NHL Playoff Observations: Sid, Stralman and a Call to Canada

Written by

Published on May 16, 2016

Just a few things that caught my eye:

Be careful what you ask for. Anton Stralman's return was marked by not one, not two, but three flat-footed mistakes. They corresponded with not one, not two, but THREE Pittsburgh goals. The Pens were flying, but c'mon already.
Evgeni Malkin hasn't scored since Game 1 of the Washington series. Sidney Crosby finally scored Monday, almost a month after his last goal in Game 3 of the opening round against the Rangers. All while Phil Kessel continues to deliver in a Conn Smythe fashion. Ten points in his last nine games; 14 (six goals, eight helpers) in 13 this postseason. And to think Toronto is still paying part of his salary ...

Brian Elliott has been disrepected so many times, but all he does is go out there and brick up the tent. Over and over and ... yep, that Game 1 win was all Elliott, all the time. And the series will be the same.
Speaking of the Blues -- they've officially invited all of Canada to jump on the bandwagon. They used the Tragically Hip, references to a passion for beer and the reality that 18 of their players are Canadian, the most of the teams left. #WeAllBleedBlue is catching on up here. Go figure.
Jonathan Drouin sure has come a long way. He has stepped up and is not only pulling his weight on the ice, but also being a leader off. Guys on the team clearly like him. And listen. See? Pigs can fly.
Steven Stamkos is skating and practicing. He's not playing. Get it out of your head. Hits = bruises = BLEED TO DEATH. That's the power of blood thinners. Besides, do the Bolts really need him?
Ben Bishop was back on the ice after "the incident." Now you know why it seems so familiar.
Andrei Vasilevskiy looks like a big Bambi in the net and he's still a bit over-exaggerated in his movement patterns. But damn, can he stop the puck.
Hey, David Backes -- don't you know you don't tug on Superman's beard or spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ol' lone ranger and you don't mess around with Joe. OK. Liberties were taken there, but you get the point. Yanking Joe Thornton's beard is only going to put you into a world of hurt.