Best of April 23: Mike Smith is good, Chris Kreider scores first goal
Come on, really? This one is pretty easy tonight, now isn't it?
Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith is taking the honor, hands down. He was better than he was in any of the first five games -- which was pretty damn good to begin with -- and shut out the Blackhawks in Chicago. The win was the elusive one for the franchise since it moved to Phoenix, the fourth win in a playoff series.
And it's not like the Blackhawks didn't test him. No, as they did all series, they definitely did test him to the tune of 38 shots, all unsuccessful. He also stopped some pretty good scoring chances. You'll see one of those down below.
How about this for an easy goal to remember for the first of your career. Rangers rookie Chris Kreider, who was playing for Boston College a month ago, scored in the final minute of the second period of the Rangers' 3-2 win over the Senators in Game 6. It wasn't just the first of his playoff career, but NHL career. In fact, he has only played in playoff games.
Oh, it also proved to be the game-winner thanks to a controversial late goal by the Senators.
Of course this is Smith's department tonight. Anything goaltending is about him right now.
Of the numerous excellent saves he made on the night, this one had to be the best. Although if Brendan Morrison had the chance to do it again, I'm sure he'd probably try to lift that puck and, you know, not help Smith out as much as he can to make Smith look better.
I'm going to stick in the family tonight and share this one from colleague Adam Gretz. The overly simplistic jist? It's hard to win in the postseason.
Chi now 0-2 in playoff series since cup. Pit: 1-3. Ana: 1-3. Det: 5-4. CAR: Hell, they never even make the playoffs anymore.
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) April 24, 2012
There are four teams still standing in the Western Conference. The total amount of Stanley Cups hoisted between them? Absolutely zero. The most northern team remaining is St. Louis.
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