Blackhawks and Ducks try to recover fast for Game 5 And before the pivotal Game 5 Monday night contest in Anaheim, the teams rested. Well, more like recovered in regards to the Blackhawks and Ducks, who have so far played a bruising rough n’ tumble series. On Sunday, after Chicago's Game 4’s double-overtime victory, the Ducks received the simple instruction from coach Bruce Boudreau: “I … [Read more...]

Lightning shock Rangers in Game 5, one win away from Cup Final NEW YORK – The Tampa Bay Lightning finally shut down the New York Rangers’ offense, got another star performance from Steven Stamkos and are now one win away from playing for the Stanley Cup for the first time since winning it in 2004. The Bolts won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, 2-0, on Sunday night at MSG, taking a 3-2 … [Read more...]

NHL Three Stars: Ben Bishop, Bolts win Game 5 No. 1 Star: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning  The Lightning goalie made 26 saves for the shutout, as Tampa defeated the Rangers 2-0 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, taking a 3-2 series lead. No. 2 Star: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning Stamkos scored a goal for the fourth straight game and added an assist on Valtteri Filppula’s goal. … [Read more...]

Confidence carrying Stamkos as scoring touch returns NEW YORK — Steven Stamkos stood at the podium after Game 5 with a relaxed look on his face. Gone are the days when speculation was rife that he was injured, contributing to his goal drought in Tampa’s first eight games of the postseason. Stamkos wasn’t hurt, as he contended during Round 1 into Round 2. But even a multiple Rocket Richard … [Read more...]

Puck to groin and sickness on bench in Tampa’s disgustingly good win NEW YORK – After shutting out the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop was asked about a significantly more painful moment before the Sunday night contest at MSG.  Did he take a puck to a “delicate region” during warm-ups? “You hit the nail on the head there,” he … [Read more...]

Watch emotional return of John Amirante to MSG for Game 5 anthem (Video) For 35 years, John Amirante was an institution at New York Rangers games. The lifelong Rangers fan belted the national anthem at home games, his voice cutting through the bellowing cheers from the crowd during the pregame performances.  Now 80 years old, Amirante had his work scaled back this season dramatically, and … [Read more...]