A dramatic finish in the Music City highlighted an entertaining night of postseason hockey.
After such an unpredictable finish to the regular season, it was only fitting that the first night of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs came chock-full of surprises.
Who could have foreseen an all-world defensemen getting ejected for a slashing penalty? Who thought an SPHL alumnus who was recently a No. 3 goaltender would steal a victory with a 42-save performance?
Who thought a seemingly mild-mannered coach would threaten his opponent in front of cameras and audio recorders? Or that a team with a Vezina Trophy candidate would blow a 3-0 lead on home ice?
Indeed, Wednesday's slate of games was filled with excitement, and set the tone for what should be a fantastic postseason.
Scores
Montreal Canadiens 4, Ottawa Senators 3
New York Islanders 4, Washington Capitals 1
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Nashville Predators 3 (2OT)
Calgary Flames 2, Vancouver Canucks 1
3 things we learned
1. Andrew Hammond seems to be regressing
Andrew Hammond's improbable success has made for one of hockey's best stories in years. Here's a guy who struggled in the AHL and somehow turned into a star with the Senators. Ottawa wouldn't have come close to the playoffs without the 27-year-old, but regression was inevitable. And it may be coming at a rather inopportune time for him and the Sens.
Hammond gave up four goals on 39 shots in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals. The only time he faced more shots since being recalled earlier in the year was on Feb. 18 -- also against Montreal. He's now surrendered three or more goals in three of his last six starts. That's nothing to be ashamed of, but at the same time, it's not the remarkable work that propelled Ottawa into a postseason spot.
2. Dave Cameron shouldn't have issued a post-game threat
P.K. Subban was ejected for slashing Mark Stone in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals, which, predictably, created quite a stir. Some people think the ejection was warranted. Some don't. Ottawa's head coach Dave Cameron falls in the former category and thinks the punishment should be even more severe.
In his post-game interview, the Ottawa bench boss said Montreal's star D-man should be suspended -- or else.
Dave Cameron: "I think it's an easy solution: You either suspend him or one of their best players gets slashed and just give us five."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 16, 2015
This was not a smart thing to say. If the Sens do retaliate, everyone will see it coming. And officials certainly won't be lenient to Ottawa moving forward. Cameron would have been far better off giving a non-answer than issuing a threat.
3. There may be a goalie controversy in Chicago
Stanley Cup champion Corey Crawford was pulled after an abysmal first period in Nashville in which he gave up three goals on 12 shots. Backup Scott Darling filled in admirably, however, stopping all 42 pucks that came his way. The former Predators farmhand may have played his way into a starting role. It's unlikely that Darling will get the nod for Game 2, but if Crawford continues to struggle, a switch may be Joel Quenneville's only option.
Impact moment
Duncan Keith scored the game-winner for Chicago in double overtime.
GIF: Duncan Keith wins it with a seeing eye one timer in double OT http://ift.tt/1PRKWhK
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) April 16, 2015
Stat of the night
Via Elias: @NHLBlackhawks overcame 3-goal deficit to win in the playoffs for 1st time since April 8, 1991. #NSHvsCHI http://ift.tt/1PRKUXd
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 16, 2015
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1azJKih
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