Hockey's Dream Series
Since a lockout shut down the 2005 NHL season, hockey has barely caused a ripple on the sports landscape. But thanks to a classic playoff series featuring the sport's two best players, more fans are learning to appreciate the pucks once again. Sid (The Kid) Crosby, phenom from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals went shot for spectacular shot and assist for artistic assist in a classic playoff series that spanned a full seven games. Both players put up mind-boggling numbers: Ovechkin scored 11 goals and assisted on 10 others, while Crosby finished with 12 goals and nine assists. Five of these Eastern Conference semifinal games were decided by one goal, and three went into overtime. In Game 2 alone, a 4-3 Capitals win, each guy notched a hat trick. As the National Post pointed out, "This little thing Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have going has illuminated the league and sport in places previously unaware of its allure." Behind Crosby's two goals, the Penguins took Game 7, 6-2, and went on to win the Stanley Cup in a seven-game series against the Detroit Red Wings.