2012 Playoffs Blues Vs. Sharks

Last night the St. Louis Blues eliminated the San Jose Sharks 4 games to 1. Most games in this series were close but the big guns on thee Sharks were unable to solve the Blues tight defensive play and great  goaltending. Looks like some big changes will need to be made for the Sharks for next year, they can't shouldn't blame Nemi for the loss, as he was inconstant during the season he was solid in the playoffs. So here are pieces featuring the St. Louis Blues David Perron who scored the GWG last night and San Jose Sharks Antti Niemi.

David Perron

Antti Niemi

2012 Playoffs Predators Vs. Red Wings

Earlier tonight the Predators eliminated the Red wings 4 games to 1. While each game was close, I thought the Wing would be able to push it to 7 Games. Although the Red wings aren't at their best in say Game for, this series shows how sound they are Defensively. I really like the Predators to go to the Western Finals, I can see them facing the Blues there and which ever team gets the breaks will go to the cup.

Pekka Rinne

Pavel Datsyuk

2012 Playoffs Penguins Vs. Flyers

Well this series has been the most talked about series of round 1. The goal-tending has been awful for both teams and I have to think if Fleury is able to play as well as he normally does the Penguins would've already won the series, but the only dimension of either team that has played well in this series is the offense. I believe the turning point of this series is the blown off sides call on Briere in game 1, although not the only reason the Penguins lost that game, it certainly changed the style of play both teams played during the rest of the game, Flyers were within 2 and Penguins were playing prevent defense, and after the comeback the Flyers had all the momentum which gave the flyers belief whenever they get down they could always come back...unless the Penguins score 10 somehow, that would be pretty tough, but not impossible in this series.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin

Claude Giroux

2012 Playoffs Canucks Vs. Kings

Finally back, been busy working on tons of drawings for the playoffs...Just like in years past I try to have one artwork for each team in the playoffs and a post with both of them, as always reader submissions are a great help and give different perspectives. So here...we...go!

So far this series is quite a surprise how the Canucks can't seem to get any offense for one of the most touted offensively talented teams. Kesler has gone down a couple notches in my belt from watching this series, he has been of my most respected players in the NHL, granted I don't see many Canuck games games being on the east coast but the blatant dives he has preformed over the series, just losses respect, I know all teams have players that dive and embellish but there's a certain level where your just shaking your head and Kesler for me has reached that level (and beyond). The  biggest reason the Kings are up 3-0 is because of Quick, he is one of my favorite goaltenders in the NHL to watch play, he's very acrobatic and isn't one of the straight up strictly butterfly goalies. He is always playing down low, its just fun to watch a different style and I hope it continues to work for him. Another story in the series has been Luongo, while I thought he played well so far in the series besides a few dribblers around the pads (I believe if he had smaller or form fitting pads a lot of those kinds of goals on him would go away, they just look too big and clunky) he was replaced by Schneider in game 3 which couldn't produce a win or a goal. Hopefully Luongo will be back for game 4 and the series goes on. Here are two drawings of  the goaltenders for the teams Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick.

Roberto Luongo

Jonathan Quick

NHL sock Posters!

Katie Submitted some artwork pertaining to Hockey socks. Her poster focuses on each teams sock design. It's a pretty cool poster to have for a rec room and could even be considered appropriate for other parts of the house...May need additional approvals. This is a very nice and unique idea that makes something cool out of simple sock designs. Take a look at her website where you can even buy a whole NHL team poster was well as individual Pittsburgh Penguins Here.

Erik Karlsson

Ottawa has been a surprise of the season so far although in recent weeks they've followed back to earth as well as in the standings, they did however beat the Lightning tonight 4-0 so maybe they aren't planning on falling out of the playoff push yet. Here is a sketch of Ottawas young star Defenseman Erik Karlsson

Erik Karlsson  

Goalie Mask #2: Buffalo Regals/Canisius

Well, finally I put everything together and here is the 2nd goalie mask I painted for Aaron Fanti who Plays for the Buffalo Regals 97 and will be playing for Canisius high school. Being new to airbrushing this was quite the challenge for me and I am more than pleased as how it came out, looks great on the ice. Here is a little photo montage of the final version and a photo slideshow of the process leading up to the final product.