woo hoo!
Pens take the opener.
Fleury with the shut out!
Yay, for about 40 minutes the Wings seemed to realize how good they really can be. If we can get 40 minutes like that in 15 more games this year 
Is it just me or are there an amazing number of good young defencemen around these days?
Alex Semin with the OT winner as the Caps draw first blood.
Now to switch back and forth between VAN/CHI on CBC, and ANA/NSH on TSN.
I can’t believe that Staal allowed himself to be suckered into trying to put the puck up the wall on the OT winner. The Caps were just begging him to try it.
THAT was fucking sweet – Flower is in BLOOM!!! Seriously, if he doesn’t win the Vezina this year, I’m gonna be fucking pissed. (And if he isn’t even NOMINATED, well, you won’t wanna be around me)
I haven’t heard much from the jackasses who were screaming for him to sent back to Wilkes-Barre, and put Johnson up front. (And don’t get me wrong, I love Johnny). But it’s really sweet to put them in their places.
LET’S GO PENS!!! 
Well, I was half right…Rinne was awesome last night…Ellis was uhhhh…:smack:
By what rational basis should Fleury win the Vezina?
To use one example, Henrik Lundqvist played one more game, had a better GAA, a better save percentage, posted 11 shutouts, all while playing for a slightly worse team. He even had more assists. Pekka Rinne played fewer games but was even better in GAA and save percentage. In face, Fleury wasn’t in the top ten of qualifying goalies in save percentage and was seventh in GAA.
So, a couple of days ago Brian Burke said that the Leafs were two or three players away from contending for the Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs mind you, but challenging for the Cup.
What he didn’t say was that the 3 players they need are a 24 year old Wayne Gretzky, a 24 year old Mario Lemieux and a 24 year old Nicklas Lidstrom.
Detroit won game one, but being a “stanley cup is half empty” kind of guy I can’t help but notice that the exact same problem that the Wings had in the regular season popped up again. They just don’t think that the first period counts. Even if Phoenix remains kind enough to refuse any help that Detroit offers in the way of power play time, they will go down if they can’t play three periods. If not to Phoenix, then to some other team.
Ron Wilson said it.
Logically, it’s true, though. Toronto missed the playoffs by eight points, or four wins. With six wins more they’d have finished sixth.
If you took ANY team in the NHL and filled three holes, you’d add at least 12 points, wouldn’t you? Give Toronto a legitimate first line center, a good grinding center, and a decent power foward, and they’re a vastly better team. Filling three holes is a huge hairy deal; the challenge is how do you do that?
By the way, I owe you a Jays game. Lets go when they open the roof.
Sounds good.
Okay, forget the Vezina. Although everyone is saying he should be up for the Hart (and I agree), I’m trying to be realistic as far as that goes. He’s had one terrific year, (after a rocky start) and has pretty much been the backbone. Everyone thought that once Crosby and Malkin went down, so would we.
But like I said, I’m biased. 
Speaking of Crosby, however, I hate to say it, but I don’t see him coming back until next season.
The Penguins could use him this year but they rightly are thinking more about the next ten years. Sid’s the kind of player you want to be an institution, not be IN an institution.
Indeed, and a concussion is something that could be repeated on a perfectly clean hit. Better Crosby take his recovery as slowly as possible. I imagine he’d prefer his name along side Gretzky and Lemieux instead of Lindros.
Messrs Price and Gionta get the Habs off to a good start with a 2-0 blanking of the Ruins.
Some action in the Kings/Sharks game tonight. Incredibly cheap shot by Stoll on Ian White with no penalty. Ben Eager and Kyle Clifford get into a fight 30 seconds later and Eager just went to town on Clifford. He was smiling as he left the ice.
Pretty good game so far. I think the Kings are outmatched without Kopitar, but a good series between these teams could make the Pacific division even more fun next year.
You don’t need to tell me that. I think Bylsma’s trying to hint at it, rather than coming right out and saying, “no, we don’t anticipate Sid coming back until next season.”
I’d much, much rather have him back next year at 100%, than take a chance and then have him out of commission for good.
(Besides, we’ve been doing fantastic – it’s not like we’re just “Sid and the Boys”)
Literally dancing in the living room tonight. I came home from an exam (Aircraft Structures, stress and strain analysis…less fun than it sounds like!) and definitely needed a game like that!
Going only by the numbers, Price is a better Hart and Vézina candidate than Fleury, though Fleury has had a good latter half to the season. I don’t think he’ll (Price) get either, though I think he deserves a more serious look for the Vézina than he’ll get.
Also, does anyone else think Tim Thomas looks a little like this guy?
KINGS ARE GONNA WIN! 
but not really, I hope they beat those damned Sharks though!