Wednesday, November 14, 2007
i missed last night's games...
If a hockey game is played in the woods and no one is around does it matter?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Long weekend...good hockey
But i don't remember anything of significance.
Well, more on the "goalie is not the most important player on the ice" front...
Weekes gets a win for the Devils. Why? is he better than Brodeur? Did he play significantly better than Brodeur did against the Pens last week? (a 5-0 romp by the pens)
No Weekes played a solid game. Made a couple of big saves. But largely, the difference was - New Jersey played better...they scored first and played solid defense. With the exception of the goal by Crosby...the defense played as good as they could. They are not the defense that the Devils have iced over the past 15yrs - even last year around december, the Devils had one of the better defenses in the league. By player, probably not, but by system and discipline to the system, definitely.
For some reason, that is all i remember about this weekend. Oh and the Rangers won and gave a point to Toronto. I think the Rangers have that team that can give up a crucial goal - meaning no lead is safe (against the teams that can score - Ottawa, Carolina, etc...).
Well, more on the "goalie is not the most important player on the ice" front...
Weekes gets a win for the Devils. Why? is he better than Brodeur? Did he play significantly better than Brodeur did against the Pens last week? (a 5-0 romp by the pens)
No Weekes played a solid game. Made a couple of big saves. But largely, the difference was - New Jersey played better...they scored first and played solid defense. With the exception of the goal by Crosby...the defense played as good as they could. They are not the defense that the Devils have iced over the past 15yrs - even last year around december, the Devils had one of the better defenses in the league. By player, probably not, but by system and discipline to the system, definitely.
For some reason, that is all i remember about this weekend. Oh and the Rangers won and gave a point to Toronto. I think the Rangers have that team that can give up a crucial goal - meaning no lead is safe (against the teams that can score - Ottawa, Carolina, etc...).
Friday, November 9, 2007
No bitter beer on tap tonight...
But two stale ones in bottles.
Toronto - Buffalo
ho hum. This could be a shootout. It could be a blowout. It could be that i don't care. Ya know for all the non-interest i have for Buffalo - they are playing ok. Props to Lindy Ruff. (Also, i do like Connelly and Vanek...)
Atlanta - Florida
These two have some noteworthy-ness. Youngsters and scorers and a new coach and whatnot...but why watch? Kovalchuk is almost enough...truly, this isn't so bad.
The rest of the games all have promise!
Columbus - Detroit
Columbus is coming off a complete bust against Chicago. I would guess this will have them playing tighter tonight. Detroit, well, is Detroit. Lidstrom, Rafalaski, Chelios...Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom... I am there. I will watch this game if i am around a TV or computer (slingbox baby!) and able to do so!
St. Louis - Chicago
Kane. (oh and these two teams are showing themselves this year.)
Colorado - Vancouver
Vancouver can put me to sleep...but this year they are letting goals slip by. That and Colorado has a fun team.
Anaheim - San Jose
I guess i am more into this one because of last season, because this season, neither team is all that exciting. Will Roenick get 500? He's one of the greater ones i have seen so more power to him.
after the previous debacles, i won't be prognosticating any time soon. Maybe after the mid-point of the season when teams MIGHT have a clear pattern to their play.
Toronto - Buffalo
ho hum. This could be a shootout. It could be a blowout. It could be that i don't care. Ya know for all the non-interest i have for Buffalo - they are playing ok. Props to Lindy Ruff. (Also, i do like Connelly and Vanek...)
Atlanta - Florida
These two have some noteworthy-ness. Youngsters and scorers and a new coach and whatnot...but why watch? Kovalchuk is almost enough...truly, this isn't so bad.
The rest of the games all have promise!
Columbus - Detroit
Columbus is coming off a complete bust against Chicago. I would guess this will have them playing tighter tonight. Detroit, well, is Detroit. Lidstrom, Rafalaski, Chelios...Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom... I am there. I will watch this game if i am around a TV or computer (slingbox baby!) and able to do so!
St. Louis - Chicago
Kane. (oh and these two teams are showing themselves this year.)
Colorado - Vancouver
Vancouver can put me to sleep...but this year they are letting goals slip by. That and Colorado has a fun team.
Anaheim - San Jose
I guess i am more into this one because of last season, because this season, neither team is all that exciting. Will Roenick get 500? He's one of the greater ones i have seen so more power to him.
after the previous debacles, i won't be prognosticating any time soon. Maybe after the mid-point of the season when teams MIGHT have a clear pattern to their play.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The only call i got right...
Making calls is basically worthless.
I think every thing i wrote was exactly wrong.
I think every thing i wrote was exactly wrong.
Enter Sydney
New York Rangers - Pittsburgh
Another go anywhere game. It isn't all happy over in Crosby-land, but the Pens are still plenty dangerous. Many fingers point at M.A.Fleury, but the offense isn't quite as prolific as it was last season either. Perhaps if the O was keeping it in the opposition zone a bit mor
e, the defense and MAF wouldn't be as pressed! I sure hope the O doesn't find anything on this night.
The Rangers have been crossing over...finding some offense...at least creating opportunities. Let's hope that stays true. They did pretty well at home* to the Isles...if not for some defensive lapses they would have won that game. As is they got NO POINTS...it hurt and now this game is that much bigger. The Pens haven't found themselves yet, thus, this game is more of a winner.
NYR needs to pepper the Pens' goalie as they did Biron the other night. They need to make better decisions in their own zone when heavily forechecked. The way Trent Hunter ran around, Gary Roberts could be a force...albeit an old one.
other games to watch...
New Jersey - Philidelphia
Can't not watch another opportunity to see Brodeur face quality scoring chances. Philly can certainly light the lamp. It will be interesting to see if their defense can stop the two lines of NJ and by that i mean, Parise's line and the other line without Elias. As i have mentioned before, i hope Elias finds a connection with a linemate but until he does he is going to be a huge PUZZLE this season.
Tampa Bay - Carolina
Always a good game between these two. Carolina SHOULD waltz around this one-punch shadow boxer. However, never has TB been easy for the Canes...at least in my memory. Wallin will be out for a few more weeks and that hurts the Canes a lot...hopefully that won't be a glaring hole for them tonight. Lecavalier is pretty awesome and opens a lot of space for St Louis or whoever else he is out there with.
Montreal - Boston
This should be a good battle. Boston coming off a tough, tight loss cannot be taken lightly. Montreal has played some good hockey as well. I will be interested in this matchup. Kovalev is playing well.
Ottawa - Washington
The way the caps have been playing as of late, this game might be the blowout of the night. Gerber could get a shutout too...or Emery or whoever.
Vancouver - Calgary
Even with Vancouver's lack this season, i always pay attention to a game between these two. Besides, isn't Iginla alone worth watching!?
Okay i guess it goes without saying, but this season has been about as predictable as say a tornado sighting. Other than Ottawa and Detroit, every team seems to hit spots where they can't win and it doesn't matter if they are playing Phoenix or Washington or San Jose or Anaheim...what's the reason!?
* we all know that Nassau is the vacation home for the Rangers' fans
Another go anywhere game. It isn't all happy over in Crosby-land, but the Pens are still plenty dangerous. Many fingers point at M.A.Fleury, but the offense isn't quite as prolific as it was last season either. Perhaps if the O was keeping it in the opposition zone a bit mor
e, the defense and MAF wouldn't be as pressed! I sure hope the O doesn't find anything on this night.The Rangers have been crossing over...finding some offense...at least creating opportunities. Let's hope that stays true. They did pretty well at home* to the Isles...if not for some defensive lapses they would have won that game. As is they got NO POINTS...it hurt and now this game is that much bigger. The Pens haven't found themselves yet, thus, this game is more of a winner.
NYR needs to pepper the Pens' goalie as they did Biron the other night. They need to make better decisions in their own zone when heavily forechecked. The way Trent Hunter ran around, Gary Roberts could be a force...albeit an old one.
other games to watch...
New Jersey - Philidelphia
Can't not watch another opportunity to see Brodeur face quality scoring chances. Philly can certainly light the lamp. It will be interesting to see if their defense can stop the two lines of NJ and by that i mean, Parise's line and the other line without Elias. As i have mentioned before, i hope Elias finds a connection with a linemate but until he does he is going to be a huge PUZZLE this season.
Tampa Bay - Carolina
Always a good game between these two. Carolina SHOULD waltz around this one-punch shadow boxer. However, never has TB been easy for the Canes...at least in my memory. Wallin will be out for a few more weeks and that hurts the Canes a lot...hopefully that won't be a glaring hole for them tonight. Lecavalier is pretty awesome and opens a lot of space for St Louis or whoever else he is out there with.
Montreal - Boston
This should be a good battle. Boston coming off a tough, tight loss cannot be taken lightly. Montreal has played some good hockey as well. I will be interested in this matchup. Kovalev is playing well.
Ottawa - Washington
The way the caps have been playing as of late, this game might be the blowout of the night. Gerber could get a shutout too...or Emery or whoever.
Vancouver - Calgary
Even with Vancouver's lack this season, i always pay attention to a game between these two. Besides, isn't Iginla alone worth watching!?
Okay i guess it goes without saying, but this season has been about as predictable as say a tornado sighting. Other than Ottawa and Detroit, every team seems to hit spots where they can't win and it doesn't matter if they are playing Phoenix or Washington or San Jose or Anaheim...what's the reason!?
* we all know that Nassau is the vacation home for the Rangers' fans
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Hitchcock, Nolan, Laviolette, Stevens, Paddock, Carbonneau, Babcock, Quenneville...
Does that cover everyone? I mean which of these coaches DOESN'T deserve the Adams!?
Sure Paddock and Ottawa was expected to be pretty good. As was Detroit...but to the extent that they are? Those guys deserve anything that could be awared.
After that, there are a lot of teams that were medicore and are now playing more solid. You can't deny those coaches the kudos.
And then there are those like Hitchcock...turning teams around to that degree. He could easily get the Adams as well.
I don't know who i am most impressed with. Hitchcock is on the front of my tongue - but when i look at the teams that are doing well, i can't really eliminate any of their coaches.
Good thing there is plenty of time left in the season - i'd certainly hope that things sort themselves out by season's end.
Sure Paddock and Ottawa was expected to be pretty good. As was Detroit...but to the extent that they are? Those guys deserve anything that could be awared.
After that, there are a lot of teams that were medicore and are now playing more solid. You can't deny those coaches the kudos.
And then there are those like Hitchcock...turning teams around to that degree. He could easily get the Adams as well.
I don't know who i am most impressed with. Hitchcock is on the front of my tongue - but when i look at the teams that are doing well, i can't really eliminate any of their coaches.
Good thing there is plenty of time left in the season - i'd certainly hope that things sort themselves out by season's end.
Tonight's action
Philadelphia - Pittsburgh
This could be a barn-burner (whatever that means). Philly has been giving up tons of shots - maybe the defense is being exposed. They have the potential to put a barrage of shots on as well. MAF will have to play solid to keep up with Biron. But both should be facing some crazy chances.
Nashville - Detroit
Nashville has been playing well as of late...against the lesser teams anyway. Detroit will be a true test or maybe just an indicator that Nashville isn't improved but better than the bad teams. I like Nashville. Trotz. No Kariya. Zetterberg will probably get some points...is that a stretch or what!
Columbus - Chicago
Pascal gets number 6? It could certainly happen.
** update 8 Nov 2007: WRONG!
Buffalo - Boston
Truly, i can watch any game. Buffalo interests me probably the least. But i need to watch Boston play. I am not sure what is going on there...is Tim Thomas that real!? I will have a hard time watching....but i should. My feeling is that Chara is settled in and the defense is better with the system. The defense is not in need of more talent. They have a good corp there.
San Jose - Dallas
Battle of the division leaders. I guess. I don't know if anyone should make the playoffs from the Pacific division. I'd rather see all the Central and the top 3 from the Northwest. But this will still be a hockey game. These teams...i don't get it.
Edmonton - Colorado
Colorado is fun to watch and i probably will watch this game. I still can't believe that Jose Theodore is doing ok in goal there. I saw him as a Jim Carey/Felix Potvin/Roman Cechmanek. More power to him though - outplaying Budaj it seems.
This could be a barn-burner (whatever that means). Philly has been giving up tons of shots - maybe the defense is being exposed. They have the potential to put a barrage of shots on as well. MAF will have to play solid to keep up with Biron. But both should be facing some crazy chances.
Nashville - Detroit
Nashville has been playing well as of late...against the lesser teams anyway. Detroit will be a true test or maybe just an indicator that Nashville isn't improved but better than the bad teams. I like Nashville. Trotz. No Kariya. Zetterberg will probably get some points...is that a stretch or what!
Columbus - Chicago
Pascal gets number 6? It could certainly happen.
** update 8 Nov 2007: WRONG!
Buffalo - Boston
Truly, i can watch any game. Buffalo interests me probably the least. But i need to watch Boston play. I am not sure what is going on there...is Tim Thomas that real!? I will have a hard time watching....but i should. My feeling is that Chara is settled in and the defense is better with the system. The defense is not in need of more talent. They have a good corp there.
San Jose - Dallas
Battle of the division leaders. I guess. I don't know if anyone should make the playoffs from the Pacific division. I'd rather see all the Central and the top 3 from the Northwest. But this will still be a hockey game. These teams...i don't get it.
Edmonton - Colorado
Colorado is fun to watch and i probably will watch this game. I still can't believe that Jose Theodore is doing ok in goal there. I saw him as a Jim Carey/Felix Potvin/Roman Cechmanek. More power to him though - outplaying Budaj it seems.
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