NationMaster - Encyclopedia: 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005-06 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the conference quarterfinals. The Conference Champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup Image File history File links 2006StanleyCupPlayoffs. ... Image File history File links 2006StanleyCupPlayoffs. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... NHL redirects here. ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... // December 1-December 15: The 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar December 10: 33rd Annual Honolulu Marathon December 10-December 17: FIFA Club World Cup in Japan December 31: The NRL will officially retire the nickname Chargers as the Gold Coast Titans take the field in 2007. ... The modernized NHL shield logo was introduced for the 2005-06 season. ... There are several different playoff formats used in various levels of competition in sports and games. ... This is the current WikiProject: Ice Hockey Article Improvement Drive collaboration! The Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy of the National Hockey League (NHL), the major professional ice hockey league in Canada and the United States. ...

The finals concluded on June 19 with the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the final series four games to three. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... This article is about the goaltender in ice hockey. ... Cameron Ward (born February 29, 1984 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a professional Canadian ice hockey goaltender. ... Conn Smythe Trophy on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame The Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the National Hockey Leagues Stanley Cup playoffs. ...

While the 2005-06 NHL season introduced a shootout to break ties after 5 minutes of 4-on-4 overtime, the Stanley Cup playoffs retained their traditional format of unlimited 20-minute periods of 5-on-5 sudden-death overtime to break ties. The modernized NHL shield logo was introduced for the 2005-06 season. ... Overtime is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport in order to bring the game to a decision and avoid declaring the contest a tie or draw. ... Overtime, in ice hockey, is a method of determining the winner and loser of ice hockey matches should a game be tied after regulation. ...

Playoff seeds

After the 2005-06 NHL season, a total of 16 teams qualified for the playoffs. The Detroit Red Wings were the Presidents' Trophy winners with the best record at 124 points (58 wins, 16 regulation losses, 8 overtime losses), while the Ottawa Senators won on the last day of the regular season to earn the Eastern Conference regular season crown. The modernized NHL shield logo was introduced for the 2005-06 season. ... The Detroit Red Wings are an NHL franchise located in Detroit, Michigan. ... The Presidents Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team which finished with the best record in the entire league during the regular season. ... The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL based in Ottawa, Ontario. ...

Eastern Conference

The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL based in Ottawa, Ontario. ... The NHLs Northeast Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment. ... The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The NHLs Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion. ... The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The NHLs Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest established National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. ... The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. ...

Western Conference

The Detroit Red Wings are an NHL franchise located in Detroit, Michigan. ... The NHLs Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment. ... The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. ... The Presidents Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team which finished with the best record in the entire league during the regular season. ... The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. ... The NHLs Pacific Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment. ... The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta. ... The NHLs Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. ... The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. ... The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. ... The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, commonly referred to as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. ... The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ...

Playoff bracket

The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL based in Ottawa, Ontario. ... The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. ... The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL based in Ottawa, Ontario. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. ... The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest established National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The New York Rangers (NYR) are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a National Hockey League team in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. ... The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. ... The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are a National Hockey League team based in Anaheim, California. ... The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. ... The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta. ... The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are a National Hockey League team based in Anaheim, California. ... The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are a National Hockey League team based in Anaheim, California. ... The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... The Detroit Red Wings are an NHL franchise located in Detroit, Michigan. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. ... The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. ... The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. ...

Statistical leaders

Points

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes; SOG = Shots on Goal

Eric Joseph Brent Staal (born on 29 October 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL Playing career Eric Staal Staal was selected 2nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. ... Cory Stillman is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Christopher Robert Pronger (born October 10, 1974, in Dryden, Ontario, Canada) is a professional hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks. ... Daniel Briere (born October 6, 1977 in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey centre. ... Shawn Horcoff (born 17 September 1978) is a professional ice hockey center who was born in Trail, British Columbia. ... Fernando Pisani (born 27 December 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey winger. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Christopher Chris Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing career Chris Drury was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques 72nd overall in the 3rd round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Matthew Matt Cullen (born November 2, 1976 in Virginia, Minnesota, United States) is a professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the NHL. Cullen graduated from Moorhead Senior High School in 1994. ...

Goals

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes; SOG = Shots on Goal

Ray Whitney was born on the 8th of May, 1972 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. ... Patrick Marleau (born September 15, 1979, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Canadian professional hockey center in the NHL who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... Joffrey Lupul is a professional ice hockey player, born September 23, 1983, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. ... Daniel Briere (born October 6, 1977 in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey centre. ... Shawn Horcoff (born 17 September 1978) is a professional ice hockey center who was born in Trail, British Columbia. ...

Goaltending

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average

Ilya Bryzgalov Ilya Bryzgalov(Russian:Ð˜Ð»ÑŒÑ ÐÐ¸ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð°ÐµÐ²Ð¸Ñ‡ Ð‘Ñ€Ñ‹Ð·Ð³Ð°Ð»Ð¾Ð²) (b. ... Cameron Ward (born February 29, 1984 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a professional Canadian ice hockey goaltender. ... Jussi Markkanen (b. ... Miikka Kiprusoff (born October 26, 1976 in Turku, Finland) is a professional hockey goaltender, currently playing for the Calgary Flames. ... Martin Brodeur (born May 6, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. ...

Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Ottawa Senators defeat (8) Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 games to 1

The defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning faced off against the Ottawa Senators, who held off Carolina to earn the Eastern Conference regular-season title on the final day of the regular season. The teams had never met before in the playoffs, but in four regular-season meetings, Ottawa had dominated, winning all four games in regulation.

In Game 1, Tampa Bay scored first, but in the third period, two quick powerplay goals by Martin Havlat and Jason Spezza, respectively, gave Ottawa the lead. Mike Fisher added a short-handed goal three minutes later, and the Senators went on to win, 4-1. In Game 2, the Senators held a 3-2 lead in the third period, but Dan Boyle tied the score, and 55 seconds later, Martin St. Louis scored his second goal of the game. The Lightning won 4-3, evening the series. A Powerplay is a new rule concerning fielding restrictions in one-day international (ODI) cricket. ... Martin HavlÃ¡t, #9 (born April 19, 1981) is an ice hockey player with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. He is nicknamed Mach 9 for his speed and player number. ... Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza (born June 13, 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) is an Italian Canadian ice hockey player, currently playing centre for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. ... Mike Fisher (born June 5, 1980) is an ice hockey centre playing with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. He was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario and played junior hockey there, and then with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. He was drafted 44 overall in the second round... A Short-handed Goal is a goal scored in Ice Hockey when a team is outnumbered by their opponents. ... Daniel Boyle (born July 12, 1976 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a professional hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. ... Martin St. ...

Two days later, the series resumed in Tampa Bay for Game 3; the visiting Senators scored three goals in the first period. Havlat had two goals, giving him a total of four for the series thus far, as did Antoine Vermette. The Senators routed the Lightning, 8-4, in a game marked by the teams combining for 129 (Penalty (ice hockey)|penalty minutes]]. Tampa Bay's Pavel Kubina earned a "Gordie Howe hat trick", with a goal, an assist, and two misconduct penalties earned in a late fight. In Game 4, the Lightning took a 2-1 lead after the first period, but a trio of second-period goals gave the Senators a lead. Dany Heatley finished with a goal and two assists in the 5-2 win which put Ottawa on the verge of advancing. Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary on the western coast of Florida. ... Antoine Vermette (b. ... Pavel Kubina (born April 15, 1977, in ÄŒeladnÃ¡, Czechoslovakia) is a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. He has earned a reputation as a solid top-pairing defenseman in the league, especially after his play as a major component on the blueline in helping the Tampa Bay... In ice hockey a Gordie Howe hat trick is a variation on the hat trick, wherein a player accomplishes the following in a single game: scores a goal, gets an assist, and participates in a fight. ... Daniel Dany Heatley (born January 21, 1981, in Freiburg, Germany) is a Canadian professional hockey player. ...

In Game 5, back in Ottawa, Martin Havlat continued his solid play, completing a series in which he scored in each game. He scored a power-play goal in the second period which gave Ottawa a 3-1 advantage. The Lightning closed the gap to 3-2. Havlat finished the series with 6 goals and 4 assists, while Heatley and Spezza each had 2 goals and 8 assists. Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario County Established 1850 as Bytown City Mayor Larry OBrien Governing body Ottawa City Council MPs / MPPs Members of Parliament (MPs) Mauril BÃ©langer (LPC), Paul Dewar (NDP), John Baird (CPC), Royal Galipeau (CPC), David McGuinty (LPC),Pierre Lemieux...

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Mike Fisher (born June 5, 1980) is an ice hockey centre playing with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. He was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario and played junior hockey there, and then with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. He was drafted 44 overall in the second round... Martin HavlÃ¡t, #9 (born April 19, 1981) is an ice hockey player with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. He is nicknamed Mach 9 for his speed and player number. ... Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza (born June 13, 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) is an Italian Canadian ice hockey player, currently playing centre for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Peter Schaefer (born July 12, 1977 in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice hockey left wing. ... Bryan Smolinski, nicknamed Smoke, is an American ice hockey player. ... Martin St. ... Daniel Boyle (born July 12, 1976 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a professional hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. ... Bradley Glenn Richards (born May 2, 1980 in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey center. ... Antoine Vermette (b. ... Zdeno ChÃ¡ra Zdeno ChÃ¡ra, #3 (born March 18, 1977) is an elite ice hockey defenceman playing for the Ottawa Senators. ... Patrick Eaves (born on May 1, 1984 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is an NHL player for the Ottawa Senators. ... Daniel Dany Heatley (born January 21, 1981, in Freiburg, Germany) is a Canadian professional hockey player. ... Wade Redden (born June 12, 1977, in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. ... Paul Ranger (born September 12, 1984 in North York, Toronto, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. Ranger was drafted in the 6th round, 183rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. ... Pavel Kubina (born April 15, 1977, in ÄŒeladnÃ¡, Czechoslovakia) is a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. He has earned a reputation as a solid top-pairing defenseman in the league, especially after his play as a major component on the blueline in helping the Tampa Bay... Chris Neil (born June 18, 1979 in Markdale, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey right winger. ... Chris Phillips, #4 (born March 9, 1978 in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian professional hockey player who plays for the National Hockey Leagues Ottawa Senators. ... Andrej MeszÃ¡roÅ¡, #14 (born October 13, 1985 in PovaÅ¾skÃ¡ Bystrica, Czechoslovakia) is a Slovak ice hockey defenceman currently with the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. Andrej MeszÃ¡roÅ¡ was drafted by the Senators in 2004, as the first pick for the Senators (23rd overall). ... Evgeny Artyukhin (born April 4, 1983 in Moscow, Russia) is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. Evgeny Artyukhin was drafted in the 3rd round, 94th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. ...

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (7) Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 2

Though the Carolina Hurricanes were disappointed to lose the race for the Eastern Conference regular-season crown to Ottawa, commentators believed they might have actually gained an advantage from that fault. They faced a seventh-seeded Montreal Canadiens team they had beaten each game in the regular season. Though the Canadiens had since traded goaltender José Théodore, Carolina's fast puck-possession game was expected to roll over the Habs easily. JosÃ© Nicholas ThÃ©odore (Born - September 13, 1976 in Laval, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League who has played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. ...

However, with Carolina goaltender Martin Gerber battling a then-undisclosed stomach ailment, the Canadiens beat the Canes in Game 1 in Raleigh, 6-1, as Cristobal Huet continued his late-season hot streak. After three quick Montreal goals early in Game 2, Carolina coach Peter Laviolette made what would prove to be a fateful decision, switching in 22-year-old rookie backup Cam Ward for Gerber. Though Ward yielded a regained Carolina lead in that game and which they lost 6-5 in the second overtime, Laviolette stuck with him going into Montreal even with Habs fans waving brooms, signifying a possible sweep. Martin Gerber (born September 3, 1974 in Burgdorf, Switzerland) is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender. ... Nickname: City of Oaks Motto: You Can See the Whole State from Here Map of Wake County, North Carolina Coordinates: Country United States State North Carolina County Wake County Founded 1792 Mayor Charles Meeker (D) Area - City 299. ... Cristobal Huet (IPA pronunciation: ) (born September 3, 1975 in Saint-Martin-dHÃ¨res, France) is a French professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for the NHLs Montreal Canadiens. ... Peter Laviolette Jr. ... Cameron Ward (born February 29, 1984 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a professional Canadian ice hockey goaltender. ... Motto: Concordia Salus Coordinates: Country Canada Province QuÃ©bec Founded 1642 Established 1832 Mayor GÃ©rald Tremblay Area - City 366. ... Sweep may be any of the following: Look up Sweep in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Carolina provided a 2-1 overtime win in Game 3, with Eric Staal providing the overtime winner. During the game, Canadiens captain Saku Koivu took an inadvertent stick blade in the eye from the Hurricanes' Justin Williams from behind as both players lunged for a puck in the Carolina slot. The incident went unpenalized, but Koivu's series was over. In Game 4, Williams scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win to tie the series. Eric Joseph Brent Staal (born on 29 October 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL Playing career Eric Staal Staal was selected 2nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. ... Saku Koivu (born November 23, 1974 in Turku, Finland) is a professional ice hockey player, and plays center for the Montreal Canadiens as the current team captain. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The final two games were tight-checking games, but Montreal had lost the mental advantage gained over two wins in Raleigh; the Canes took Game 5 in front of their home fans, 2-1, then returned to Montreal to close the series, 2-1, on a long, fluttering, tipped shot by Cory Stillman over Huet's left shoulder at 1:19 of overtime. Checking in ice hockey is the act of physically keeping an opposing player in check. ... Cory Stillman is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Matthew Matt Cullen (born November 2, 1976 in Virginia, Minnesota, United States) is a professional ice hockey center who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the NHL. Cullen graduated from Moorhead Senior High School in 1994. ... Alexei Vyacheslavovich Kovalev (Russian:ÐÐ»ÐµÐºÑÐµÐ¹ Ð’ÑÑ‡ÐµÑÐ»Ð°Ð²Ð¾Ð²Ð¸Ñ‡ ÐšÐ¾Ð²Ð°Ð»Ñ‘Ð², Aleksej Vyacheslavovich Kovaliov; born February 24, 1973, in Togliatti, U.S.S.R.) (now Russia) is a Russian professional ice hockey player in the NHL currently playing with the Montreal Canadiens as a right winger. ... Radek Bonk, #14 (born January 9, 1976, in Krnov, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice Hockey Center in the NHL. He was drafted third overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. ... Francis Bouillon (Born: October 17, 1975 in New York City, New York, USA) is a professional hockey defenceman. ... This article is about the NHL hockey player. ... Sheldon Souray (b. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Cory Stillman is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Ray Whitney was born on the 8th of May, 1972 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. ... Michael Ryder (Born March 31, 1980, Bonavista, Newfoundland) is a hockey player who plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League as a right wing. ... Jan Bulis (helpÂ· info) (born March 18, 1978 in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech professional hockey winger. ... Richard Zednik (Born January 6, 1976 in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia) is a Slovak professional hockey player who plays right wing for the National Hockey Leagues Montreal Canadiens. ... Eric Joseph Brent Staal (born on 29 October 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL Playing career Eric Staal Staal was selected 2nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. ... Aaron Ward (born 17 January 1973 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada) is an ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the NHL. Ward was drafted 5th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft out of the University of Michigan. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Alexander Perezhogin is an ice hockey player with the Montreal Canadiens, he is perhaps best known for a brutal attack on another player when in the AHL. Perezhogin was born in Ust-Kamenogorsk, in what is today Kazakstan, on August 10, 1983. ... Mark Recchi (born February 1, 1968 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada) is an ice hockey player, currently an unrestricted free agent in the National Hockey League. ...

(3) New Jersey Devils defeat (6) New York Rangers, 4 games to 0

The Atlantic Division title came down to the final day of the regular season. The Devils came from behind to defeat the Montreal Canadiens for their eleventh straight win, while the Rangers lost to the Ottawa Senators for their fifth straight loss. These results capped off a record-breaking comeback, as the Devils, who had trailed the division-leading Flyers by 19 points in January, clinched the division title and the third seed in the playoffs. The Rangers, on the other hand, slipped to the sixth seed but still qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

The Devils and Rangers were meeting in the playoffs for the fourth time in their respective histories, with the Rangers having won all three past meetings, including the classic 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, when Mark Messier guaranteed a win and backed it up with a hat trick in Game 6, and Stephane Matteau scored the game-winner in double-overtime of Game 7. More recently, the teams split their eight games in the 2005-06 season, with each team going 3-1 on their home ice, and winning one game in overtime. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Stephane Matteau (b. ...

The Devils jumped out to a quick lead, winning Game 1, 6-1, behind five power-play goals, and Patrik Elias's two goals and four assists, while Rangers star Jaromir Jagr left the game with an arm injury late in the third period. This injury kept Jagr out of Game 2, which the Devils won, 4-1, led by John Madden's hat trick, including two short-handed goals, making Madden the first player since Wayne Gretzky to score two shorthanded goals in the same playoff game. In Game 3, Jamie Langenbrunner scored 68 seconds into the game, and Martin Brodeur earned his 21st career playoff shutout, with 25 saves, as the Devils won 3-0. Jagr's injury woes continued in Game 4, as he was knocked out with a hit in the first minute of the game. Despite this, the Rangers took their only lead of the series on Jed Ortmeyer's goal late in the first period. But New Jersey responded with two goals in each of the second and third periods, including two by Elias, giving him five for the series. They won, 4-2, eliminating their rivals and advancing to the Conference Semifinals. Patrik EliÃ¡Å¡ (born April 13, 1976 in TÅ™ebÃÄ) is a Czech professional hockey left winger. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... John Madden (born May 4, 1973 in Barrie, Ontario) is a star NHL player who plays for the New Jersey Devils. ... Wayne Douglas Gretzky, OC (born January 26, 1961) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. ... Jamie Langenbrunner {b. ... Martin Brodeur (born May 6, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. ... Jed Ortmeyer (3 September 1978 in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American ice hockey player; in 2005 he is a forward for the New York Rangers. ...

Patrik EliÃ¡Å¡ (born April 13, 1976 in TÅ™ebÃÄ) is a Czech professional hockey left winger. ... Scotty Gomez Scott Gomez (born December 23, 1979, in Anchorage, Alaska) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Ken Klee Ken Klee {born 24 April 1971 in Indianapolis, Indiana} is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. // Playing Career Klee was drafted 177th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. ... Jamie Langenbrunner {b. ... Brian Rafalski (born September 28, 1973, in Dearborn, Michigan) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays defenseman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. ... Petr Prucha (Cz: Petr PrÅ¯cha, b. ... John Madden (born May 4, 1973 in Barrie, Ontario) is a star NHL player who plays for the New Jersey Devils. ... Brian Gionta (born January 18, 1979 in Rochester, New York, United States) is an American ice hockey rightwinger. ... Blair Betts (b. ... Zach Parise born 28 July 1984 in Minneapolis, Minnesota is an ice hockey player with the New Jersey Devils. ... Martin Brodeur (born May 6, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. ... Jed Ortmeyer (3 September 1978 in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American ice hockey player; in 2005 he is a forward for the New York Rangers. ... Steve Rucchin (b. ...

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (5) Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2

In a repeat of the result of their 2001 playoff series, right down to the blowout victory in the deciding game, the Buffalo Sabres eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.

Game 1 went to Buffalo, 3-2, as co-captain Daniel Brière ended the game with a double-overtime goal on his team-record 14th shot of the playoff game. Game 1 was also notable for a monstrous hit laid upon Philadelphia's R.J. Umberger by Buffalo's Brian Campbell during the first overtime period. Philadelphia goaltender Robert Esche was outstanding, turning aside 55 Buffalo shots before finally allowing the game-winner. Daniel BriÃ¨re (b. ... R.J. Umberger born May 3, 1982 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is an American hockey player who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. ... Brian Wesley Campbell (born on May 23, 1979, Strathroy, Ontario) is an ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Buffalo Sabres. ... Robert Esche, born January 22, 1978 in Whitesboro, New York is an American ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. ...

The Flyers, looking for revenge from Game 1, took 17 penalties in Game 2, including 3 misconducts and a 5-minute major for checking from behind. Unfortunately for the Flyers, those penalties resulted in eleven Buffalo power plays. The Sabres scored three power-play goals, rolling to an 8-2 victory. J.P. Dumont and rookie Jason Pominville each recorded hat tricks for Buffalo. Jean-Pierre Dumont (born April 1, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Jason Pominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a professional ice hockey right wing who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Pominville played his junior hockey for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. Pominville was drafted 55th overall by the Sabres in the 2001...

The series then shifted to Philadelphia, and the Flyers were able to even it up with wins in Games 3 and 4. Peter Forsberg scored two second-period goals in Game 3 to break a 1-1 tie. The Flyers went on to win the game, 4-2. In Game 4, the Sabres had an early 2-0 lead. Forsberg once again scored two goals, including a goal on an empty net (without the goaltender present) with 49 seconds remaining. The empty-netter proved to be the game-winner, as Buffalo's Mike Grier scored with 19 seconds left in the game to make the final score 5-4 in favor of the Flyers. Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Cradle of Liberty, the City That Loves You Back, the Quaker City, The Birthplace of America Motto: Philadelphia maneto - Let brotherly love continue Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor... (born July 20, 1973 in Ã–rnskÃ¶ldsvik, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. ... This article is about the goaltender in ice hockey. ... Mike Grier (born January 5, 1975 in Detroit, Michigan) is a National Hockey League forward for the San Jose Sharks, and one of the most prominent African-American players in the NHL. // Playing career College hockey Grier was originally drafted by the St. ...

Home-ice advantage continued to be key as the Sabres returned to the HSBC Arena for Game 5 and scored a 3-0 victory. Sabre goaltender Ryan Miller made 24 saves to earn his first career playoff shutout. In Game 6, home-ice advantage was finally broken as the Sabres jumped to a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period in the Wachovia Center. Six different Sabres scored as they finished off the Flyers with a resounding 7-1 victory. HSBC Arena HSBC Arena is a sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Buffalo, New York, USA. It is home to the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team. ... Ryan Miller (born July 17, 1980 in East Lansing, Michigan) is an American hockey player who is a goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres. ... The Wachovia Center (formerly known as the CoreStates Center and the First Union Center) is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. ...

Daniel BriÃ¨re (b. ... Tim Connolly (born May 7, 1981 in Baldwinsville, New York) is an American ice hockey player in the NHL. Connolly played for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League prior to 1999. ... Jay McKee has been a steady defensive blue-liner throught his tenure in Buffalo. ... Simon Gagné (February 29, 1980, Ste Foy, Quebec) is a player with the Philadelphia Flyers, National Hockey League club. ... Michael Mike Knuble (born July 4, 1972 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian-born American professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. // He was raised in Kentwood, Michigan to Latvian-American parents. ... Jean-Pierre Dumont (born April 1, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Jason Pominville (born November 30, 1982 in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) is a professional ice hockey right wing who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Pominville played his junior hockey for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. Pominville was drafted 55th overall by the Sabres in the 2001... Christopher Chris Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing career Chris Drury was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques 72nd overall in the 3rd round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. ... Ales Kotalik (born 23 December 1978 in Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic) is a professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing in his 4th season for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Kotalik was drafted 164th overall by the Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. ... Petr Nedved (Born: December 9, 1971 in Liberec, Czech Republic) is a professional ice hockey leftwinger who plays for the National Hockey Leagues Phoenix Coyotes after having signed by them in 2004. ... (born July 20, 1973 in Ã–rnskÃ¶ldsvik, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player from Sweden. ... Brian Savage is a Sudbury-born NHL hockey player, he became most popular playing for the Montreal Canadiens, though he was later traded to the Phoenix Coyotes and then to the St Louis Blues. ... Mike Grier (born January 5, 1975 in Detroit, Michigan) is a National Hockey League forward for the San Jose Sharks, and one of the most prominent African-American players in the NHL. // Playing career College hockey Grier was originally drafted by the St. ... Thomas Vanek (born on 19 January 1984 in Baden bei Wien, Austria) is an Austrian ice hockey player. ... Ã‰ric Desjardins (born June 14, 1969, in Rouyn, Quebec) is a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. // Playing career Drafted 38th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, he began his NHL career in the 1988-89 season with two goals and twelve assists... R.J. Umberger born May 3, 1982 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is an American hockey player who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. ... Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov (Ru: ÐœÐ°ÐºÑÐ¸Ð¼ Ð¡ÐµÑ€Ð³ÐµÐµÐ²Ð¸Ñ‡ ÐÑ„Ð¸Ð½Ð¾Ð³ÐµÐ½Ð¾Ð², Maksim SergejeviÄ Afinogenov, ; born September 4, 1979 in Moscow, USSR; now Russia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Ryan Miller (born July 17, 1980 in East Lansing, Michigan) is an American hockey player who is a goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres. ... Derek Roy (born 4 May 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing Career Roy started his notable hockey career very well, leading the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL with 87 points during the 1999-00... Branko Radivojevic is a Slovakian (Serb by Origin) NHL player currently (2004) having a breakout season with about 11 goals Categories: Ice hockey player stubs | Philadelphia Flyers players | Phoenix Coyotes players | Serbian sportspeople ...

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (1) Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 2

After losing Game 1 in double overtime, the Oilers won Game 2, 4-2. The series moved to Edmonton tied 1-1. Jarret Stoll provided the game-winner after 28 minutes of overtime in Game 3, giving the Oilers a 2-1 series lead. The Red Wings won Game 4, 4-2, to tie the series. Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, situated in the central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies. ... Jarret Stoll (b. ...

Back in Detroit, the Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period of Game 5. Brendan Shanahan closed the gap to 3-1, and Henrik Zetterberg added his fifth goal of the series to pull Detroit within one, but Edmonton held on to take a 3-2 series lead. Returning to Edmonton, the Oilers found themselves trailing 2-0 after two periods. Fernando Pisani tied the game with two goals, his fourth and fifth of the series, before Detroit reclaimed the lead. With 3:53 to play, Ales Hemsky tied the game on a controversial power-play goal which was reviewed for several minutes, questioning whether it was kicked into the goal. Eventually, a view from the netcam showed the puck deflecting into Hemsky's chest, and dropping onto his left thigh at the same moment that Nicklas Lidstrom pushed him from behind, thus propelling the puck into the net. The goal rightly stood, and Hemsky subsequently provided the game-winning goal with 1:06 left in the third period. Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes - this motto was adopted after the disastrous 1805 fire that devastated the city) Nickname: The Motor City and Motown Location in Wayne County, Michigan Founded Incorporated July 24, 1701 1815 County Wayne County Mayor... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Henrik Zetterberg (Born October 9, 1980 in Njurunda, Sweden) is a Swedish-born professional hockey player. ... Fernando Pisani (born 27 December 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey winger. ... Ales Hemsky (Cz: AleÅ¡ HemskÃ½) is a professional ice hockey player, born August 13, 1983, in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia (now part of the Czech Republic). ... Nicklas Lidström (born April 28, 1970, in Västerås, Sweden) is a professional Ice Hockey defenceman in the NHL, playing for the Detroit Red Wings. ...

Kirk Maltby (born December 22, 1972 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian ice hockey winger. ... Robert Lang (born December 19, 1970, in Teplice, Czechoslovakia) is a professional Ice Hockey Center in the NHL, playing for the Detroit Red Wings. ... Christopher Robert Pronger (born October 10, 1974, in Dryden, Ontario, Canada) is a professional hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks. ... Sergei Samsonov (Russ: Ð¡ÐµÑ€Ð³ÐµÐ¹ Ð¡Ð°Ð¼ÑÐ¾Ð½Ð¾Ð²; born October 27, 1978 near Moscow, Russia) is a professional ice hockey forward in the NHL, playing for the Montreal Canadiens. ... Jason Williams (born 11 August 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian ice hockey player, normally playing in the position of centre. ... Henrik Zetterberg (Born October 9, 1980 in Njurunda, Sweden) is a Swedish-born professional hockey player. ... Fernando Pisani (born 27 December 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey winger. ... Jarret Stoll (b. ... Brad Winchester (b. ... Mathieu Schneider (June 12, 1969) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. ... Ryan Smyth (born February 21, 1976 in Banff, Alberta) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who generally plays left wing. ... Jaroslav The Iron Pylon Spacek (cs: Jaroslav Å paÄek, IPA: /ÊƒpatÊƒÉ›k/), born February 11, 1974 in Rokycany, Czechoslovakia, is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Spacek was drafted in the 5th round, 117th overall by the Florida Panthers in the... Raffi Torres (b. ... Tomas Holmström (born January 23, 1973 in Piteå, Sweden) is a Swedish ice hockey left winger. ... Nicklas Lidström (born April 28, 1970, in Västerås, Sweden) is a professional Ice Hockey defenceman in the NHL, playing for the Detroit Red Wings. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Shawn Horcoff (born 17 September 1978) is a professional ice hockey center who was born in Trail, British Columbia. ... Born in Sweden, he is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the NHLs Detroit Red Wings. ... Ales Hemsky (Cz: AleÅ¡ HemskÃ½) is a professional ice hockey player, born August 13, 1983, in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia (now part of the Czech Republic). ...

(7) Colorado Avalanche defeat (2) Dallas Stars, 4 games to 1

The first upset of the 2006 playoffs came in this series when the seventh-seeded Avalanche defeated the second-seeded Stars in five games. The Stars had won three of the teams' four regular-season meetings, although two of those wins were in overtime.

In Game 1, the Stars came out quickly, going up 2-0 on goals by Brenden Morrow and Bill Guerin, but five different Colorado players scored, allowing the Avalanche to claim a 5-2 win. Colorado continued its momentum with three first-period goals to open Game 2, but Dallas responded with four goals in the second period, including two goals by Jere Lehtinen and a goal in the closing seconds by Mike Modano. Brett Clark tied the game with a short-handed goal with 2:04 to play in regulation. Four minutes into overtime, Jason Arnott got a shot past Colorado goalie Jose Theodore but it hit the post. The Avalanche quickly counter-attacked, and Joe Sakic scored his NHL-record seventh career overtime goal to end the game. Brenden Morrow (born 16 January 1979 in Carlyle, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the NHL. // Playing Career Brenden Morrow started his career with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL. He played four seasons with them, and was drafted... William Robert Guerin (born November 9, 1970, in Wilbraham, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey right wing in the NHL, playing for the St. ... Jere Lehtinen (born June 24, 1973 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. ... Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. ... Brett Clark (born December 23, 1976 in Wapella, Saskatchewan) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. Clark was drafted in the 6th round, 154th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. ... Jason William Arnott (born October 11, 1974 in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada) is a professional ice hockey center in the NHL, who is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent. ... José Théodore (born September 13, 1976 in Laval, Quebec, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently starting goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens. ... Joseph Steven Sakic (born July 7, 1969 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player who is the captain of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. ...

Returning to Denver with a 2-0 series lead, Sakic scored the first goal of Game 3. Stu Barnes tied the game with a short-handed goal, but Colorado led, 2-1, after one period. Dallas took a 3-2 lead in the second period, but Andrew Brunette scored with 57 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the game, and Alex Tanguay tallied his second goal of the game at 1:09 of the first overtime to give the Avalanche a 4-3 win and a 3-0 series lead. Dallas staved off elimination in Game 4 as Niklas Hagman scored two goals in a 4-1 win. This article refers to the state capital of Colorado. ... Stu Barnes (b. ... Andrew Brunette (b. ... Alex Tanguay (born November 21, 1979, in Sainte-Justine, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Niklas Hagman born December 5, 1979 in Espoo, Finland is a Finnish professional hockey player. ...

However, the Avalanche denied the Stars a chance at a continued comeback by winning Game 5 to clinch the series. Joe Sakic scored with just two seconds to play in the second period to give his team a 2-1 lead. The Stars tied it in the third period, but Sergei Zubov's attempted game-winner late in the period glanced off the goal post. After nearly 14 minutes of overtime, Andrew Brunette scored to finish the game and the series. Sergei Zubov (born July 22, 1970, in Moscow, USSR) is a defenseman for the Dallas Stars of the NHL. // Playing career He is considered one of the better offensive defensemen in the NHL today. ...

William Robert Guerin (born November 9, 1970, in Wilbraham, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey right wing in the NHL, playing for the St. ... Brenden Morrow (born 16 January 1979 in Carlyle, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the NHL. // Playing Career Brenden Morrow started his career with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL. He played four seasons with them, and was drafted... Robert Bowlby Rob Blake (born December 10, 1969, in Simcoe, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey defenseman in the NHL, playing for the Los Angeles Kings. ... Brett Clark (born December 23, 1976 in Wapella, Saskatchewan) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. Clark was drafted in the 6th round, 154th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. ... Milan Hejduk (February 14, 1976 in Ústí nad Labem, Czechoslovakia) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche. ... John-Michael Liles is one of the defensemen for the NHL team the Colorado Avalanche, along with Rob Blake, Patrice Brisebois, Kurt Sauer, Karlis Skrastins, Brett Clark, Bob Boughner, and Ossi Vaananen, as of the 2005-2006 season. ... Wojtek Wolski (born February 24, 1986 in Zabrze, Poland) is a Polish-born Canadian ice hockey center, currently of the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL. He was drafted #21 overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft as the first round pick of the Avalanche. ... Jere Lehtinen (born June 24, 1973 in Espoo, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. ... Jussi Jokinen (born April 1, 1983 in Kalajoki, Finland) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. ... Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. ... Andrew Brunette (b. ... Joseph Steven Sakic (born July 7, 1969 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player who is the captain of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. ... Stu Barnes (b. ... Jonathan Klemm (January 8, 1970) in Calgary, Alberta is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays defense in the NHL for the Dallas Stars. ... Sergei Zubov (born July 22, 1970, in Moscow, USSR) is a defenseman for the Dallas Stars of the NHL. // Playing career He is considered one of the better offensive defensemen in the NHL today. ... Alex Tanguay (born November 21, 1979, in Sainte-Justine, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Niklas Hagman born December 5, 1979 in Espoo, Finland is a Finnish professional hockey player. ... Brad Richardson (February 4, 1985 in Belleville, Ontario is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays center and left wing for the National Hockey Leagues Colorado Avalanche. ... Jim Dowd as a New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd is a player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (3) Calgary Flames, 4 games to 3

The entire series was a back-and-forth affair with the teams trading victories throughout the first six games. Game 1 saw an overtime win thanks to Darren McCarty to gain the upper hand, but the Ducks responded back to tie the series. Game 3 was a blowout on the Flames part when Giguere seemed to open the floodgates in the third period. In Game 4, the Ducks jumped ahead 2-0 in the first period and managed to hold a lead for two periods, but two quick goals by Iginla would tie it. It would end on a slap shot from Duck defenseman Sean O'Donnell in overtime shortly after a power play expired. In Game 5, it seemed as if Giguere was being inefective in the net, letting in three goals in a row, so coach Randy Carlyle boldly put in Bryzgalov, who despite not letting any goals in and the momentum seeming to shift late in Game 5, the Flames jumped ahead for the third time. Bryzgalov actually started Game 1 because of an injury to Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who played extremely well despite losing, 2-1 in overtime. When Giguere proved ineffective through the next four games, Bryzgalov returned to the net. Game 6 saw the Flames jump ahead in the first period thanks to Stephane Yelle, but Selänne would tie the game, and Niedermeyer scored a short handed goal from a deflection off of the Flames goalie to tie the series once again. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ended the Calgary Flames' season by winning a decisive Game 7, 3-0, behind the stellar play of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Jean-SÃ©bastien Jiggy GiguÃ¨re (born May 16, 1977 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey goaltender. ... Ilya Bryzgalov Ilya Bryzgalov(Russian:Ð˜Ð»ÑŒÑ ÐÐ¸ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð°ÐµÐ²Ð¸Ñ‡ Ð‘Ñ€Ñ‹Ð·Ð³Ð°Ð»Ð¾Ð²) (b. ...

Anthony Lewis Amonte, usually known as Tony Amonte (born August 2, 1970 in Hingham, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey player with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League. ... Darren McCarty (born April 1, 1972 in Burnaby, British Columbia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Jeff Friesen (b. ... Kristian Huselius (born November 10, 1978 in Ã–sterhaninge, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Dion Phaneuf (born April 10, 1985 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), is a professional ice hockey defenceman. ... Chris Kunitz (born September 26, 1979 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a professional ice hockey left wing who currently plays for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the NHL. He is currently in his second season in the NHL, and so far (as of January 3, 2006), he has played 27... Joffrey Lupul is a professional ice hockey player, born September 23, 1983, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. ... Scott Niedermayer (born August 31, 1973, in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey hockey player with the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL. Standing 6 ft 1 in, 200 pounds (91 kg), Niedermayer is considered to be one of the top defencemen in the league. ... Samuel PÃ¥hlsson (born December 17, 1977, in Ã–rnskÃ¶ldsvik, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the National Hockey League. ... Chuck Kobasew (born April 17, 1982 in Osoyoos, British Columbia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Daymond Langkow (born September 27, 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Darren McCarty (born April 1, 1972 in Burnaby, British Columbia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Robyn Regehr playing for the Calgary Flames on December 21, 2005 Robyn Regehr, (born April 18, 1980, in Recife, Brazil) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. ... Ryan Getzlaf born May 10, 1985 in Regina, Saskatchewan is a Canadian professional hockey player who plays for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. ... Sean ODonnell (born October 13, 1971 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. ODonnell was drafted in the 6th round, 123rd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Andy McDonald (born August 25, 1977 in Strathroy, Ontario, Canada) is a professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League. ... Rob Niedermayer (b. ... Stephane Yelle (b. ... Ilya Bryzgalov Ilya Bryzgalov(Russian:Ð˜Ð»ÑŒÑ ÐÐ¸ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð°ÐµÐ²Ð¸Ñ‡ Ð‘Ñ€Ñ‹Ð·Ð³Ð°Ð»Ð¾Ð²) (b. ... Ruslan Salei (born November 2, 1974 in Minsk, Belarus) is a professional hockey defenseman. ...

(5) San Jose Sharks defeat (4) Nashville Predators, 4 games to 1

The 4-5 matchup in the West pitted the Nashville Predators against the San Jose Sharks, the first playoff meeting between the two teams. Nashville had dominated much of the season on their way to the fourth seed in the conference, while San Jose rallied back from an early-season slump all the way to the 5th seed, thanks to a November trade for Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins that resulted in Thornton winning the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring. Linemate Jonathan Cheechoo won the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals. The teams split their regular season series, with both of San Jose's wins coming in overtime. Joseph Eric Thornton (born July 2, 1979, in London, Ontario, [[Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) who has played for the Boston Bruins and currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season. ... Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Earl Cheechoo known as the Cheechoo Train, (born July 15, 1980 in Moose Factory, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. ... The Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy was donated by the Montreal Canadiens hockey club in 1999 to be awarded annually to the goal-scoring leader during the National Hockey League regular season. ...

Both teams came into the series with alternate goaltenders. After Sharks starter Evgeni Nabokov stumbled through most of the regular season, backup Vesa Toskala earned the spot as playoff starter with his impressive play during San Jose's stretch run to clinch a playoff spot. Nashville's star goaltender Tomas Vokoun would be diagnosed with a blood disorder in early April that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season, forcing backup Chris Mason to become Nashville's goaltender for the playoffs. Evgeni Nabokov (Ru: Ð•Ð²Ð³ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ð¹ ÐÐ°Ð±Ð¾ÐºÐ¾Ð², Jevgenij Nabokov) (born July 25, 1975 in Ust-Kamenogorsk, U.S.S.R., now Kazakhstan), is a professional ice hockey player. ... Vesa Toskala (born May 20, 1977 in Tampere, Finland), is an ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. Toskala was selected by San Jose in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft (4th round, 90th overall). ... TomÃ¡Å¡ Vokoun (born July 2, 1976 in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia) is a professional ice hockey player. ... For details of the darts player, Chris Mason see Chris Mason (Darts) Chris Mason (born April 20, 1976 in Red Deer, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the NHL. Mason was drafted in the 5th round, 122th overall by the New...

The Predators won the first game at home, 4-3, with four power-play goals, three of them coming in the first period. In Game 2, San Jose scored three first-period power play goals from Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo and Mark Smith. Toskala earned a shutout on the Predators in a 3-0 victory. Patrick Marleau (born September 15, 1979, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Canadian professional hockey center in the NHL who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... Mark Smith (born October 24, 1977, Edmonton, Alberta) is an ice hockey centre for the NHLs San Jose Sharks. ...

The series went to San Jose for Games 3 and 4, but the Predators' tendency for penalties continued to be taken advantage of by the Sharks. In Game 3, a short-handed goal by Kimmo Timonen gave the Predators an early lead, but San Jose bounced back with four unanswered goals, two of them by Marleau and one on the power play by Steve Bernier, en route to a 4-1 San Jose victory. In Game 4, Marleau scored a hat trick, with two of his goals coming on the power play (and another by Smith scored right after another Nashville penalty expired). San Jose won the game, 5-4, as the series changed back to Nashville for Game 5. Unfortunately for Nashville, a Paul Kariya goal was not enough to combat power-play goals by Marleau and Bernier in a 2-1 victory for San Jose in Game 5, giving the Sharks the series. Nickname: Capital of Silicon Valley Location of San Jose within Santa Clara County, California. ... Kimmo Timonen (born March 18, 1975, in Kuopio, Finland) is a professional ice hockey defenseman in the NHL, playing for the Nashville Predators. ... Steve Bernier (born March 31st, 1985 in Quebec City, Quebec) is a professional NHL ice hockey forward who plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... A hat-trick in sports is associated with succeeding at anything three times in three consecutive attempts. ... Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the Nashville Predators. ...

Martin Erat (Born August 28, 1981, in TÅ™ebÃÄ, Czechoslovakia), is a professional ice hockey player. ... Adam Hall (Born August 14, 1980 in Kalamazoo, MI) is a professional ice hockey player. ... Mike Sillinger is a vetern ice hockey player in the NHL. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, this center has played for fourteen seasons. ... Shea Weber (born August 14, 1985 in Sicamous, British Columbia) is an American Hockey League defenceman for the Milwaukee Admirals, the farm team of the Nashville Predators. ... Nils Ekman (born March 11, 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden) is an ice hockey top-six left winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. ... Mark Smith (born October 24, 1977, Edmonton, Alberta) is an ice hockey centre for the NHLs San Jose Sharks. ... Scott Thornton (born January 9, 1971 in London, Ontario, Canada) is a professional ice hockey winger. ... Vesa Toskala (born May 20, 1977 in Tampere, Finland), is an ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. Toskala was selected by San Jose in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft (4th round, 90th overall). ... Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Earl Cheechoo known as the Cheechoo Train, (born July 15, 1980 in Moose Factory, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. ... Patrick Marleau (born September 15, 1979, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a Canadian professional hockey center in the NHL who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... Kimmo Timonen (born March 18, 1975, in Kuopio, Finland) is a professional ice hockey defenseman in the NHL, playing for the Nashville Predators. ... Steve Bernier (born March 31st, 1985 in Quebec City, Quebec) is a professional NHL ice hockey forward who plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... Scott Hartnell (b. ... Paul Kariya Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the Nashville Predators. ... Patrick Rissmiller (October 26, 1978) from Belmont, Massachusetts is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays center and left wing for the National Hockey Leagues San Jose Sharks. ...

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (1) Ottawa Senators, 4 games to 1

In a battle of the top two teams from the Northeast Division in 2006, the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres squared off in this series. The Senators won five of the eight meetings between the teams in the regular season, including several lopsided results early in the season.

Game 1 of the series was a back-and-forth affair, with the Sabres tying the game five separate times—including a goal by Tim Connolly with just 10.7 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 6—before winning just 18 seconds into overtime on a goal by Chris Drury.

The remainder of the series was tightly played defensively, though. Goaltending by both Buffalo's Ryan Miller and Ottawa's Ray Emery became the key to the series. A 2-1 victory by the Sabres in Game 2 was highlighted by 43 Miller saves—including one on a breakaway by Jason Spezza—which allowed Buffalo to take a 2-0 series lead home.

Game 3 went to overtime and was won once again by the Sabres on a shot by J.P. Dumont. Sabre fans were prepared for a sweep but were disappointed when the Senators were able to stave off elimination with a 2-1 victory.

Ottawa returned home for Game 5 with hopes of pulling even closer. The game went to overtime but ended quickly as Jason Pominville scored a shorthanded goal just 2:26 in to end the Senators' season. There had been six short-handed overtime goals in Stanley Cup Playoff history up to this point, but this was the first one to ever end a series. This put the Sabres into the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in the past eight seasons.

Teppo Numminen is a hockey defenceman born in Tampere, Finland on July 3, 1968. ... Jochen Hecht (b. ... Brian Pothier (born April 15, 1977 in New Bedford, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey player currently playing in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators. ... Henrik Tallinder (born January 10, 1979 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Tallinder was drafted 48th overall by the Sabres in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. ...

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (3) New Jersey Devils, 4 games to 1

The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils, both division champions, met in the Conference Semifinals. The teams had met twice before in the playoffs: In 2001, the top-seeded Devils dispatched the Hurricanes in six games in the first round; Carolina won the following year as the third seed (the Hurricanes had an inferior record but held home advantage as a division champion). In the 2005-06 season, the Hurricanes won both games in 2005, while the Devils won both games in 2006, the last towards the beginning of their 15-game winning streak.

Game 1 of the series, in Carolina, featured sloppy play by the Devils. Ray Whitney scored a power-play goal in the first period and added another in the second period. Frustration set in for New Jersey as the Hurricanes scored two quick power-play goals late in the second, and then two more power-play goals midway through the third period, leading to Martin Brodeur being pulled from his position as Devils' goalie in favor of Scott Clemmensen. The game went to Carolina, 6-0. Ray Whitney was born on the 8th of May, 1972 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. ... Martin Brodeur (born May 6, 1972, in Montreal, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. ... Scott Clemmensen born July 23, 1977 in Des Moines, Iowa is a professional ice hockey goalie who plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. ...

Game 2, also in Carolina, was a much cleaner and low-scoring affair than the first game. After Jamie Langenbrunner pushed the Devils ahead 2-1 with twenty seconds to go in the third period, Eric Staal scored a game-tying goal with just four seconds left to send the game into overtime. Niclas Wallin tallied the game-winner 3:09 into overtime. Back in New Jersey for Game 3, the Devils lost another 3-2 game, with Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour scoring the game-winner with 1:01 to play in the second period. The third period featured stellar play from goalies Cam Ward of Carolina and Martin Brodeur of New Jersey. Jamie Langenbrunner {b. ... Eric Joseph Brent Staal (born on 29 October 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL Playing career Eric Staal Staal was selected 2nd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. ... Niclas Wallin born February 20, 1975 in Boden, Sweden is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the NHLs Carolina Hurricanes. ...

New Jersey jumped out to a 5-0 lead and won Game 4 with a final score of 5-1, including two goals by Scott Gomez and Jay Pandolfo's first goal of the postseason. Goalie Cam Ward of Carolina was pulled after the fourth goal for Martin Gerber, the man that he displaced behind the goal in Game 3 of Carolina's first-round series with Montreal. Jay Pandolfo (born 27 December 1974 in Winchester, Massachusetts) is an American ice hockey forward who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. ... Martin Gerber (born September 3, 1974 in Burgdorf, Switzerland) is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender. ...

Ward returned a day later back in Carolina in Game 5, and it looked like he might have a similarly short outing after Brian Gionta tallied in the game's first minute. However, Ward and the Carolina defense clamped down on the Devils attack as the Hurricanes killed off five straight New Jersey penalties. Hurricanes defenseman Frantisek Kaberle also added a goal to tie the score at 1. When the Hurricanes received their first power-play over halfway into the game, Carolina rushed up ice, with Brind'Amour and Justin Williams passing to an open Cory Stillman who beat Brodeur. Whitney and Staal added late goals to make the final game and series totals 4-1 in favor of the Hurricanes. Brian Gionta (born January 18, 1979 in Rochester, New York, United States) is an American ice hockey rightwinger. ... Frantisek Kaberle (born November 8, 1973 in Kladno, Czech Republic) is a Czech Republic professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Cory Stillman is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Doug Weight (Born January 21, 1971 in Warren, Michigan, USA) is professional ice hockey player currently playing for the St. ... Niclas Wallin born February 20, 1975 in Boden, Sweden is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the NHLs Carolina Hurricanes. ... Sergei Brylin (born January 13, 1974 in Moscow, USSR) is a forward on New Jersey Devils NHL team since 1994. ... Jay Pandolfo (born 27 December 1974 in Winchester, Massachusetts) is an American ice hockey forward who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. ... Frantisek Kaberle (born November 8, 1973 in Kladno, Czech Republic) is a Czech Republic professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (5) San Jose Sharks, 4 games to 2

Game 1 was a muddled, penalty-filled battle. Edmonton took a first-period lead off a Jaroslav Spacek power-play goal. Marleau scored one goal (raising his playoff-leading total to eight) and assisted on another, leading the Sharks to a 2-1 win. Game 2 was also a 2-1 San Jose victory, with Joe Thornton scoring the game-winning goal on a power play in the second period. Jaroslav The Iron Pylon Spacek (cs: Jaroslav Å paÄek, IPA: /ÊƒpatÊƒÉ›k/), born February 11, 1974 in Rokycany, Czechoslovakia, is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Spacek was drafted in the 5th round, 117th overall by the Florida Panthers in the...

The site changed to Edmonton for Game 3, and the Sharks and Oilers engaged in a triple-overtime match, the longest playoff game in the postseason to date, before Edmonton's Shawn Horcoff finally ended the game with a goal giving the Oilers a 3-2 win. Edmonton came back from an early 3-1 deficit in Game 4 and scored five unanswered goals late in the game—including three in the final period—to force out goalie Vesa Toskala, to win, 6-3, and to even the series, 2-2.

In San Jose, Game 5 was the first time that a road team won a game in the series, the result being a 6-3 Edmonton victory. The teams entered the third period with Edmonton up 2-1, having killed off six penalties in the first and second periods. Twelve seconds into the period, Shawn Horcoff of the Oilers managed to put in a short-handed goal past Vesa Toskala making the score 3-1. Shortly after, the Sharks scored their first power-play goal in three games with Christian Ehrhoff scoring at 0:44 into the period. Less than two minutes later, Cheechoo scored another goal to tie the game, 3-3. However, the Oilers answered back with Fernando Pisani scoring his second goal of the game. The Sharks took six penalties in the third period, which proved very costly. Jarret Stoll quickly capitalized on a Jonathan Cheechoo interference call and then Ryan Smyth scored later in the period, sealing the game.

The two teams headed back to Edmonton for Game 6, where the Oilers took the game, 2-0, with the game-winning goal from Michael Peca, to win the series, 4-2.

Christian Ehrhoff (born July 6, 1982 in Moers, West Germany) is a NHL player currently playing defense for the San Jose Sharks. ... Tom Preissing was (born December 3, 1978 in Arlington Heights, Illinois although he grew up in Rosemount, Minnesota) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. // Preissing was signed as a free agent out of college. ... Joseph Eric Thornton (born July 2, 1979, in London, Ontario, [[Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) who has played for the Boston Bruins and currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. ... Marc-Andre Bergeron (born October 13, 1980 in Saint-Louis-de-France, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey defenceman. ... Michael Peca (born March 26, 1974 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League who has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers. ... For other Jason Smiths see Jason Smith. ... Albert Dwayne Roli Roloson (born October 12, 1969 in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada) is an NHL goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers. ...

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (7) Colorado Avalanche, 4 games to 0

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim advanced to play the Colorado Avalanche in the second round. The Avalanche went 3-1 against Anaheim in the regular season, though all four games were decided by a single goal, and Anaheim's win was in overtime. The series was the first playoff series between the teams.

Game 1 started slow with no goals in the first period, but Samuel Påhlsson gaive Anaheim the lead early in the second period. Two goals in the last minute of the period gave Anaheim a 4-0 advantage that extended to 5-0 by game's end, as rookie Ilya Bryzgalov recorded his second straight shutout. Samuel PÃ¥hlsson (born December 17, 1977, in Ã–rnskÃ¶ldsvik, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the National Hockey League. ...

In Game 2, Bryzgalov became the first goalie since his teammate, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, to record three straight playoff shutouts as the Ducks won, 3-0. Bryzgalov joins Frank McCool as the only rookie to accomplish such a feat, which was tested late when the Avalanche pulled goalie Jose Theodore in a desperate attempt to score. Stretching back to midway through the first period of Game 6 of the previous series, the Ducks had not been scored upon in 229:42, giving Bryzgalov the fourth longest playoff shutout streak in NHL history. Jean-SÃ©bastien Jiggy GiguÃ¨re (born May 16, 1977 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey goaltender. ... Frank McCool October 27, 1918 - May 20, 1973 in Calgary, Alberta was a Canadian professional ice hockey goalie who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League. ... José Théodore (born September 13, 1976 in Laval, Quebec, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently starting goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens. ...

In Game 3, Dan Hinote scored late in the first period for the Avs, setting Bryzgalov's shutout streak at second all-time, with just under 250 minutes. Joffrey Lupul brought the Ducks back even in the second, but a Jim Dowd score gave the Avs another lead. Two more from Lupul, his first career hat trick, put the Ducks in a 3-2 lead late, but a Rob Blake follow-up goal from a heavy Alex Tanguay shot tied the score. At 16:30 of overtime, Joffrey Lupul scored his fourth goal of the night to put the Ducks at a 3-0 series lead. A newspaper in Edmonton reported the final score as Lupul 4, Avs 3. [1] Dan Hinote (born January 30, 1977 in Leesburg, Florida) is an NHL ice hockey player currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche. ... Joffrey Lupul is a professional ice hockey player, born September 23, 1983, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. ... Jim Dowd as a New Jersey Devil Jim Dowd is a player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Robert Bowlby Rob Blake (born December 10, 1969, in Simcoe, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey defenseman in the NHL, playing for the Los Angeles Kings. ... Alex Tanguay (born November 21, 1979, in Sainte-Justine, Quebec) is a professional ice hockey player. ...

In the fourth game, the Avs lost 4-1, in Colorado. Joe Sakic scored the only goal for the Avs early in the first period. The Ducks equalized late in the first period via a Todd Marchant goal. Bryzgalov did not allow the puck past him in the next two periods, with Teemu Selänne scoring the winning goal early in the second period. Also, Dustin Penner scoring in the sixth minute of the third period, and Marchant scored his second goal of the game late in the third period to secure Anaheim's berth in the Western Conference Finals. Joseph Steven Sakic (born July 7, 1969 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) is a professional ice hockey player who is the captain of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League. ... Todd Marchant (born August 12, 1973 in Buffalo, New York, USA) is a National Hockey League centre. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Dustin Penner (born September 28, 1982 in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada) is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League. ...

Travis Moen (born April 6, 1982 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan) is Canadian hockey player for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim of the NHL. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames. ... Ilya Bryzgalov (b. ... Dan Hinote (born January 30, 1977 in Leesburg, Florida) is an NHL ice hockey player currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche. ... Todd Marchant (born August 12, 1973 in Buffalo, New York, USA) is a National Hockey League centre. ... Dustin Penner (born September 28, 1982 in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada) is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League. ...

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (4) Buffalo Sabres, 4 games to 3

The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres began the series labeled as "mirror images" of each other. Both teams were expected to do little in the pre-season, largely because of a lack of major moves in free agency in the off-season attributed to both teams' small-market status. Yet, both teams succeeded, thanks to a successful adjustment to the new, up-tempo game played in the NHL. The two teams were separated by just two points in the regular season, and both finished with 52 wins (Carolina had more points by virtue of taking two more games to overtime than Buffalo did). In their post-season runs, both teams had won their first round series 4-2, and their second round series 4-1. Both teams' post-season success had been credited to team defense, offensive scoring depth and the outstanding play of a rookie goaltender, Ryan Miller for the Sabres, and Cam Ward for the Hurricanes.

Thus, something had to give when the two teams first took the ice for Game 1 on May 20 in Carolina. One theme that held true early was Buffalo's propensity for scoring first, as defenseman Henrik Tallinder finished off a barrage on Ward by beating the rookie goaltender three minutes into the period. Rod Brind'Amour scored to tie the first period at 1-1. Buffalo responded in the second period, outshooting Carolina 13-4 and getting a goal from co-captain Daniel Briere in transition. Carolina applied plenty of pressure in the 3rd, but the Sabres took advantage of a failed power-play when Jay McKee emerged from the penalty box to beat Ward for another Buffalo score. Mike Commodore cut the defecit to 3-2 with a shorthanded goal with three minutes left in the game, but the Sabres won with no more goals scored. May 20 is the 140th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (141st in leap years). ... Henrik Tallinder (born January 10, 1979 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Tallinder was drafted 48th overall by the Sabres in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. ... Jay McKee has been a steady defensive blue-liner throught his tenure in Buffalo. ... Michael Commodore (born November 7, 1979 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. Commodore was drafted 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and broke...

Urged on by a raucous RBC Center crowd, the Hurricanes played well in the 1st period of Game 2, which was climaxed by a Frantisek Kaberle power-play goal. However, Buffalo evened the game 48 seconds from intermission. Perhaps as a result of the tie score, the 'Canes dominated Buffalo in the second period, outshooting the Sabres 16-4 and picking up two goals from veteran forward Ray Whitney. A near Buffalo goal, saved going in the net by defenseman Glen Wesley and a Justin Williams goal in the third period both seemed meaningless at the time, but two late Buffalo goals (by Chris Drury and Derek Roy) made them quite important. The 4-3 Hurricanes win was not without controversy; Coach Peter Laviolette accused the Sabres of diving in order to draw four penalty calls against Carolina in the third period. Ruff replied that the Sabres were just following Carolina's example. Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Center. ... Frantisek Kaberle (born November 8, 1973 in Kladno, Czech Republic) is a Czech Republic professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... Ray Whitney was born on the 8th of May, 1972 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. ... Fagboy Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1988. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Christopher Chris Drury (born August 20, 1976 in Trumbull, Connecticut) is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing career Chris Drury was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques 72nd overall in the 3rd round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. ... Derek Roy (born 4 May 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing Career Roy started his notable hockey career very well, leading the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL with 87 points during the 1999-00... Peter Laviolette Jr. ...

Game 3 was similar, except this time the two teams were reversed. Buffalo had the better of the play in the first period but were tied at 1, this time tying the game when Chris Drury deflected a shot past Ward. In this second period, Buffalo dominated, unleashing a barrage on Ward that yielded three goals: two Briere and one for Ales Kotalik. After the Kotalik goal, Ward was pulled in favor of Martin Gerber. Gerber made two saves on break-aways, giving Carolina momentum. The Hurricanes responded with goals from Cory Stillman and Eric Staal, extending Staal's point streak to 13 games. The Sabres emerged with a 2-1 series lead but lost Tallinder, one of their top defensemen, to a broken arm. Ales Kotalik (born 23 December 1978 in Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic) is a professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing in his 4th season for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Kotalik was drafted 164th overall by the Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. ...

Game 4 provided the series' first large margin of victory for either side. The game went Carolina's way, as the 'Canes emerged with a 4-0 shutout win. Much of the pregame conjecture centered around who Laviolette would turn select for goaltender. In the end, the call went to the veteran Gerber, and the Swiss native responded. Gerber kept the score deadlocked before Mark Recchi and Staal scored to give the 'Canes a 2-0 first-period lead. In the second period, Andrew Ladd and Bret Hedican added their first goals of the post-season. Mark Recchi (born February 1, 1968 in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada) is an ice hockey player, currently an unrestricted free agent in the National Hockey League. ... Andrew Ladd born December 12, 1985 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia in a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the NHLs Carolina Hurricanes. ... Bret Hedican (born on 10 August 1970 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA) is an American NHL hockey player, married to figure-skater Kristi Yamaguchi. ...

In Game 5, Gerber started in net for the Hurricanes, but he did not play well. Drury scored his ninth of the post-season to open the scoring and, after a Williams goal 17 seconds later tied the score, Derek Roy scored on Gerber to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. Two minutes into the second period, Toni Lydman scored, giving Buffalo a 3-1 lead. Laviolette once more made a mid-game switch, this time turning back to Ward. Within 10 minutes, the Hurricanes had evened the score thanks to goals from Recchi and Brind'Amour. The Hurricanes registered only one shot on goal in the entire third period. The game went to overtime for the first time in the series. Stillman scored early in overtime for a 4-3 win. The Hurricanes earned their first lead of the series. Eric Staal received an assist on the Brind'Amour goal to push his consecutive points streak to 15 games. The record is 19 games, set by Bryan Trottier for the New York Islanders in 1981. Derek Roy (born 4 May 1983 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. // Playing Career Roy started his notable hockey career very well, leading the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL with 87 points during the 1999-00... Toni Lydman born September 25, 1977 in Lahti, Finland is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. ... Bryan John Trottier (born July 17, 1956, in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Canada) was a professional Ice Hockey Centre in the NHL, and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. ... The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York, a city located on Long Island. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

With Teppo Numminen returning to the bench, Game 6 started out comfortably for the Sabres, as J.P. Dumont scored on a rebound early in the first period to give the Sabres a lead. It held until late in the third period, when Bret Hedican put a shot into the top corner to send the game into overtime. After Doug Weight was given a penalty early in overtime, Daniel Brière sent the series to a Game 7 by putting a shot in that went off Cam Ward's glove and into the net. Bret Hedican (born on 10 August 1970 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA) is an American NHL hockey player, married to figure-skater Kristi Yamaguchi. ... Doug Weight (Born January 21, 1971 in Warren, Michigan, USA) is professional ice hockey player currently playing for the St. ...

In Game 7, the Sabres remained competitive despite the loss of defenseman Jay McKee, leaving them with four defenders sidelined because of injury. Entering the third period, Buffalo led 2-1. Carolina tied it and then took the lead on a power-play goal. Carolina scored another goal with less than a minute left to win the game, 4-2, and earn a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in four seasons. Jay McKee has been a steady defensive blue-liner throught his tenure in Buffalo. ...

Michael Commodore (born November 7, 1979 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. Commodore was drafted 42nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and broke... Bret Hedican (born on 10 August 1970 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA) is an American NHL hockey player, married to figure-skater Kristi Yamaguchi. ... Andrew Ladd born December 12, 1985 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia in a Canadian ice hockey player who plays for the NHLs Carolina Hurricanes. ... Toni Lydman born September 25, 1977 in Lahti, Finland is a Finnish professional ice hockey player. ... Doug Janik (born March 26, 1980 in Agawam, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey defensman who is currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL. Janik was drafted 55th overall in the 2nd round by the Sabres in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. ...

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4 games to 1

The Oilers opened up the scoring in the first game of the series in the first period when Michael Peca scored his second short-handed goal of the playoffs with a long pass from Edmonton goalie Dwayne Roloson. The Ducks quickly answered back with a goal on a power play, tying the game. The Oilers took the lead in the middle of the second period when Ales Hemsky knocked in a high rebound. The Oilers' Todd Harvey scored on an empty net to win the game.

The second game of the series was one which many declared a "must-win" for Anaheim ^{[2] [3]} in order to avoid going down 2-0 in the series heading to Rexall Place, where they had not won since 1999. However, the Oilers opened with another special-teams goal in the first period when Chris Pronger scored on a power-play with a shot off the blue line thirteen minutes into the first period. However, the Ducks responded in the second period with Jeff Friesen putting a rebound past Roloson. Roloson stopped 33 shots on the night. Fernando Pisani, who led the Oilers in goals, scored his eighth of the playoffs with three minutes left in the second period. During the third period, the Ducks pressured Edmonton, much like Game 1, but were unable to beat Roloson as well as the Edmonton shot-blocking. Michael Peca scored his second goal of the series on an empty net as time ran out, giving the Oilers a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3 was played at Rexall Place in Edmonton. The Ducks sought to break the Oilers' six-game playoff win streak in a building they had not won in since 1999. The first period was marred with over 40 penalty minutes assessed in total. However, Toby Peterson managed to put the Oilers in the lead on a failed Bryzgalov clearing attempt which left the net wide open. Both teams could not score in the second as things seemed to calm down a little. The third period had much more scoring. First, Michael Peca scored on a breakaway. Just over a minute later, Steve Staios scored his first goal of the playoffs on a power play giving the Oilers a 3-0 lead. Chris Pronger seemed to put this out of reach on a five-on-three power-play goal. The Oilers had scored three goals in two and a half minutes giving them a seemingly safe 4-0 lead. However, the Ducks' Sean O'Donnell scored at just past the seven-minute mark of the third period. Teemu Selanne, who had been quiet for much of the series, put the Ducks right back in with his first goal of the series. Chris Kunitz then put the Ducks within a goal as momentum completely shifted over. However, Pisani scored his ninth goal of the playoffs off a bad Anaheim faceoff putting the Oilers back ahead by two. This tied him for the most goals in the playoffs with Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks with nine. Teemu Selanne then scored his second goal of the game with less than two minutes left bringing it back to a one-goal game. However, the Oilers managed to hang on in the dying seconds and secure a 3-0 series lead with a chance to sweep at Rexall Place in Game 4. The game had a total of 76 penalty minutes handed out by the time everything was done.

After a less than stellar performance in Game 3, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle replaced Bryzgalov with Jean-Sebastien Giguere for Game 4, hoping the shakeup would energize his team. It worked quite well, as the Ducks allowed only three shots in the first period, scoring three goals. Edmonton did lead a comeback in the second period, coming within one of the Ducks, but Joffrey Lupul scored two goals to win the game, 5-2. Carlyle at the 2006 NHL Awards Ceremony. ... Jean-SÃ©bastien Jiggy GiguÃ¨re (born May 16, 1977 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a French Canadian professional hockey goaltender. ...

Game 5 returned to Anaheim, and the Oilers had several penalties called against them in period 1. Although the Oilers successfully killed off the penalty to Matt Greene, Jaroslav Spacek's hooking minor led to a power play goal for the Ducks, scored by Francois Beauchemin. The first period ended with the Ducks up 1-0 and outshooting the Oilers, 14-8. Early in the second period, the Ducks took a penalty that was successfully killed off, but immediately after the penalty expired, the Oilers tied the game with a rebound goal from Ethan Moreau. Five minutes later, Raffi Torres tipped in a shot from Marc-Andre Bergeron to take the lead in the game. Although several good chances for both teams followed, the lead was held by the Oilers. A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior, or the inappropriate behavior itself (whether called or not). ...

Despite late pressure by the Ducks, including a 6 on 3 powerplay in the final minute of play, the Oilers held on to win the Western Conference and move on to the Stanley Cup Finals. They were the first eighth-seeded team to reach the Finals under the current playoff format (which was introduced in 1994).

Todd Harvey (b. ... Toby Peterson (born October 27, 1978 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers organization. ... Steve Staios (b. ... Georges Laraque (b. ... Ethan Moreau (b. ...

Stanley Cup Finals

Carolina Hurricanes defeat Edmonton Oilers, 4 games to 3

This series marked the first time that the Oilers advanced to the final playoff round since 1990 when they won their fifth Stanley Cup in team history. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2002 when they fell to the heavily favoured Detroit Red Wings in 5 games. The 1989-90 NHL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The 2001-02 NHL season was the 85th regular season of the National Hockey League. ... The Detroit Red Wings are an NHL franchise located in Detroit, Michigan. ...

This series marked the first time that two former World Hockey Association teams played against each other for the Stanley Cup since they merged with the NHL in 1979. The Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes team is the only former WHA club to have never contested a Finals. As a result of the new scheduling formula that was implemented before the 2005-06 NHL season, the Hurricanes and the Oilers did not meet during the regular season. World Hockey Association logo The World Hockey Association (French: Association Mondiale de Hockey) was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. ... The Winnipeg Jets were an ice hockey franchise that existed in both the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League. ... The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale. ... The modernized NHL shield logo, debuting in 2005. ...

In Game 1, Carolina tied the biggest comeback in Stanley Cup Finals history, overcoming a three-goal deficit to win, 5-4. Edmonton scored first, 8:18 into the first period, with a goal from Fernando Pisani. In the second period, Chris Pronger scored the first penalty shot goal in Stanley Cup Finals history after defenseman Niclas Wallin illegally covered the puck inside his own goal crease, and Ethan Moreau's goal at 16:23 gave the Oilers a 3-0 lead. But at the 17:17 mark, Rod Brind'Amour scored the Hurricanes' first goal of the game. Carolina then tied the game in the third period with two scores by Ray Whitney. The Hurricanes jumped ahead, 4-3, on a shorthanded goal by Justin Williams, but Edmonton's Ales Hemsky scored on a power play to tie the game with 6:29 remaining. Late in the final period, Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson suffered a series-ending knee injury in a collision and was replaced with Ty Conklin. With 32 seconds to go in regulation, Conklin misplayed the puck, and it deflected off Jason Smith's stick to the front of the empty net, allowing Brind'Amour to score the winning goal. Fernando Pisani (born 27 December 1976 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey winger. ... Christopher Robert Pronger (born October 10, 1974, in Dryden, Ontario, Canada) is a professional hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks. ... In ice hockey, a penalty shot is a type of penalty awarded when a team loses a clear scoring opportunity because of a foul committed by an opposing player. ... Niclas Wallin born February 20, 1975 in Boden, Sweden is a professional ice hockey player who plays for the NHLs Carolina Hurricanes. ... Ethan Moreau (b. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ray Whitney was born on the 8th of May, 1972 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ales Hemsky (Cz: AleÅ¡ HemskÃ½) is a professional ice hockey player, born August 13, 1983, in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia (now part of the Czech Republic). ... Albert Dwayne Roli Roloson (born October 12, 1969 in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada) is an NHL goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers. ... Ty Conklin (born 30 March 1976, Anchorage, Alaska) is a goaltender with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. ... For other Jason Smiths see Jason Smith. ...

With Roloson's injury, Jussi Markkanen started for the Oilers in Game 2. Although Markkanen had played 37 games in the regular season—sharing the job with Ty Conklin and Mike Morrison—he had watched from the bench the entire post-season; he also had not played a game since March 1, 2006. The Hurricanes shut out the Oilers, 5-0, with five different Carolina players scoring goals. Markkanen was Edmonton's third goaltender in the series. It was the first time three goaltenders had been used in a Cup Finals since May 1970, when the St. Louis Blues employed Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Ernie Wakely on their way to being swept by the Boston Bruins. Jussi Markkanen (b. ... Mike Morrison (born July 11, 1979 in Medford, Massachusetts) is a professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. Morrison was drafted in the 7th round, 186th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The St. ... Joseph Jacques Omer Jake the Snake Plante (born January 17, 1929, in Shawinigan Falls, QuÃ©bec; died February 27, 1986, in Sierre, Switzerland,) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. ... Glenn Hall Glenn Hall (born October 3, 1931, in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada) was a professional ice hockey goaltender. ... Ernie Wakely (born November 27, 1940 in Flin Flon, Manitoba) was a goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens and St. ... The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ...

In Game 3, Markkanen once again started in net with Roloson still out. Shawn Horcoff scored just over two minutes into the first period. During the second period, a short-handed goal was waved off by the referee, because he had lost sight of the puck and had blown the whistle, despite the fact that the puck had not yet been covered. The Hurricanes responded midway through the third period with their captain, Rod Brind'Amour, taking a rebound off a blocked shot past Markkanen. However, with 2:15 left int eh third period, Edmonton's Ryan Smyth scored the winning goal after crashing into Ward inside the crease as they both tried to get control of a rebound off of a shot by Ales Hemsky. Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette and many other Carolina players complained that Smyth should have been penalized for interference, but no penalty was called since the referees felt that he did not make enough contact with Ward to prevent him from attempting a save. [4] [5] [6]

In, Game 4, Edmonton got off to a good start when Sergei Samsonov opened the scoring at 8:40 of the first period. However, the lead was short-lived as Cory Stillman replied just 29 seconds later to tie the game, 1-1. Mark Recchi scored the eventual game-winner with just over four minutes to go in the second period. Once again Edmonton's power-play was futile, failing to capitalize on five chances, including a 2-man advantage in the first period. When the game ended, the Oilers were 1-for-25 on the power play to this point in the series.

Carolina entered Game 5 with a 3-1 lead in the series and a chance to win the Stanley Cup on home ice. However, Edmonton scored first on Fernando Pisani's goal 16 seconds into the game. The Hurricanes then went ahead, 2-1, on two power-play goals by Staal and Whitney before the Oilers scored a power-play goal by Hemsky to tie the game. Peca then gave Edmonton a 3-2 lead with 17.4 seconds left in the first period. In the second period, Staal scored another power play goal to tie the game. With 7:47 remaining in the third period, Whitney missed what might have been the Hurricanes' best chance to close out the series with a shot that just hit the post. The game went to overtime, and Pisani scored the first short-handed overtime goal in finals history to give the Oilers the win. [7]

Edmonton, in Game 6, shut out Carolina, 4-0, scoring three power-play goals and limiting the Hurricanes to only 16 shots on goal. Edmonton held Carolina to seven shots through 40 minutes of play. Fernando Pisani got his post-season high 5th game winning goal (and 13th in total, also tops amongst scorers in this playoffs).

The Hurricanes returned to their home ice to defeat the Oilers, 3-1, in Game 7 to win the Cup. Aaron Ward and Frantisek Kaberle gave Carolina a 2-0 lead before Pisani scored for Edmonton at 1:03 of the third period to cut the lead. But at 18:59, Justin Williams scored an empty-net goal to win the game. Cam Ward became the first NHL rookie goalie to win a Stanley Cup Finals series since Patrick Roy lead the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, and he was also the first rookie since the Philadelphia Flyers' Ron Hextall in 1987 to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player in the playoffs. Patrick Roy(IPA pronunciation: ), (born October 5, 1965, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) is a retired ice hockey goaltender and current co-owner, general manager, and head coach of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. ... The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest established National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. ... The 1985-86 NHL season was the 69th regular season of the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Hextall was known for creative mask designs such as The Puck Stops Here and others displaying symbols of Philadelphia. ... The 1986-87 NHL season was the 70th season of the National Hockey League. ... Conn Smythe Trophy on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame The Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the National Hockey Leagues Stanley Cup playoffs. ...

Cory Stillman earned a Stanley Cup title for the second straight season, having won in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles with different teams since Claude Lemieux (1995 New Jersey Devils, 1996 Colorado Avalanche). Cory Stillman is a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). ... The Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. ... Claude Lemieux (born July 16, 1965 in Buckingham, Quebec, Canada) is a former professional ice hockey player active in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2003. ... The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ... The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. ...

The Hurricanes' victory ended Glen Wesley's 18-year drought without winning the Cup. He had played close to 1,500 regular season and playoff games before winning the Cup, the longest such drought in the NHL. Wesley was the last player remaining from the franchise's days as the Hartford Whalers. Other notable veterans to win their first Cup were Rod Brind'Amour, Doug Weight, Ray Whitney, and Bret Hedican. Mark Recchi won the second Cup of his career, having won 15 years prior as a member of the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins. Fagboy Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1988. ... The Hartford Whalers (known as the New England Whalers as a World Hockey Association (WHA) franchise from 1972-79), was a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played from 1979-97. ... Bret Hedican (born on 10 August 1970 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA) is an American NHL hockey player, married to figure-skater Kristi Yamaguchi. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ...

The Hurricanes became the third former World Hockey Association franchise to win the Stanley Cup, following the Oilers and Quebec Nordiques, who won as the Colorado Avalanche. The Quebec Nordiques (pronounced ; translated into English as Northmen or Northerners) were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ...

The 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs marked the second time in a row that an Alberta-based team had made it to the NHL finals and lost in seven games, after Calgary did so in 2004. Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English (see below) Flower Wild rose Tree Lodgepole Pine Bird Great Horned Owl Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total...

This was also the first professional championship for the State of North Carolina. Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area Ranked 28th - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 kmÂ²) - Width 150 miles (240 km) - Length 560[1] miles (901 km) - % water 9. ...

Contents

Playoff seeds

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Playoff bracket

Statistical leaders

Points

Goals

Goaltending

Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Ottawa Senators defeat (8) Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 games to 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (7) Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 2

(3) New Jersey Devils defeat (6) New York Rangers, 4 games to 0

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (5) Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (1) Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 2

(7) Colorado Avalanche defeat (2) Dallas Stars, 4 games to 1

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (3) Calgary Flames, 4 games to 3

(5) San Jose Sharks defeat (4) Nashville Predators, 4 games to 1

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (1) Ottawa Senators, 4 games to 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (3) New Jersey Devils, 4 games to 1

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (5) San Jose Sharks, 4 games to 2

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (7) Colorado Avalanche, 4 games to 0

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (4) Buffalo Sabres, 4 games to 3

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4 games to 1

Stanley Cup Finals

Carolina Hurricanes defeat Edmonton Oilers, 4 games to 3

See also

Contents

Playoff seeds GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Playoff bracket

Statistical leaders

Points

Goals

Goaltending

Conference Quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

(1) Ottawa Senators defeat (8) Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 games to 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (7) Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 2

(3) New Jersey Devils defeat (6) New York Rangers, 4 games to 0

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (5) Philadelphia Flyers, 4 games to 2

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (1) Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 2

(7) Colorado Avalanche defeat (2) Dallas Stars, 4 games to 1

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (3) Calgary Flames, 4 games to 3

(5) San Jose Sharks defeat (4) Nashville Predators, 4 games to 1

Conference Semifinals

Eastern Conference

(4) Buffalo Sabres defeat (1) Ottawa Senators, 4 games to 1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (3) New Jersey Devils, 4 games to 1

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (5) San Jose Sharks, 4 games to 2

(6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim defeat (7) Colorado Avalanche, 4 games to 0

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference

(2) Carolina Hurricanes defeat (4) Buffalo Sabres, 4 games to 3

Western Conference

(8) Edmonton Oilers defeat (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4 games to 1

Stanley Cup Finals

Carolina Hurricanes defeat Edmonton Oilers, 4 games to 3

See also

Playoff seeds