Stanley Cup: Goalies find it easy being greenby Mark RothsteinRookie goalie on fire Ryan Miller, Cam Ward, Vesa Toskala, and Ilya Bryzgalov combined for zero career playoff victories coming into this season, but those four goaltenders currently have their teams ahead in their respective second-round sets. So much for the old adage that you need a capable, experienced goaltender to make it anywhere in the NHL postseason. Let's take a closer look at each of the four conference semi-final series, and see what the four upstart goaltenders have been doing to get their teams into desirable situations. (1) Ottawa vs. (4) Buffalo (Sabres hold 2-0 series lead) Miller didn't look great for the Sabres in Game 1 versus the Senators, as he allowed six goals on 33 shots in the contest. Luckily for Miller, however, Ottawa counterpart Ray Emery gave up seven goals (including the overtime winner) on just 23 shots as Buffalo pulled out the win. Derek Roy had two goals and three assists for Buffalo in the victory. Game 2 saw the Sens clamp down defensively, giving up only 17 shots on goal. The Sabres, in contrast, allowed Miller to be peppered with 44 shots. Buffalo's keeper was up to the task, however, giving up only a second-period marker to Chris Phillips to lead his team to a 2-1 victory. J.P. Dumont and Jochen Hecht had the two goals for Buffalo. For the quickest and easiest depositing methods available, sign-up today at BetUS.com, "for over 14 years they have been the Pioneers and World-wide Leaders in Online Sports, Poker, Casino and Racebook Gaming!" Always receive great odds, huge bonuses and fast payouts only at BetUS.com! BET ON FOOTBALL! Deposit $300 and get $100 in Bonuses! The series now shifts to Buffalo for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Thursday. (2) Carolina vs. (3) New Jersey (Hurricanes hold 2-0 series lead) The most shocking scene of the Stanley Cup playoffs so far? Probably seeing Martin Brodeur getting pulled in the third period of Game 1 of this series. Brodeur allowed six goals on 35 shots to the Hurricanes in the opener, as Carolina cruised to a 6-0 victory. Canes goalie Cam Ward stopped all 21 shots New Jersey threw at him in the contest. Brodeur actually completed Game 2, but Niclas Wallin's overtime goal gave the Canes a 3-2 victory and a 2-0 series lead. Ward made 21 saves in that win, allowing goals by Jamie Langenbrunner and Scott Gomez. Mark Recchi and Eric Staal potted goals for Carolina in regulation, with Staal's marker coming with three seconds left in the third. The Devils will try to get back into this set at home, with Game 3 on Wednesday night. (5) San Jose vs. (8) Edmonton (Sharks hold 2-0 series lead) Do you want to bet on sports 24/7? Bet horses online any time from over 80 world-wide racing tracks! Toskala faced only seven shots combined in the second and third periods of Game 1, and stopped them all as the Sharks edged the Oilers 2-1. Edmonton netminder Dwayne Roloson allowed two goals on 30 shots in the loss, with Christian Ehrhoff potting the winner in the second period. Patrick Marleau had the other Sharks goal in the contest. Both goalies turned in solid performances in Game 2 as well, but the result was the same - a 2-1 San Jose victory. Toskala faced 25 shots, and was only beaten by Sergei Samsonov in the second period. Roloson stopped 36 of 38 shots; Tom Preissing scored for the Sharks in the first period, and Joe Thornton picked up the winner in the second. Edmonton plays host to San Jose in Game 3 of the series late on Wednesday night. (6) Anaheim vs. (7) Colorado (Ducks hold 3-0 series lead) Ilya Bryzgalov led the Mighty Ducks to a 5-0 win over the Avalanche in Game 1, making 29 saves (including 14 in the third period) for the shutout. Colorado counterpart Jose Theodore had a strong first period, but was then beaten four times in the second as the game got out of hand. Teemu Selanne had a goal and two assists in the Game 1 win. So what did Bryzgalov do for an encore? In Game 2, the Ducks starter made 22 saves for yet another shutout, as Anaheim won 3-0. Theodore allowed those three goals on 35 shots, and suffered through another shaky second period (two goals allowed). Ryan Getzlaf, Ruslan Salei, and Joffrey Lupul scored the goals for the Ducks in that victory. And Lupul would take center stage in Game 3, scoring three goals in regulation and one more in overtime to give the Ducks a commanding 3-0 series lead. Bryzgalov allowed three goals in the game and saw his shutout streak come to an end, but still stopped 26 shots to pick up the win. Theodore made 35 saves for the Avs in the defeat. The Ducks will be looking to finish off this series in Game 4 in Colorado on Thursday. Comments or Questions? Email FaceOff@BetUS.com. --- by BetUSradio at 1800-sports.com on May 15, 2006
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