Pucks & Ponies (May 7 Recap)

         It was quite the super sports Saturday yesterday! Not only were there 3 NHL second round playoff games played, the Kentucky Derby also occurred. Here’s a quick recap of what happened yesterday.

“Nyquist” Wins Kentucky Derby

         The winner of the Kentucky Derby was a horse named Nyquist, a name many hockey fans would recognize. The horse was named after Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist, who, like his equestrian counterpart, possesses dazzling speed. Not only was Nyquist the favorite to win the big race, he also had the privilege to drink out of the Stanley Cup, hockey’s holy grail. I’m starting to think that maybe the Stanley Cup has some kind of magic power in it.

Boudreau Hired by Minnesota Wild

         Last week, Bruce Boudreau was the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. Now, he finds himself in Minnesota coaching the Wild. It’s amazing how much can change in less than a week! It makes a lot of sense why he chose to go to Minnesota. He played 30 games for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the 1975-76 season, so he has some familiarity with the State of Hockey. I see Minnesota having much success in the near future with him behind the bench. If I were a Minnesota fan, I’d be very happy right now.

Capitals Stave Off Elimination

         In an important game 5, the Washington Capitals showed their true (red) colors. Pushed to the brink by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Capitals did all the right things to avoid an upset in front of their fans. Holtby stood tall, stopping all but one of the 31 shots thrown at him. Their power play also came through, scoring 2 goals including what turned out to be the game winner. The Penguins, on the other hand, appeared frustrated by the way they played. Their desperation just wasn’t there. The Capitals did have desperation, and it earned them the win and now gives them a chance to come back in the series.

Dallas Sings the Blues

         The St. Louis Blues beat the Dallas Stars in a tight game yesterday to take a 3-2 series lead back to Scottrade Center. The Blues once again have a chance to win a series at home against a very good team. The Stars, however, aren’t done yet. Though outmatched defensively, Dallas has an offence that’s just as good as St. Louis. If given enough opportunities, their sharpshooters will eventually punch through even the toughest defenses.

The Sharks Bite Back

         Yesterday, the Sharks beat the Predators in convincing fashion at SAP Center. The Sharks cruised to a 5-1 win over the formidable Predators, who were coming off of a triple overtime victory. The Sharks, however, smelled blood and Predators became prey. Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, and Patrick Marleau all scored, proving how dangerous they can really be. The Predators can certainly win the next game, but the Sharks have the momentum going back to Nashville.