The Fifth Liners

So far the Columbus Blue Jacket s v Pittsburgh Penguins playoff series to proving to be a titantic back and forth affair where to everyone's utter shock, the series stands at 2-2 with over 28 goals scored and all four games have been fighting 4-3 wins for each side. Firstly, it is great to see a struggling side like Columbus make it this far, particularly after my experts dismissed their chances after their strongest link Rick Nash departed for the New York Rangers in 2012. They are not a flashy side and haven't play the most thrilling hockey in the NHL this season, but flair isn't always the key ingredient to a good side- so just what makes this time so effective? The Jackets only just snuck into the playoffs via the Wild Card slot for 7th overall in the East, but after their hard slog, they certainly earned their place. Ryan Johansen has stepped up this season for the Jackets and has bagged an incredible 33 goals in regular season alone which astoundingly has seen h...

The Columbus Blue Jackets have landed a major score as today it was announced they have signed Boston Bruins Winger Nathan Horton on a seven year deal worth $37 Million! Previously one of my top 3 UFA's in a previous post it seems the Jackets have been thinking ahead and in Horton they have a man who could potentially revitalize a side struggling to score since the departure of Rick Nash last year. Horton brings an  impressive record across to Ohio and last year recorded 13 goals and 22 points in  48 games last year and previously was a Stanley Cup winner in 2011 with the Bruins. Upon joining Horton was quoted as saying "This is a team on the rise with great players and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," With Gaborik and Horton on the wings we could potentially see a drastic rise in fortunes for a side with only one play-off appearence to their name. 

1. Jarome Iginla  After a decade as captain of the Calgary Flames, Jarome Iginla this year made the decision to pack his bags and leave the Saddledome with his team at the bottom of the Western Conference standings to join championship chasing Pittsburgh Penguins who acquired him in exchange for one their first round draft picks in this years draft! But after a good start scoring 11 points in 13 regular season games- the Penguins were swept by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference final with Iginla failing to step up when needed and this leaves his Pittsburgh future in doubt. At 35 Iginla still has some miles left in him and no doubt there will be a stampede of offers for him because each franchise needs a frequent goal scorer like him (take note of this Tortorella) 2. Nathan Horton  This man has been at the helm of the Boston Bruins recent success since his arrival from Florida in 2011, but recently Horton has run into trouble with Bruins management over an ar...

A triple overtime winner from Adam Shaw gave the Chicago Blackhawks a terrific fighting 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins in game one of the Stanley Cup Final at the United Center last night! But this was no straight forward affair and required Joel Quenneville 's men to go deep to produce a result from the bleakest of scenario's! Milan Lucic got the Bruins off to a brilliant start with a goal mid way through the first period off an assist from Nathan Horton and the ever impressive David Krecji and Lucic then went one better and bagged a second only 51 seconds into the second period (thats a lot of seconds there!) with one again Krecji providing the chance, before Brandan Saad put Hawks back in contention two minutes later with his first play off goal. Patrice Bergeron restored the Bruins to two goal lead with a powerplay goal 6 minutes into the third and it looked as if the Blackhawks' final might go the same way as the Penguins before them. But however there was to ...

The Boston Bruins doubled their advantage in the Eastern Conference with a dominant 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Consol Energy Center! So far their sharp offensive play is proving the difference in this series and at the moment! In the first period- the Bruins ran riot with Brad Marchand' s break away goal after only 28 seconds putting them on their way and  after 14 minutes the lead was doubled by Nathan Horton before the in form David Krecji pushed the Penguins deeper under water to make the score 3-0! Coach Dan Byisma then proceeded to pull Tomas Vokoun from net and returned Marc-Andre Fleury to active duty! Despite Brandon Sutter 's snap shot pulling one back for Pittsburgh with 34 second left in the period, Fleury was to have an equally hard time, this was confirmed when Marchand bagged his second with only 9 seconds remaining! Scoring took a break in the second period but 27 second in the third period, Patrice Bergeron scored to put the game ...

The Boston Bruins took an early advantage in the Eastern Conference Final as the beat the Pittburgh Penguins 3-0 at the Consol Energy Center. The unpredictability of this entertaining playoff series has once again revealed itself! The in form David Krecji gave Boston the lead with a slightly fortuitous goal, after receiving a pass from Nathan Horton , Krecji's shot deflected off Paul Martin 's skate as he attempted to block the shot and the puck cruelly trickled past Tomas Vokoun to put the away side in front and leave a hollow silence among the Pittsburgh fans! The second period was another close affair but despite several chances, the Bruins were unable to press home their advantage- but at the other end Tuukka Rask was proving his worth to their cup chase making numerous impressive saves. The game also become a rough affair during this time with Matt Cooke serving a five minute major and a game misconduct for hitting Adam McQuaid from behind! Finally in the 3r...

A late goal flurry by the Boston Bruins saw them win an entertaining game 7 clash against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime at the TD Garden last night. This result now sets up an Eastern Conference semi final clash with the New York Rangers ! The game itself was a titanic back and forth affair, the Bruins started well with Matt Bartowski putting them ahead in the first period. Cody Franson levelled for the Leafs midway through the period and then succeeded in doubling his goal tally early in the second period to give Toronto a 2-1 advantage. The third period is when the action really kicked into life as the Bruins seemed to fall to pieces as early period goals from Phil Kessel and Nazim Kadri pushed the Leafs even further ahead and appeared to be giving Boston their marching orders. But incredibly this was not the end of the story as Nathan Horton gave them hope midway through and then Milan Lucic reduced the margin to one goal with two minutes to play! But then 1st star P...

Toronto Maple Leafs gave back strong against the Boston Bruins last night to tie their series at one game all with an entertaining 4-2 win at TD Garden. Nathan Horton gave the Bruins the lead early in the second period which was eventually given after a video replay confirmation. But they found themselves shocked soon after by a Joffrey Lupul double that put the Leafs in control! 53 seconds into the third period, former Boston man Phil Kessel raced away to beat Tuukka Rask and to leave his former fans in a state of silence and give Toronto a 3-1 lead. The Bruins briefly rallied with a goal from defensemen Johnny Boychuk which deflected off Bozak, but with three minutes remaining- James Van Riemsdyk scored a bizzare goal where as he fell to the ice he knocked the puck into the Bruins net to seal a 4-2 win! The Maple Leafs were aided by an impressive goaltending performance by James Reimer- Optimus Reim may have had his fair share of critics this year but this performance is the ki...