What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:
- The Wings/Ducks series will begin on Friday. No veteran advantage for either team, should just be some good playoff hockey on display.
- Sticking with the Ducks, Ryan Getzlaf has great respect for Jeremy Roenick. I had one run-in with JR when I was a kid and he was about as nice a guy as you could meet. Genuine person and the game will miss him if he does choose to retire.
- All the Bruins were at practice today, as the team gears up for its second round matchup. I know teams say they don’t ever have a preference as to which team they play, but I’d believe the Bruins if they said that this time. I don’t know if there is an easier matchup when it comes to picking between the Canes/Pens.
- The Selke nominations are out. I really don’t have a problem with any of the three nominees. Each one is deserving and could play on my team any day of the week.
- Will Eric Staal bring it tonight like he did in Game 6? He was absolutely dominant in Game 6; however, I see the key to this game being whether the Canes can get at least one goal from the Brind’Amour line or the Cullen line.
- Tim Sassone says the Hawks can beat the Canucks. I agree, but I also think it could easily be the other way around. I had a chance to watch these teams play against each other a couple times during the regular season and the quality of play was outstanding. This is a pick’em to me, with the slightest edge going to Vancouver because Luongo is that good.
- No David McNab for the Avalanche GM position. He’s certainly qualified, so expect to hear his name floating around for another job soon.
- Todd McLellan didn’t say anything to his team after last night’s loss. Changes will be coming in San Jose.
- The Canucks/Hawks series begins on Thursday. The entire second round should be tremendous.