April 29, 2009

The Paul Maurice Effect





With less than two minutes left to play in the third period, up 3-2 in game seven, the New Jersey Devils, on home ice no less, are the last team I'd ever imagine capable of such a collapse.

Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

I must admit, going into the playoffs I gave the Carolina Hurricanes zero respect. As good as they were in the regular season, and as hot as they were down the stretch, I didn't think they had a prayer. Not against a well-rested Martin Brodeur, and the Devils, who never seem to go out in the first round.

I was wrong. You should be used to it by now. I am. 

Props out to the 'Canes. That was fun to watch. And how about Eric Staal, who potted five in the series, including the huge winner. He's a lock for the Olympics next year, no?

An incredible comeback, yes, but I can't say I'm really happy for Paul Maurice. Yeah, I'm more bitter. After his spectacularly failtastic tenure as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it doesn't bring me much joy to see his team defeat the Devils, and head off to the Stanley Cup quarterfinals. I guess he's an exceptionally horrendous coach only in Toronto.

Here's hoping the Boston Bruins run roughshod over Carolina much like they did over Montreal. Because, you know, that 4-0 sweep over the team formerly known as Les Glorieux was, umm, slightly enjoyable.

6 comments:

general borschevsky said...

The look on Marty's face was worth a million bucks.

Paul Maurice's players never, ever stop believing. Mostly that's a good thing.

Unless you have 5 players with NTCs and Raycrap in goal. Then it's kind of a disaster.

Q-girl said...

Yes, let's hope the Bruins stomp them into the ground.

Johnny G said...

I actually had a hunch Carolina could pull it off as I picked them at the start of the playoffs for an upset.

I even picked Stall in one of my playoff pools on a whim. YAY FOR ME!

Overall 6-2 in the first round predictions... I thought the Flyers would upset the Pens and I really didn't see the Ducks coming.

Jennifer Hammer said...

don't hate. well, you can hate Maurice, but don't hate my behbehs.

Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...

General: I forgot about Maurice's masterful ability to motivate his troops.

Q-Girl: Go Bruins. Lucic Lust, in full effect.

Johnny: I think Maurice is the reason I gave the Canes no respect. But Staal is sick, and Ward is pretty clutch too (3-0 in game sevens). So, well done, man.

Schultz: I don't really hate any Canes players. Just Maurice. And that hatred really should be channeled towards Raycroft. But I'm not allowed to hate on Raycroft anymore.

showcase29 said...

john madden shaking his head on the bench after the game was done... that's what i was doing too...

that was a leaf-like

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