The Sharks just lost ugly to the Blackhawks, but I can’t really be too mad. They’re chugging along just fine, thankyouverymuch. Detroit’s losing streak (thanks, Mr. Ovechkin, that was nice of you) has put them eight points up for the overall Western Conference lead, with a game in hand to boot. We’re on track to get a bunch of injured players back soon, including Tory Mitchell. I’m happy. (And yes, I’m painfully aware regular-season success means very little, but that’s where we are.)
LA will miss the playoffs again, but it’s fun watching the kids and seeing all the potential. At least they are a lot tougher and more defensively responsible than years past.
I hope they keep Frolov but the rumors are flying right now.
The Oilers’ season has pretty much been a yo-yo. They won five of six heading into the All-Star break then get drubbed by the Sabres 10-2 in their first game back. They rebounded well in a 3-1 win over the Wild, but then come out flat against the Predators on Sunday night.
Although they currently hold a playoff berth if the season were to end today, they won’t have as much luck 33 games from now if they play such inconsistent hockey.
Dustin Penner is continuing to be in Craig MacTavish’s doghouse as he was detached from the Oilers’ top-line on Sunday night. He only has four points in the 12 past contests and continues to build more evidence that the Oilers majorly overpaid for his services when poaching him from the Ducks in the 2007 offseason.
Nah, i don’t expect it’ll be too late. They really aren’t playing well but getting a guy as good as Gonchar back is going to do wonders for their Power Play. They won’t go deep until they can find a suitable winger for Sid, but they’ll be in the playoffs with Gonchar on the point.
They just need to stay within shouting distance when he comes back in mid to late February.
Detroit, losers of 5 of their last 6, seems to have a goaltender problem. Osgood (battling an injury) has been absolutely horrible most of the year, and Conklin has been a backup most of his career and will soon be 33. The trade deadline is long past, and unless some sort of miracle occurs and an in-his-prime Hasek rejoins the team in time for the playoffs, the defending champs go into said postseason hoping to outscore the opposition, which rarely works in that milieu.
I haven’t followed Conklin this year, but I was thrilled with his effort in Pittsburgh. Maybe he’s hitting the age wall.
As far as the Pens go, for all of you real hockey fans who have never been to Pittsburgh to see a game, I urge you to get to the igloo before it’s gone forever. It is a great place to watch a hockey game, and when you look up, you’ll notice the roof opens. Think of it as a big circle with pie pieces that overlap on top of each other until the roof disappears and the skyline of the city is exposed. I’ll try to find a picture and post a link.
I hope they open the roof one more time to have a game in the snow. The outdoor games in football or baseball stadiums are ok to watch on tv, but not too much in person. The igloo was built for this. Why they never took advantage of it over the years I don’t know… I’ve seen concerts there with the roof open, but never a hockey game. I guess they have too much crap hanging on the ceiling.
But see it before the new arena is built. It’s the oldest arena in the NHL and still one of the coolest, cleanest arenas I’ve been in. And it was built for hockey. There isn’t a bad seat in the house (except for the added seats they crammed in to increase seating in the 90’s)
In my opinion, it’s the Wrigley Field of hockey arenas. Sadly, it will probably go the way of the wrecking ball. I just hope they can turn it into a historic landmark. First retractable dome ever built in North America. And that was built in 1966-67! (for reference, I think the Toronto Sky Dome was next.)
If I’m wrong, I’m sure someone will come along and point it out. Still, a great building.
Oh, he’s actually having a decent season, don’t get me wrong. But he’s never been a full-time goalie and is basically a journeyman. You want this guy as your goaltender in the playoffs as you defend your title? Or a banged-up/washed-up Osgood with his horrendous save percentage this year?
One of the rumors for the Bruins is the possibility of sending Fernandez to the Wings. Unless Detroit offers a great package, I’d keep Fernandez for the playoffs.
Boston is also looking at Tkachuk, which would be a great pick-up, but there are several teams interested and St. Louis maybe asking too much.
Consistency’s been such a huge problem all season, due in no small part to MacT’s frequent and often nonsensical line shuffling. I like Nilsson on the top line, but taking Penner off the powerplay (when he’s great at screening the net) for Gilbert is a dumbass move, IMHO.
Trading away Garon saddened me, especially since we basically got nothing in return. Deslauriers is okay but I don’t think he’s good enough to carry the season if something happens to Roli, god forbid.
After the loss to Chicago (there was no chance for a win, it was a pay-per-view game ;)) they’re parked in 9th or so. I’m really hoping they can scrape a playoff spot this year.
This is a classic example of why you should never, ever rush a high draft pick, especially a goaltender. Fleury was set way back by the way the Penguins jerked him around when he was younger and his career may never recover.
The Blues are…uh…rebuilding. Nice to see them on TV, outplaying Detroit. Well, everyone except Manny Legace, who allowed three softies on about four shots and got yanked. Then we lost in a shootout.
Good times.
All we really need is a sniper, a first line center, two veteran defensemen, and a goalie. Make me an offer.
Not to mention that team defense is much worse than last year. Defenseman have been pinching in too much leaving forwards having to try to be defenseman. Forwards aren’t getting back as much as they were last season. Positioning has been absolutely terrible, allowing far too many wide open shots on goal, making bad nights worse for Ozzie and Conklin. I’m not going to say that Ozzie is having a great season, but I think a rough start due to horrendous defensive lapses shook him.
As it stands now, I don’t see how the Wings can win the cup. They’ve had one good patch between the winter classic and the all star game where they looked like last years Wings. That’s it. If they don’t get their defense straightened up (getting outshot by St. Louis? Really?), they’ll be lucky to make it out of the first round.
Wasn’t too happy to see the CAPS blow it last night against LA, but hopefully they’ll turn it around against division foe Florida this weekend. I have to say it’s been a while since I’ve had this much optimism about them.
