After the first round of the playoffs – and we’re dealing with small sample sets for the teams/players that were eliminated after one round – the most unlikely goal of the 2008-9 playoffs occurred in Game 3 of Anaheim-Detroit, a game that the Ducks edged out 2-1.
Odd juxtaposition, there - NHL Network is airing that game tonight, from 7-9 pm and from 10-12 pm…In case you want to watch this unlikely goal in context. Otherwise, you can find the highlights at:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008030233
As I mentioned last time, the underskilled team on the ice generally needs a quick, isolated strike by a skilled player or two to overcome the bad matchup. Enter Teemu Selanne, one man wrecking crew, at 12:49 of the 1st period.
After Detroit won the offensive zone faceoff, Brett Lebda sloppily tried to force a shot past a point-charging, opportunistic Selanne. After blocking the shot, the Finnish Flash took off down the ice, receiving a perfectly placed pass from Ryan Carter, the only other semi-skilled Duck on the ice. The two line pass (thank you, new rules!) split the hapless Lebda and sent Selanne streaking in with only creaky old Chris Chelios in the way. After the 47 year old’s predictably poor attempt at a hook, Teemu put the puck away against Chris Osgood with the skill of a stone cold finisher.
Anaheim: Teemu Selanne, Ryan Carter, Sheldon Brookbank (possibly the best ever Sheldon to play in the NHL), the immortal Andrew Ebbett, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Hiller.
Detroit: Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson, Valtteri Filppula, Brett Lebda, Chris Chelios, Chris Osgood.
And, final juxtaposition: Don’t miss my new article at www.puckprospectus.com – Speculating on possible wingmen for Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.