It seems Frederik Andersen's eternal flight under everyone's radars extends even into the playoffs.
NHL playoff scores 2015: Ducks stay perfect in shutout win, Lightning rout Canadiens
Frederik Andersen was once again the unsung hero.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
For two years now, the Anaheim Ducks goalie has been among the league leaders in every major statistical category. He racks up wins at a remarkable pace for someone whose career is so young, and yet he still lives in the shadow of more high profile goalies. Perhaps a lack of playoff success plays into that treatment.
But so far in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, that excuse is starting to wear thin. Andersen had yet another splendid outing in a 3-0 shutout win against the Calgary Flames in Game 2 on Sunday. While his team has scored nine goals, the Flames have only beaten him once. He (and the Ducks) are perfect, having won all six games they've played in the postseason so far.
Andersen’s 1.66 goals against average and .948 save percentage are good enough for second-best in the playoffs, behind only Ottawa’s Craig Anderson, who has started four games. Anaheim’s offense gets the publicity, but its backbone is Andersen and his stellar contributions every night. They will go as far as he takes them, it seems. Right now, it looks like he’s forging a clear path to the Western Conference Finals.
Scores
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Montreal Canadiens 2 (TB leads series, 2-0)
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Minnesota Wild 1 (CHI leads series, 2-0)
Anaheim Ducks 3, Calgary Flames 0 (ANA leads series, 2-0)
3 things we learned
1. Montreal is frustrated
And they should be after losing a back-breaking 6-2 rout against the Lightning. Tampa Bay's offense had its way with the Canadiens defense on the power play, slicing and dicing with slick passes that left goalie (and Hart Trophy favorite) Carey Price flailing in desperation. Playing poorly enough to completely silence the Bell Centre is a disturbing feat the Canadiens won't take pride in.
2. Corey Crawford looks back to normal
After two weeks of middling play, Blackhawks fans finally caught a glimpse Sunday of the guy who backstopped their team to a Stanley Cup two years ago. Crawford was excellent, stopping 30 shots and shutting down two chances in the second period that could have completely changed the momentum of the game.
3. Never try to play soccer with a hockey puck
Impact moment
As amusing as it was when Steven Stamkos tossed Brandon Prust elbow pad into the stands, Prust can expect a fine for throwing it in the first place. Not to mention those comments about the referees after the game.
Stat of the night
Patrick Kane has 101 points in 101 career playoff games. Is that good? I think that's good.
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