Game Story: It was a look at the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff chase with Alec Nava as we covered the Detroit Red Wings (#LGRW) and Pittsburgh Penguins (#LetsGoPens) and moved to the #FrozenFour between University of Denver and Boston University alongside Boston College and the University of Michigan. See the coverage here! Written recaps, but inside a full four and a half hour broadcast day. Saturday could be much of the same! – https://tinyurl.com/3pfdcz4f
Detroit Red Wings (38-32-8, 84 PTS, 1 PT OUT) HC: Derek Lalonde Top Performers: Lucas Raymond (26-37-63 -17); Dylan Larkin (63 GP, 31-31-62); Alex DeBrincat (24-36-60); Shayne Gostisbehere (10-40-50 –19); J.T. Compher 17-26-43 –1); Patrick Kane (45 GP, 19-24-43 –3); David Perron (15-26-41 –11); Daniel Sprong 17-23-40 -7); Moritz Seider (8-32-40 –8); Michael Rasmussen (13-20-33 +8); Andrew Copp (13-20-33);
DET Developments: 2-3-2 since last coverage. Survived BUF in a crazy first period. Have PIT, TOR, MTL x2. Could have won out to get in. These two games (WSH/PIT) are the biggest in the last eight seasons. Last made the playoffs in 2016.
Pittsburgh Penguins: (36-30-12, 84 PTS, 1 PT OUT) HC: Mike Sullivan Top Performers: Sidney Crosby (40-46-86 +10); Evgeni Malkin (25-389-63 +7); Erik Karlsson (9-42-51 +7); Bryan Rust (26-25-51 +14); Kris Letang (9-40-49 +17); Reilly Smith (12-25-37 +5); Rickard Rakell (14-19-33 +4); Drew O’Connor (14-16-30 +12)
PIT Developments: 6-0-2 gives them points in eight-straight down the stretch when teams like DET, PHI, WSH, and NYI were fading back for WC2 control. Now PIT is in reach again. This game is massive, I expect a good performance in a win for the Penguins. Have BOS, NSH, NYI left and that’s rough landing. But collected wins or points against COL, CAR, NYR, TB and TOR during this run for perspective. Crosby is going to get some love from me as a 36-year-old still playing like a superstar.
Goaltending: Alex Lyon (20-18-4, 2.98 GAA, .908 SV, 2 SO) vs. Alex Nedeljkovic (16-6-7 2.82 GAA, .907 SV, 1 SO); Tristian Jarry (19-24-5, 2.90 GAA, .903 SV, 6 SO)
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Boston College Eagles (33-5-1, 20-3-1) HC: Greg Brown (Spencer Penrose Coach of the Year) Top Performers: Will Smith (23-46-69 +23); Cutter Gauthier (37-27-64 +22); Ryan Leonard (31-28 59 +34); Gabe Perrault (18-39-57 +22); Oskar Jellvik (13-29-42 +28); Eamon Powell (5-32-37 +20); Andre Gasseau (12-17-29 +17); Jack Malone 12-13-25 +8)
BC: We saw the trio of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perrault dominate in the WJC’s. Add top scorer Cutter Gauthier and the defense of Drew Fortescue. Jacob Fowler only appeared in one game in goal as they had Trey Augustine (MSU). But BC has won 14 games in a row. The splits are excellent with 16-2-0 on home ice and 12-2-1 on the road. This team likely wins it all.
Of Recent Highlights: Went 3-1-0 this season against BU. Lost only contest to Denver 4-3. BU plays Denver in the opener of the Frozen Four today. BC is coming off a 2-1 victory over the defending national champion Quinnipiac Bobcats in overtime.
Michigan (23-14-3,11-11-2-1) HC: Brandon Naurato Top Performers: Rutger McGroarty (16-36-52 +18); Gavin Brindley (24-27-51 +18); Dylan Duke (24-22-46 +7); T.J. Hughes (19-27-46 +9); Seamus Casey 7-38-45 +6); Frank Nazar III (17-23-40 –7); Garrett Schifsky (16-16-32 +15)
MICH: Went 2-3-1 against MSU this season after losing the “Duel in the D” and the Big Ten Championship final. Michigan gets a third period push to edge North Dakota 4-3. Beat MSU 5-2 with a four goal third period effort in the regional final with a measure of revenge. Between the legs pass from Nazar!
Now it is likely BC, and possibly BU or Denver in the final. I’ll be sad in the moment with a loss… but this was a great turn of events in a down year for the Wolverines. Came through when it mattered most.
Goaltending: Jacob Fowler vs. Jake Barczewski (20-13-3, 2.81 GAA, .909 SV, 2 SO) vs. Jacob Fowler (31-5-1, 2.20 GAA, .924 SV, 2 SO)
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