning's money is tied up on just the top line.

I can understand the Lightning wanting to keep Richards, one of the best two-way players in the game, away from the free-agent market (he was set to become a restricted free agent, meaning Tampa Bay would have to match any other offer sheet  provided by another team if they wanted to keep him).  However, goaltending is the situation that seriously needs to be addressed in Tampa Bay.  The two headed monster of John Grahme and Sean Burke failed miserably this post-season, and GM Jay Feaster's inability to get a goaltender at the trade deadline a la Kevin Lowe of the Oilers sealed their fate this season.

Signing Richards effectively means Feaster will be looking to trade for a goaltender, perhaps Evegeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks or JS Giguere of the Mighty Ducks.  With $31 million total against the cap for next year already in place, I find it hard to believe that one of these players, if not more, get traded. If they don't, the Lightning will find themselves in the same position this time next year

Hasek Upset with Murray, Wants to Remain in Senators Uniform

According to a report on Sportsnet.ca, Senators' G Dominik Hasek doesn't want to play for another team next year; in fact, he is ony interested in playing for the Ottawa Senators to "finish what he started this year." 

Hold on a second.  He wants to finish what he started?  You mean he wants to create even more turmoil and controversy around a team that yet again failed to accomplish the goal of even making it to the Stanley Cup Finals?  He wants to give Sens' fans a reason to be disgusted with this team even more by hanging around and stirring up trouble?  He wants to finish giving Sens' fans a false sense of hope?

Hasek is reportedly also upset with Head Coach Bryan Murray's comments after the Sens' were eliminated in 5 games by the Buffalo Sabres, saying he didn't understand why only 40 hours after their series defeat Murray would make those comments.  (To see Murray's take on Hasek, click here). 

While Hasek took Murray's comment as a slight on him, it didn't come without merit.  Hasek's  past history with Buffalo and Detroit speaks volumes about Hasek's motives, which is strictly his ego.  The power of persuasion can lead to ill-advised decisions.  Ask Lindy Ruff.  Ask Ken Holland.  Ask Curtis Joseph.  Ask John Muckler.

Sens' fans can only hope that Bryan Murray will put his foot down with GM John Muckler and tell him he doesn't want Hasek back next year.  As a former GM himself, Murray is no stranger to what one person can do for the morale of a team.  As the Head Coach, he should have a say in who he wants back next season.  It would be wise for Muckler to listen.  And for Hasek to just go away, again.

Memo to the NHL: Force OLN to  Release the Exclusivity Rights

 A report in the Los Angeles Times last week indicates that 49% of homes in the Los Angeles area do not receive OLN because it is only offered on premium tiers.

49% in the L.A. area.  Considering the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, which is only 45 minutes south of L.A. proper, are in the L.A. market,  one would think that the number would be a lot less than 49%.

And then fans outside of the hockey world wonder why no one is paying attention to these playoffs.  Or why fans inside the hockey world feel Anaheim has no fan base.

Look, I understand that the league and OLN want to make money, and that exclusivity rights have always been a part of the playoffs even when ESPN owned the rights.  However, ESPN can be found on basic cable, while OLN for most viewers is somewhere in the 600 range.  But the NHL, who so desperately needs to promote this game in order to attract people to the game, should not allow a number like 49% in the L.A. market to even be a thought.

By selling the rights to local broadcasters, such as FSN or even over-the-air networks that usually carry NHL games, the NHL can then draw upon a wider fan-base.  People in the LA area should get to know a team like Anaheim, who are built not only to be good this year, but for the next few years at the very least.  If this season was supposed to be about the fans, the NHL has done a poor job with that in these playoffs.  It only shows me that the bottom line is still, in reality, the bottom line.

 Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Game Two

If you are a hockey fan, you are itching for this game to get underway tonight.  Look for Carolina to tighten up it's defense just a bit to try and prevent Buffalo from scoring first. (Or at least, within the first 5 minutes of the game).  And look for Buffalo to change...well, nothing.  What do they need to change?  Even if they do insert different players into their lineup, who would know?  They win with whomever, whenever, wherever.  It's great for hockey.  Maybe other teams in the Northeast Division (Ottawa, Boston, Toronto, I'm looking at you) should take note:  big names don't always equate to big plays.

 And finally...

Congratulations to the sixteen finalists in the NGSII.  All very deserving candidates to be sure, and I look forward to the rest of the competition.  As for me, even though I didn't make it, I have found a home and a voice here at FOXSports blogs and will continue on.  Maybe one day, I can actually get paid for my thoughts.  Good Luck to all!