Half Way Home

San Jose finally was able to put away the Wings last night by winning game 7. It can't be overstated what a huge win it is for that team. Their lack of post season success having already giving them a rep for failing when it matters most. Had they lost last night they'd have been crowned the ultimate choke team. Huge win. Just huge.

Jeremy Roenick didn't do himself any favours by calling Marleau gutless the other night - but we all know JR's schtick. He's never met a microphone or camera he doesn't like. The desire to win in the playoffs should be motivation enough but I do think JR's ripping served as additional motivation for Marleau & the rest of the team. Marleau's first goal (and point) of the series was more than timely - it was the game & series winner. FU JR.

I'm glad Marleau had the last laugh. JR's a self-serving mouthpiece & he'd be better off joining Dancing with the Stars than slamming former teammates to feed his texas sized ego. I'm a huge fan of the NHL's "History will be made" series. I don't think this is an official one, "History takes guts" - but it should be.

So we've got Thonton scoring the series winner in round 1, Marleau netting the winner for round 2. Dare I foreshadow? Maybe Heatley scoring the winner for round 3? These sharks have taken their lumps over the years - but it looks like all those painful lessons are paying off. Be afraid Luongo - be very afraid.

I'd be making a huge mistake by not mentioning Pavel Datsyuk's amazing goal last night. It's the last we'll see of him this year but what a memory to leave with. That backhander he unleashed coming down the off wing was quite simply, amazing. There are prolly 5 guys at most in the entire NHL who can make that shot. To quote Eklund of HockeyBuzz, "That wasn't hockey. That was magic." Well said sir.

It's sad to think that Modano's career will end as a healthy scratch in the playoffs. I expect we'll next see him in 4 years making his well deserved Hockey Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Thanks for the memories Mike.

I'll be back before tomorrows game with round 3 predicitons and a more specifics about the pool itself.

Thanks all!
-PD