The Fifth Liners

Josh Harding is having quite a season in net for Minnesota Wild and currently is top goalie in league stats wise with a GAA of 1.65 and a save percentage of .933. He may not have caught the eyes of hockey fans this season like Carey Price or Tuukka Rask but on merit alone, surely this man deserve a shot at the Vezina Trophy? So far this season in 29 games played, Harding has 18 wins including three shut out victories and has conceded only 46 goals- doesn't sound impressive if you like your stats and currently he only sits 22nd overall on the list of best goalies in the league- but when you consider what a journey this man has had to get here, your mind will swiftly be changed. Back on November 2012, Harding was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and because of his condition, many thought he would never again don the Wild jersey. But incredibly since then the man has played on and has delivered some sterling displays, particularly during their playoff lost to last season's ...

The Boston Bruins won a dramatic late 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden last night in real end to end game which included two goals in the last 90 seconds. The Penguins started out very much on top with Chris Kunitz continuing his excellent run of form to put Pittsburgh ahead when his shot deflected off Dennis Seidenberg and crept underneath Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask on 6.33! But Reilly Smith tied the game only four minutes later. However the game soured when Pens D-Man Brooks Orpik had to leave the game after being hit whilst down on the ice by Shawn Thornton after a scrap broke out, resulting in a match penalty for Thornton! Bruons forward Loui Eriksson also had to leave the fame after suffering a concussion. James Neal then put the Penguins back in front on 13 minutes, when after being released from the penalty box, he deflected in Matt Niskanen's speculative blue line shot. In the second period, the Penguons failed to capitalize on several chances to ex...

Boston have been playing well of late, quietly getting on with job. The result of which is a spot at the top of the Eastern Conference. Detroit's troubles this season have been well documented and last night the team had to go without superstar Pavel Datsyuk and dependable first-liner Todd Bertuzzi. On paper, this looked like another win for Boston. The first ten minutes were close, the Bruins looked dangerous when pushing and the Red Wings broke well, recently returned Darren Helm almost opened the scoring with a lightning fast breakaway, only to put the puck wide. Detroit's Johan Franzen then stepped up. The Mule set up the first and only goal of a penalty packed first period when his cross through the blue paint found Justin Abdelkader who tapped in the opener. This came straight after he stepped out of the penalty box after picking up a penalty for high-sticking on Zdeno Mt. Chara. Must have been a really high stick. The second period brought more goals for boys in ...

It appears Vancouver's chances of landing decent backup have taken a hit as according to TVA sports, 36 year old Canadian goalie Jose Theodore is on the verge of joining the Boston Bruins on a one year deal! Theodore would provide back up to Tuukka Rask in net and brings with him a Veniza Trophy win in 2002 and a Hart Trophy win in 2006 as well as 17 years NHL experience with 5 different teams. However Theodore's agent has stated that there is "No truth" in the reports- but I think we can all agree that which ever team lands him will be very fortunate- British Columbia is always nice this of year Jose- just a thought!

Patrick Kane continued his impressive playoff performance and put in a first star performance to gain the Chicago Blackhawks an impressive 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins at the United Center last night and as a result they take a 3-2 lead in the series and lie just one game away from the ultimate prize! Kane struck late in the first period and bagged his eight goal of the playoffs 17 minutes in when he backhanded the puck into the bottom left corner of Tuukka Rask ’s net when Johnny Oduya ’s shot shattered Dennis Seidenberg ’s stick and fortuitously slid into his path! The Blackhawks skilfully used their pace and made use of the extra space available to frustrate the Bruins defence- meanwhile Corey Crawford was proving a wall in a net and it would prove to be that way for the remainder of this fixture. Chicago fans didn’t have long to wait for Kane’s ninth goal as after less than 5 minutes played, he scored high into the Boston net put the Hawks 2-0 to good! But the per...

Brent Seabrook was the overtime hero once again; as the Chicago Blackhawks came from behind in an exhilarating 6-5 win against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden in game 4 to level the series at 2-2! After Tuukka Rask ’s shutout in game 3 on Monday, the Blackhawks have come back strong. The Hawks began the first period strongly when Brandon Saad set up Seven Days in Hockey favourite Michal Handzus on a 2 on 1 after 7 minutes, but Saad became the enemy soon after as his giveaway led to a long range leveler on a Power Play by Rich Peverley . But the game burst into life in the second period when Chicago skipper Jonathan Toews scored a tip after 6 minutes to put them in front 2-1, this goal was Toews first goal since the Western final against the Red Wings and two minutes later the in-form Patrick Kane pushed them further ahead!   Milan Lucic however, put the Bruins back in the game when he scored a backhand rebound off a Zdeno Chara shot before Marcus Kruge...

It took a double overtime goal from Patrice Bergeron to secure the Boston Bruins a 2-1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins at TD Garden to put them firmly in the driving seat in the Eastern Conference Final! Although this saw less goals than the one sided second game, it proved just as entertaining affair. David Krecji 's impressive streak continued with an impressive opening goal, with assistant from Milan Lucic , Krecji calmly waiting behind the goal and then with great skill was able to skate round and have his shot deflect off Niskanen to score his ninth playoff goal for the Bruins this year! Tomas Vokoun held his place in net and made several more vital stops to prevent Boston from extending their advantage. But Pittsburgh battled hard and were deservedly level 12 minutes into the second period , Paul Martin set up Chris Kunitz who buried past Rask to give the fans a tie game! However although the brighter team, the Penguins were unable to find a way past the brilliant Tuukk...

The Boston Bruins sealed a Eastern Conference Final appearence with an impressive 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in Game 5 at TD Garden last night! After the Rangers win in the previous game and their near meltdown in the previous series against Toronto, there were no doubt a nerves jangling in the Boston camp as a potential comeback was feared! When Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi scored on a power play mid way through the 1st period, Bruins fans must have feared the worst was coming! But luckily Boston responded early in the 2nd period through Torey Krug scored a great slap shot on their own power play and Gregory Campbell helped ease worries six minutes from the end as he beat Lundqvist to but the Bruins in front 2-1! The 3rd period was an action packed affair with Tuukka Rask making several vital stops, including a breakaway effort by Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan ! But in the final minute Campbell calmly slid the puck into an empty net to seal a great victory and send ...

The Boston Bruins claimed a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden to push their advantage to a 3-0 lead in this series, but this win was decided by a moment in the third period where the puck bounced off Henrik Lundqvist to give Boston the game winning goal! After a scoreless first period, Ryan McDonagh's long shot in the early in the second period deflected off Taylor Pyatt to give the Rangers the early advantage. The Bruins however found a break through three minutes into the third period when Johnny Boychuk scored to level the scores. With time running out in the period, Hamilton's shot clipped the mask of Lundqvist and fell perfectly for Daniel Paille who drove the puck home to give Boston a deserved win! New York's offense in that game was clearly lacking as Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was only required to make 23 saves where as Rangers goalie Lundqvist had a far busier night with 32 saves and single handedly kept them in the game. ...

The Boston Bruins welcomed the New York Rangers back to the TD Gardens arena for game two of the series tonight. First Period The Bruins were looking to capitalise on their first game victory but were pinned back for the first five minutes. Adam McQuaid made a desperate diving poke check to deny the Rangers. Boston immediately jumped on this and sent the puck up to Torey Krug who displayed some silky skills to pass the puck between his skates and slot past Henrik Lundqvist .  A few minutes later Ryan Callahan intercepted a stray pass and then won the foot race to go one on one with Tukka Rask . The Rangers' captain made no mistake in finding the net. Rich Peverley gave the Rangers a powerplay when his high stick caught Rick Nash in the face but Boston was not able to take advantage.  Shortly after, captain Zdeno Chara was given a minor for slashing. Bizarrely even though the offence was behind Rask's net, it was the official in the neutral zo...

Now I know this clip is a golden oldie- but its effect its everlasting. Here we see current Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask in his days playing for minor league affliate, Providence Bruins. When the referee allow two controversal goals in a shootout that gave victory to Albany- Rask didnt seem to agree with the call and to say he was upset would be putting it mildly. What follows next the Incredible Hulk would be proud of! After this wave of destruction, referee's beware of this man! Lord knows what happens if this event recurs in the playoffs!

By Alex Watson Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) Since being traded to Ottawa in 2010, Craig Anderson has proven himself to be mister consistent and this season has been no exception and as it stands Anderson currently has the highest save percentage and currently has a GAA average of 1.49. His great goaltending has put him in line for a potential Hart Trophy and has also contributed to the Senators ever improving form and they are now firmly in line for a place off spot. Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators) Nashville’s form so far this season has been very stop- start, but the one thing that hasn’t been is the goaltending of Finland’s Pekka Rinne who currently has already registered 5 shut out victories alone this season and has prove a bright spot in the Predators season and if his form continues, they could prove to be the wildcard of the playoff race! Nikolas Backstrom (Minnesota Wild) The Wild’s fortunes are ever improving this season due to some smart acquisiti...