What you missed last night because the Versus feed was like the Playboy channel growing up

I missed the Vancouver/St. Louis game last night because my Versus feed was scrambled like my eggs. This morning I saw 2 people wearing Rangers jerseys on my walk to the subway. That is way more than the usual zero I see.

Canucks beat the Blues, 2-1(lead series 1-o): As I said above, I couldn't watch this game. I did see the high-lights (twice) on NHL: On the Fly this morning. The slap pass from Demitra to Sedin for the first goal is true beauty. Its an obvious pass, because of the angle, but its got to be a slap to get enough speed on it to beat a goalie five-hole. Also, when Matt Barnaby was analyzing the play on ESPN this morning he said, "you can't give Demitra that much time and space." Well Matty, it was pretty much a power play for Vancouver as Lunogo had gone to the bench on a delayed power play. Thats why he had so much time and space to pick out Sedin in the slot. Oh yea, and Luongo has give up 2 goals in his last 4 or so games. Thats not grease in his hair, thats him exuding confidence.

Penguins beat the Flyers, 4-1 (lead series 1-0): If was writing a New York Times trendwatching piece about the NHL play-offs, it would be about face-offs. See everyone knows how important face-offs are, but I would make it a times trendwatch piece, by just talking about it now and only using limited evidence - like last nights Penguins game. The Penguins won almost 65% of the draws. And with the 9 power plays they had, thats a lot of time where Philly didn't have the puck. It wasn't complete domination, but the numbers make it seem that way. Also, somehow Daniel Carcillo got in trouble. He was more invisible than Chevy Chase in that move.....

Devils beat the Hurricanes, 4-1 (lead series 1-0): This game was complete domination by the home team. Cam "hot in march" Ward was not great, but also took on more shots than a Mr. W at a high school keg party. The Devils played like an efficient machine last night. The little plays they make are so fundamentally sound. For example on Elias' snipe - he doesn't get that puck if Gionta doesn't take the right angle to get body positioning on the Canes defenseman. Also, Parise went low stick side from the goal line - how is that possible!?

Rangers win over the Capitals, 4-3 (lead series 1-0): Jose Theodore made the Rangers an offensively gifted team. Well, so did Jeff Shultz. Henrik Lundqvist plays so deep in his net, it makes me think that he never learned his angles. I've always admired the Rangers penalty kill, its seems to me the most logical and ferocious way to be a man down. Lastly, Blair Betts broke his stick sliding to block Ovy's last second shot. Thats play-off hockey.

What you missed last night while you were learning that hot weather outdoor drinking is its own animal

Because I was at a golf tournament (watching, not playing) and didn't get home (hungover and sunburned), until 1 am last night and my only hockey intake was NHL on The Fly this morning, well then it looks like I'll be picking out the one high-light that you should know about from each game.

Devils beat the Blackhawks, 3-2: Yes Marty got win number 552, but the highlight of the night was Patrik Elias's backhand pass to Gionta that got Mr. Elias to be the all-time point leader for the Devils.

Oilers beat the Blues, in the shoot-out, 4-3: Dwayne Rolloson - he made some great saves, but its his salt that I loved - he's trying the be the west coast's Tim Thomas.

Canucks beat the Stars, 4-2: Tic-tac-goal - Bernier, from Mason Raymond, from Kevin Bieska. Yea, it was gorgeous.

Coyotes win over the Sharks, 4-3: Doan's GWG - off a broken faceoff play, Doan gets the puck, drives to the net, and scores falling down, with under a minute left in the game.

Rangers beat the Canadiens, in the shoot-out, 4-3: Kovalev's one timer - I don't know how Markov found him at the side of the net and I don't know how Kovalev put it in while falling, but its all impressive.

Senators beat the Sabres, 4-2: Spezza's sauce - On a 2-on-1 with Alfie, Spezza laid the perfect saucer pass onto Aflie's tape.

Maple Leafs beat the Lightning in the shoot-out, 4-3: Blakes goal - the fake pass at the blue line, and then skating around the offensive-zone and eventually tucking in the wrap-around. You might fight teammates Jason Blake, but you also score.

Penguins beat the Thrashers, 6-2: Malkin - 5 points. He'll score, he'll pass. whatever, he does it all so well.

Capitals shut-out the Panthers, 3-0: Kozlov's wrister - its just that good. one step in to the right and its in the back of the net.

Red Wings beat the Flyers, 3-2: Marty Biron's short side - it got beaten twice last night. The first was by Datsyuk after he faked Carcillo out of his shorts.

Wild win over the Avalanche in the shoot-out, 3-2: can a shoot-out goal be the highlight? if so, then Zidlicky's goal was great. patience and top shelf.

Langenbrunner and everything after

So the week ended. The weekend started at the Tavern with Bress, Nemy and Arzellius. Throwin' back a couple of buds. Mellow yellow. Nemy has to leave early to head up to Boston tomorrow for the game with his girl. Trying to pull the early night sober how are ya. Ok! Fine! How about no Check! No! Penguins take a 3-1 lead over the Devils with about 10 to go in the third. Malkin scores a softy and I still say the Devils are SICK! Marty comes back...nuff said! I know they are going to steal this game like they did to Boston last night. I say with 30 seconds left on the clock, if the Devils tie this game, 15 shots of Jager for me, you and Ess. Nemy sneaky wants it to happen. I just know it will, they had the pressure on since the end of the first. Langenbrunner. Jeez! 15 shots! 1000 and 10,000. Cool Whhhhhhhhiiiiiip like Stewie Griffin says it with the silent H. Than he scores in OT again. He is Captain insaneous. Boston and Jers....eastern finals. Juice guys from Nantucket.

Remember coming back to beat Bryant down 6-3 with 8 to go left in the third. I do. Weindel penalty shot...ardino in OT.

Best college hockey memory - We're playing Holy Cross and some guy torched me because I thought he didn't have that shot in his bag...no respect and I got baked. They scored and the next shift...my fault completely...take the puck in the offensive zone and score. Camille comes over to me on the bench screaming...way to be a man Scotty! Way to be a man! Own up!

It's big time hockey in Jers right now....step out of the way people. Paris, Zajac...imagine my kids name..Zajac Zimmerman...lol! Elias, Gionta n Shany now. Shany is the man. Thats it...enjoy the night people...be safe!

- bARBOnUs