Participating in Battle of the Blades was an amazing experience.   Read my latest post about the exciting journey...

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Rematch

Many have taken note that this finals marks the first time since the 1984 Stanley Cup that two teams have had a rematch of the previous year's series.  The New York Islanders swept our Edmonton team in '82-'83.  Billy Smith was named playoff MVP that year.  I won't forget Game 1 of our rematch one year later.  The game was memorable because it was so competitive and close.  Kevin McClelland scored our only goal, and we beat the Islanders 1-0.  We went on to win the series 4-1, and many would say that was the start of the Oilers "dynasty."

That Oilers team reminds me of the Penguins team today.  Just as we had Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier down middle, the Pens have Crosby and Malkin.  We were a bunch of 23 year old kids at the time (The "Magnificent 7" they called us.)  Now Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury are all around the same age.  These young players have a chance to win this year, and that opportunity can't be taken for granted.  Could this be the start of the Pittsburgh dynasty?  Time will tell, as will the rest of the series...

 

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Then there was Calgary. To me, the team was similar to the great disaster film of the 70's starring Steve McQueen. In The Towering Inferno, the building was constructed to be a great skyscraper. And just like the film, The Flames brought in some talent to ensure a solid foundation, but it still failed, due to some faulty wires.

You can't place all blame on Calgary's new members. But it is worth highlighting the injuries that Chicago exploited.  When two key defenseman, such as Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr aren't healthy,  it's the young and speedy guys such as Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane who fueled the fire.

Then there is Dustin Byfuglien, an emerging playoff standout, who stood in front of Mikka Kiprusoff and created even more havoc. All in all, the Blackhawks used their wings to fan the Flames, until they crumbled.

 This week we tackle the Ultimate Line. What a tough decision. There are many talented players who show up this time of year. These men have grit and the ability to play as part of the team.

Now I realize that two of my forwards are left wingers, but this is the ultimate list! Why wouldn't I send them over the boards if I needed the big play to be made?

So let's send 'em in...


Niklas Lidstrom - D
You need to shut down the opposing team's superstar? Send this guy out. You need someone to quarterback your power play? Nik's the man. How about some leadership? He's more than lived up to that task after Steve Yzerman retired.

He's also won four Stanley Cup titles, including a Conn Smythe performance to boot. The Wings #5 knows what it takes to win.

Zdeno Chara - D
Imagine the chemistry between one of the league's best passers, and the man with a cannon that doubles as a slap shot. This blue line pairing is a match made by the hockey gods.

The Slovakian uses every inch of his 6'9" frame to his advantage to out-muscle the forwards he faces. Just try going into the corners with him. See if you come out with the puck in your possession.

 

Ryan Getzlaf - C
In his brief NHL career, he has already won a Stanley Cup. That accomplishment is a character builder. Now add his size, strength, and lack of fear to get in there and you have a serious combination.

You want ultimate? The word is defined if Getzlaf were ever out on the ice along with the following two unknowns.

Alexander Ovechkin - LW
His release is virtually unparalleled. His intensity is so high, it goes unmatched by any chart. His power play performance is such a threat, it can't be ignored by the opposition. And that's just during the regular season.

Take everything you have seen from the Great 8, and multiply that by about 10 for this year's playoffs.

Henrik Zetterberg - *RW
This was a tough call to make. It's hard to choose between him and his teammate, Pavel Datsyuk, but 'Hank' comes out tops.

Not only does he have some of the finest hands in the league, but he also has some keen defensive abilities. Whether it's on the power play or the penalty kill he's out there. His calm and cool nature is a great balance for his line mates too.

*I know Zetterberg is a left winger, but he shoots left, so shooting on his off-wing creates another weapon for this talented line. Plus this is my dream team, and I get to choose whomever I want, remember.

Martin Brodeur
Another tough choice. Roberto Luongo is very skilled, but he doesn't have the playoff experience of Marty. That puts the Devils' net minder over the top.

Also, having played against him, I know how tough he is to beat.

Marty's trophy case is quite full, and his name litters the record books now. (Depending on how the rest of these playoffs go, the Conn Smythe trophy may finally be added to his collection.)

Jarome Iginla... The 6th Man
If Brodeur needs to be pulled, Jarome gets the tap on the shoulder.

He's a tremendous player and a great leader. Captains don't always have to say much to motivate the guys in the dressing room, but if something needed to be said, 'Iggy' would know what to say.

So there it is. My ultimate line up. It was no easy task, but neither is the run for the Cup.

This week we saw the two biggest names in hockey nab a hat trick. This is already becoming quite the entertaining series, but it may be a short one if Pittsburgh doesn't capitalize more on the power play.

Continue reading "Playoffs 360: Series Commentary"

I was fortunate to have experienced and lived the full playoff spectrum and the ride is better than any roller coaster in the world and lasts a lot longer!  I am also a huge fan of the sport and naturally this is my favorite time of any hockey season.
 
For my first "Blogdown"...

#10 The Beard
It's nice to see the tradition of "The Beard" make a comeback. It shows the focus and grit of the game. Paul Mara's looking pretty mean and I'm not sure how Chris Mason even gets his mask on!

I hope Mike Commodore has a chance to grow his out so he can raise money for charity as he's always done in the past. 

Looking at some of the St. Louis players as well as Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane of Chicago they look so young that they may want to grow "The Beard", but might not have the ability....yet!

Fans are also following the tradition. People have told me that their bosses aren't too happy but they reply: "It's the Playoffs!" 

#9 The Weather
Playoffs indicate warmer weather!!  It's always been kind of nice to walk around in shorts, go for a blade, drive a convertible and don the shades before stepping into a cold arena.

It's even better to have the Stanley Cup Parade in the warm June weather....The Canyon Of Heroes ticker-tape is one great example of just that!!  I remember the slow motion of the ticker tape in 80 degree weather and then getting the key to NYC at City Hall from then Mayor Guiliani.

The warmer weather used to put a smile on Grant Fuhr's face. He is a scratch golfer and nothing relaxed him more than a round (or two) of golf on game day. Goalies...they sure have their own unique ways of getting into the zone.

#8 Injuries
Sure it seems like a cliche, but you have got to play through pain. If you can skate, you can play. You take a puck to the face, get stitched up, and get back on the ice. Your team needs you out there and you do whatever it takes. 

For example I got hit in the face by Sergio Momesso in the second period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994. There was a possible concussion. When the blood finally stopped, I received several stitches. I stared at two black eyes and faced my fourteenth broken nose, but I still hit the ice for my next shift and finished the game that ended the Rangers 54-year Cup drought.

Hoisting the Cup is worth every ounce of pain.

 

 

 

"The wild roller coaster ride of the playoffs is in the first turn. It's fantastic to see the teams rebound and fight through the adversities.  

Momentum is key.  If it is lost, the best players and coaches know how to get it back.  Before momentum can be retrieved however, its loss must be felt. Having the right personnel on the ice is crucial. They can feel the shift in everything from emotion to demeanor, and in every moment determine who the best players are, using them in the most appropriate situations...."

To read the full 360 head over to HockeyBarn.com!

Glenn Anderson has teamed up with the newly-launched HockeyBarn.com as a featured contributor to their online community. Glenn's column will will give behind-the-scenes insights into all the fantastic goings-on in his personal and professional life.

We hope all of Glenn's fans and friends will support this new community and enjoy the never-before-heard stories of how he became a Hall-of-Famer, family-man, and earned his moniker Captain Fun! 

#9 just posted his first column entry, so visit soon and you won't miss a single moment of the action.

"It is a privilege to be able to write blogs for HockeyBarn.com and this is my first installment. For this issue, I'd like to share with all you hockey fans out there what it was like when I first found out that I was being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame!

First off, no one ever dreams or rehearses the enormous elevation of emotions that had me reliving my life and evaluating each angle of it... "  read more