Hockey

NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN WHL SCORING CHAMPION BRENDAN LEIPSIC Nashville, Tenn. (May 23, 2013) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2012 third-round draft pick Brendan Leipsic (BREHN-duhn LIGHP-sihk) to a three-year entry-level contract. Leipsic, 19 (5/19/94), was co-recipient of the 2013 Bob Clarke Trophy as Western Hockey League scoring champion after posting 120 points (49g-71a) in 68 games as Portland won the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular-season champions. He also finished first in WHL goals, second in assists and tied for fourth in plus/minus rating (+55) in 2012-13, being named a Second-Team WHL Western Conference All-Star. The 5-9, 167-pound left wing then posted the WHL playoffs’ fourth-most points (10g-14a-24pts) in Portland’s run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. Leipsic and the Winterhawks are currently competing in the 2013 Memorial Cup, with their next game coming Friday in the tournament’s semifinals. Nashville’s fourth choice, 89th overall (third round), in the 2012 Entry Draft has amassed 211 points (93g-118a), 235 penalty minutes, and a +84 rating in 201 games with Portland since 2010. The Winnipeg, Man., native is on Twitter @Leip28. — PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua (used with permission)

NEW YORK — The only way the Rangers were going to avoid being swept last night was if the Bruins fell down on the job.And did they ever — literally, figuratively, every way.

Henrik Lundqvist made 37 saves to post his 30th career playoff victory, and improved to 30-36 in 66 career postseason contests. He improved to 5-0 with a 0.98 goals against average, .966 save percentage, and two shutouts in the last five playoff games at MSG in which the Rangers faced elimination. Lundqvist has posted 30 or more saves in the playoffs 21 times, posting a 10-11 record with a 1.61 GAA, .951 Sv% and four shutouts in those games.

The Blackhawks have been pushed to their breaking point emotionally by the Red Wings. Now, they’re at the brink of elimination. This year, the Blackhawks hadn’t: been shut out. Not any more. lost three games in a row. Not any … Continue reading →The post Jimmy Howard, Red Wings Beat Blackhawks… Again appeared first on Committed Indians.

NEW YORK — The writing was on the wall for Brad Richards.The Rangers center had been demoted to the fourth line in the first round of the playoffs and his playing time steadily decreased during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Bruins. Richards had just one goal and no assists in 10 games this postseason before he was a healthy scratch for last night’s 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.“I don’t know if surprised is the right word,” Richards said. “I’m just disappointed.”

The second round of the AHL playoffs completed yesterday. My first round coverage was here. Here are the results from the second round: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defeat Providence Bruins four games to three. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is the Pittsburgh Penguins farm team and Providence belongs to the Boston Bruins. Providence had a 3-0 lead in this series and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fought their way back to win the series with four straight wins. Trevor Smith and Chad Kolarik were the top scorers for the Penguins. Brian Dumoulin led their defence. Brad Thiessen played very well in their goal. Chris Bourque and Carter Camper led the Providence offence. Matt Bartowski had been their top defenceman until he got called up in the playoffs. This may be an excuse for the Providence loss. Niklas Svedberg was their goaltender.Continue reading "AHL Playoffs Second Round"

I just don’t get how a team, in a do or die game, can play the way we did for the first 30 minutes. I really don’t. I’m super proud of the way the boys rebounded, stormed back, and won a game we trailed heading into the 3rd. It’s basically what the Bruins did to us, just, not as emphatically. So, let’s talk about Brad Richards shall we? I actually disagree with benching him, despite how awful he’s been. Only because when coaches make “panicky” moves like this in must wins they almost always backfire. What happened? Dorsett takes a dumb penalty, and really, our 4th line didn’t do jack. Did Haley even play? Keep Richards in on the 4th line, give him some soft minutes, hope he can turn it around. I just don’t think Newbury is the answer here. JT Miller? I think he’d be fine. Not Newbury. Too bad JT is injured. Another thing that’s pretty obvious after watching him for 4 games now, despite the rather mediocre game he had tonight….Zdeno Chara is an incredible defenseman. I mean, he’s so smooth out there, and he’s also a nasty S.O.B.. Amazing stick work, plays the body so well. He’s like Marc Staal, with offense, and a mean streak. There’s a reason Bawstun is soo damn good defensively, it starts with him. Marchand is overrated. I’m just gonna leave it there. That Krug kid isn’t that great, but what he is, is confident as all hell in his ability, a lot of time, that makes up for a lot. Plus, he can rifle the puck, that doesn’t hurt either. Brassard and Stepan, our 2 top centers, officially, were AMAZING tonight. For a long while, they were the only 2 guys who played well, Brassard particularly. OK, bed time, later ppl!

NEW YORK — Seemingly against all odds, the Bruins gave New York life last night.With a chance to complete the sweep of the Rangers, the B’s took a two-goal lead but fumbled it away and wound up losing, 4-3, in overtime on Chris Kreider’s game-winner at Madison Square Garden.

Jakub Kindl scored on a power play in the second period, Daniel Cleary had an empty-net goal and Jimmy Howard made 27 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings hold on for a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, putting the NHL's best team during the regular season on the brink of elimination.