Statement Time

Why I'm pumped about the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs...

Can Ovechkin finally just become a monster when it matters most and dominate? He has the best supporting cast he's ever had. Now's when I want to see him go on a tear and put up superhuman numbers with multi-goal games. I want to see Tampa's defenseman cowering in fear of his powerful one-timer and blistering slapshot. Is this the year he matches Malkin with a Conn Smythe trophy?

On the flip side of that series... I remember how awful it felt in 2006 to see Dwyane Roloson in agony after tearing up his leg in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Hurricanes. He was so instrumental in that miracle run with the Oilers. He waited his whole career fighting for a starting role on a Minnesota team where he had to share the net with Manny Fernandez. He finally got his shot that year and ran with it, only to watch his teammates fall in seven games. He was dominant against the Penguins, stealing Game 7 and launching Stevie Y's Lightning into this second round matchup with Ovi and the Caps. America loves when people get second chances, and Roli seems the type to make the most of it. If Ovechkin doesn't take over this series, Roloson will have a lot to do with it.

The Great Hope of the North...

It's been 18 years since a Canadian team has brought Lord Stanley home. If there's ever been a team more prepared and poised to do it, it is this year's Canucks team. For all the hoopla and focus people are putting on the Sedin's and Roberto Luongo, the American Hockey Fan in me has to wonder... Would it still be sweet for the Canadian natives if they win a Cup and an American walks away with the Conn Smythe? In the playoffs, typically the first lines cancel themselves out, and the teams that receive the most from the second and third lines typically win the battle of attrition. Name another second line player in this tournament that matches up with Ryan Kesler. He's dominant defensively, has the size and willingness to excel at the rough stuff, and oh yeah, how many of the teams remaining would his 40-some goals have paced this year? Kesler had his coming out party in the regular season, albeit in the shadow of the Sedin twins. Here's hoping his story continues.

The Red Wings have clutch players (Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, etc) who have continually stepped up their games in big moments. They have a goalie, Jimmy Howard, who isn't highly regarded and hasn't proven himself on the big stage. The Sharks have a glut of talented forwards who have posted numerous monster regular seasons but haven't dominated when it matters most (Thorton, Heatley, Marleau). But they have a goalie who has won a Cup in Antti Niemi. For all the focus on the stars in this series, I'm interested in seeing which of these young goalies makes his mark going forward.

Tim Thomas vs Who Knows?...

Boston's goalie put up some historically impressive numbers this year and his unorthodox yet determined drive to never let in a goal or give up on a play puts him at a level matched by few, if any, goalies left in these playoffs. Philly, based on their actions, doesn't put much value on goalies. It seems their thinking is - "we"ve assembled the best defense group in the league, and if they do their job, we don't need a dominant 'tender." Fair enough, and good luck with that. Boston's back 6 is no slouch. Chara physically compares to Pronger, but you can bet Milan Lucic (what a battle this is gonna be between these 2 players) will take a few hacks at Pronger's injured hand and to his best to neutralize the big nasty fella. Both of these teams can rotate 3 lines without much drop off. Philly not having Jeff Carter will make a difference in these playoffs.

I love playoff hockey. For every series, there are several underlying stories, and many opportunities for players to make their mark. Who will it be this year?