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NHL Playoff Observations: Robby Fabbri-tabulous

Just a few things that caught my eye:

  • The goal that should never have been. Patrick Marleau's 1-0 snipe came off an ugly defensive breakdown by the Preds, but THAT WAS ICING, reffy. C'mon.
  • 2014 NHL Entry Draft do-over? 1. Aaron Ekblad (1). 2. Dylan Larkin (15). 3. Robby Fabbri (21) (pictured above). Then Sam Bennett, David Partrnak, Nikolai Ehlers, Leon Draisaitl and Sam Reinhart. In whatever order you want. Argue it all you want, but Robby Fabbri's vision is elite. He's so talented that his veteran teammates often aren't ready for his passes.

  • Alexander Ovechkin finally showed up Saturday. He threw his body around. He blew past defenders ... or blew through them, whichever approach worked in the moment. And he picked up two points, including a power-play goal. He needs to play this way every game. They lose when he doesn't.
  • Mike Fisher's line got all four goals in Game 4 and they got the first in Game 5. Let's call them for what they are -- the Pred's first line.
  • For the odd files -- Canadian-born Nigel Dawes scored the game-winning goal for Kazakhstan on Saturday to eliminate Switzerland from the World Championships. Yes, Kazakhstan. Does anyone know how eligibility works at the Worlds because I sure don't.
  • Does Marc-Andre Fleury appear in Game 6? Matt Murray wasn't bad, but Fleury is awfully expensive as a back-up.
  • The Isles are on the ropes and it's little wonder. John Tavares has stepped up, but he can't do it alone. Kyle Okposo's goal Friday was his first since Game 1 of the first round.
  • Nikita Kucherov, who had 10 goals and 12 assists during the Bolts' postseason run last year, already has eight goals and three assists in nine playoff games this season. He's the real deal. Bu-bye, Steven Stamkos. Bu-bye.
  • Bruce Boudreau, Minny's man. He brings prestige and charisma, and lets his guys play offensive hockey. The Wild have the horses for the next two or maybe three years. It's now or never for them and Gabby. He needs to shake his rep as a playoff failure. I think Minnesota is the place he does that.