By Paul Casey Gotham
It is that time again. Let’s hear from you, readers. We had another week of stellar performances. Pick the ONE (1), UNE, UNO from April 4-10th that stands out to you, and tell us a story.
Jhonas Enroth gets my POTW.
His numbers have not been dazzling, but the 22-year-old net-minder has done what the Buffalo Sabres needed.
With the Sabres’ playoff life hanging in the balance, and Ryan Miller shelved with an injury, Enroth backstopped Buffalo to the playoffs. Enroth made 23 saves on Tuesday as the Sabres downed Tampa Bay 4-2. He followed that making 16 saves in the first two periods as Buffalo went on to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime 4-3 to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Enroth’s work started prior to last Monday when he was thrust into the starting role on March 30th. Since then the Sabres are 5-1 with their only loss coming in overtime.
Who gets your POTW?
Homer call here (surprise!) … but maybe not what you think. I’m going with the Minnesota Wild, simply because they rose up and beat the Dallas Stars last night, which enables the Chicago Blackhawks to back into the playoffs and defend the Cup. It’s not like the BHawks had a “bad season” … they did garner 97 points to earn the 8th spot in the West … but it was a season of ups and downs, not fitting a team that is defending their Cup title.
So, despite a hard fought loss to Detroit yesterday when they coulda clinched on their own, the Hawks will have at least a chance to defend … although vs the mighty Canucks, they may only be in it for a week to 10 days. But ya never know in the NHL playoffs … anything can happen. (But I honestly don’t think Chicago has the goaltending/defense to go very far this year).
Anyway, thanks Minnesota Wild, for breathing new life into the Blackhawks’ season!
Josh Beckett made my night at Fenway pretty frustrating. Gotta give him the POTW.
I’ll give the nod to Tiger Woods, for almost showing everybody how good he can be. Sure, if he had had a quickie with a Perkins hostess or something, he’d would have floored the competition, but with all the focus on him, I’m sure that wasn’t an option.
Bill I too was impressed with Tiger’s Sunday run (and his Friday run for that matter), but I was equally impressed with his mediocrity on Thurs and Sat as well as Sun back 9. What Tiger has helped me realize is that you can focus on being a good person or you can focus on being an elite athlete, but you probably can’t do both, at least simultaneously.
PS: maybe my final point is for discussion on Open Thread Thursday.
So … Pete … taking you literally means that Tiger was focused on being an elite golfer on Friday and Sunday while preferring to be a good person on Thur and Saturday? It’s an on/off switch, huh? Just pullin’ your chain ….
BUT … I’m sure we can find exceptions to your “general rule”. How about …. Babe Ruth (Great with kids!); Walter Payton (everyone loved him); Peyton Manning (everyone loves him, esp old ladies); John Havlicek (never heard a discouraging word). There are tons of examples of great athletes who are also great people too.
I’m not so sure Ruth would fare as well today as he did back then, given the influx of the media and all.
As for Tiger, I only saw bits on Sunday, and given what he’s been through, and I’m sure continues, he did a fine job. Heck, I say let him …. who he wants when he wants, and see how he does. Imagine the other golfers getting upset – “that guy ….s some IHOP …., and then shoots 15 under? It ain’t fair.”
Sooooo …. Who’s qualified and willing to write a piece on the soon-to-start NHL playoffs??? I’m not … I follow the Blackhawks but really don’t pay much attention to the rest of the league until the playoffs start. The Eastern Conference is a total mystery to me. Anyway, just thought I’d toss that out … would be interested to read a post if anyone felt inclined to write it and share their acumen.
Bill, I hear your name being called on Wally’s post!
Have we no NHL experts on the Pine?!?! C’mon, Bill … you can do it!!!
Here’s my only prediction: I’m afraid the Blackhawks will lose to Vancouver in 6 games … Hawks are 25th in penalty killing vs one of the top PP teams in the league … with shakey goaltending as it is, this is a scarey match-up for Chicago. The only thing in their favor is the underdog role … we’ve seen many times where the league’s point leaders gag in the first or second round. GO BLACKHAWKS!!!