PRESIDENT'S 2 CENTS: Halfway to Stanley! Nearly four years after the Jeff Friesen nightmare, the Sens have exorcised their internal demons and exacted some long-overdue revenge on the on-ice demons with a decisive 4-1 series romp. And for the second straight game they did it on the anniversary of a series closer, this one being the 2003 Eastern semi in which they embarrassed Philly 5-1 to take it in six. Not only that, this Cinco de Mayo affair will go down in history as the last hockey game (thankfully) ever to be played at the cavernous Continental Airlines Arena … Speaking of the old barn, the Sens surely owe the Toronto Raptors a couple of thanks for extending their NBA playoff series vs. the Nets to a sixth game, which took place the night before. Obviously, the bounces all went the Sens’ way tonight on the less-than-perfect surface, caused of course by the hardwood over top. Also makes you wonder how many of the large number of Sens fans in attendance were also Raptor fans. I’m guessing not many, but count yours truly as a fan of both … So as it turns out, Ray Emery had the last laugh after all, but not before dealing with the overblown media coverage of his traffic mishap on Friday, taking a later flight, then being locked out of the arena this afternoon after wanting to get in early. Not only that, but he gave up the first goal to the EGG line, which was cracking early on. However, the goal wasn’t because the Sens couldn’t get the line change they needed after icing the biscuit. Nope, thank CBC for changing over to the VERSUS audio feed because of truck problems. Of course, right after this “change,” Scott Gomez pounces on his own rebound. One-zip Devils. Moments later, literally as VERSUS colour man (and former goaltender) John Vanbiesbrouck says “Ottawa was not able to change,” the feed “changes” right back to Bob Cole and Greg Millen. This happened about four or five times, much to the delight of many Ottawa fans who aren’t huge fans of Cole …
… Martin Brodeur was much more solid tonight, with the possible exception of Tom Preissing’s goal. At least Mike “Slewfoot” Fisher had nothing to do with a Preissing goal this time. After two big saves on Mike tonight—including that slick pokecheck as Slewfoot moved in on a third-period PK chance—it was obvious Marty didn’t want to get beaten by him again. However, if he had to pick someone to beat him, Alfie and Spezza weren’t bad choices. Wow. Who other than the Spezz Dispenser can laser a perfect pass to an offside-cheating Alfie, who finishes threading the same needle through two (!) sets of legs? Spezza’s game-winner was amazing and had eyes too—but was almost expected, one could argue—after seeing the crazy curve he burned onto the end of his blade before the game. Too bad it didn’t work on his backhand chance on that late third-period PP. Oh and by the way, CBC’s audio came right back on before that goal. Reverse the curse …
… This game certainly wasn’t in the bag for Ottawa until the second period, as it looked like the Devils were on their way to stealing Game 5 by stealing a page out of Ottawa’s book–namely by rolling four lines, getting sticks in front of passes, keeping shooters to the side, keeping up a ferocious forecheck and clearing away rebounds. Ottawa had three shots by the five-minute mark of the second … In fact, Patrik Elias had more shots at that point (five). However, Anton Volchenkov made it a priority to keep a close eye on the Devils’ captain, as A-Train blocked the fifth, and then angled a late-game slapper harmlessly into Razor …
On the subject, Oleg Saprykin is still giving it his best shot. One determined rush had him scoot through a boards-and-Paul Martin sandwich, followed up moments later by a neutral-zone takeaway and odd-man setup. Say what you want, but Oleg is giving a lot out there, and Gary Roberts is golfing … Golfing is also something Devils president/CEO/GM/coach/Be-All-End-All Lou Lamoriello will be doing, as he decides what coach to hire (and fire next April). Interestingly enough, he moved Erik Rasmussen to the top line and moved Sergei Brylin to the fourth. Didn’t work, but then again, if one of the NHL’s top checking lines can’t stop the Cash Line, then Rasmussen certainly won’t …
… How about Antoine Vermette’s deke work, which led to the Preissing goal? He tiptoed that line and pulled a nifty double-axel that could have got him into the Champions on Ice show that caused ice problems for Game 1…. If the Sens end up playing the Rangers, why not cross the Hudson and spend a week in NYC? Oh wait, could take at least a day to get out of the Meadowlands. Think traffic after Sens games is bad? … Don Cherry Suit Rating: six out of 10. Pinstripes: ok, but a little too thick, and they also clashed a bit on the shirt. Baby blue tie and hanky were ok, but negative points for the same corsage as last game, and also for the helmet gimmick … Elliotte Friedman actually asked some good questions today. Good work …
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