With so many series deciding games being played the last few nights I
thought I would talk a little about what it is like to close out a series
or fight off elimination.

Closing a series is one of the more difficult games to play. Although your
team probably has some confidence in taking a series lead the challenge
lies in facing a team with it’s back to the wall. You can expect them to
come with everything they have. The game becomes a lot about weathering the
storm and sticking to the game plan. The deciding game of the series often
times will come down to making that game no more important than any other
game… Just play a strong hockey game because you always want a series to be
finished when you have a chance.

When your team is down in a series the task seems to be a mountain and you
are stuck at the base looking up. I was lucky enough to be part of a team
that came back from being down 1-3 in the American League my second year
pro. We won 3 straight and made the conference finals before losing to the
eventual champs. A series is a race to 4 wins… there is no order you have
to win the games. Just win. When we were down in that series we were able
to believe we could win one game and it led to three. It will be exciting
to watch the Bruins/Canadiens series play out after the Bruins erased a 2
game deficit.

Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

Hey, Ryan, what would you have done if Sean Avery did that to you?
- Roxy

I would like to think that I would handle it the same way Brodeur did... Try and hold my position and stick up for myself without being selfish and putting the team down another man... The play obviously was to screen Brodeur but it also seemed to be annoying and to get a rise out of Brodeur. Not bad creativity by the Rangers but not very sportsmanlike.

What series do you think has been the most physical so far?
- Jordan

I think all of them have shown great physical play... Definitely an increase from the regular season. I think that the games I have seen that looked like they were just grinding, tough games were the Avalanche/Wild games. Lots of solid hits and a few big ones. Of course other games have had there moments... Like Marleau taking two hits in the first period of the Flames comeback over the Sharks. Even Kronwall from Detroit has had a few big hits... One was a pretty obvious charge, but big.

What things will you be focusing on in the offseason so that you will be more physically or mentally ready if you have to play 76 games again?
- Mark

I need to get my body back to level before I go launching into a summer program. I lost about 10 pounds from training camp through to the last game I played. I have been sleeping in a lot in the last 2 weeks, which is not normal for me. I usually am awake by 8 am or 8:30. It has been good to get a rest and see people that I have missed in the last 7 months or so. I did get back in the gym today for a light lift and am actually looking forward to going daily. When I do get back into intense workouts I will be focusing on core strength and getting my muscle mass to a level I think I can maintain consistently... That way I can work on agility and on-ice with my goalie coach without worrying about bulking up.

Hi Ryan! It will be fun to read your thoughts on the playoffs. Who will you be rooting for? (Besides The Ducks, of course).
- Erin

I just like watching good hockey. I don’t root for anyone because I always feel like anyone else is a competitor and I want to beat them... Even my brother’s team. Last year I was rooting for my brother Drew (and also a little against Ottawa – just because of our rivalry). I didn’t necessarily want to be a fan of the Ducks. I am a fan of my brother. Same applies to my friends. I want them to have success and when they play me I want them to have a good showing... But no points or wins to show for it.

Hey Ryan! So everyone talks about how great it is to have home ice advantage, but in this opening round overall, teams are like 16-14 on home ice...making it seem like not much of an advantage. As a player, how important do you think home ice advantage is in the playoffs? Thanks! Buffalo is much quieter without you boys playing! Can't wait til next season!
-Anne

Home ice is a huge lift for a team in most cases... I think that Nashville really got a boost from their crowd. They looked much more focused. But I don’t think it always works that way... I wish I could explain this for you but there are so many factors in a game. I only know as a player we always appreciate our fan’s excitement and it really does make you feel great when you step into an environment that playoff hockey promotes. We always feel like we want to impress the fans and play our best game... I suppose maybe sometimes home ice carries some pressure to perform with it and maybe that is what we are seeing.

Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

Watched a little bit of hockey last night and I have to admit it put me in a very bad mood. It is tough to watch knowing that a season’s worth of work has not offered me a chance at the Stanley Cup. As a pro athlete we always can recover and gain motivation from a failure or a set back, but there really are only so many opportunities to win a championship and that is what really eats at you over a summer.

From my experience in the last two years going to the conference finals I would say that the NHL’s newest ad campaign is the best explanation that anyone can come up with... “the Cup changes everything.” The game itself doesn’t change, it is still about executing a system and playing hockey… but the collective attitude of a team and the focus in a player can increase. I think that is what makes the Playoffs great.

The first night had some exciting games and I have been getting caught up on the highlights but mainly I have been catching up with everyone back home in East Lansing, Michigan. I drove the five hours home from Buffalo yesterday and am settling in to a little down time. I got to hang with my godson, Riley, for the first time in eight months. We played a little basement hockey… the only hockey I will be playing for a few months.

Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.