1st Intermission Live-Blogging

"Replacing Pronger": C'mon. Let's be honest. This is what happens with a suspension to a star player, or an injury to a star player. Someone, or many someones in this case, have to take this certain star player's ice time. But these players will not, cannot, and should not be expected to "replace" Chris Pronger. Do you want Ric Jackman trying to dish out a nasty check when he clearly has no concept of how to do that and remain in appropriate defensive position? Duh. Of course not. You want your players who are replacing your star player to play to the best of their abilities, within, of course, their limitations. While I was too busy blogging to pay a ton of attention to the defenseman the Bozo's the Clown called out, I usually diagnose this problem as a player trying to do too much and then not doing what he can do. Beauchemin needs to play within his limitations and not pretend to be someone (cough, Chris Pronger, cough) he isn't.

"We're going to keep playing the same way": Chris Pronger gives Anaheim an edge that the team maintains even when Pronger isn't on the ice. However, I'm not sure that it's wise, e.g., in Anaheim's case, to continue to make the plays that referees are calling as penalties. When a key cog in the wheel is missing, other adjustments have to be made to ensure the bike can still function. (Snark to myself: Yes, that's a horrible analogy. Deal with it.) And perhaps for Anaheim that might need to be tweaks to the basic approach (tweaks, not a wholesale overhaul) in order to give the Prongerless Ducks a better shot at winning.

Oh, dear, I am going to break a record: Bozo Brett is far more blunt than I am. But I agree with Brett's basic premise. For all I could rightfully criticize certain Anaheim Ducks, the men in stripes were probably the worst offenders, when it comes to doing their jobs well, during the first period.

Scott Niedermayer: The Bozos praise Scotty. How could not? His name is Scott. He plays defense. He's a future Hall of Famer. Oh, yeah, and he played like such. Nice job, Scottie. Still, if you and Jiggy are the only ones who come to play, I think this series shifts back to Anaheim tied at 2. But the announcers and I agree again (seriously: this is NOT that common).

Don Cherry Preview: I am promised Don Cherry is coming. Good. Grapes and I rarely agree on anything. (I love Jordan Staal, too, but I still think Evgeni Malkin should win the Calder Trophy.) The Bozos joke about Cherry's suits. It's kind of funny. You know, if ex-hockey players discussing wardrobe/attire issues is funny to you. I'm pretty easy to amuse.