Ovie gave NYI a terrible goal in game 1. Last night he was okay, but they simply don't have it right now.

OMG!!!! Rask just quit!!!!!! Technically he 'opted out'.

WTF????

Maybe you're referring to Holtby? Yeah, he gave up some creampuffs in game 1. Last night he was better, but certainly not good enough. Ovie could have had a defensive lapse in game 1 (it happens), but I didn't see it.

Joe is watching the game right now. Hopefully Halak can step up. He's certainly got the experience.

Islanders are playing their brand of hockey to a T. Relentless on the forecheck and keeping really tight gaps at the defensive blueline to stifle the Caps entires. Couple that with goal scoring on all 4 lines and no holes on defense and you have a well balanced and hungry team.

No, OV played the pass too casually and gave up an easy goal. Looked like a pre-season effort, not playoff hockey. Lousy pass, but he made in worse.

Seriously, BUT..." "In Tuukka's case, he has a newborn at home, along with two other young girls, and he just felt that he needed to be home with them at this particular time.".. OK family first but day-um it's THE CUP.

Halak pulling that puck off of the post just in front of the line was a real butt pucker.

Ovi has hustled and scored goals.
Rask just bailed. I don't blame him for wanting to be with his family but he should have decided that before the playoffs began. I saw an interview after game 1 or two where he said "it doesn't feel like playoffs without the fans. It feels like an exhibition game". He needed to go home with his head not there.

Caps now down 3-0. Usually adrenaline kicks in for a win and they the team is out 4-1. I'm not sure if they won't get swept. Too many negatives with players out and Holtby playing just average.

Bruins came back from the dead and put a beatdown on the Canes in the 3rd period tonight. Went from down 2-0 to scoring 4 and finishing 4-3 win. The Canes have a huge mental hill to climb.

This is what I think also, barring some sort of home incident/emergency we are unaware , then I think once you start you have to stay until the end.

Pure speculation, but if I were coaching I would have switched goalies on Sunday regardless, so I wonder if he was told to sit and then walked out. He can be a real hot-head. (Most players do not have seven minute anger videos on youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOIcGVW51bM )

If he's back next year then it's just a personal decision and he couldn't take being locked away. If he gets traded, it's a sign there's more to the story.

I think Rask has become possible trade material. If the Bs can find a solid #1 goalie he is history. Brothers in arms need to be able to count on one another. Tuukka just left them high and dry. How can I lay down and block slapshots to help a guy who wanted to go home and play with the kids in the middle of playoffs?

As far as his anger video? He's a goalie and I don't know any goalies who aren't a little 'off'. Some are a bunch (Patrick Roy comes to mind).

I think the best he can hope for if he comes back in to be a backup with the Bruins unless they are desperate.

Side note: a prayer for the family:
https://www.nhl.com/news/dale-hawerchuk-dies-at-age-57/c-318596806

Oh damn, that's an awful way to go. RIP Ducky

Dale H was a great player. Superstar.

He was a great hockey player! Sad to hear of his passing.
I am a grand total of 9 days older than Dale and had seen much of his career while he played for the Jets.

Blackhawks are thrown out of the bubble. Vegas is a sure bet to go deep.
Caps delay what appears to be the inevitable.
Big game for Bruins/Canes. Odds are on the Bruins (too many problems with Canes).

Twitter reported that Rask's child had a medical emergency. If it's true I have no issue with him leaving. Seems odd that we get this info days after the incident. Almost like he decided he needed a good excuse. Or it's true...

If that is true then I commend him for putting priorities in line. We may never know what really happened.

In the meantime, the Canes are knocked out in the first round by the Bruins again. It took 5 games this year. Darn. :p

Congrats, Joe. Yer' on to the next round, and the tension only gets ratcheted up from here :)

Meanwhile when the Caps are eliminated I'll be watching for total enjoyment, not emotional investment. So who's the real winner here? :rolleyes:

;)

After the round robin disasters, the first few games I was totally stressed for wanting the Bruins to play like the Bruins. I had this nagging feeling of impending disaster. In that case I would rather get put out of my misery. Now that the Bruins are playing close to Presidents Trophy hockey, I can enjoy the games a lot more.

So do you think Ovi will be hoisting the clubs soon? What about the Habs?

Washington doesn't have the team effort this year, and without Bäckström they aren't moving on.

Montreal shouldn't even be playing. Zero chance of winning.

Lots of teams with a decent shot. Tampa, Philly, Boston, Avalanche, Blues, Vegas.