I've said it many times before: there's a reason we actually play the games! Wherever my travels have taken me this off season, I've been glued to each game during the Stanley Cup Final, which have not only been entertaining, but there's intensity to this series that is unbelievable!
I was recently in New York at the NHL offices for an appearance for the NHL Diversity Program, and the playoffs buzz was definitely in the air!
There is no better case in point than this year's Stanley Cup Final. Many people were handing the Wings the Cup before actually hitting the ice. Kudos to the Pens for believing in themselves and playing head to head against the defending Champs.
Depth and role players are always key to any team, but mean SO much in the playoffs: Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Maxime Talbot, Tyler Kennedy have all played HUGE roles on their respective teams.
The Detroit Red Wings definitely have ice water in their veins! Two games, two up for the defending Stanley Cup Champs. Last night especially—the young Blackhawks were flying and carried the play. But the end result was a familiar big W for the Big Red Machine.
What a series it is in the East already! An exciting Game 1 had the Penguins playing at what seemed like warp speed, and making great, creative offensive plays.
You have to tip your hat to the Hurricanes. Talk about resilient! You know there's a good chance the Canes will fight the full four rounds and win!
They almost came back (again). Credit Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury for the big saves down the stretch to preserve the victory.
I'm on my way to do some TV filming for a local Toronto Sports Show, "The Grill Room." Then I'm off to do some traveling next week. But no worries, I will be reporting live and direct from my laptop wherever I am!
Talk to you guys soon!
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Kevin Weekes will be blogging right here for the entire 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He'll also be periodically answering your questions, so submit them in the comments section below. Also check out Kevin's Official Site.
Whether you're a casual or diehard hockey fan, you have to love these 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs! The renaissance of the Chicago Blackhawks is alive and well. What a story! I had an interview with a Chicago radio station and the Chicago fans are loving what the Blackhawks are doing out there.
The Ducks killing ‘em in So-Cal and taking the Detroit Red Wings to Game 7.
I’m awaiting the Canes taking the Big Bad Bruins to Game 7 tonight!
Could you have asked for a better marquee series than Pens & Caps? Everyone around the NHL was smiling about this pair. Nothing like a Game 7...these two teams were matched up so well – almost like Italy & Brazil in soccer!
Really enjoying breaking down these games on the NHL Network's NHL on The Fly. It does allow me to feel like I’m still involved with the Playoffs.
Fasten your seat belts folks, we’re almost at the home stretch!
Each second round series has been a treat to watch! The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals games are played at such a high level of skill and talent. My goodness!
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins have been the most underrated series for sure. These two teams are well-coached and, despite the gap in regular season finishes (as far as the standings), this has been entertaining and definitely might go to seven games.
Out West, the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks series has been fun, too. Both teams are making plays with their skill level and playing a gritty style. Justin Byfuglien is a BEAST! He's doing a great job for the Hawks and Ryan Kesler is skating Mach 1—he's flying on the ice!
What else can you say about the Anaheim Ducks? Talk about a skilled and tough team. They have THE best defensive core in all of hockey and it shows. Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller has been nothing short of brilliant in the net for them, and their forwards have been awesome. They're giving the Detroit Red Wings all they can handle.
On my end of things, I’ve just returned to Toronto and I am trying my hand at some broadcasting on the NHL Network. It’s definitely interesting analyzing the games from the other side.
Watch Kevin Weekes on the NHL Network. Check your local listings for On the Fly.
WOW! What a turn of events: With 1:20 remaining, I felt on top of the world, anticipating celebrating in the dressing room with the fellas. Thirty seconds later we suffered what felt like our own apocalypse!
This is why you play the game for 60 minutes and in the playoffs and often longer. This is what transcends seedings, home ice, expectations. It's why we actually go out there and play the games.
Never in 28 years of playing hockey at its most elite levels have I ever experienced something like that. I guess it's the game's way of keeping you humble and hungry to succeed.
We had an outstanding season with team and individual record. It doesn't seem like a fitting end to our season.
I tip my cap to the Hurricanes, they beat us fair and square. Best of luck to them and the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals and the Anaheim Ducks.
Kevin Weekes will be blogging right here for the entire 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He'll also be periodically answering your questions, so submit them in the comments section below. Also check out Kevin's Official Site.
I don't know about you guys, but the Stanley Cup Playoff games have been crazy so far! Our last two games against the Carolina Hurricanes, especially Sunday night, have been well-played and evenly matched.
I know from experience, the RBC Center is one of the toughest venues to play in, with one of the best atmospheres and some of the most enthusiastic fans during the playoffs. It is definitely tough for opposing teams and our guys did an outstanding job by winning there in O.T!
Remember when I said that Playoff seedings, like a person's age at times, are nothing but numbers? The Rangers have put the Washington Caps on their heels and the Anaheim Ducks have done the same to Sharks.
In response to the blog post by MJ, yes, I definitely think there is extra pressure on goalies during the Playoffs, and especially with the addition of the shootouts. Victory in a shootout is always sweet when you win, but hard to take when you lose!
I'm hard at work rehabbing my knee and definitely hope to be back sometime soon. Thanks for stopping by!
Kevin Weekes will be blogging right here for the entire 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He'll also be periodically answering your questions, so submit them in the comments section below. Also check out Kevin's Official Site.
I suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago against Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of pro sports—that's the cold reality! I do everything I can to remain fit and healthy year-round and I'm approaching the rehab process the exact same way. I'm rehabbing with one of the most respected sports medicine doctors in the world and I'm spending an average of six hours a day doing cutting-edge treatments to accelerate my recovery rate by 70%, in hopes of returning to our team as soon as possible.
The regular season is such a grind, yet it goes by so quickly—especially when you're on a winning team. On that note, we set a franchise record by winning 51 games this season. Pretty remarkable considering the success our organization has had over the past 15 years.
It was truly a marathon that seemed like a long sprint because about 90% of our 30 teams in the league were involved in the Stanley Cup Playoffs race until the last few weeks of the season, making every one of the 82 games crucial. As an NHL veteran and fan, I followed the race in both conferences right down to the wire. Weren't they exciting? Congrats to Columbus and St. Louis! Nobody gave you guys a chance and you proved why teamwork and actually playing the games on the ice, and not on paper are SO important. Kudos to Nashville and Florida for almost getting in and overcoming adversity as well.
In both conferences, every match up, seeds 1-8 will be hard fought and fun to watch. There are NO “gimmes” or “automatics,” take it from me. You can't win the Stanley Cup using smoke and mirrors.
Kevin Weekes will be blogging right here for the entire 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He'll also be periodically answering your questions, so submit them in the comments section below. Also check out Kevin's Official Site.
Ever since the NHL eliminated tie games and instituted the shootout, fans have debated the merits of winning a team game with individual efforts. Some think it's exciting, others insist "Sweet Georgia Brown" play every time a shootout is needed. Regardless of which side of the fence you fall on, you have to admit that the shootout has at least given the league its fair share of awesome YouTube moments.
In honor of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs kicking off this week, here are some of our favorite shootout goals of the year.
New Jersey Devils' sniper Zach Parise shows the quickest way to separate a goalie from his jockstrap.
Teemu Selanne (gesundheit) notches one for the Anaheim Ducks because, apparently, Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco decided to take a nap.
If you want to argue that the shootout isn't a circus act, then Toronto Maple Leafs' forward Jason Blake isn't helping.
Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk is so deadly in shootouts he's inspired his own adjective. ("What a Datsyukian deke that was!") He proves that patience is a virtue.
Dallas Stars' Mike Ribeiro is the definition of "slick." Note how he "hushes" the L.A. crowd after notching this bad boy.
And finally - we're cheating a little on this one. Although not an NHL shootout goal, Swedish forward (and Edmonton Oilers draft pick) Linus Omark's tally in an exhibition game against Switzerland is one for the ages.
Each second round series has been a treat to watch! The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals games are played at such a high level of skill and talent. My goodness!
