Underdogs Rule the Night, Toronto Gets Some Karmic Comeuppance

Not an MVP night for King James

The Bulls Aren’t Burned By the Heat

A defiant Joakim Noah was bound and determined to do two things last name in Game 1 of the Chicago Bulls series against the dominating Miami Heat.

His first priority was winning the game, against all odds, against the heavily favored and superstar stacked Heat. The Bulls were given little, if any, shot to win the game—or the series—but Noah isn’t one to take no for an answer. His hair alone proves that.

The Heat will probably still win the series, maybe even in five games, but that doesn’t take anything away from the Bulls’ impressive 93-86 victory in Game 1. The game was exciting and intense and the team that played with more passion won. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Noah’s second priority was snapping back at the critics of his teammate superstar point guard Derrick Rose, who have been criticizing him for not playing. Rose tore his ACL during the 2012 Playoffs and he has yet to return to the lineup, despite being cleared by doctors weeks ago.

Rose, for his part, hasn’t ruled out a comeback this season, but has said simply he doesn’t feel as though he’s yet able to play at 100 percent and that he doesn’t want to return until he can.

And in snapping back at those critics, Noah didn’t mince words. His overarching message to everyone who has anything to say about Rose’s decision not to play?

Shut Up.

Lundqvist

An Intense Shootout Breathes Life into Rangers’ Series With the Capitals 

Aside from that heart attack inducing Game 1 between the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, the most intense back and forth game of the night was the NHL playoff game between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.

The confident Caps came into Game 3 Madison Square Garden boasting a 2-0 advantage in the series and likely expected to finish the evening knowing they had an opportunity to sweep in Game 4. Unfortunately for them, things didn’t work out to their advantage.

The smart money had to have been on the Caps last night. Their rival Rangers’ offensive firepower has been anemic to nonexistent through most of the season, but they managed to win a 4-3 shootout that went down to the wire in the  final seconds of the third period, when the Caps played over a full minute with a 6-on-4 advantage.

The Rangers’ six power play opportunities, compared to the Caps’ three, and the fact that they delivered 11 more hits also contributed to the win. But overall the game was pretty evenly matched and neither team has yet to distinguish itself with a decisive victory.

That being said, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers—specifically goalie Henrik Lundqvist—have enough tricks up their sleeves to take this series. But stranger things have happened…like the Bulls beating the Heat.

Series is suddenly all tied up

Red Wings Fly by Ducks in OT

The series between the No. 2 seeded Anaheim Ducks and No. 6 seeded Detroit Red Wings hasn’t been playing out as though there is a clear underdog, considering it’s knotted up at 2-2. But there really should be a clear underdog.

The Wings wouldn’t have even made the playoffs if they hadn’t won four straight games to conclude the season. And the Ducks easily made the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, with their closest competitor being seven points behind them.

But nothing is ever as it seems when these frequent postseason foes face-off. The Ducks came into Game 4 at Joe Louis Arena last night with a 2-1 advantage, having won Game 3 decisively in Detroit 4-0 just two days prior.

Following that embarrassing performance in front of their home crowd, the Wings took charge of last night’s game in the third period. They tied the Ducks not once, but twice, sending the game into overtime and later scoring the game winning goal 15 minutes into the OT period.

The series moves back to Anaheim for Game 5.

Toronto Stupid

Maple Leafs Fans Get Theirs 

It’s hard to understand where the guy in the audience at the Air Canada Centre was coming from when he made his “Toronto Stronger” sign before his Leafs faced off against the Boston Bruins last night. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time, or perhaps he’s still pretty pleased with himself.

On one hand, it’s a pretty simplistic play on “Boston Strong,” a phrase which came about in the wake of the recent terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon. Even mildly clever wordplay can be amusing, under the right circumstances.

On the other hand, it’s a pretty simplistic play on “Boston Strong,” a phrase which came about in the wake of the recent terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon. It’s safe to say that wordplay as a source of amusement that involves a terrorist attack of any kind is not amusing, under any circumstances.

The series was all locked up at one a piece going into the game last night, but the Bruins proved “Boston Strong” trumps “Toronto Stronger” every day of the week by stealing a game on the road with a final score of 5-2. Not even close.

Think we’ll see that sign again in Game 4? Probably not.