It’s my Parting Shot for some Weekend Short Shots…..
It’s hard to imagine that an unsuccessful goaltender interference challenge would be the turning point in an N-H-L playoff series, but Jim Hiller’s ill-advised attempt to keep his L-A Kings in the lead in Game 3 in Edmonton turned out to be a killer! The situation room in Toronto upheld the goal call on the ice by Evander Kane that tied the score and 4-4. The accompanying delay of game penalty for the unsuccessful challenge resulted in Evan Bouchard’s go-ahead and game-winning goal 10 seconds later and the Oilers were off and running while the Kings didn’t have an answer, losing that game and three more in a row! I feel badly for Jim Hiller – a good guy and former head coach in the W-H-L!!
Speaking of Bouchard, the best description I heard about his style of play is – when he’s on the ice, it’s a very good bet that something is going to happen! Either very good for the Oil or very bad!! As for the unexpected unsung hero for Edmonton in the series, that would have to be goaltender Calvin Pickard, who only played in 30 N-H-L games between 2017-18 and 2022-23, including no games at all in that latter campaign! He only started 31 of 82 games for the Oilers during the regular-season! He doesn’t have great numbers from the L-A series – a 2.93 goals against-average and an .893 save percentage – but, he’s 4-and-oh and is their guy now – for the time being!!
Two teams to watch out for in the future, in my humble opinion – which almost make me sick to say because I dislike both teams so much – the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens. Ottawa has a very good goaltender in Linus Ullmark and a nice set of talented young forwards while the Habs have an up-and-coming group of talented young skaters – both on defence and forward. Their power play in the next few years might remind some of the great Canadiens’ man advantage unit of Rocket Richard, Jean Beliveau, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Dickie Moore and Doug Harvey!
John Schneider received a stay of execution as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, thanks to the Boston Red Sox’ abysmal bullpen the last two nights! Two spirited comebacks by the Jays at home avoided a sweep and a potential five-game losing streak, a run of 10 losses in 11 games and a 13-18 record! 15-16 and just three games back of the A-L East-leading Yankees isn’t that bad – yet!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
