The 10 biggest postseason NHL Playoffs disappointments of the past decade - Part 2 of 4
Continuing the countdown to the biggest disappointment in the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs during the last 10 years, there are still a number of other series that are also waiting to be mentioned. Last time we discussed the Western Conference and
the upsets that took place but there are a number of Eastern Conference mishaps as well which were far more intense and crucial in making this list.
8. Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks (2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals)
A series which is still fresh in the mind of NHL fans around the world is the 2011 Western Conference quarter-finals between the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks. Both Nashville and Anaheim were equal teams coming into the playoffs with 99 points but
the Ducks were declared better than the Predators after a tie-breaker had been set into play which consisted of Anaheim having more wins during the regular season.
The Predators had not advanced in a playoff series for the past 12 seasons and this was a moment that would change all of that. The quarter-finals were a back and forth series with both teams winning once at home and away as the Ducks levelled the series
after game four. Nashville tied down the Ducks in game five as they could only attempt 16 shots throughout the match and ultimately let the Predators eliminate them in game six.
A number of players from both sides including Bobby Ryan (Anaheim), Mike Fisher (Nashville) and Nick Spaling (Nashville) had double goal games. In game six, Ryan had a breakaway shot as he deflected two Nashville defensemen to score one of the most entertaining
shots in NHL history but ultimately lost. The Predators advanced for the first time into the second round to face-off against the Vancouver Canucks and lost in a six game series.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings (2009 Stanley Cup Finals)
It was the rematch of the decade as the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings faced-off again in the Stanley Cup Finals, a year after the Red Wings had taken the cup away from the Penguins. It was a chance for the Penguins to rewrite history as the Red
Wings had taken all the glory and lifted the Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh’s own home stadium making it all the more embarrassing.
Detroit took the lead in the series by winning game one and two at home while Pittsburgh levelled it all up, winning the next two at home. The Red Wings shutout the Penguins by a huge 5-0 score in game five to put them on the verge of elimination and were
headed back to the Penguins hometown for another chance to embarrass them. Pittsburgh returned fire and forced a game seven after winning game-six at home. Max Talbot scored twice for the Penguins, who finally raised the Stanley Cup at the Joe Louis Arena
in Detroit making it their third Stanley Cup in franchise history as Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain in NHL history to win a championship for his team.
6. Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks (2009 Western Conference Quarterfinals)
Anaheim was back in the playoffs race by a hairs length as it took over the eighth and final spot for postseason entry. San Jose was the top team in the league, number one in the Western Conference and winners of the Presidents’ Trophy along with holding
the title of Pacific Division champions.
The Ducks won game one and two, lost in three and bounced back again in game four in San Jose to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Things still looked bright for the Sharks as they were expected to recover with ease and they did in game five, winning
3-2 in overtime. Anaheim blew the Sharks away with a 4-1 victory in game six and sent them packing as they advanced into the next round and shocked the hockey world. They eventually lost to Detroit in the semi-finals but achieved something greater as they
beat the best team in the league.
The rest to be continued in part 3
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