Dwayne Roloson

 Dwayne Roloson (April 14, 2011 - Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America) 

Everyone seems to be focusing on Dwayne Roloson’s “perfect record” in elimination games, I could care less.  Roloson could care less too; he knocked on his head (wood) when told by Darren Pang it was “unblemished.”  Roloson has been really good the past three games and has played fairly solid throughout the first round, he is top three in GAA and SP% among goalies. 

I’m a big fan of his “12 hour rule.”  He gives himself 12 hours to think about the previous game and after that is out of his mind, whether it is positive or negative.  I wish I implemented this rule a few times in my competitive career.  It would have helped me in a few games throughout my career.  It definitely helped him rebound in game five after the poor OT game four winner.  Also he has long forgotten about the poor puck handling that lead to the first goal in game six.   

I’m really rooting for “Roli” and the Lightning tonight in game 7 vs Pittsburgh.  Roli seems to be getting better as he is getting older.  He was already planning on playing next year even before he was traded to Tampa.  This year is his “second chance” at winning Lord Stanley.  I think the Oilers would have won the Cup in 2006 if Roloson did not get hurt.  Roloson is going to do everything in his power to give the Lightning a chance to win it all.  At 41 I do not see him playing many more years after this season. 



Déjà Vu Luongo

Roberto Luongo (April 21, 2011 - Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America) 

So it seems like Roberto Luongo is turning into a non-playoff goalie again this year.  He has been pulled from the last two games allowing 10 goals in what is equal to playing a game and all of OT in the regular season.  Considering that having a goals against average of 2 is where the best goalies in the league are around, 10 goals in a game is not even going to get you ice time in the ECHL.  As mentioned in my last post he played well in the first game shutting Chicago out and was decent enough in the next two games to get wins.  You have probably seen the picture below; Vince Vaughn isn’t wrong in laughing at Lou and how ridiculous it is that he’s underperforming again in the playoffs.

Chicago has picked their game up in the last two and has challenged Lou and the Canucks; so far it seems as if he is not up to it.  He is a Vezina Finalist this year and I hope he picks his game up.  It will be tough if has or is losing confidence; when you are slumping as a goalie, even when you are doing everything you can and the results are not what you want, it is tough to be on top of your game.  Hopefully, his past experience will help him turn things around and pull himself together (even if I am routing for the Hawks). Unfortunately we may be seeing the usual Luongo in the playoffs, the guy who cannot get his team to the Finals. 

Playoff Update

Brian Boucher(R) prepares to replace Sergei Bobrovsky(L) earlier this season as he will take over for the Flyers tonight (December 19, 2010 - Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America)

The goalie issue in Philadelphia continues………Due to Sergei Bobrovsky’s poor play in game two of the playoffs (3 goals on 7 shots in 12:30 minutes) he will not start tonight.  And it’s suspected  "Bobs" will watch the game from the stands tonight, I didn’t think his leash was that short, and Michael Leighton will dress as the backup tonight as well.  The Flyers are going to start Brian Boucher.  He deserves to start after salvaging a win out of game 2.  He also has the experience and will hopefully create some stability in net for the Flyers. 

So after watching parts of the first few games of the first round I am impressed with Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne.  These guys, even though they have not been challenged all game each game, they have come up big for their teams.  Also I’m starting to question Roberto Luongo after posting a shutout in the first game of the series.

I’m not impressed with Tim Thomas either….he should be playing at a much higher level, granted he isn’t getting the best help from his teammates.   But as this article suggests his rebound control is not that great right now, I agree, and that has led to a few timely goals for the Canadians….

King Henrik

Henrik Lundqvist (March 21, 2011 - Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Henrik Lundqvist is going to have a lot of pressure to get the Rangers past the Caps in the first round.  He has been a pretty solid goalie so far in his career, he’s had six straight 30 plus win seasons and received Vezina nominations his first three years in the NHL, but he has yet to prove himself in the postseason.  As much as I hate the Rangers, I have a lot of respect for Lundqvist and his abilities as a great goalie, but he has only helped the Rangers make it to the second round of the playoffs twice in four trips to the postseason and has failed to make it any further.  Also, he has only been able to win 3 games in the second round…

King Henrik is a franchise goalie and has the ability to get the Rangers past the Capitals.  I can see this first round series going 7 games as it did in 2009 against the Caps.  Lundqvist can make the series outcome different this year.  Henrik has 2 shutouts and has stopped 85 of 89 shots this season against the Capitals.  If Lundqvist plays his game and receives help from his teammates, as much as it pains me to write this, I can see them beating the Caps in the first round.    It will have to be a long series though.  I give the Rangers the advantage because of Lundqvist and since they won the season series 3-1 and outscored the Caps 18 to 5.   If they beat Washington, I can see the Rangers making a run for the Cup.

Top 10 NHL Goalie Masks of 2011

The following are the top 10 NHL goalie masks of 2011.  The order is based on my opinion and quality of art on the masks as well.

10) Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars

The first mask he wore this year had images of Chuck Norris on it.  It plays along with the cowboy/Dallas theme with Stars logos throughout the mask and the fact that Norris was in "Walker, Texas Ranger."  If features art work by Dave Gunnarsson and this makes the list for the great imagery on the mask.

9) Antero Niittymaki, San Jose Sharks

I like the use of the sharks as “gangsters” as they mix in his nickname “Nitty” that started in his days with Philly.  It’s painted by mask artist David Arrigo. You’ll see his work again on this list.

8) Cory Schneider, Vancouver Canucks

This mask pays tribute to Canucks goalies over the years as this year is the team’s 40^th anniversary.

7) Craig Anderson, Ottawa

Like the two sided mask look. Simple team oriented on one side and personal touch on the other side.

6) Jonathan Bernier, LA Kings

This is a really good looking retro/tribute mask to Rogie Vachon.  Its another solid mask by David Gunnarsson.

5) Sergei Bobrovsky, Philadelphia Flyers

Like the use of Philadelphia/US and Russian imagery between fighter jets and landmarks. Another work by daveart.com

4) Dan Ellis, Tampa Bay

Like the different look for a Tampa Bay Mask.  The sea creature on one side and then skarks and deep sea fish on the other definitely make the mask as great as it is.  Daveart.com

3) Scott Clemmensen, Florida Panthers

I really like the simplicity of the mask and the fact that you can easily make out the design from far away. He has two different versions of the mask, one mostly red and one mostly blue.

2) Curtis McElhinney, Anaheim Ducks

The design of this mask is really great.  Love the creepy alien looking creature with the subtle Duck mask over the top and twisting spiral designs with a skull and wings in the center on the chin of the mask.

1) Henrik Karlsson, Calgary Flames

This is by far the best mask in the NHL this year.  Of course it has to be a David Gunnarsson mask.  It has a great design between the use of the old horse logo, the current logo on top and the really good skull on each side of the mask.  And when light hits the mask a certain way there are little Calgary logos in the dark areas on the mask.

Marty Turco the Gambler

Marty Turco(December 2, 2010 - Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

Marty Turco has a hell of a character and a great personality too.  He could be hanging his head and complaining about his current situation, sitting behind Corey Crawford, but he is not.  He has not played in almost three weeks and has not started a game since mid February.  He is a great teammate and has offered as much veteran support and knowledge as he can.  But when you’re sitting on the bench for as long as he has been sometimes you get bored just opening and closing the door on the bench.  Check this out.  He is now making bets with opposing team’s fans from the bench…and if you happen to sit by him at your local rink the odds are in your favor.  I would like to see more fan-player interaction like this.

Flyers Playoff Goalie?

Michael Leighton (December 29, 2010 - Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America)

What the hell is going on in Philly.  Michael Leighton is on waivers…this article suggest the Flyers might be trying to dump salary or only for “playoff depth,” but I doubt that.  Leighton is really on wavers because the Flyers are questioning their goalie situation at the moment.   I still think Sergei Bobrovsky is going to start in net in the playoffs for the Flyers…if they can turn their recent questionable play around….then again, this guy just let in 4 goals against the crappy Senators tonight.  Brian Boucher has not looked great either as of late.  Now the Flyers are on a 4 game losing streak and have lost 5 of the last 6. 

The Flyers are making the right move by placing Michael Leighton on waivers.  Once Leighton clears, the Flyers have nothing to lose and potentially something to gain if they call him up.  It does not matter that he spent most of the season in the AHL.  He is going to motivate Bobrovsky and Boucher to work their asses off to make sure they are the ones dressing and playing in the playoffs. 

Don’t be surprised if Leighton starts on Friday in Buffalo.  Leighton is coming off back to back shutouts for the Adirondack Phantoms and it probably feeling really confident right now.  I definitely believe Michael Leighton has the ability and the playoff experience to right the Flyers ship and help them move in the right direction; if he is given the opportunity.

Patrick Lalime

Patrick Lalime (November 2, 2010 - Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

I really feel for Patrick Lalime….don’t know how he can be happy at all.  I also don’t know how he could have a positive attitude right now.  He’s been around for 12 seasons and outside of being the starter in Ottawa he’s been a backup.  He’s only played in 7 games this season and lost 5 games…he has not played in a game since the end of January and his last start was at the end of November. 

Lalime has basically been a place-holder since that November game…when Ryan Miller needed a day off; Buffalo felt more comfortable calling up and starting Jhonas Enroth from Portland in the AHL.  And to add to not playing, Lalime has hurt his knee and has been day-to-day for the past month or so.  If I was Lalime, I would be pissed having played 12 seasons in the NHL and then management ends up having more confidence in some 21 year old kid.  I think, even if Lalime did happen to make this horrible play in his last start in November, he dose deserve another chance to start a game…he will dress as the backup for the next few games until Miller is healthy…even with back to back games this weekend Lalime probably won’t see the ice.  I doubt he will be in the NHL next year or possibly playing at all….