My Top 10 NHL Playoff Series

The Stanley Cup

So here we are in November, looking at what I believe is going to be a fully locked-out season. If that’s the case, we will have seen a seven-season stint of NHL hockey, “between the lockouts.” This time period, between 2005 and 2012, was the time I will always remember for my love of hockey. The post 2004-05 lockout era was the NHL I was first introduced to; though I watched a few pivotal playoff games in 2002, 03, and 04, I became a hockey fan in full force once it returned in the fall of 2005. Hockey Night in Canada has been, without a doubt, my favourite TV program since.

An idea I’ve always tossed around was a list of my Top 10 Favourite Playoff Series. So now that something drastic has happened in the NHL’s timeline, it’s only fitting that I can now make that list. So here are my Top 10 Favourite Playoff Series, “between the lockouts.”

Some series that came close, but didn’t make the Top 10…

Washington – Pittsburgh, second round, 2009- The Crosby and Ovechkin match-up led to a lot of hype, with the Pens hanging on to win in seven games. Unfortunately, they haven’t met in the playoffs since.

Montreal – Philadelphia, second round, 2008- The Canadiens were down 2-0 in game one and ended up winning in overtime with a goal by Tom Kostopoulos, but couldn’t match the strength of the Broad Street Bullies. The Flyers won in five games.

Pittsburgh – Ottawa, first round, 2010- A series I remember because of Ottawa’s hard fight. An underdog win in game one, 5-4, the endless scuffles after plays, Andy Sutton’s monstrous hit on Jordan Leopold in game two, and an epic game five, which Matt Carkner ended in triple-overtime to give Ottawa the win, and stay alive in the playoffs. Up 3-1 in game six, the Sens blew it and Pittsburgh won the series in overtime.

MY TOP 10

Jiri Hudler lying on the ice after being smoked by Mike Brown, game one of the series

10 – (2) Detroit vs. (8) Anaheim, second round, 2009

I felt the Wings should’ve had Anaheim down and out without much trouble, but the Ducks played hard, and dirty at times, keeping Detroit on edge every single game. With Lidstrom’s winning goal in game one, the Wings could have taken solid hold of the series in game two, and almost did, only to see Anaheim win in triple-overtime…Brad Watson’s call on a game three goal still rattles fans when they think of the series…(it almost cost Detroit their playoff run) Needless to say, the Red Wings pulled it together to win the series in an exciting game seven. Dan Cleary scored the game-winner with only 3:00 left in regulation, jamming it past Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller…Mike Brown’s hit on Jiri Hudler in game one is still one of the biggest hits I’ve seen on live television.

9 – (2) New Jersey vs. (4) Ottawa, second round, 2007

The Senators were the Canadian team I cheered on in the ’07 playoffs, and this series was one of the first I intensely followed every game of. I was hooked after a riveting game one, where Ottawa jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first, somehow holding on to win 5-4. Game two featured a comeback by Ottawa; who down in the third, pushed the game to overtime with a last minute goal by Heatley. I’ll never forget Bob Cole’s call in double-overtime, as New Jersey won on a breakaway. “Langenbrunner…SCOOOORES!!! Game over, series tied!”

Langenbrunner's double-overtime goal on Ray Emery, April 28, 2007

Tom Preissing scored on a sharp angle shot in game three, giving Ottawa a late 1-0 lead and the game winner…Game five was the final NHL game in the Continental Airlines Arena, as Ottawa advanced, beating the Devils 3-2. By now I recognized nearly every player’s name on the Senator’s roster, and Ray Emery was becoming one of my favourite goaltenders.

8 – (4) Pittsburgh vs. (8) Montreal, second round, 2010

Halak became a hero overnight for the Canadiens

After leaving the Washington Capitals speechless, the 8^th seed Habs had their next challenge, the defending Stanley Cup champs. In a hard fought seven games, Montreal captivated fans across the continent, as they defeated Pittsburgh, highlighted by a come-from-behind win in game four, and jumping to a 4-0 lead in game seven, sealing Pittsburgh’s fate. Like the Devils’ end in 2007, it was the Pens’ last game in “the Igloo,” Mellon Arena. Jaroslav Halak became a hero for Montreal, carrying the team on his back during the playoffs. Following the win over Pittsburgh, celebration began in the jam-packed streets of Montreal, a glorious sight.

7 – (1) Buffalo vs. (4) Ottawa, Conference Final, 2007

Everywhere I looked, it seemed that Buffalo was heavily favored to win this series; well that was a mistake…Ottawa fought hard, harder than I thought they ever could, and won the Eastern Conference Final in five games. After a convincing 5-2 win on the road in game one, the Sens played great in game two, topped off by Joe Corvo’s slapshot that skipped past Ryan Miller, winning the game in overtime. The Sabres got a mulligan in game four, scoring a mere nine seconds into the game and staving off elimination that night.

Alfredsson's goal, sending Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals, May 19, 2007

But on a Saturday afternoon, the Sens were victorious in game five, highlighted by Daniel Alfredsson’s wrist-shot goal in overtime to win the series. I was pumped; Ottawa was heading to the Stanley Cup Final! Sadly, the Ducks went on to win the Cup in five games. Until then, Ottawa had looked unstoppable.

6 – (2) Detroit vs. (4) Pittsburgh, Stanley Cup Final, 2009

A rematch of epic proportions, Detroit’s experience against young stars Crosby and Malkin for a second time. The memories start when I got to attend game one of this series, excited as ever to watch the Red Wings win 3-1. Game two had a similar result, and featured a late-game fight between Malkin and Zetterberg. After Pittsburgh tied the series, Detroit went on a scoring spree in game five, with five unanswered goals. “CROS-BEE-SUCKS!” became a favourite chant of my friends and I…

The Wings celebrate their win in Game One, as I watch from section 226 of Joe Louis Arena

Unfortunately for Detroit, they couldn’t finish off the Pens this time, Pittsburgh won games six and seven, both by a score of 2-1. At the time I was pretty ticked to watch Crosby skate off with the Stanley Cup in Joe Louis Arena (but I was happy to see former Leafs defencemen Hal Gill hoist it as well). Sweet revenge for the Penguins…

5 – (1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston, first round, 2008

Montreal and Boston lined up for the anthems in the TD Garden

The first Boston – Montreal series I witnessed did not disappoint, not one bit. Closely contested, Montreal had to fight the Bruins for a good seven games. After a 4-1 victory for the Canadiens in game one, game two ended as a thriller; as Alexei Kovalev scored on the powerplay in overtime to give the Canadiens another win. Boston fought their way back into the series though, and Carey Price – only 20 years old at the time – seemed to be losing confidence. In classic fashion, Montreal came together for game seven, winning 5-0 at home; Price stopped all shots, and the Kostitsyn brothers scored three goals. Montreal proved they deserved their #1 seed.

4 – (1) Detroit vs. (2) Pittsburgh, Stanley Cup Final, 2008

Lidstrom lifts the Stanley Cup, Detroit's fourth one in 11 years

A big deal at the time, being Sid the Kid’s first finals appearance. The Red Wings’ skill outlasted the Pen’s young talent; Chris Osgood shutout the Pens in games one and two. By the time the series shifted back to the Joe for game five, Detroit was on the verge of another Stanley Cup, resulting in one of the greatest hockey games I ever watched. Down 2-0, the Red Wings powered to a 3-2 lead, and had the entire arena in celebration mode. But just seconds away from the Cup, Maxime Talbot tied it for Pittsburgh, sending the game into an eventual triple-overtime, which Petr Sykora won for the Penguins. Detroit subsequently won the Cup in game 6 in front of a disappointed Mellon Arena crowd. The fact that it was the last final that Bob Cole called for CBC, also gives it a special place in my heart. Finals play-by-play hasn’t been the same since.

3 – (1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago, first round, 2011

Never have I felt such sweet revenge watching the NHL Playoffs. I was heartbroken as the Blackhawks ousted the Canucks in 2009 (Sundin’s last goodbye), and then again in 2010. I felt assured 2011 would be different with Vancouver running away with the President’s trophy, but it almost wasn’t.

Vancouver storms the ice to congratulate Alex Burrows, for his series-winning goal in overtime of Game 7

The Canucks took a dominating 3-0 series lead, only to have it evaporate. Chicago went on a scoring spree in games four and five, and Cory Schneider nearly took the job of starting goaltender for Vancouver. Chicago was on the brink of becoming only the fourth team to comeback after being down 3-0 in a series. It’s a good thing Luongo started in game seven, he stopped 31 of 32 shots. In a climatic game that Chicago tied while short-handed late in the third, Canuck Alex Burrows broke in and ripped a shot past Corey Crawford in overtime, causing Rogers Arena to erupt in celebration. As Jim Hughson said proudly, “It’s a wonderful day for an exorcism!” No other game seven has kept me in such anxiety; the endless sound-off of the Canucks goal horn still roars through my ears… “Burrows! Shoots, SCORRRRRRRES!”

2 – (1) Vancouver vs. (3) Boston, Stanley Cup Final, 2011

The series I couldn’t have been more excited to see, nothing compares to the fast pace, back and forth match-up I saw in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. So much pride on the line; so much to win, so much to lose. The stars between both teams, and the hate that grew between them as well.

Burrows does it again, this time wrapping around the net and beating Tim Thomas in Game 2

After unbelievably exciting game winning goals by Raffi Torres in game one, and Burrows – 11 seconds into overtime in game two – Boston humiliated the Canucks on the east coast, winning 8-1 and 4-1. Not only were Luongo and the Canucks in trouble away from home ice, but Aaron Rome was suspended for the remainder of the finals for his hit on Nathan Horton in game three. (A decision that cost Vancouver in the long run) Once again the tide turned in game five, as Vancouver delighted fans with a 1-0 win at home. But Boston turned the tide yet again, winning game six in the TD Garden 5-2.

The Vancouver riot, which immediately followed the Canucks' Game 7 loss. This time around, the riot was far worse than 1994's loss to the Rangers.

The deciding game seven proved to be a dark day in Vancouver’s history, the Canucks lost 4-0 and ultimately failed their fans. A massive riot developed in the city streets after the game, with downtown windows smashed and cars set ablaze. The riot made international news, and gave the city a bad image in the eyes of millions. One of the greatest NHL playoff runs ended in heartbreak and destruction…Zdeno Chara’s emotional lift of the Stanley Cup made me start crying in my living room…Two months of excitement for the Canucks, all the way to a valiant, bitter end…

1 – (2) Carolina vs. (8) Edmonton, Stanley Cup Final, 2006

Roloson after letting in a goal in Game One of the Finals. It was his only game of the series...

The first series I had ever been so captivated by, and really the first year I had ever followed the playoffs. The Oilers stunned the President Trophy winning Detroit Red Wings in six games, and soon I had found an underdog team to fall in love with. Edmonton won their series against San Jose in six, and the conference finals in a dominating five games, to find themselves in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Game one set the scene for an underdog-style series. Edmonton climbed to a 3-0 lead, only to have the Hurricanes tie the game and eventually win 5-4. Dwayne Roloson was injured in the third period, causing the Oilers to lose a key force in goal.

Markkanen was a surprise to everyone, and saved Edmonton when Roloson was lost to injury

Jussi Markkanen became the saving grace for the Oilers, and helped force the series to seven games. Who could forget Ryan Smyth’s winning goal in game three? And in game five, when the series seemed like it would end any minute, an errant pass at the blue line gave Fernando Pisani a short-handed breakaway overtime goal, forcing the finals back to Rexall Place. Bob Cole’s call: “It is Pisani, SCORES!” is one of his greatest he ever made.

One of the greatest overtime goals of all time, Fernando Pisani in Game Five

Edmonton’s near-Cinderella run ended in game seven, as Carolina won 3-1, and Rod Brind’Amour finally hoisted the Stanley Cup. I admit it, Carolina was the dominant team, goaltender Cam Ward was unbelievable, he completely deserved the Conn Smythe...The series was the culmination of the first NHL season I regularly followed. With all the suspense, and Canadian pride on the line, it is still my favourite series…

So in review,

10. Detroit & Anaheim, 2009

9. Ottawa & New Jersey, 2007

8. Pittsburgh & Montreal, 2010

7. Ottawa & Buffalo, 2007

6. Detroit & Pittsburgh, 2009

5. Montreal & Boston, 2008

4. Detroit & Pittsburgh, 2008

3. Vancouver & Chicago, 2011

2. Vancouver & Boston, 2011

1. Edmonton & Carolina, 2006

Let's hope for many more exciting, and top-ten worthy series to come...