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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Some surprises on the ice
By John Davidson
Special to ABC Sports Online
Be sure to tune into the Boston and Montreal series in the East. They play the game the way it is supposed to be played. It reminds me of the Colorado-Los Angeles series in terms of the pace of the game, as both teams have a good amount of skill and equally go for it.
Through two games, Byron Dafoe has allowed nine goals for the Bruins, and he's played pretty well. It's been highly entertaining, which is the way it's supposed to be. Of the eight first-round series, these are the two series to watch. They are the cream of the round.
Here are my other early observations:
Eights are wild
The biggest surprise shouldn't be a surprise but the eighth seeds have been very competitive. Montreal is probably the most healthy it has been in five years. So when you look at it, the Canadiens aren't really much like an eighth seed, but more like a fourth or fifth seed. Don't be surprised that they are going to be tough to knock off. They played well down the stretch.
In the West, the Canucks lost nine of their last 43 games. They are battle-hardened because of their stretch run and due to their series with Colorado last year.
After winning Game 3, Detroit has the mindset that it is right back in its series. The Wings finally got a couple of breaks, including a long shot goal. But they also got good play out of key play. Sergei Federov had some good scoring chances, Dominik Hasek did well, the penalty kill did well. They are good, plain and simple. Just because they started slowly doesn't mean that they aren't. If they find their game, they will be really dangerous. Winning Game 3 was a step forward towards finding their game.
Philadelphia's blues
|  | | Roman Cechmanek has allowed just four goals in the first three games, but it's been the Flyers' lack of scoring that has them down 2-1. |
I have been shocked by the lack of scoring from teams, with Philadelphia in particular. It defies logic. You have to give full credit to Ottawa and its strong play to this point, but watching Philadelphia, I don't see an identity. The Flyers don't beat you offensively, they don't beat you defensively, they don't beat you physically. Nothing is happening as a real strength of the team.
When Vancouver went up two games, Steve Yzerman took charge. Detroit may get back in it, but at least with Yzerman on one leg, you see the Red Wings' leadership. We haven't seen that from anyone on Philadelphia yet. Someone has to find a way to get hot. Who's it going to be? The Flyers need to find somebody in a hurry. The series isn't over, but the fact is that they haven't scored a goal in regulation in three games.
Johnson's stock rises in St. Louis
It's great to see Brent Johnson play so well. It's been a combination of his play and the Blues defense. When you lose your first game and are looking to go down 2-0 if you don't win at home, you better get it done. And Johnson has got it done.
I think he's underrated. He played well in the playoffs last season when he had the opportunity, and the Blues were in the top five in goals against this season. What else do you want? Now they are scoring some goals, and he's stopping the puck the way he has. People can look at a team and say that goaltender is their problem. Every goaltender has to start somewhere. Mike Richter and Patrick Roy were young goaltenders at one time. It's hard for people to believe this, but Patrick was a rookie at one time. Guys have to start somewhere. So let him start. So far, he's gotten it done. The goaltending is the least of their problems.
Everybody pointed to Roman Cechmanek in Philadelphia. He's been the least of the Flyers' problems. He was the least of their problems the majority of the year. They haven't had a power play all season long, scoring has been a real problem, and now everybody talks about is goaltending. It doesn't make sense to me.
Mike Milbury's tirade
It was an absolute diversion by Mike Milbury.
There is something to the tirade. Toronto plays a battle-hardened game, and they go to the edge of the rules no doubt. He has some legitimate complaints. But it was a diversion tactic. Since he started complaining, has anybody mentioned Alexei Yashin's name? I don't think so. Not once. He's taken pressure off his guys. He makes a lot of dough and he's struggling in the playoffs. That to me is what this thing is about.
It shouldn't have much effect on the game. It could brighten the spotlight, which sometimes you don't want. If you are opposite Pat Quinn, you have to play the game. He and Scotty Bowman are two guys who do it every single year. Theirs was a message to what Mike did.
John Davidson is ABC's NHL analyst and will contribute regularly to ABC Sports Online during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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