Saturday Night Hockey: What Happened?

Well That Was A Hell Of A Night

Thursday night was...interesting.

Winnipeg and Philadelphia played without goalies. If you don't believe me, see what a good friend of mine captured:

Philly's empty net still has a better save percentage than Brzygalov.

Ok, in all seriousness it was a crazy game. Winnipeg blew a 6-2 lead, trailed 7-6, then came back and won it. Winnipeg also becomes the first Canadian team to shutout Jagr this season. If that was said 10 years ago, it would be a lot more impressive.

In not-as-crazy news, Montreal won 2-1 against Boston, and scored 3 goals in the process. Think that one of their goals got called back? Think again. Here is Boston's lone goal:

Three Things:

• BROKEN STICK, NO GOAL DAMMIT.
• That was the start of Plekanec's two goal night
• So, now do we demand Halak back?

Poorly played by Price, but he otherwise played a good game, and won. This won't be remembered for long.

Also, the Leafs won.

And the Oilers handed the Capitals there first regulation lost of the season.

(Is it just me, or did it seem like just last week Canadian teams couldn't by a win?)

Quick Word On The Habs

Perry Pearn was a scapegoat, no questions. The Habs needed something to spark the team and, unfortunately, Pearn was in the line of fire.

Milestones

Here are a few milestones (that mostly happened last week)

• Hal Gill's 1000th game
• Joe Thornton's 1000th game and 700th career assist
• Niclas Lidstrom's 1500th game
• Carey Price's 100th win
• Jonathan Quick's 100th win and 3 game shutout streak (ended Thursday against the Stars)

Other News

Congrats to Hungarian team Dunaujvarosi Acelbikak  and Latvian team Liepajas Metalurgs for advancing to the third round of the Continental Cup

Sad day for the University of Huntsville-Alabama. Their hockey team is leaving NCAA Division I hockey due the the shift in conferences. They're now operating as an in-house operation.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stays with the Oilers. In other news, the sun came up today.

Lineup NOTables

Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers (Dammit, it's an early game)

Ottawa: Peter Regin (shoulder), Bobby Butler (groin), Matt Carkner (knee), and Alex Auld are out. Craig Anderson gets the start.
Avery-less: Marc Staal (concussion) and Mike Rupp (knee) are out. Henrik Lundqvist starts this afternoon.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

CROSBY'S STILL OUT! STOP ASKING!: Jordan Staal (lower body), Tyler Kennedy (concussion), Zbynek Michalek (finger), Brian Strait (elbow), and...well...you-know-who are out. Brent Johnson is in net tonight.
The Phil Kessel's: Colby Armstrong (ankle) and James Reimer (whiplash) are out. Jonas Gustavsson gets the start.

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

Boston: Marc Savard (Matt Cooke'd) and Benoit Pouliot (flu) is out. Tukka Rask is starting tonight.
Le Losér Winnér: Scott Gomez (upper body), Ryan White (hernia), Chirs Campoli (leg) and (as usual) Andrei "Right Knee" Markov are out. Carey "Finally Got  Win #100" Price is in nets.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Winnipeg: Eric Fehr (shoulder) and Ryan Hainsey (upper body) are out while Chris Mason (lower body) is questionable. Ondrej Pavelec will likely start.
Tampa Bay: Only Mattias Ohlund (knee) is out. Dwayne Roloson is expected to start.

Washington Capitals vs. Vancouver Canucks

Washington: Jay Beagle (Arron Asham'd), John Erskine (shoulder) and Tom Poti (groin) are out while Mike Green (ankle) and Michal Neuvirth (foot) are questionable. Toman Vokoun gets the start.
The Cory Schneider's: Mason Raymond (back), Bryon Bitz (groin), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), and Aaron Rome (hand) are out. Roberto Luongo starts.

Sunday Night Hockey: The "How NOT To" Edition

How NOT to Prove a Point


In the recent Ask Adam, this question was asked:

Hey Adam, In last week’s mailbag, Mitch Wood from Battleford, Sask., wrote, ‘This is almost as terrible as when Americans needed a streak on the puck because they couldn't tell where it was. I wish they’d stop messing with our game!’ And the title of the mailbag was “American Leafs”?!?!


I am tired of seeing the Anti-American sentiment on this site. I know you can’t stop people making these comments, but you sure can keep them from showing up in your blog. I'm just shocked that in your response to the ignorant Mitch Wood, that you didn't mention the American Fans had nothing to do with Mr. Glow Puck, and we despised it just as much.


I apologize ahead of time to the Canadian people that don't fit this next part, but I’m tired of Canadians thinking they own hockey. The Original Six NHL teams had three Canadian teams and three American teams. If it wasn't for American revenue and media, hockey would not be as big as it is today. Are there some American markets that can’t support hockey? Sure, just as there are Canadian markets that couldn’t support hockey. So where are all the anti-American feelings coming from?


John Mason, Newark, N.J.

First off, kudos to John for not classifying all Canadians as that (and I’ll admit at times I share in the Anti-American sentiment towards hockey). That said, I’m pretty sure that there was TWO Canadian teams and FOUR American teams when it was the original six. Yes, American media is much more powerful than Canadian media, so hockey’s popularity would increase ten-fold, but the revenue part is different. While I can't seem to find an updated version, a Forbes 2008 run-down shows that 3 of the team 5 teams who generate the biggest revenue are Canadian. The average revenue generated by Canadian teams is $114 million compared to the American average of $85.95 million (the top 6 American teams average $108). T.V. deals (hard to argue with) and having the Winter Classic (Canadian idea) every year does help though.

And its not like anti-Nationality sentiment is just in hockey. Anyone whose read ESPN this summer knows
about the article accusing the Blue Jays of “sign-stealing” and backing up with stats that, in reality, proved almost nothing in these accusations (and anyone can have “anonymous” sources). Also look at what the abortion of a site called Grantland published last month. Yes, the guy who wrote it was Canadian, but don’t tell me that he wasn’t paid to keep up appearances. You swear if they ran The Leafs Nation's response to it then he would have been hung.

But I digress.

How NOT to be a Journalist (A Two Parter)


Earlier this week, there were two poorly thought of articles.

The first one was an attack on the Colorado Avalanche and how no one in the area is paying attention to the team (the article was removed). I’ll refer you to Puck Daddy’s beautifully done rebuttal (it’s a hell of a lot better than what I can come up with).

The second should be no surprise. An editorial by The Province saying that Luongo should go for Vinny Lecavalier. First off: BAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH really? Second, Canucks fans/writers got to calm the f*** down. You team started just as bad last year and end up winning the President’s trophy and came within a game of winning the Stanley Cup. Luongo is a top 5 goalie in the league while Lecavalier is pasted his prime. If he came to Vancouver, not only would he be THIRD on the depth chart (behind Henrik Sedin and Kesler) but the second he goes two games without a point you almost guarantee that everyone would want Luongo back. Cory Schneider is a good goalie but I don’t think he could be a permanent start (tandem goalie on the other hand).

Lineup NOTables

Only one game tonight, so why not highlight it.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Anaheim Ducks

So-to-be-goners: Michal Rozsival (upper body) and Kurt Sauer (post-concussion syndrome) are out. Mike Smith might start.
The Once Mighty Ducks: Jason Blake (wrist) and Matt Smaby (thumb) are out. Jonas Hiller is expected to start.

Saturday Night Hockey

Gone to a friend's cottage today, if there's any time I'll write something. If not, then probably do something for Sunday. In the meantime...

Lineup NOTables

Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames

Nashville: Mike Underwood (shoulder), Martin Erat (upper body), Roman Josi (upper body), and Francois Boullion (coming back to Montreal, please please please...I mean concussion) are out. Pekke Rinne gets the start.
Calgary: Just Mikael Backlund (broken finger) is on the IR. Miikka Kiprusoff is expected to start.

Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks

Minnesota: Mike Lundin (back) is out while Mikko Koivu (sweet chin music via Heatley) is questionable. Niklas Backstrom is going to start.
Vancouver: Byron Bitz (groin), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), Mason Raymond (back), and Aaron Rome (hand) are out while Mikeal Samuelsson (groin) is probable. Cory Schneider is expected to start.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators

Western Losers: Jared Boll (thumb), Kristian Huselius (pectoral surgery), Jeff Carter (foot), Mark Dekanich (ankle), and Curtis Sanford (groin) are out while Marc Methot (lower body) is questionable. James Wisneiwski is still suspended. Steve Mason will start.
Eastern Losers: Bobby Bulter (groin), Peter Regin (shoulder) and Matt Carkner (right knee) are out. Craig Anderson is expected to start.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens

The "wait, how do they only have one regulation loss?" Leafs: Tim Connolly (for being himself), and Colby Armstrong (ankle) are out while Clarke MacArthur (lower body) is questionable. James Reimer will start tonight.
The "bring out your injured defensemen" Habs: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Chris Campoli (leg), Jaroslav Spacek (upper body), and Ryan White (hernia) are out while Scott Gomez (upper body) is questionable...though should be out. Carey "I got 99 problems but a win ain't one" Price gets the start.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Winnipeg Jets

Carolina: Zac Dalpe (lower body) is probable. Brian Boucher might start.
Loser-peg: Eric Fehr (shoulder), Aaron Gagnon, and Kenndal McArdle are out while Ron Hainsey (upper body) and Jim Slater (partying "flu-like symptoms") are questionable. Ondrej Pavelec starts tonight.

New York Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

Avery-less: Michael Sauer (shoulder) and Marc Staal (concussion...thanks Eric) are out while Wojtek Wolski (groin) is questionable. Henrik Lundqvist goes for the Westen Canada sweep.
Edmonton:  Darcy Hordichuk (knee), Ales Hemsky (shoulder), and Taylor Fedun (broken femur) are out while Sam Gagner (ankle) and Taylor Hall (illness) are questionable. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to start.

Saturday Night Hockey: Lawsuits, Taunting, and Player/Goalie Battles? Oh My

No video for tonight, just a bunch of ramblings.

Suing Cherry? Why I Never...

Well now, Cherry's gone done tick off the wrong people. Chris Nilan, Stu Grimson, and Jim Thomson are upset and are considering a lawsuit against Cherry for his comments.

Now, I don't know the stances Stu Grimson and Jim Thomson had made in the past. Nilan, on the other hand, floored me with his recent comments:

Nilan also clarified his stance on fighting and cleared up a misunderstanding that might have led to Cherry’s comments in the first place.

“I never said I wanted to see an end to fighting,” Nilan said. “What I don’t like is a guy calling up another guy for a fight.

The defense presents Exhibit A, an interview last month with QMI Agency after the death of Wade Belak:

Chris Nilan, one of the league's top enforcers a generation ago for the Montreal Canadiens, says it's time for commissioner Gary Bettman to snuff out fighting for good.

"The NHL should ban fighting because it's no longer a factor in the games," Nilan told QMI Agency.

I rest my case your honour.

Arron Asham is Going to Knock You the F*** Out

If your name is Jay Beagle that is.

During Thursday's Caps/Pens game, Beagle took a shot at Kris Letang.  Now, Letang isn't exactly a big guy by NHL standards (6'0" 201lbs) and is a two-way defenseman, so he's not exactly expected to fight back. Arron Asham on the other hand is expected to protect his teammates (despite being around Letang's size - 5'11" 205lbs). So he did the right thing and stood up for Letang (although there are other sources saying Beagle was the challenger). So Asham and Beagle fight. Two punches later, Beagle is down and Asham is skating away victorious.

Now here is the "problem". After the fight, Asham begins taunting, first with an arm waving gesture (like an umpire calling a player safe in baseball) then by putting his hands together and pretending to sleep. Obviously, taunting now-a-days is frowned upon, so he gets heat for it. Here is the problem though, he doesn't realize the severity of the situation until AFTER his escort to the penalty box.

Of course, after the game apologizes are exchanged and every should (spoiler alert: that's the key word) be fine. Was it wrong? To the majority yes, but anyone who has ever played a sport in there life (or any sort of competitive competition) knows that emotions can run high and get the better of you. This is such an incident where this applies. So anyone calling for Asham's head should lighten up, he's not the only one whose has ever taunted after a fight.

Best. Player/Goalie Exchange. Ever.

If you ever want to see a player and goalie fight, seach YouTube.

If you want to see them exchange words, then read how Justin Bourne treats goalies and Bobby Goepfert's response.

As a guy who plays on both sides of the puck (ya, that does look/sound bad, but I'm rolling with it) I don't mind the verbal abuse and actually enjoy the shoving matches that occur in the front of the net. Anything else is annoying.

Lineup NOTables

Figures, all six (er...seven) Canadian teams are in action:

Calgary Flames vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Calgary: Mikael Backlund (finger), Raitis Ivanans (concussion), Brendan Morrison (knee) are out. MMiiiikkkkaa KKiipprruussooffff gets the start.
Toronto: Tim Connolly (Tim Connolly syndrome) is out while Nazem Kadri (knee) is doubtful. James Reimer Reimer is in nets.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Montreal Canadiens

Colorado: Mark Olver (head) and Brandon Yip (arm) are out. Semyon Varlamov is expected to start.
Montreal: Micheal Cammarelli (leg laceration), Ryan White (hernia), Jaroslav Spacek (upper body), Chris Campoli (leg), and (as always) Andrei "Right Knee" Markov are out. Carey Price, starter, 'nuff said.

Ottawa Senators vs. Washington Capitals

Ottawa: Matt Carkner (knee), Jesse Winchester (shoulder), and Bobby Butler (groin) are out. Alex Auld is expected to start.
Washington: Tom Poti (groin) and John Erskine (shoulder) are out while Jay Beagle (for obvious reasons) and Michel Neuvirth are listed as probable. Tomas Vokoun may start.

Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets 2011 vs. Phoenix Coyotes Winnipeg Jets 1996

Winnipeg (New): Ben Maxwell, Kenndal McArdle, Eric Fehr (shoulder), and Aaron Gagnon are out. Chris Mason is going to start.
Winnipeg (Old): Michal Rozsival (upper body, supposity head) and Kurt Sauer (post-concussion syndrome) are out. Mike Smith gets start.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver: Ryan Kesler (hip), Mason Raymond (back), Byron Bitz (groin), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), Nolan Baumgartner (foot), Aaron Rome (hand) are all out. Robero Luongo may start.
Edmonton: Ben Eager (concussion), Ales Hemsky (shoulder), Sam Gagner (ankle), and Ryan Whitney (ankle) are out. Devan Dubnyk might start.

Whose Gonna Win Tonight? Find Out Here

Once again, we took a camera, ourselves, and our jerseys and see what we could come up with. Enjoy!

Note: Yes, right now we're just doing predictions. Once we get more use to this we will talk about other news in the hockey world.

Sunday Night Hockey: Welcome Back Winnipeg

Will update post later, right now headed out to a thanksgiving dinner.

Update: Here are a few things I should get off my chest.

Explaining My "Hatred" For The Jets

Ok, maybe hatred is a bit strong, but I don't like the Jets. It all started when they (True North) went after the Thrashers. If the NHL would have conceded the Coyotes and move them back, I'd have no problem, but once that road was closed, they pursued the Thrashers. From what I seen, the NHL didn't do much to help Atlanta keep their team. So this is were the NHL shares some of the blame for my dislike: They team-blocked Jim Balsillie on THREE attempts, but allow True North to take a team hands down - albeit after failing to get the Coyotes. Moving on, after the over they completely mismanaged the team. Fired the GM, told the coach that he had to be interviewed TO KEEP HIS JOB, took too long to released their logo and jerseys, and - the most important in my opinion - WANTING TO FORGET THE THRASHERS. Fine, Atlanta didn't work out, but you don't try to whitewash the past. Even the Coyotes kept the whiteout and the retired numbers. Yes, even though Kovalchuk is the only noticeable player to play for the franchise for an extended amount of time, he's never going to have is number retired like other franchises.

Leafs Are Point-Shavers

While I'm in a ranting mood, what the hell was with the Leafs "collapse". Confession time: I gamble (not $1000, let'em-roll gambling, but small bets). So this may be the only time I'll complain about a Leafs win, but how do you blow a 5-1 lead? It's like Reimer summoned his inner Raycroft.

I did end up getting paid for the Leafs win, but not the extra I had on the Leafs winning by 2+ goals.

And yes, start making degenerate gambling jokes since I bet on the Leafs.

Video Time

There was another incident involving us and a camera, let's see what was recorded:



Other notes about last night:

Nice CLEAN hit by Phaneuf, but we can still expect a Shanahan video.

• Phil Kessel got a hat-trick = PLAN THE PARADE
• Sorry about the lack of analysis on the Pens-Flames game. Was switching between the game, MLB playoffs and CFL.
• What I do remember was Cooke's medicine getting served to him (small doses but it’s a start.)

Lineup NOTables

Montreal Canadiens vs. Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets

Montreal: Blair Betts (lower body back to Philly), Brendon Nash (shoulder), Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Lars Eller (shoulder), Ryan White (groin), and Chris Campoli (leg) are out Carey Price gets to start.
Winnipeg: Eric Fehr (shoulder) and Aaron Gagnon are out. Ondrej Pavelec probably will start

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Edmonton Oilers

Pittsburgh: Just like last night - Sidney Crosby (concussion), Nick Petersen (concussion) Dustin Jeffrey (knee), Robert Bertuzzo (knee), Boris Valabik (knee), and Brooks Orpik (hernia) are out. Late addition - Evegni Malkin out with lower body injury. Brent Johnson is expected to start.
Edmonton: Ryan Whitney (ankle), Sam Gagner (ankle), Ben Eager (concussion), Ladislav Smid (shoulder), Taylor Fedun (leg) are out while Taylor Chorney (knee) is probable. Devan Dubnyk will start.

Saturday Night Hockey: Opening Night Review

About Thursday Night

So...that opening game was...uh...ok, I can't sugar coat Montreal's performance. I've played in Beer League games that weren't as sloppy as Montreal's play.

(deep, calming breath)

Optimist side: It's only the first game
Pessimist side: Ya, but it was against the Leafs
Optimist side: Well they did improve from last season
Pessimist side: Yeah, from being ECHL caliber to AHL caliber
Optimist side: But you got to give Reimer credit, it's not like he only faced two shots. He made a few key saves
Pessimist side: And, unlike Price, wasn't going to lie down and let that first goal in
Optimist side: Price, if anything kept the Habs in the game
Pessimist side: Three words that will end this arguement: Dion Phaneuf Scored
Optimist side: Touché

Other Thoughts From Opening Night:

• Went 0-for-3 in my opening night predictions. Now I know what it feels like to be A-Rod.
• Didn't see any of the Philly-Boston game, but the highlight goal from Giroux makes you think that Jagr found his new Mario.
• Speak of Jagr, congrats to him on getting his 1,600th point.
• Hands up, who would have thought that Matt Cooke would have lead the league in scoring? No one.
• Either Penguins shooters are very patience in shootouts, or Luongo wants the damn thing to be over with.

Lineup NOTables

Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Ottawa: Peter Regin (shoulder), Jesse Winchester (shoulder), and Matt Carkner (looking at Colton Orr knee) are out. Craig Anderson may get to start tonight.
Toronto: Tim "Fragile" Connolly (shoulder) and Nazem Kadri (knee) are out. James Reimer gets the start.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Calgary Flames

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby (concussion), Nick Petersen (Crosby impersonator concussion) Dustin Jeffrey (knee), Robert Bertuzzo (knee), Boris Valabik (knee), and Brooks Orpik (hernia) are out. Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start.
Calgary: Brendan Morrison (knee), Raitis Ivanans (concussion), Mikael Backlund (finger), and Brett Carson (back) are out, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond is suspended for having too many L's in his name. Miikka Kiprusoff starts tonight.

Thursday Night Hockey: Regular Season Starts...NOW!!!

(Note: Sorry for the lateness, wing night took longer than expected. Hey, got back in time for Cherry.)

We did a video earlier of our predictions for tonight but the video isn't loading properly. We are going to try to get it on the site before the end of the first games. In the mean time:

UPDATE: Thanks to MDK for uploading it on youtube. Here is le video:




Doesn't it just bring a tear to your eye seeing brotherly-love like that?

Lineup NOTables

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins

Philadelphia: Ian Laperriere (concussion) is out, Jody Shelley and Tom Setito are suspended. Ilya Bryzgalov gets to start.
Boston: Marc Savard (concussion), and Steve Kampfer (knee) are out. Tim Thomas starts tonight.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Montreal: Blair Betts (lower body), Brendon Nash (shoulder), Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Lars Eller (shoulder), Ryan White (groin) are out. Carey Price gets the start.
Toronto: Tim Connolly (shoulder), Nazem Kadri (MCL) are out. James Riemer is in net.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vancouver Canucks

Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby (apparently something to do with his head? Nah he'll be fine...), Dustin Jeffrey (knee), Brooks Orpik (hernia) are out. Marc-Andre Fleury gets to start.
Vancouver: Ryan Kesler (hip), Nolan Baumgartner (foot), Aaron Rome (finger), Steve Pinizzotto (shoulder), Mason Raymond (back). Roberto Luongo starts tonight.

Saturday Night Hockey: Pre-Season Edition

The preseason is almost done, so we here figure we get in a quick preseason SNH to get back into shape.

If the Preseason had a Championship

Here is what the preseason standing look like heading into the final games:

Leafs second? Oilers first? the Red wings last? Take a good look, because after October, you'll never see that again. Out of the six divisions, only the Atlantic Division looks the most likely to happen this season.

Lineup NOTables

Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Detroit: Pavel "Dangle Dangle" Datsyuk (back), Dan Cleary (upper body), Jan Musek (ankle), and Mike Commordore (bruised knee) are out. Brenden Smith is suspended. Ty Conklin gets the start.
Toronto: Nazem Kadri (knee) and Tim Connolly (fragile upper body injury) are out. Clarke MacArthur is suspended. James Reimer is expected to start.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Montreal: Leader of the Right Knee Injury, Andrei Markov, is out, along with Brendon Nash (shoulder) and Lars Eller (shoulder). Carey Price might get the start in net.
Tampa Bay: Scott Jackson (knee) is out. Dwayne Roloson is starting tonight.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks

Edmonton: Taylor Fedur (broken femur), Taylor Chorney (knee), and Ladislav Smid (shoulder) are out. Nikolai Khabibulin will start.
Vancouver: Mason Raymond (back) and Aaron Rome (hand) are out. Roberto Luongo is expected to pump Khabibulin's tires start tonight.