Puck Podcast – April 28, 2011

In the first period we’ll recap the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs including four winner take all game 7’s with two of those games going to sudden death overtime. In the second period we’ll preview the second round playoff matchups and make our predictions. In the third period give away another great t-shirt from Glassbangers.com and read your e-mails.

MP3 File

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About Doug Stolhand 27106 Articles
Doug Stolhand is one of the co-founders and co-hosts of the Puck Podcast and has been a member of the NHL media since the show's inception in 2006.

1 Comment

  1. The commitment level on this podcast is insane. Coming in on a weekday to get this done? You guys rock.

    I have two hockey-related things to say:

    1) I have to disagree with Doug’s comments on the hypnotizing of players to start a game. Desperate hockey is not always smart hockey. It may work for some teams, but I am venturing to say that it doesn’t work for most. Teams press a little harder when they are down a goal with 5 minutes left. Good thing? …Kind of. The problem is that the teams usually set up in the same way (if not the same then very similar). One guy sits behind the net on one side of the boards, one guy gets to the slot, another forward hits one of the wing-boards and the defensemen are usually pinched in a little farther than normal, also not covering the boards at the blue line like they would in the first period. This causes many defensive breakdowns. If the puck is lifted to center ice from the defending team, it goes over the defensemen’s heads. So what happens? The defense has to turn around to get the puck, while 3 forwards from the opposing team is already facing the play and can go full steam. This does make a difference when considering how important timing is in ice hockey.

    2) I don’t put any blame on Jeff Halpern or Tomas Plekanec for the loss to the Canadiens. Who’s job is it to send out players for the next shift? That’s right, Jacques Martin. It’s common knowledge that in OT (regular season or playoffs), with a defensive zone face-off, you need to get at least two guys out there that can win a face-off. Plekanec just didn’t have the stuff that night to win face-offs. Centers are much like goaltenders; they have great nights and bad nights. If you don’t have what it takes to win a face-off that night, it’s the coach’s job to not put you in a high-pressure situation to win a face-off. Yes, Martin was not expecting Halpern to get tossed, but he should have had a reliable second guy to back him up. When your team carries the puck to the neutral zone, change that second center to the usual person on that forward line. Plekanec should not have even been on the ice in that situation.

    I am also happy to report that I just got to the halfway point of Dr. Seuss’ novel, Horton Hears a Hoo. It’s a good read so far, I’m excited to finish it. I’ll bring it with me to LA when I come visit so you guys can check it out. 😉

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