Semin
There’s nothing more glorious in hockey than playoff overtime.
For Alexander Semin, the extra period was a source of both exhilaration and relief last night.
Semin’s goal with just 1:36 left in overtime lifted Washington to a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the teams. For his efforts, Semin is the TheBruinsBlog.net Star of the Night.
Katie Carrera of the Washington Post put Semin’s goal into perspective after game. She wrote:
Semin’s game-winner was a welcome individual reprieve for the Russian winger, who hadn’t scored in the postseason in seven games – his last playoff goal came April 28, 2009 in Game 7 of Washington’s series against New York. Asked if it was the biggest moment of his postseason career, Semin made no such claim.
Semin’s goal not only got him out of the playoff-scoring doldrums but spared the top-seeded Caps the embarrassment of falling behind 1-0 in a series to eighth-seeded New York one year after Washington went out in seven in a 1-8 series to Montreal.
Honorable mention: Mike Fisher (Nashville) 2 goals, 1 assist; Roberto Luongo (Vancouver) 32-save shutout; Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh) 32-save shutout.
Scores
Washington 2, NY Rangers 1 (OT)
Pittsburgh 3, Tampa Bay 0
Nashville 4, Anaheim 1
Vancouver 2, Chicago 0
I really thought the Rangers looked a step slow, and I am much more worried about this series than I was this time yesterday. Hank cannot be asked to make all of those quality saves – though most of the good shots he saw clearly. The Blue shirts have to go to the front of the net and get some ugly goals. And finally, is there a less knowledgeable fan base than Washington? All they needed was some thunder sticks.
Despite the loss, the Rangers looked very good in the series opener. Hope this series goes the distance!
Terrible give away by Staal – no fault to Lundquist because that was a wicked slapper by Semin- surprised Tortorella didn’t challenge the stick he is using – there is no way it’s legal, huge curve on that bad boy looks like a sickle
Dennis Potvin made a compelling case for Chara to win the Norris on the fan 590. Damien Cox was relieved that he voted for Z after hearing the Hall of Famer’s endorsement. It was pretty funny. He knows he got one right for sure.
That first goal the Caps got was quesionable. I know if it was the B’s we’d be furious. The second one was a breakdown. Looked like guys playing pick-up at center ice cherry picking.
I watched the Canucks game last night…so tired today…but if Luongo can play like he did last night for the rest of the post season, every other team is in big trouble. That being said he and the Canucks have a history of letting in weak goals and then falling apart…Dan Cloutier anyone? A Bruins/Canucks final would be pretty awesome though. But that may be cart before the horse.
Holy crap! Semin did something relevant in the Playoffs!!! A sign of things to come?
matt, the st lucia pop up is more annoying the craig laughlin.