With the Lightning taking a 2-1 series lead against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference all tied up at 1-1, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are as exciting as usual.
Since last week’s edition of NHL Playoff Quotables, both Montreal and Washington were eliminated from the dance. Much has changed and as always, players, coaches and general managers have let their feelings be known- sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
“You’re not going to win if I give up six goals” – Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Henrik Lundqvist was playing nearly lights-out hockey until the conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In three games Lundqvist has now let in 12 goals in three games, including six in Game 2 and five in Game 3. This is from a guy who owns the league record for best GAA in Game 7s (0.97).
But Monday night in New York and Wednesday night in Tampa weren’t shining moments for the King. “As a team, we can be a little bit better but also I have to be better.”Lundqvist told reporters after Wednesday’s contest. “Obviously, you’re not going to win if I give up 6 goals.”
Still, the Rangers’ cage-tender’s playoff save percentage still stands at a sixth-best .926.
The Rangers take on Tampa Bay Friday night in Tampa for Game 4.
“There is more than one net in a rink” – Jon Cooper, Head Coach, Tampa Bay Lightning
Like all NHL players, young Jonathan Drouin really wants to play for his team in the playoffs. But like many young players, Drouin’s defensive game apparently needs a bit of work.
On Sunday Lightning coach Jon Cooper explained to reporters why Drouin hasn’t suited up much in the playoffs. He’s played in just four games, and recorded a minus-four rating in that time.
“There is more than one net in a rink. There’s two,” Cooper told reporters following Tampa Bay’s Game 1 loss to New York. “You have to be able to play in front of both.”
Drouin recorded 32 points in 70 regular season games on often minimal ice-time. He’ll hope to figure into Game 4 between the two teams on Friday night.
“He’ll be ready to play here – or somewhere else. And he’ll stop a lot of pucks” – Pierre Dorion, Director of Player Personnel, Ottawa Senators
It’s going to be a crowded crease in Ottawa next Fall if goaltender Robin Lehner is in town, especially after backup Andrew “The Hamburglar” Hammond made a name for himself in Ottawa’s run to the playoffs. On Wednesday, the Senators signed Hammond to a three-year, $4.05 million contract extension.
Aside from both Legner and Hammond, who are both capable of starting in the NHL, the Sens also have Craig Anderson, who was supposed to be the real number one goalie all along. Throw in recently signed NCAA star Matt O’Connor, and Ottawa’s net is one busy place.
The Senators’ director of player personnel, Pierre Dorion, spoke about the goaltending situation with TSN’s Ian Mendes on Wednesday.
Dorion says Robin Lehner is recovering from concussion. "He’ll be ready to play here – or somewhere else. And he’ll stop a lot of pucks.”
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) May 20, 2015
Pierre Dorion says there is no timeline on trading a goalie. Left open the possibility of coming into camp with 3 goalies.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) May 20, 2015
The 23-year-old Lehner posted a record of 9-12-3 in 25 regular-season games.
It’s rather bizarre to think how good Ottawa’s goalie scouts must be. After all, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s shining star in net right now is Ben Bishop, a former Senator. Ottawa picked up Bishop in a trade from St. Louis in February 2012 after the Blues had seemingly given up on him.
“Thank god I came to Columbus” – Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets
Nick Foligno is the new captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he’s happy he made the decision to sign with the team in 2012.
#CBJ Nick Foligno: "Thank god I came to Columbus."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 20, 2015
The Columbus Blue Jackets named Foligno the sixth captain in franchise history at a news conference Wednesday.
Foligno registered career highs in goals (31) and points (73) in 2014-15. He’ll serve as the team’s first captain since Rick Nash was traded to the New York Rangers in 2012.
“It is truly heartwarming to feel loved by so many people” – Eugene Melnyk, owner, Ottawa Senators
Senators owner Eugene Melnyk announced that he needed an emergency liver transplant as a result of severe health complications. He received over 2,000 messages in response as a dozen candidates were selected for donor screening.
On Monday Melnyk released a statement thanking the public for their speedy assistance and outpouring of support.
“The past few months have presented me with the greatest challenge of my life and up until most recently, it has been very personal and private,” wrote Melnyk. He went on to explain that all other avenues of finding a potential donor had been exhausted before he chose to go public in the request.
“Since the announcement of my situation became public last week, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public and the media. It is truly heartwarming to feel loved by so many people,” wrote Melnyk. “Words cannot even begin to express how thankful my family and I are for your expressions of support, your prayers, and your unconditional desire to help me in the biggest battle of my life.”
“He was our target all along” – Ron Hextall, General Manager, Philadelphia Flyers
It was relatively big news this past week when the Philadelphia Flyers announced the hiring of their new coach, Dave Hakstol. The 46-year-old went 289-143-43 with the University of North Dakota with a .654 winning percentage over 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span. In 2014-15, he led North Dakota to a 29-10-3 record with a .726 winning percentage and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.
“I wasn’t going to choose the coach that was the people’s choice, the popular choice,” Hextall said Monday, according to the Canadian Press. “I was going to pick the coach that I felt like for this franchise from today, next year, moving forward was the right coach. Dave was the right coach for this franchise.”
"He was our target all along." -GM Ron Hextall pic.twitter.com/wSnu8HSBT9
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) May 18, 2015
“I hope in this case we have another Mike Babcock,” Flyers chairman Ed Snider said.
“One season I’m a Norris Trophy runner-up and the next season I’m too old” – Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Zdeno Chara still has a bit of fuel left in the tank but he feels the media isn’t treating him as such. After a disappointing 2014-15 season in which Chara missed 19 games due to injury, and recorded just 20 points, Chara went on the offensive with the Boston Globe’s Amalie Benjamin.
“I don’t understand why all of a sudden my age is an issue just because I got hurt and I missed a lot of games, a big chunk of the season,” said Chara, 38. “I don’t like it. I don’t like when people start to judge you based on age or the amount of games you played.
This season was Chara’s shortest (63 games) in a non-lockout-shortened season since 1998-99 with the Islanders.
The Bruins captain is under contract for three more seasons, with the final one coming at a reduced cap hit of $4 million. Currently Chara is dealing with the fibula fracture revealed a week after the season ended.
He feels he went from a NHL great to a has-been in one moment. “That’s what struck me — what’s different?” he said. “One season I’m a Norris Trophy runner-up and the next season I’m too old. One year, all of a sudden you’re too old. It wasn’t fair.”
Have you tried the Shnarped Hockey App? Connect with players and fans. Share your passion for hockey. Discover the best news, stats, photos, and videos.
