Dave did another blog for NHL.com today:
Dave Annable
April 24
Blog 2I’m a little nervous about this because every time I blog they lose, but Game 5 was a great game.
When the games start at 4:30 here in California I go in shutdown mode. I’d like to say I turn off my phone, but I actually dropped my phone in my pool yesterday, so I don’t have to worry about that. I guess iPhone’s and pool water aren’t a good combination.
Marty was awesome in Game 5, but I was so nervous when Chad LaRose slid into him. I was terrified and then when Marty was down that shot came in from Marty’s right side and he had to dive across like Derek Jeter. It’s a good thing that Marty was able to stay healthy, but that’s who he is.
Marty was unbelievable and he had 44 saves. I have to give it up to Cam Ward too. Those glove saves he made were highlight-reel saves, especially that one he made on Parise’s slap shot from the top of the circle.
Both goalies were playing amazing. To have a 1-0 game in the playoffs with that many shots made it one of the best hockey games that I’ve seen in a long time.
It’s good that there is an extra day off so that we can recoup a little bit because these guys have to be exhausted.
After Game 3 the Hurricanes haven’t allowed Parise to get any points, but this is playoff hockey and where guys like David Clarkson have to step up and he has 2 goals in the last two games. The same is true when Bryce Salvador was injured and Andy Greene stepped in and got the assist on the only goal in Game 5.
It’s going to be tough going into Carolina for Game 6 and obviously that first goal is going to be important. I think getting the first goal on the road is important because that crowd in Carolina is insane.
I have my fingers crossed and the worst case scenario is they come back to Jersey for a Game 7, but I don’t think my heart can take that. We have to win in Carolina and get a little bit of a break.
You can’t ask for Marty to play like he did last game, but if he plays anywhere like he did I think it will be a close game. All of these one goal games are killing my heart.
Our defense did allow a lot of shots, but they did do a good job of clearing out rebounds. We’ll see what happens, hopefully we can get one out of Parise.
I love Gionta as well because he tries his hardest every shift.
