Paul: So Scottie, we are moments away from
puck drop of the most glorious championship in professional sports...who do you
have winning Lord Stanley's Cup?
Sent at 8:06 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: I
can't wait. This is going to be a great series. I'm going Chicago
in 6 (not totally confident in this by the way). From what I gather,
neither is Vegas. The book is giving the 'Hawks a slight edge too.
Paul: That's
funny since most media members, including the entire Puck Daddy staff, is
picking the Bruins.
But, I'm right there
with ya. I picked Chicago to win the Cup coming in the playoffs and nothing has
changed my mind since. Hawks in six.
Sent at 8:09 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: I
think I was telling you after the Eastern Conference Finals, that Boston looks
scary good. To be honest, I like Tuuka a bit better than Crawford.
And if Boston's defense can shut down the big guns of Chicago, this is a
totally different series. Speaking of which, who are your players to
watch for Game 1?
Sent at 8:11 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Jonny
Toews on the Hawks. He's had a very quiet postseason so far and was rattled by
Zetterberg and co. against the Wings. I anticipate Marchand and Lucic trying to
get under his skin early. And with that being said, Brad Marchand is my guy on
the Bruins. He is such a multi-dimensional player. If he's on his game he can have a huge impact
on the series like he did in 2011 against Vancouver when he scored 5 goals.
Sent at 8:14 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: (by
the way CBC used Oasis' Live Forever in their intro. I can't wait to watch it)
Sent at 8:18 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Toews
is a great captain and he's been here before, so I think he can turn it around.
I'm actually looking at Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa for the 'Hawks.
I think these guys need to keep pumping shots at Rask. Rask is so
economical and becomes a wall when he doesn't get much work in. For
Boston, I'm looking at two centermen: David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron.
Winning faceoffs and controlling the flow of play is going to be huge in this
series and these guys have been nothing short of great for the B's this
postseason.
Sent at 8:19 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Speaking of centerman, it will be
interesting to see the impact of the loss of Gregory Campbell for the Bruins,
who I think is the best fourth line center in the game.
Jim
Cornelison...amazing.
Scott: Is
there anything better than the anthem at the Madhouse on Madison?
Paul: For
my money, it's the best anthem in sports. Cornelison's voice plus the
atmosphere in the arena. And then the Hawks transition to Muse? Just perfect.
And here. We. Go. Time
some Stanley Cup hockey.
Sent at 8:23 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Oooh
a little shaky there Corey.
Paul: Absolutely
brilliant deflection by Krejci for the first shot on goal of the night.
Sent at 8:24 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Is
there a better story in the playoffs than Handzus? Went from "too
slow" to play on the Sharks to second line center on the Western
Conference Champs.
Sent at 8:26 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Agreed.
Three minutes in and we're banging bodies on both sides.
Paul: Three
minutes into the game and the first big hit is Seabrook on big Shawn Thornton.
Did not see that coming.
Hawks clearly trying
to set the tone early and they're doing a great job of getting their already
amped up crowd into the game.
Sent at 8:28 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: As
per your earlier comment regarding Handzus, the only better story than him is
whatever the hell Jagr's growing on his face.
Paul: Seriously,
what is that? Aside from ridiculous.
And at the five minute
mark we have the best scoring chance as Saad tried to go shortside on
Rask...great save.
Scott: Nice
little shift for the Calder Trophy finalist.
Paul: 20
years old and he's sporting the beard of a grizzled vet. He has my Calder vote
for that alone.
Scott: First
media timeout with 13:25 left in the first.
Hey buddy, you
sportin' a jersey on your end?
Paul: I
am absolutely wearing my Toews jersey. Hoping it brings the captain some luck.
Sent at 8:33 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: This
little pre-game feature of the locker room is pretty cool.
Paul: It's way better than having Jones and
MIlbury pretend they're the coaches and imagining what they would say. Well
done, NBC.
Sent at 8:35 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Great
shift by the Hawks second line as we near the halfway mark of the first.
Scott: Agreed.
Kane keeping it simple. Enter the zone with speed and look for the
shot.
Shots are 5-3 in favor
of Chicago.
Paul: And
there's Torey Krug looking like an experienced defenseman again skating by a few
Hawks and trying to get a shot on net. He's another great story - undrafted out
of MIchigan State.
Scott: He's
unbelievable. He makes me question my life choices. He absolutely
crushed the Rangers in the semis.
Paul: Four
goals in five games...well four goals in his first five career playoffs games.
Just unbelievable.
Sent at 8:39 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: The
Krejci line is the only group getting some opportunities for Boston as we come
back from the second media timeout.
Paul: Hjalmarsson
and Oduya need to be better against that line.
Speaking of, fantastic
save by Rask on Oduya's point shot through traffic.
Scott: Boston
getting a little sloppy in their own zone, turning the puck over which leads to
some chances for the Blackhawks.
Paul: Wow
Wow
Wow
Scott: What
a dandy of a save!
Paul: What
a glove save by Crawford!
Brad Marchand was just
absolutely robbed.
Scott: Best
scoring chance for Boston by far.
Paul: Sloppy
play by the Hawks in their own zone here.
Scott: Almost
another opportunity. Crawford with a toe save.
Paul: Another
brilliant save this time on Seguin.
This should be a
repeat of the clinic that Crawford and Quick put on in the West Final.
Scott: I
hope it will be. Little under eight minutes left in the first.
Chicago has done a
nice little job making sure Boston doesn't build on those glorious chances.
Paul: Chicago
needs to get better on draws though. Toews cannot be losing big offensive zone
draws to Chris Kelly.
And there's our first
goal of the series, big Milian Lucic.
Scott: 13:11
in the first and we have the first goal.
That was all David
Krejci (hmm, I seem to remember someone saying to look out for him).
Paul: What
a passing sequence from 46 to 18 to 17.
Krejci did a fantastic
job taking the big hit from Hammer and moving the puck to Horton.
Scott: 20
goals for that line in the playoffs. Thanks Doc Emrick!
46 does a great job of
winning a footrace and absorbing a big hit to set up that Lucic goal.
Paul: Now
let's see how the Hawks respond to close out the first. If they can't get the
goal back, they need to establish some solid offensive pressure to carry them
into the second period.
Sent at 8:49 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Absolutely.
Still a lot of game left. A lot. We all know how quickly
momentum can change in a hockey game. But they certainly have to get
their home crowd back into this game.
Paul: As
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe notes on Twitter, it might be wise for coach
Q to match Keith and Seabrook against the Bruins’ best unit.
Sent at 8:51 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Shots
are now 10-7 in favor of the B's. They also have the edge in faceoff
wins.
Little bit under five
left in this first period of Game 1.
Paul: Bruins
have more or less owned the second half of the period after a bit of a feeling-out
process to start the game.
Scott: There's
that top line for Boston again.
Turnover in Chicago's
zone leads to another chance for Milan Lucic.
Paul: Sloppy,
sloppy play by Michael Rozsival. I think we can remember more than a few of
those from his Rangers days.
Scott: Let's
not speak of those days.
Paul: At
least it led to Wolski, which led to a 3rd round pick, which led to Clowe. So.
Um. There's that.
Sent at 8:55 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: That
pad save by Rask was the Hawks first shot in the last six minutes. I would
guess that isn't very good.
Scott: Yeah
Joel Q is going to want to see some better play in the neutral zone and on the
boards from his guys. I hear those things lead to scoring chances.
That'll do it for the
first. Your thoughts?
Sent at 8:57 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Great
road period for the Bruins. I'm not sure Julien could ask for any better, save
maybe a little tighter play in their own zone. Coach Q definitely needs to make
some adjustments on the fly, namely matching Keith and Seabrook up against
17-46-18 and reuniting the Kane-Toews-Bickell line that was dynamic in the
final two games against the Kings.
Scott: We'll
certainly see if he makes those changes.
Hey! You know
what? All is right in the world right now...we're watching the Stanley
Cup Final.
Paul: Who
thought that would happen during the cruel five plus months of the lockout? I
know I certainly had my doubts.
Sent at 9:01 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Here we go folks. Start of the
second period.
Paul: Let's
see how the Hawks respond down a goal.
Scott: That's
a good response Hoss!
Paul: Well
that's one way...great save by Rask on Hossa
Hoss has had a monster
playoff season
Scott: WOW!
Paul: And Lucic again
Wow
Scott: Less
than a minute in.
Paul: What
a response by the Bruins after a great first shift from Chicago
Is that the game right
there?
Coach Q needs to
change up his defensive matchups
Hammer out of position
again on that sequence.
Scott: Great
little drop pass by Krejci and Lucic drills it home on the glove side.
Paul: That
was a rocket of a shot
Scott: See,
Chicago cannot let that line intimidate them.
Have to stay in
position and step up to these guys.
Paul: They're
doing what PIttsburgh did and failed at - the Hawks are trying to be overly
physical.
Scott: Exactly.
The B's are going to win the physical aspect of the game any day.
Do we have our first
penalty?
Paul: Looks
like there's no call on a blatant high stick. Pretty indicative of how the
officiating has been in the playoffs.
Scott: It's
been so bad. Rivals the NBA.
Paul: Hawks
powerplay hasn't been great, but that's still a big break for the Bruins.
Scott: Good
analysis, Pierre. The Bruins win the faceoff and reverse it behind the
net and out of the zone. Way too easy.
There ya go Brandon!
Paul: Saad
with his first career playoff goal
What a goal for the
kid!
Scott: Really
nice pass by Marian Hossa.
Paul: Huge
shift and what a brilliant call by Coach Q reuniting the Toews-Hossa-Saad line
And now we have a game
Scott: I
really, really like that line.
We have a game now huh
Paulie?
Paul: Abysmal
giveaway from Keith nearly took that game away from us as Bergeron very nearly
made it 3-1.
Keith needs to be more
aware.
Scott: A
little help from the ref's skate.
Paul: So
four minutes into the second period and the Hawks now only have one less goal
than the Penguins scored in four games against Rask.
Scott: Unbelievable.
Paul: And
Sharp nearly ties it up after the faceoff.
Scott: Did
Pat Sharp just body check Rask?
Paul: What
a quick save by Rask
Sharp may have dropped
his shoulder a bit. Hey, it's playoff hockey, right?
Scott: Dipped
the shoulder there. Nice play from the salty veteran out of Thunder Bay,
Ontario.
Paul: And
now the youngster Shaw getting feisty. Saad's goal may have woken up the Hawks.
Scott: How
huge is that first goal for this Chicago team?
Not being rhetorical.
Genuinely want your opinion.
Paul: They're
certainly controlling the play right now
And wow what a shift
from the Hawks fourth line
Frolik just missed
tying the game
Scott: Nice
defensive play by Hossa to bump that Bruin off the puck.
Paul: Marian
Hossa is without a doubt one of the best two-way players in the game.
Scott: Love
his game. Going to the first commercial break of the second period.
By the way, Seabrook
and Keith on for that last shift against the Krejci line.
Paul: Coach Q having a much better period
right now.
It goes without saying,
but the Hawks have a much better chance of taking the game over if they can
contain the Krejci line.
What a great save by
Rask on Toews.
If the Bruins win the
Cup, Rask has the Conn Smythe locked up.
Scott: And
I think that's something previous teams have missed out on. Part of what
makes Rask so good is that he doesn't have to expend too much energy while
Lucic pounds away and scores goals.
Paul: And
here's our first penalty. Looks like a very, very dumb interference penalty by
Horton.
Scott: Yeah
Hortie. You can't do that.
Paul: That
gets called 10/10 times, even in the playoffs.
Hawks coming of firing
on the power play.
(coming out)
Wow
Scott: Uh
oh!
Paul: 5
on 3
Scott: No
Greg Campbell
Paul: Mental
mistake by the Bruins is going to cost them right here.
You can't be taking a
too many men penalty in the Stanley Cup. Julien has no argument right now.
Scott: Okay.
So we have a pretty long 5 on 3 with 11:40 left in the second.
Just over a minute
left on the two-man advantage.
Paul: Great
puck movement by the Hawks, but little to no shooting lanes. Solid penalty
killing by the Bruins.
Scott: Do
you want to crank it from the point if you're Chicago?
Paul: Keith
needs to drill it low and look for a rebound.
Scott: Oh
Duncan Keith!
Can't keep it in the
zone.
5 on 4 now with 40
seconds left on the powerplay.
Paul: Way too much passing right now.
Scott: Reached
the halfway point of the period now.
Agreed Paul.
Being way too cute, way too fancy. Get pucks to the net.
Paul: Outside
of two shifts by the Krejci line, it's been all Hawks in the second.
Scott: But
you know what? A team can certainly build on killing a 5 on 3 penalty.
Paul: Oh
100% agreed. This could easily shift the momentum towards the Bruins for the
second half of the period.
Bergeron was just
fantastic on that kill taking away the point from Keith and Hossa.
Scott: When
you weather a storm like that, the confidence on the bench must be palpable.
So who does
Claude Julien throw out there right now to try and snatch momentum?
Who's sporting a
dapper suit incidentally.
Looks like it’s the
Bergeron line.
Paul: You
have to reward Bergeron with an even strength shift after that kill.
You have to wonder
if/when Jagr will do something or will Julien finally put Seguin back on that
line?
Scott: Chara
just saved a goal.
Paul: What
a chance by Saad off a great Hawks transition.
Scott: Chara
gets caught pinching a little bit in the 'Hawks zone and recovers.
Paul: Hawks
back to the power play and Chara too. This could be huge.
Look for less passing
and more shots from the Hawks this time around.
Scott: Well
look at the height differential there! Of course Chara is going to hit
him high.
Little bit of a change
on this Blackhawks powerplay. Keith and Seabrook on the points.
Paul: Kane
doing the smart thing and shooting from a bad angle because why not? Have to
put pucks on net.
Suffocating kill right
now not allowing the Hawks to enter the zone.
Scott: The
Boston penalty killers are just clogging everything up right now.
And the Boston
blueliners doing a really nice job of keeping shots to the outside.
Paul: That
was a near perfect kill. The Hawks need to adjust.
Scott: With
less than five minutes to go in the second period, the Blackhawks fail to take
advantage of a third powerplay.
The 'Hawks are a skill
team. But shouldn't they try to work pucks in deep?
Try to get a cycle
going?
Paul: The
Hawks fourth line had a great cycling shift early in the period. They just
aren't having enough zone time to get a cycle going - all their chances are
coming off the rush.
Sent at 9:46 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Is
that a lack of execution or a testament to the Bruins' defensive strategy?
Sent at 9:47 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: I
think a little bit of both, but the cycle game isn't really how the Hawks would
like to play anyway.
Scott: Sorry
- for some reason I think every team is supposed to play like the New York
Rangers.
Two and half to go in
this second frame.
Paul: Hey,
even the New York Rangers won't play like the New York Rangers next season.
Scott: Here's
hoping.
Here we go...Pierre
waxing about hybrid icing.
Paul: Of
all times, that was completely harmless battle between Leddy and Seguin.
Poor timing from
Pierre right there.
Scott: Roszival
was the one who lost his balance.
Because he bumped into
the official.
Paul: And
is also a generally clumsy player.
Bergeron with a rough
block off his knee right there. That's gonna leave a nice bruise.
Scott: Truly
one of the best defensive forwards out there.
Paul: And
one of the best leaders.
Chara may wear the C,
but Bergeron is truly their heart.
Scott: Unlike
How I Met Your Mother, we rather like this Patrice.
Paul: Hahaha
well said. Robin would agree with us.
Sent at 9:54 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Too
many moves for Bryan Bickell on that last scoring chance. And that'll do
it for the second period. Chicago doubling up the B's in the shot
department, but still trailing by one goal.
Sent at 9:55 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: They
definitely have a lot to build on heading into the third. Basically one mistake
turned into the Lucic second goal.
You just have to
wonder if the missed chances on the power play will be the story of the game.
Sent at 9:57 PM on
Wednesday
Paul: Per
the CBC's Andi Petrillo, the Hawks haven't scored on the power play since game
2 against the Kings. They need to do better than that.
Sent at 9:59 PM on
Wednesday
Scott: That
is incredible given the offensive talent up and down that 'Hawks lineup.
Paul: Too much talent, not enough of a
strategy.
Sent at 10:01 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Toews
line versus Krejci line to start the third period.
Paul: Almost
another quick goal from the Bruins too. Hawks need to step on the gas now.
Scott: Too
methodical. Not getting anything done.
Paul: Good
idea from Keith taking a low shot from the point with Sharp and Bolland in
front of the net.
Scott: Seriously.
Throw it on net and hope for a lucky bounce.
Paul: It's
pretty amazing how quiet the United Center is right now. Fans need to get
behind their team and be the sixth man.
Scott: You
know I was thinking that too?
This is the Stanley
Cup Finals people of Chicago! Let's go!
Paul: And
it's just a one goal game!
Scott: Toews
line out again for an offensive draw just three minutes into the third period.
Paul: Hossa
and Saad have had good games, Toews needs to step up.
Scott: Certainly
does. There were rumors of maybe a nagging injury for the Chicago
captain.
Crawford taking a
little tumble there, pressured by the forecheck of Brad Marchand.
Sent at 10:19 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: No
surprise. That's what Marchand does.
Scott: Just
took a look at that replay, maybe a little skate-to-skate action by the Boston pest.
Paul: Easily
could've been a goalie interference call right there.
Scott: Tuuka
Rask doing a really good job of swallowing up the puck and controlling the
rebounds.
Paul: Rask's
rebound control is second to none.
Another excellent save
by Rask on a bad angle shot from Sharp.
Followed by a huge hit
from Shaw on McQuaid
Scott: Well
I was going to say Chicago is showing a little life. Until Frolik trips
up Zdeno Chara in the offensive zone.
Paul: Absolutely
terrible penalty to take. It's fair to say this is the game right now.
Hawks need to kill this off.
Unbelievable. What a
one-timer right there!
Scott: Well
Patrice Bergeron just cranks it home to go up by two.
Paul: And
that's only the 3rd point of the playoffs for Seguin who set up the perfect
shot.
Scott: Really
nice keep by Chara, sends it around the boards. Jagr wins a battle on the
half boards , and Bergeron will eventually finish it off.
Paul:
Amazing adjustment from Julien between the Conference Finals and game 1. The
Bruins power play certainly hadn't looked like that at any point before
tonight.
Scott: Not
at all. Really efficient passing. Winning battles and setting guys
up for the shot. Definitely a difference. The Bruins went to work
quickly on that powerplay.
Paul: And
it's a game again, my friend!
Scott: Wow.
Right at the 12-minute mark.
Paul: The
Rat, Dave Bolland making it interesting
Scott: Really
bad decision by Krug.
Paul: Perhaps
the first mistake Krug has made in the playoffs right there. Terrible decision
making!
Scott: Well
the kid isn't perfect.
Nice work by Shaw to
be johnny-on-the-spot on that errant pass and good drive by Bolland to put it
past the outstretched Rask.
Paul: And
still plenty of time left with 10+ minutes on the clock.
What a save by
Crawford on Lucic's hat trick attempt! And now the crowd is in it!
Scott: The
Blackhawks still controlling the shots by a sizeable margin. 33-20.
Paul: Big
moment right here. Bruins ice the puck after a long shift. Hawks need to win
this offensive zone draw.
Scott: Milan
Lucic is in a zone right now. The power forward from Vancouver is a force.
Paul: He's
definitely making fellow BC native Cam Neely proud.
Scott: Lucic
was born in 1988. So were we. He's playing in this game and I'm
sprawled out on my couch watching him.
Paul: Looks
like another blown call as Thornton trips up Frolik.
3-3!
Scott: Johnny
Oduya!
Paul: Johnny
Oh do ya?
Scott: The
trickler!
Paul: That's
a Chara on Lundqvist goal right there
Barely made it through
Tuukka
Scott: A
beautiful shot by a man with a beautiful beard.
Paul: The
Bruins could only weather the Hawks for so long
Scott: Seriously
that thing is luscious though. I don't know who has a fuller beard,
Johnny Oduya or Knicks coach Mike Woodson.
Paul: Haha
only Brent Burns can compete with those two.
Scott: Brent
Burns looks homeless.
Paul: He
owns a bunch of reptiles and has a Harry Potter tattoo. He's a unique fellow.
Scott: Wow.
Oduya called that all the way. Just caught it on the replay.
With seven minutes to
go, we have ourselves a game.
Paul: This
is going to be a frantic finish, my friend.
Per Damien Cox, the
Hawks have outshot the Bruins 26-9 since the start of the second period.
Pretttttty impressive.
The Bruins winning the
special teams battles is the only reason this game is tied right now.
Scott: Outside
of the Krejci line, where are the other Bruins in the second half of this game?
What happened to that depth everyone speaks of?
Sent at 10:36 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: They
are matched up with a team that has equal depth, unlike the Penguins or
Rangers. The Blackhawks depth has been completely overlooked coming into this
series.
Scott: Nice
save by Crawford after Marchand tries his little heart to break away from
Duncan Keith.
Paul: Keith's
skating is just unreal. McDonagh and Yandle may be the only two defenman with
that kind of jump.
I'd throw Letang and
Karlsson in there, but they're a tad too offensive minded for my liking.
Scott: Solid
plug for Mac, Paul. I like it.
Paul: Future Norris Trophy winner that Ryan McDonagh
Sent at 10:40 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Coach
Q mixing and matching again as he throws out Sharp with Kane and Hanzus on the
second line.
And a massive save by
Crawford!
Scott: Whoa!
Crawford scrambling there.
Paul: Boychuk
has to have one of the heaviest shots in the game.
Scott: Stoppage
at 3:05. Danny Paille goes careening into Crawford and the net for a good
no-call.
Paul: What
a defensive play by Seabrook to take down the Wellend, Ontario native.
No argument from
Paille after the play either.
Scott: Paille's
a gritty fourth liner. He knows how to play the game right and knows when
someone has made a nice play on him.
Paul: Even
looked like he was checking to make sure Crawford was okay. Classy player.
Scott: Things
are a little even in terms of the draws. Chicago still leading in terms
of shots. And we are all tied with 3:05 left in the third.
Great entry by Brandon
Saad, Pittsburgh native. Threw it on net and Rask gives up a rare
rebound.
Paul: Saad
is having a monster game tonight. He certainly doesn't look like a rookie,
that's for sure.
Scott: After
looking at the replay, looks like Hossa was foiled by Krejci's stick and
Chara's skate.
After the Saad
wrister.
Paul: Fantastic
awareness by Krejci, but it didn't look like Hoss would have gotten to the puck
by Chara's gigantic skates anyway.
Scott: These
little stretch passes through the neutral zone seem to be working for Boston.
Chris Kelly nearly had a chance for a shot on goal.
Paul: With
one minute left, Coach Q puts Saad back on the ice. Lots of trust from the
coach in the 20 year old Saad.
Scott: He
looks great. Why not give him a little more ice time? See what the
kid can do.
Interesting look here
in the waning minutes, Toews, Bolland, and Frolik on the ice for Chicago.
Guess what Paul?
Paul: I
thought the same thing: throw your three best defensive forwards out with time
running down. I think Q has been great adapting after the first period.
It's OT hockey, baby!
No better way to start
the Stanley Cup Final!
Sent at 10:52 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Overtime
is like par for the course for this year's playoffs.
Sent at
10:53 PM on Wednesday
Paul: Care
to pick the hero?
Scott: Overall
or who it could be for both sides?
Paul: Just
go with your gut and pick one.
Sent at 10:55 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: I'm
gonna go...
Andrew Shaw.
Paul: And
I say Patrick Sharp.
Sent at 10:56 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: So
we like a bit of the home cookin' here huh? This would have nothing to do
with our earlier predictions would it?
Paul: Oh,
purely a gut call and nothing else. Obviously.
And maybe a bit of a
bias towards handsome hockey players. Hashtag Henrik Lundqvist.
Scott: Patrick
Sharp is a good looking fellow.
Sent at 10:59 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: His
jawline is unfair quite frankly. And might I say this is some stellar
intermission analysis by us.
Scott: Move
over Keith Jones!
Sent at 11:02 PM on
Wednesday
Paul: We'd
certainly look better next to Liam McHugh.
Ya know, no offense to
Mike Milbury or anything.
Scott: I
don't think he should take any. And we'd wear way better suits.
Paul: I
think that goes without saying. I'm mailing our resumes and head shots to NBC
in the morning.
And time for the start
of overtime. Playoff overtime. In the Stanley Cup Final. Is there anything
better in sports?
Scott: I
don't think so. And there's no commercial breaks!
A true test of will.
Paul: That's
what makes Olympic hockey so glorious.
No commercials! No
mercy!
Scott: Well
said, buddy.
Shaw with a chance in
the opening minute of OT!
Paul: Pretty
terrible pinch by Chara and an excellent rush by the Hawks.
Scott: Shaw
drives hard to the net looking to force one home. On the other end, nice
glove save by Crawford on Patrice Bergeron.
Paul: More
line changes by Q putting Bolland out there with Kane and Handzus.
Another big save by
Crawford off the draw. But he got a very clean look on Boychuk's blast.
Scott: No
time for the Bruins to send someone to the net.
Ice starting to open
up a bit. People need to careful here...this is the period of the long
change.
Paul: Patrick
Sharp passing on a good look to try to find Kane. Perhaps a mental mistake at
the end of a long shift.
Scott: Agreed.
Would have liked to see Sharpie pull the trigger there. Just about
three minutes into this extra frame and both sides getting some looks.
Paul: Great
replay there showing Seabrook deflecting Marchand's shot wide.
Scott: Holy
smokes! The 'Hawks really lucky Boston has their fourth liners out there.
Two-on-one with Chris
Kelly muffing up a chance to end this game.
Paul: And
Hossa nearly connecting with Saad. This is end to end action.
Scott: Nice
little give-and-go between Jagr and Marchand. Just over five minutes into
this OT.
Paul: Both teams certainly aren't holding
anything back.
Scott: And
that's why they're the last two teams standing.
Game slowing down a
bit here with a pair of icings by Chicago.
Paul: What
a huge block by Bollig after Kruger was tossed out of the draw and a clean win
by Krejci.
Scott: I
don't know how you can sell out in front of a Boychuk blast. Or any
slapper from a professional hockey player.
Sent at 11:17 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Nearly
halfway home. Both teams looking tired. Really clogging this
neutral zone.
Peverley throws it on
net and Tyler Seguin has a glorious chance on the rebound. Crawford does
a little snow angel, had no idea where the puck was.
Paul: This
is the type of play that is going to lead to one incredibly ugly winning goal.
Sent at 11:20 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: I
don't know about you, but it certainly doesn't feel like only 8 minutes of
action.
Scott: Not
at all. I'm getting exhausted just watching. You have to be in awe
of the stamina of these players.
Paul: Guys
like Keith who played 40 minutes in the double overtime Game 5 clincher. Just
unreal.
Sent at 11:22 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Wow.
And Lucic just turns it on. How does he still have legs?
Boston looking to close this thing out with just under nine left.
Paul: Some
great defense by Hammer and Oduya selling out to block Lucic's attempts too.
Oh no!
Scott: Same
with Boychuk. Absolutely bowls over Hossa.
Paul: Too
many men Chicago!
And the DJ plays good
feeling?
Scott: Really
bad penalty right now. Mental fatigue just may cost the Blackhawks. And the arena DJ.
Paul: God
bless everyone in the United Center right now. Nobody will be breathing during
this kill.
Sent at 11:26 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: And
both sides loading up with their big guns. Courtesy of the a little bit
of ice work.
Krug is playing on
this pp unit.
Paul: He's
certainly fresh after having his ice time limited after the big giveaway.
Scott: Oh
my! Horton has a great chance. Nearly a breakaway for Chicago but
nice backcheck by Krejci.
Paul: Nathan
Horton to the dressing room too!
What a turn of events!
Scott: Probably
caught a vicious slash or something.
Paul: What
a fantastic kill by Chicago.
Scott: Chicago
showing some life after that penalty kill. Coming up on five minutes left
in this overtime period. Score is 3 aside.
Paul: Oh
my goodness what a play by David Bolland to prevent a goal!
This is insanity.
Scott: Krejci
nearly gets in on the backhand.
Paul: And
after that replay, I have zero idea what happened to Horton.
Scott: Nor
I. Did he tweak something?
Kaner freewheeling a
bit and throws it on net with 3:29 left. Rask sees it through a Handzus
screen.
Paul: Again
very smart play by Kane. Handzus nearly got a piece of that shot.
Sent at 11:33 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Tyler
Seguin will get a huge opportunity bumping up to Bergeron's line with Horton
hurt.
Scott: Minute
and a half to go. 83 total shots in this game.
Sent at 11:36 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Wow.
Seidenberg lifting the stick of Toews as he drives to net in the last few
seconds.
Paul: Well
I need a Gatorade. This is exhausting.
Scott: A
second overtime? Don't these guys know I have a day job?
Paul: Looks
like Seidenberg may have gotten away with a penalty as Toews' stick was broken
at the end of that play.
The NHL should
probably email our bosses right about now. We are going to be tired employees
tomorrow.
Sent at 11:39 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Time
for double OT, my friend.
Scott: Here
you go. Tyler Seguin filling in for the injured Horton. I took a
peek again at the replay, Horton might have popped his shoulder or something.
Paul: That
is both fluky and terrifying. Ouch!
Scott: I've
been there man. It is no bueno.
Paul: Huge
loss for the Bruins if he's done for the series.
Scott: Poor
David Krejci. Odd man rush foiled for the Bruins by well, another Bruin.
Paul: Lucic
should get suspended.
He just blindsided
Jagr!
Scott: He
hit the elder statesman pretty high there Paul!
Paul: Definitely
primary contact to the head. Paging, Shanny!
Sent at 11:55 PM
on Wednesday
Paul: Tyler
Seguin stoned on a pseudo breakaway, Kid is going to get some chances now.
Scott: Frolik
with the wraparound attempt. Not enough juice for the Chicago forward.
Paul: Toews
with a wrap attempt too.
Looking for rebounds I
would assume.
Sent at 11:58 PM
on Wednesday
Scott: Coming
up on the five-minute mark. Both teams’ defensemen doing yeomen's work.
Paul: You
can tell Marian Hossa wants this. His compete level is extremely high and what
a drop pass to Saad for a chance.
Scott: Has
Pierre's pronunciation of French last names become thicker? Is that what
happens when he gets tired?
Paul: Now
we know what he was doing during the three day break.
What a shift for the
Kane unit!
Scott: Patrick
Kane on the doorstep. Just earlier Seidenberg had a really nice poke to
prevent an open look for Patrick Sharp.
Paul: The
Kane Sharp Handzus line is feeling it right now. Great work by Nick Leddy on a
few keep-ins too.
Scott: Oooh.
Just offsides for the B's. 12:06 to go in this second overtime
period.
Paul: And
Dennis Seidenberg has hit 40 minutes of ice time. My word.
Scott: That
is unreal. When is something going to give in this game?
Paul: Great
chances on either end again, first Bickell and then Marchand. This game is unreal.
Scott: Really
nice no-look pass by David Bolland to set up that chance for Bickell.
Do these guys realize
this is a seven-game series? They know it ain't football, right?
Paul: Well
thankfully they have two days off before game 2.
Well in theory two
days. If this game ever ends.
Sent at 12:07 AM
on Thursday
Scott: What
a timely ice for the Boston Bruins. Boychuk ices it but there has to be a
pause to clean up the ice. That means we are halfway through a second
overtime period.
Sent at 12:09 AM
on Thursday
Paul: And
I'm roughly halfway to passing out on my keyboard. Let's wrap this up, boys!
Sent at 12:10 AM
on Thursday
Scott: I
think Jagr is a cyborg. He doesn't even look tired.
Paul: He's
only gotten stronger. He's a compete freak of nature.
Scott: As
per Doc Emrick, this is the ninth-longest game in a Stanley Cup Final.
Paul: Let's
hope they're not going for the record!
Scott: Wow!
Paul: Oh
my goodness! Frolik with a chance just over the net.
Scott: They
call him Little Jagr. He definitely had some help from a bouncing puck.
Less than six minutes
left in this second overtime. And this has been an all-out marathon of a
game.
Paul: Crawford
with a few more huge saves with 5 minutes left. What a game! What. A. Game.
Scott: Torey
Krug could have ended it.
Paul: Talk
about redemption if he finished there.
Sent at 12:18 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Stoppage
with less than four to go. I don't know how much more I can take.
Andrew Shaw takes it from behind the goal line to try to push it through
for a goal.
Sent at 12:19 AM
on Thursday
Paul: At
this point, Kane and Seguin look like the only two players with any kind of
jump to their game.
Sent at 12:20 AM
on Thursday
Paul: Two
minutes left in the second overtime.
Sent at 12:22 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Too
many men!
Paul: And
another too many men on Chicago!
Simply unreal.
Scott: A
result of fatigue. Sidenote: Why does NBC Sports' graphic for counting
players look like poker chips?
Timeout called by Joel
Quenneville, I can't believe he still had one in his pocket. Looks
like Andrew Shaw is going to serve the penalty.
No chance for shortie
for Shaw.
Paul: Post!
This is unbelievable!
Scott: Wow.
I thought that went in for sure. But the referee quickly waved that
off.
Sent at 12:26 AM
on Thursday
Paul: That
couldn't have hit the post any more flush. Is that even proper English? Who
knows any more. This is madness.
Sent at 12:27 AM
on Thursday
Scott: I
think Kev and Dave will let it slide if we make a few grammatical mistakes at
this point.
Paul: Haha
God I hope so
This is a struggle and
a half
Sent at 12:33 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Dead
even for both teams in the faceoff circle. Total shots - 104.
Sent at 12:35 AM
on Thursday
Sent at 12:35 AM on
Thursday
Paul: This
may never end. I'm scared.
Scott: I
need to go to bed Paul. I'm just a man. A fragile one at best.
Paul: Hahah
I want my bed so badly.
Sent at 12:38 AM
on Thursday
Paul: Triple
OT. Hold me.
Scott: Here
we go. Fresh ice (kinda). Not so fresh players. Boston still
has the extra man for another minute.
Sent at 12:42 AM
on Thursday
Paul: And
another big kill for the Hawks. Kudos to the fans for getting loud(ish) again
at a quarter to midnight.
Scott: We
all know I'd have no voice.
Paul: Wow!
Another blatant trip not called. It's 3OT, but c'mon.
Sent at 12:44 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Krejci
is another one who is still skating silky smooth. Has had a couple of
good opportunities to set up his mates.
Paul: Looks
like Krejci ate a few bananas during the intermission. He's got some jump right
now.
Sent at 12:46 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Approaching the five-minute mark.
I am losing steam immensely.
Paul: Wow
what a glorious move by Krejci and a great save. This will never end. I'm going
to cry soon.
Q is going all in
throwing out a Kane Sharp Toews unit.
Scott: You
know we keep talking about the how tired the skaters must be. I don't
know how either goaltender is standing right now.
Paul: Goalies
are a truly unique breed of people.
Sent at 12:49 AM
on Thursday
Scott: Defensemen
are struggling to get off the ice. We're in the period of the long change
again.
And we are currently
in the sixth longest game in a Stanley Cup Final.
Sent at 12:51 AM
on Thursday
Paul: Toews
finally starting to get some chances in triple overtime. About time.
Sent at 12:53 AM
on Thursday
Paul: OMG
Scott: Holy
cow!
Paul: Wide
open net. How the hell did that not go in?
Scott: How
does that not go home for Daugavins?
Paul: Is
this real life?
Wow. Johnny Oduya.
What a defensive play.
Sent at 12:56 AM
on Thursday
Scott: I'm
in pain. So much pain.
Paul: Marian
Hossa just now, "AHHHH!" I feel ya, Marian.
Scott: I
don't see how this game is going to end. These guys are gassed.
Paul: It's
never going to end 
Scott: Rask drops that puck and had no idea
where it went.
Just under eight
minutes left in the THIRD overtime.
Paul: shaw????
Scott: Deflection
Paul: Well
played, brother!
Wow!
Tuukka may or may not
kill someone.
Scott: Look
I just call 'em. I don't say when they'll score it.
A complete ping-pong
play.
Paul: Michael
Rozsival getting it on net
Looks like Bolland
maybe got it.
Scott: No
no no.
The last thing I'd
want to do is talk to Pierre.
Paul: "How
are you doing?" "I'm alright, Pierre. Pretty much ready for
bed."
Wow. Off Bolland, Off
Shaw.
Scott: That's
crazy. Was this the fifth longest game? I have no idea anymore.
I would normally say let's have some closing thoughts. But I can't
think anymore. I just think the hockey gods wanted our inaugural
commentary to be historic.
Sent at 1:04 AM
on Thursday
Paul: My
closing thoughts are: what an amazing way to start the Stanley Cup and christen
Four Guys.
And now it is time for
us to sleep like babies.
me: Amen.
Good night brother!
Paul: Sweet
dreams, sir!
Sent at 1:05 AM
on Thursday
Well done sirs :)
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