Semi-Finals: Day Seven

#1 Washington Capitals / #5 Tampa Bay Ligntning


Lightning sweep series 4-0 after a 5-3 win in Tampa



Uh, did anyone expect this? We were thinking a seven game series or something crazy like that with a bunch of OT games sprinkled in. But nothing like that.


Tampa was insane.


Washington tried but not enough players have that killer instinct, especially in an elimination game. When they're up, they're fine but when they're down...

It'll be interesting to see the off-season changes that happen in Washington after another dominant regular season and post-season disappointment.

We have to post this picture from Twitter because it was just too much. We bow to how funny Down Goes Brown is.


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#2 Philadelphia Flyers / #3 Boston Bruins


Bruins win 5-1 and now lead the series 3-0


Another series stunner. Who would have thought that Boston would be in this position just a year later? We wouldn't have guessed it.


The Bruins scored within the first three minutes and Brian Boucher was pulled in favor of Bobrovsky after he let in four goals.

It just wasn't Philly's night at all. Everything Boston threw at the net went in it seemed like.


Next game is the most important though. If Boston comes out hard then that's it for Philly.

But if Philly gets the W then it gives them the confidence because of history and scares the Bruins just a little for the same reason.

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#2 San Jose Sharks / #3 Detroit Red Wings


Sharks win in another OT game, this time ending in 4-3


Devin Setoguchi to the rescue. He took a penalty in overtime and then prayed to the hockey gods that the Wings didn't score.

They didn't. But he did.

And got the hat trick. What a winner.

And this is why we love playoff hockey.

Because Some Of Us Need It

This video has us 'lol-ing' so hard all day. Jordan Eberle gets snubbed by the cute girl after accepting his 'best player of the game' award.


At least he smiled through the snub.


Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Chris Campoli had to have knee surgery and everything went well.


Ryan Ellis was named the OHL player of the year, which is a great honor and he's a great player. Can't wait to see him in a Predators jersey, next.


In case you need a fix of Penguins defensemen play-fighting

Oh just bang each other and end it already, is sex on the ice illegal?!


Shockingly, Alex Goligoski is needed according to his teammates and the staff in Dallas. That means something to the Pens fans that knew he was good.


And apparently, there are people (we refuse to call them fans) who want Patrick Kane traded. Uh, really? That's just stupid.

But if they're willing, then we are. Evgeni Malkin to Chicago for Kane and Viktor Stalberg. Just got pregnant thinking of that trade.


This aired on Versus in October and we've watched it a bunch cause it's really funny


We call bullshit on Jonathan Toews not having any superstitions.


And we know that everyone needs it, the Shea Weber Picspam Part Deux!

Click here for the bearded manly goodness sent to us by Mouthguard who has picture-finding skillz that we wish we had.

Seriously, click the link. You will not regret it.


Also, we started a Tumblr for pictures that wouldn't make sense here or if we photoshopped something that is ridiculous.

the Hockey Junkies go Tumblr

If you have one then please follow us and also, if you can, email us with any tips on how to get the most out the site.

Semi-Finals: Day Six

#1 Washington Capitals / #5 Tampa Bay Lightning


Bolts lead series 3-0 after an insane 4-3 win in regulation


This was literally a back and forth game between two teams who have the offensive power to go head-to-head and not even flinch at a 9-8 game.


But this one ended conservatively with the Lightning holding onto a 4-3 led in the dying minutes of the game.


The way they collapse around the net in both the offensive and defensive zones is enviable when your team doesn't understand what that means.

Tonight is game four, blink and you'll miss the game.

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#1 Vancouver Canucks / #5 Nashville Predators


Canucks lead series 2-1 after another 3-2 OT game


Overtime always causes heartburn and it either ends with you jumping around with joy or completely dejected and drowning your sorrows in ice cream and chips.

But that could just be what we do.

The only thing everyone is talking about is Ryan Kesler after this game.

Dude finally got his goal(s) and MouthGuard is blaming Noodles for this Predators loss because she admitted her huge, giant mancrush on Kesler still exists.

It's okay cause we forgive her.


We liked the yellow-out t-shirts. They were definitely something that Nashville would think of, that color. The Canucks didn't like it.

News And Notes For This Rainy Day

- Bob McKenzie says that it the success of the Canucks relies on one man and he isn't Swedish or a twin. It's Ryan Kesler.

- Ulf Samuelsson, former coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, has been hired to be the head coach of MODO. We can imagine Naslund and Forsberg laughing evilly as they quietly build the next Swedish hockey empire.

- The last award was the Foundation Award and the nominees were Mike Green, Dustin Brown and the Brothers Sedin.

- Brad Richards shares secrets about penetrating both Luongo and Rinne.


- Rumors abound that the New Jersey Devils will be hiring Kevin Hitchcock as their head coach. If this is true, do not panic, the Devils will still be playing the trap so it's not that big of a change.

- Sean Avery finally got to Henrik Lundqvist. They took the plunge and are now co-owners (with a bunch of other people) of a new restaurant in New York called Tiny's.

- Simon Gagne and Pavel Kubina did not play in Game Two against the Washington Capitals and they are still questionable for Game Three in Tampa.

- It's okay though cause Steve Downie is there to rescue Tampa offensively. Who would have guessed he would be the more prolific Steve(n) in Tampa?

- Matt Halischuk is interviewed about his game-winning goal in Game Two against the Vancouver Canucks. He is one happy kid about that goal.

- From Macke (a while ago), this is a commercial for the Ford Focus

Hahahaha, we love the Swede and of course Gene

- Breaking News: Philadelphia Flyers still do not have a #1 goaltender for the play offs. Oh wait, not that 'Breaking News' huh? Oops.

- New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto has undergone sports hernia surgery. Guess all that training with Gary Roberts in the summer doesn't do much help during the season.

- In last night's Game Two between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers, Adam McQuaid tried to hit Mike Richards, missing him completely and then flew into the end boards hitting his head/neck first.

He is okay and has traveled with the team back to Boston. They are saying that it is a neck injury and that he is okay for now.

World Championships News:

- In Canada's latest game, a 4-3 OT win over Switzerland, Jordan Eberle was the offensive star and Alex Pietrangelo scored the game-winner just four minutes into the period.


- Radek Martinek was injured when he received a hit to the head during the Czech Republic vs. Latvia game. It is being reported to be a concussion.

- Just give Jeff Skinner the Calder now because not only is he still what, fifteen? and played an amazing season in the NHL but now he is also leading the men's hockey World Championships in scoring. Get outta town, Skinner.

- Example #1 of Jeff Skinner being awesome is his two goal, one assist performance against France. Hate him.

- This article talks about the US players reactions to the death of Osama Bin Laden and how that will not effect their play, Matt Duchene's views of that death on Twitter and finally Yan Stastny (son of the infamous Peter Stastny) being an American playing in Slovakia and how he is proud of his roots.

- The US squad was down 2-0 against the Norwegians but they battled back and won 4-2 in a great effort sparked by a goal from Nick Palmieri who also had another, the game-winner.

Semi-Finals: Day Five

#2 Philadelphia Flyers / #3 Boston Bruins


The Bruins lead the series 2-0 after a 3-2 OT win


James vanRiemsdyk did everything in his power to keep the Flyers in the game.

He had two goals, a million shots on goal and a power-move that makes Cam Neely weep.

But of course Tim Thomas is a freaking wall after letting in two goals. He had 52 saves and made them all while out of position (but that's the beauty of Timmy).


One bad moment was the injury to Adam McQuaid. He attempted a hit on Mike Richards and missed then went crashing head-first into the boards. He is okay now but had to be helped off the ice last night.

Oh, and the Flyers started Boucher.

But he was apparently injured after taking a shot off of his wrist/hand so Bobrovsky was put in for the third. Then in OT, Boucher took the reins.

That's just too much switching.

In overtime, David Krejci scored but the referee behind the net waved it off without stopping play and when the Flyers iced the puck, the goal was deemed a good one.

Semi-Finals: Day Four

#2 San Jose Sharks / #3 Detroit Red Wings


Sharks lead series 2-0 after a 2-1 win


The Sharks got two goals from their defense, one of whom you would never guess actually knows what offense is (we're looking at you, Niclas Wallin).


So, this is the Niemi everyone thought would show up. It's nice to see him be dominant over a team that is really good.

The Finnish Fortress.

The penalty kill, a very important part of the play offs, was nearly perfect, only letting in the Zetterberg goal in the third.


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#1 Washington Capitals / #5 Tampa Bay Lightning


Bolts lead series 2-0 after a thrilling 3-2 win in OT


It only took six minutes into the overtime period for the game to be decided. Vincent Lecavalier doesn't miss when he's in that close.

What a pass from Teddy Purcell.

Alex Ovechkin tied the game up late in the third and it looked like the Capitals had all of the momentum heading into overtime.


But that overtime is a bitch and it just wasn't to be for the Capitals who did an awful job of defending home ice.

Semi-Finals: Day Three

#2 Philadelphia Flyers / #3 Boston Bruins


The Bruins lead the series 1-0 after a surprising 7-3 win over the Flyers


The Bruins have the firepower to destroy cities when they feel like it. And they totally exposed the Flyers need for a goaltender.


Which is surprising considering this is basically the same team that they went to the Finals with just the year before.

David Krejci scored twice as well as Brad Marchand. Marchand is quickly becoming the next scoring pest (ala Steve Downie from 09/10).

And also enemy #1 for Montreal and now Philadelphia.

Game Two is going to be an interesting affair.


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#1 Vancouver Canucks / #8 Nashville Predators


Series tied 1-1 after a double OT 2-1 win for the Preds


Pekka Rinne was out of this world, standing on his head and making the saves when the Preds needed it.


But it wasn't just him, the Predators wouldn't give up and they played like the better team during the overtimes. Either the better team or the more desperate team.

Matt Halischuk scored the game-winner and was the hero for the Predators.


It will be interesting to see how the teams play in Nashville where the Predators are confident that they will be victorious against the Canucks.