The Monday Morning Quarterback: ECF

Showing posts with label ECF. Show all posts

14 May, 2018

NBA ECF: Celtics Dominate Cavs in Game 1

[ PHOTO: THE BOSTON GLOBE ]

May 14, 2018
Mark Murphy, Boston Herald

In past postseasons of the Brad Stevens era, the Celtics have basically melted in LeBron James’ presence. Heading into yesterday they were 1-8, consistently falling to a Cleveland star at the peak of his powers.

But that’s what is funny about this year’s Celtics.

“We have a lot of guys that really just don’t care,” said Marcus Smart. “Our whole life we’ve been fighting. Bigger opponents than us, and playing LeBron and that Cavs team is great — they’ve been here for a reason. We have talent as well — we’re fearless.”

There was a lot of money on the end of that bench in street clothes, including $48.9 million just between Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. But as the Celtics have shown repeatedly this season, no one has spent a lot of time worrying about all of those untapped funds.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY FROM THE BOSTON HERALD

NHL ECF: Capitals Heading Home with Commanding 2-0 Series Lead Over Lightning

The Monday Morning Quarterback 12:21 PM

[ PHOTO: USA TODAY ]

May 14, 2018
Matthew Paras, The Washington Times

TAMPA — The Capitals could have blamed a lousy call from the referees, or even used Nicklas Backstrom’s hand injury as an excuse. On Sunday, there were plenty of moments when it might have been understandable if Washington had allowed the Tampa Bay Lightning back into the series.

But these Capitals didn’t let up. They didn’t relax. And now, with a 6-2 win in Game 2, they return to the District with a commanding 2-0 series lead — halfway to moving on to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sunday’s contest turned late in the second period when Lars Eller scored from the slot to put the Capitals up 3-2.

Seconds later, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was called for tripping forward Andre Burakovsky, and — like Alex Ovechkin’s one-timer in Game 1 — the Capitals took advantage of a penalty with time winding down. This time it was center Evgeny Kuznetsov who fired a shot at the net that deflected off Vasilevskiy and slipped under the goalie and into the net.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Kunitz Scores 2 as Penguins Edge Sens in Game 7

The Monday Morning Quarterback 1:07 AM

[ PHOTO: USA TODAY ]

PITTSBURGH -- Chris Kunitz scored his second goal of the game at 5:09 of the second overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final Thursday night to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins past the Ottawa Senators 3-2 and into the Stanley Cup Final. The Penguins, in the Cup final for the fourth time in 10 years,…

Penguins, Senators Meet In Game 7

The Monday Morning Quarterback 2:36 PM

[ PHOTO: SB NATION ]

It will come down to just one more game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators in their series to reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Tied at 3-3, the two teams are set to face off Thursday night in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at PPG Paints Arena. Game 7 is scheduled to…

Senators, Penguins Think Deep Prior to Game 7

The Monday Morning Quarterback 10:13 PM

[ PHOTO: PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE ]

PITTSBURGH -- Game 7, such as the one the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators are facing Thursday in the Eastern Conference Final, brings out a lot of things. Philosophers. Psychologists. Pragmatists. Or at least desperate hockey players playing armchair versions of those folks. With the game at PPG Paints Arena set to determine which club moves…

Hoffman Goal Helps Sens Force Game 7 vs. Penguins

The Monday Morning Quarterback 12:03 AM

[ PHOTO: OTTAWA CITIZEN ]

OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Senators staved off elimination and set the stage for a dramatic finish in the Eastern Conference Final with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday night. The series is now tied 3-3 with Game 7 -- and a chance to play the Nashville Predators in…

Back to Basics for Senators as Pens Seek Clincher

The Monday Morning Quarterback 12:21 AM

[ PHOTO: USA TODAY ]

OTTAWA -- Down to their last out, the Ottawa Senators plan on retreating to the style that brought them to the Eastern Conference finals. That means the neutral zone should be a crowded piece of ice when the Pittsburgh Penguins look to eliminate the Senators on Tuesday night at Canadian Tire Centre. "We can't be sitting…

Penguins Pulverize Senators to Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Monday Morning Quarterback 7:43 PM

[ PHOTO: PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW ]

PITTSBURGH -- Goaltender Matt Murray picked up his second career postseason shutout as the Pittsburgh Penguins thrashed Ottawa 7-0 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday afternoon at PPG Paints Arena, pushing the Senators to the brink of elimination Pittsburgh leads the series 3-2 and can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup…

Penguins Knot Series with 3-2 Win Over Senators

The Monday Morning Quarterback 11:50 PM

[ PHOTO: PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE ]

OTTAWA -- In desperate need of a win, the Pittsburgh Penguins built a lead and then hung on to defeat the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Friday night at Canadian Tire Centre. The victory evened the Eastern Conference Final at 2-2, with Game 4 set for Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh. Olli Maatta, Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin…

Penguins Tab Murray to Start in Goal

The Monday Morning Quarterback 5:03 PM

[ PHOTO: FOX SPORTS ]

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is making a change in the net, announcing goaltender Matt Murray would start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday night against the Ottawa Senators. The Penguins, who trail in a playoff series for the first time all postseason, will go with Murray over Marc-Andre Fleury, who allowed four…

Ryan, Senators Shock Penguins in Game 1 of East Final

The Monday Morning Quarterback 3:01 AM

[ PHOTO: PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE ]

PITTSBURGH -- Bobby Ryan scored at 4:59 of overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena. Ryan came out of a tangle along the right-wing boards for a short breakaway and roofed a shot past goaltender…