Tag Search Results for "FIN"
Well, Game 1 is finally here! The past several days have inched by as I've waited for the playoffs to start. It should be a good game. I think the Islanders will really work hard and battle. The Sabres have waited for this all season, so they better be ready. I expect them to play like they were at the start of the season and during the playoffs last year. At times t...
Hockey is that entity that is misunderstood by so many. Is it a game? Is it a sport? Is it mayhem? It is all of those and more and this year it proved to be a beast. Many perennial favorites had great years as expected, some faltered and some just plain failed. Decade long traditional losers became winners overnight, literally in some cases. The losers, the lucky, th...
The Conference Finals are upon us!
In the Eastern Conference we have the Very Goods against the Also Very Goods, with the Very Goods having home ice advantage. Both teams are mighty on offense, with the Very Goods in particular having great depth in the forward ranks. The Also Very Goods have a staunch blueline corps, and look to impart big misery on the marauding, ...
After the Parent trade, wasn't this guy supposed to be the Predators' top defensive prospect?
Well, he sure hasn't shown it in the playoffs.
In 19 playoff contests, Franson has just 3 goals an 4 assists to go wth a solid +8 rating. Those are pretty solid numbers for a defensman under normal circumstances. But these aren't normal circumstances. Franson had 17 goa...
Canada wins another world hockey championship. Big surprise AND big deal! Why is this tournament played every year during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Does anybody who follows the NHL care about this tournament right now while the battle for arguably the greatest trophy in sports is taking place, especially if your team is still in it? I'm still trying to figure out the poin...
Again, the Sabres' special teams are a collective no-show. Senators were in complete control of what little of the game I saw(about the last 15 minute). And, if you'll remember, I called this plus another win yesterday... ;-)
And Thursday night the Buffalo Sabres and Stanley Cup will not be mentioned in the same sentence again until October.
With 10:22 left in the fi...
Question for West Coast residents: What is Cup Finals gameday like for Ducks fans when the game starts at 5:00pm? I'm just curious because here in Buffalo if a game started at 5:00pm our city (and many of the surrounding suburbs) would completely shut down approximately 36 hours in advance and there would be about as many people at work that day as there is on Christmas Da...
This is how I think they stack up.
[b]Goaltending[/b] - No doubt, Giguere is the more accomplished of the two, already with a Conn Smythe under his belt. He is as positionally sound as any goalie in the NHL. He is again proving to be his team's MVP on a team that boasts two Norris candidates. He is more than capable of stealing a game. An area of concern is that Gig...
If you are heading to Southern California for game one of the Stanley Cup Finals, you might be in for a surprise.
There is no orange mile. You can drive for hours without seeing a car flag. Fans in Ducks regalia are few and far between around town. Sports shops have more merchandise from the middling Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim -- how's that for a mouthful -- than the...
Well, we have come to the last 7 games of the 2006-2007 NHL Year. Two teams are on the edge of the top of Mountain.
From the east we have Ottawa Senators and from the west we have Anaheim Ducks.
Both teams defy what Gary Bettman wants the NHL to be a passive, Euro league.
Lets recap how both teams got to the finals
[b]Ottawa Senators[/b]
In the first round, ...
As i am coming home from the jersey shore from the memorial hoilday on monday, i will start to watch the final 7 games of the the 2006-2007 NHL Season.
I finally give NHL credit for something....
i'll give them credit for scheduling the first game of stanley cup finals on memorial day night. the reason i will give them credit for scheduling the first game against b...
Game 1:4-2 Ducks Selanne GWG
Game 2:3-1 Sens Heatley GWG
Game 3:6-5 Sens OT Vermette GWG
Game 4:2-1 Ducks OT Pronger GWG
Game 5:3-1 Sens Spezza GWG
Game 6:5-4 Ducks R. Neidermeyer GWG
Game 7:1-0 Ducks OT Selanne GWG in one of the most dramatic Cup Finals Ever!!!! Go DUCKS!
Game 1: Ottawa
Game 2: Anaheim
Game 3: Ottawa
Game 4: Anaheim
Game 5: Ottawa
Game 6: Ottawa
Series: Ottawa wins 4-2
Alfredsson wins Conn Smythe although Emery makes a huge push for the award with his play in the series.
[b]Disclaimer/Update: No need to even read this blog. It was about my streak in predicting winners of playoff games through my PS2. It was at 9 straight games, but it fell victim tonight. The streak is over. In any case, CONGRATS ANAHEIM on that first win! Happy for your fans...Also for Brad May. Still pulling for the Sens though. Gotta go with the Canadian team her...
Well this is my first blog here so I thought that I would introduce myself. My name is Zac and I currently live in Vancouver. I grew up in the Toronto area for most of my life and I have followed the Leafs for as long as I can remember. The days of Wendle hitting and fighting everyone to watching Dougie work his magic behind the net. I've watched the highs and lows and...
The Nashville Predators have signed a whopping FIVE European prospects in the last week. Sources have Djurgardens forward Patric Hornqvist to an entry-level three year, two-way contract. Hornqvist posted 6 points (2g-4a) and a +2 in 9 games at the World Championships. He is also one of only a handful of players- including Peter Frosberg, Marcus Naslund, and one of the Sedi...
I'm just listening to Chuck Swirsky on the Fan590, and I hear about this pledge that Toronto's Mayor David Miller, Vancouver's Mayor Sam Sullivan, and Calgary's Mayor Dave Bronconnier, is creating to make Leaf fans, Canucks fans, and Flames fans root for the Senators during this Stanley Cup Finals.
This is absolutely ridiculous! If your a fan of the Leafs you are NOT ro...
Only a few hours to go now until game 2 starts. I am pumped.
Lots to expect out of this one. Will the Sens be able to fight back or will the Ducks just keep on hitting everyone and wear down the Sens?
I really think that this is the Ducks chance. They have a great opportunity to go ahead 2-0 in the series and forcing the Sens to win 4 in 5 games. They have a lo...
So tonight will pretty much decide this series. Ottawa are on the ropes and Alfredsson, Heatley and Spezza continue to struggle against Anaheim's checking line, the Niedermayer-Pronger unit, and JS Giguere. But they return home to the Scotiabank Place with (hopefully) rabid fans who weren't even remote thoughts the last time the Senators won the Cup(except for that one 99 ...
I didn't get to see much of Game 3 as I was on a mini vacation on the weekend. Went to Seattle to check it out and had a great time. All that I saw was the last 10min of the first, Coach's Corner and funny enough, the Pronger elbow.
Now I did get to watch Game 4 and another solid game. This has been a very good series to watch and they have all been tight games. T...
Yah yah, I know. I've heard all the rhetoric about why, as an Oiler fan, I have to hate Anaheim. Blah, blah Pronger. But I just can't. Hey, would I rather see Pronger wearing the Oil Drop and hoisting the Cup? Of course but it's not going to happen.
There are just too many reasons to admire the Ducks.
1) Scott Niedermeyer is as classy as it gets in the NHL. Nice to s...
[img:left]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Zacobius/nhl_blog/capt.jpg[/img] Well congrats to the Ducks. What a great playoff run and what a win in Game 5. After all those close games, it was great to see them in a blowout. After watching Cory Perry in London, it was great to see him get that goal (what a shot) and once again, no celebration looks better in sports t...
today after the skate lindy ruff held a brief presser (http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=337685). in this news conference he stared that he intends on keeping one of the most exciting lines for the sabres last year(RAV) together. this article also states that the rest of the forwards will look like this opening night.
Vanek...
As most of you already know, Jesse Boulerice was suspended for 25 games after his crosscheck to Ryan Kesler's face a couple days ago. The question is, was it enough?
By terms of Chris Simon getting the same sentence last year, yes, it's a perfect punishment.
But by terms of Steve Downie getting 20 for an unnecessary hit on Dean McAmmond, Boulerice should have gotten...
It's over. Time to divide up the china, pick who get's the dog, pack up the stuff and part ways. It's been a fun ride in your time here, but I finally feel you've overstayed your welcome. It's not you it's me. The team has moved on from your freewheeling style, and we don't have room to truly let you grow. In past years we had players here that we could count on to m...
It's over. Time to divide up the china, pick who get's the dog, pack up the stuff and part ways. It's been a fun ride in your time here, but I finally feel you've overstayed your welcome. It's not you it's me. The team has moved on from your freewheeling style, and we don't have room to truly let you grow. In past years we had players here that we could count on to m...
WE ARE TOUGH...LET US PLAY THE GAME...LET THE PLAYERS POLICE THE GAME...
then we hear...
Look what they did...give them a suspension...why me? WHYYYYYYYYY...????
In the latest reach for getting someone else suspended, Flyer fans lead by one Tim P accuse Max Afinogenov of 1.) slew footing and 2.) kicking Scott Upshall. If you are an objective hockey fan, you can ...
Another game, another hurt defenseman.....this time, Chelios, the last really experienced, steady blueliner the Wings had on the roster. We still don't know the extent or severity of the "contusion" that he suffered, but if anyone can get back quickly, it will be a fitness nut like Cheli.
As for filling out the blue line corps, I think Ken Holland has his work cut ...
steal_your_faceoff writes...
Who the %^*#$^&# are YOU?!?! - Flyers game 4
Posted Thursday | Comments 0
Quite simply, Roger Daltry and the Boys from The Who (my 2nd favorite band) asked the question that I want most answered by the Philadelphia Flyers tonight...
[i]
ahhhh...who *#($*(#)$* are you?!?![/i]
[b]Who are you? Orange Crush[/b]
[img]http://cdn.nhl.com/flyers/images/upload/2008/04/washrichards4.15.jpg[/img]
This is the game that decides whether you put your...
Well now....I've been thinking about this series and reading up on what all the "experts" have been saying and I've made up my mind. I'm pretty sure having the experts vote is the kiss of death anyway...so let them predict away (they are after all, the ones who said Habs in 5).
The way I see it, the Pens have really coasted through the playoffs. They haven't been chal...
Well, I for one was surprised how quick each series ended, and really thought that the Rangers Penguins series would have been a bit closer. The San Jose Dallas series did go 6 games after Dallas got a quick 3-0 series lead, with a record 5 games being decided in the extra frame. Well lets get to what is currently at hand.
[i]Western Conference Finals[/i]
[b]1. Detroit...
grapes17 writes...
Conference finals preview: Wings, Flyers look to advance
Posted Wednesday | Comments 0
It is strange how nobody has talked about the Detroit Red Wings as Stanley Cup contenders for most of the season.
You know, the team that won the President's Trophy -- again. The team led by Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Norris... err, I mean, Nicklas Lidstrom.
The team coached by coach of the year candidate Mike Babcock. The team with three Stanley Cups in a...
Wow!
That was a big sigh of relief you heard from every other team in the league when the Wings lost out in the Fabian Brunnstrom sweepstakes. No other team wants the Wings to have any more weapons.
But now this. The Wings don't sign a prospect, they sign a [i]bona fide[/i] star. And how did they do THAT under the radar?
[b]Ville Leino[/b], a forward, and this ...
While the outlook may appear bleak, it's not completely hopeless. Heck, it's been done before. I'm not buying into San Jose's theory of every 33 years...I'm just saying this team has been special this post-season, so why the hell not?
One thing I noticed in VERY brief spurts during the first three games that I was finally able to confirm in game 4: Detroit plays incred...
So the National Hockey League has released the schedule for this year's Stanley Cup Final:
[url]http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=SubseasonSchedule[/url]
Now although there are 3 Saturday Night games, (CBC has to be jumping for joy!), I don't see a reason why we have to wait 5 whole days for this freakin series to start! I know the main reason is to accomo...
I have watched a few of the Western Conference Finals games - including the decisive game 6 - and have come to the conclusion, like many other hockey writers and fans, that the Red Wings are a very tough team to beat.
In a conference believed to be the better of the two in the league (by just about everybody), the Wings have managed to dispatch of 3 opponents while losi...
The [i]Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/i] published a cartoon that showed the giant Uniroyal tire that is near Detroit Metro Airport adorned in Winged Wheel regalia. The air was going out of the tire and the caption was "Deflate the Wings."
In response, the [i]Detroit Free Press[/i] invited readers to submit their own posters to counteract the Penguin attack.
Currently, 28 ...
Seven games, decided by one goal in double overtime. And even then, it could go either way.
Yes, that is the prevailing thought for this year's Stanley Cup Finals between Detroit and Pittsburgh. Through three rounds, the Wings have lost just four games while the Penguins have just two defeats.
Two great teams that would be great teams at any point in the league's his...
It's been a great ride for the Penguins in the 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
These guys have shown a lot of heart and character over the course of the first 3 rounds...and even through two scoreless games of the finals.
Even so, you can't help but get the feeling that time is running out on the Pens.
Two shutout losses in Detroit have demonstrated how complete a...
The Cloutier situation
By Rich Hammond on June 23, 2008 1:46 PM
Here's the deal, according to the Kings...
Before Cloutier was placed on waivers, he was examined by Dr. Ronald Kvitne, a highly respected orthopedic surgeon, who determined that Cloutier was healthy enough to play. Cloutier sought a second opinion, and that doctor also deemed him healthy enough to pla...
Today is one of those days where you almost pray your team does nothing because the amount of money being thrown around is down right ridiculous. There have only been a couple signings where I can honestly say the team got good value. The singings I like today include Fedorik at just over 1 mil per season, Brunette at 2.33mil and Vrbada at 3mil.
Jeff Finger by all acc...
Ron Guillet writes...
Cliff Fletcher Gets My Applause -- And McCabe's Future
Posted Wednesday | Comments 0
While fans around the NHL point and laugh at the US$14-million, four-year deal given to defenseman Jeff Finger, Cliff Fletcher is following a blueprint to ensure the Leafs a more promising future.
Let's start with the player that is discussed the most, Jeff Finger. An almost unknown commodity around the NHL, he's somewhat of an underrated player when you take a look at ...
Whenever a building is demolished by implosion the spectacle creates a horde of onlookers, feeding on a basic human attraction toward violent destruction. It is the same depraved impulse that causes so many to further the obstruction of traffic when they pass a wreck on the highway. Though the impact of such rearrangement is immediate and rife with dramatic imagery, few if...
If the 2008 NHL Entry Draft was going to be the linchpin onto which the Maple Leafs commenced its rebuild, then the July 1st free agency free-for-all was going to be a barometer with which to measure the organizations immediate ambitions.
Going into the first days of free agency, the Leafs had two options. The first was too play it frosty, pick up some low key, low cap h...
Enjoy
http://flyerflies.com/blog/
Have a great weekend.
It was just a few years ago when Maxim Afinogenov was loved by many in Buffalo.
"MAX NATION" was a craze! You heard a loud "ahhhh" take over the HSBC (Hot Sauce, Blue Cheese) Arena every time he touched puck.
Now Max is fading in popularity with his in-ability to play defense which tends to lead him to the BOX. And his mis-conception of how big nhl defensemen really ar...
[img]http://philadelphia.about.com/library/gallery/lincoln39.JPG[/img]
The Spectrum. The little brown building at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. The home of the legendary Broad Street Bullies. The structure that infected NHLers with the Philly Flu. The place where a blue collar town came to love the ultimate blue collar sport.
[...
...why the Leafs signed Jeff Finger?
Well, at least I got a Finger joke out of the way early on.
When the numbers 3.5 over 4 were first thrown around on the AM640, I figured it was a fantastic signing as Finger was one of the more underrated players in the league I hoped the Leafs would go after. I figured something in the range of $1.5-2M would be a great bargain, b...
It indeed has been a short summer for the Detroit Red Wings. By know everyone knows that the Wings added Marion Hossa to their lineup. He could have been the steal of the free agents especially since he signed quick and wanted to come play for Detroit. One thing I learned was that Hossa is good friends with Red Wings 4th liner, Tomas Kopecky. I expect this had a lot to...
stoneford writes...
Does Mike Brophy of Hockeycentral know it's pre-season?!?
Posted Friday | Comments 0
I know that he's put in his time. 14 years at a paper in Peterborough, 16 years at the hockeynews and now with Rogers Sportsnet's and the fan590 on Hockeycentral, but really, c'mon. The Leafs have played 2 pre-season games. 2. They've been in camp for all of a week. They've barely had a second to take in the city, let alone the media throng that is you and Howard.
...
I've been trying to figure out an angle to write about regarding the Philadelphia Flyers recently. All the other blogs have their pre-season predictions, training camp reports, and the "pumped up for the hockey season" blog. Trust me, I could write 15 pages, single-spaced, on how excited I am for hockey to be back - this is the stuff I live for.
But when trying to find ...
Max Afinogenov is in the ultimate contract year. Not only is he in the last year of his contract, but he was shopped around in the offseason and is auditioning for all 30 other teams in the NHL either via trade during the season, jockeying for line placement on the Sabres or for his free agent contract following the season. Right now, it looks like we are going to go be ge...
I did a little breakdown of the Sabres lineup from last year to see how we did when our big guns score. Last year we had 5 players that broke the 20 goal mark. Vanek-36, Roy-32, Pominville-27, Kotalik-23, and Hecht-22. I figured it by percentage of points secured in games that were scored in.
1. Roy - 25 games 19-4-2 80%
2. Kotalik - 20 games 14-5-1 ...
After many laptop issues, some family matters to attend to, I'm finally back to blog again! It's been a few games since my last Leaf report and just when things were looking bleak, the Leafs have pulled it together the last 3 games to play some incredibly sound hockey.
Backtrack to a Friday night in New York, Carlo Colaiacovo is feeling glum because he's learned he's t...
Last night's game was as thoroughly entertaining as last Friday's game in Phoenix was boring. It's amazing that two games three days apart can be so completely opposite in every way - style of play, effort, scoring, atmosphere. There were plenty of mistakes made by both teams, to be sure, but it was fun to watch.
The Avs actually played hard and forechecked from the b...
[b]
The Colorado Avalanche suffered a big loss today, announcing that our heart and soul, our captain, Joe Sakic, will be on the shelf for AT LEAST 6 weeks with a herniated disk in his back. Ouch.
Alright, so let the rumors begin. With Joe out, the Avs have to shake things up...but how do they go about this?
One option is to stick with the current team and promote f...
On more than one occasion I have heard rumblings that the St. Louis Blues may be facing money problems in the very near future. Which begs the question: Do they panic and change course? Will they panic and change course?
The Blues have stressed patience, drafting and developing of a nucleus of young players, many of whom still have not reached the NHL.
How long ca...
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/leafs4ever89/hockeycanada2.jpg[/IMG]
It's their final exhibition matchup of the pre-tournament and Canada looks to apply the same pressure they've produced in their first two meetings. Sunday night's game against Finland showed that this team can in fact change on the fly, and I'm not talking about the lines.
Canada's game a...
[b]What do we all think about these Sabres?[/b]
The game as a general manager is complicated for sure. We can all bag on Darcy all we want, but hopefully we can be entertained by the next couple of months. We have a situation though, and hopefully it can be resolved by March 4th.
Max and Kotalik both need to be gone. We have to get something in...
Memo to Bettman:
Don't move up the Stanley Cup Finals without checking Yanni's schedule at the Igloo,first.
And where is that Pan Flute guy playing these days?
And don't forget the WWF. Your pals back at the NBA had to pay big bucks to resolve that conflict with the wrestlers in Denver.
FLAMESTR writes...
COULD THE OIL HAVE THE BEST COACHES ? AND MORE THOUGHTS
Posted Thursday | Comments 0
The Edmonton Oilers decided to go to with a veteran coach in Pat Quinn, who I think is a great coach. He loves a fluent, offensive game, which fits the Oilers to a tea. Quinn proved himself with the Team Canada. Not only did the Oilers pick a perfect head coach, they found the perfect coach in Tom Renney, who should have never been fired from the Rangers in the first place...
With the finals just hours away it is time for me to weigh on in what looks to be one of the best Stanley Cup matchups since 1984 (the last time the NHL had a finals rematch). Before I tell everyone my pick, here's the way I break down these two teams.
Each category is based on a scale of ten. A score of 5-5 is a push, no advantage for either team.
[b]Forwards[/b]
[...
The Montreal Canadians surprised a lot of people with the hiring of Jacques Martin. Can two cooks run the kitchen? Or can two Rosters run the coop if you prefer? Mr. Martin was the General Manager in Florida; can he take orders from Gainey? Can he take get back to coaching?
Many questions in Montreal. I really thought they would hire Bob Hartly, I even heard Patrick Roy...
Before the media has a chance to jump off the Red Wings bandwagon (again), I'll put in my two cents on Game 6.
First of all, Detroit was asleep at the wheel in the first period. With the exception of Chris Osgood, the Wings really did look like the older, more exhausted team. The one positive they can take away from the first 20 minutes is that Pittsburgh did not score ...
Whether it be Pierre's and Milbury's red ties in game 5 and Milbury's red tie tonight. Or Pierre's and Olczyk's MULTIPLE assessments on the NUMEROUS times the Penguins should have been called for interference, or that the Red Wings should not have been called. Or them belaboring Malkin's cross check on Filppula when, a millisecond before, Kronwall planted [Fedotenko?]'s ...
Just saying it or hearing it said, conveys everything you need to know.
[i][b]It's do or die.[/b][/i]
And in this case...game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals...[i][b]it's the end of the line for BOTH teams.[/b][/i]
After tonight, one team will have the summer to enjoy the hardware...and one team will have the summer to ponder "what might have been".
The Penguins ar...
nephew23 writes...
Guerin, Boucher, and the Pittsburg Penguins are Cup Champs!
Posted Saturday | Comments 0
[b]Happy congratulations to Billy Guerin, Philippe Boucher, and the newly crowned Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburg Penguins!!![/b] I'm sincerely happy for Billy G. and Philippe Boucher, as they both spent several quality years here with the Dallas Stars. As a rookie with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, Guerin raised his first Cup at the age of 24. Tonight, 14 years later, ...
The summer started off with the possibility of the Islanders not selecting John Tavares first overall and taking either Victor Hedman or Matt Duchene. But they did what was right and took the kid who has been watched and predicted for the past four years to go at the top with their first choice. Since then the Isles have been rumored to be in on the Sedin twins, Mike Komis...
This is my submission into the Journalism Dream Contest for the Globe and Mail. Go Here and vote for me:
http://journalismdream.theglobeandmail.com/entry_article.asp?id=826
The number 12 jersey slung on over his shoulder pads, the captains "C" prominently displayed over his heart.
All that embodies leadership, courage and the eternal drive to win is present in everyt...
Toronto is currently in 13th in the East. They are only 2 points back of 8th place Montreal with a game in hand. While there are teams between the Leafs and 8th with games in hand as well, this is an undeniable turnaround for the franchise this season. Makes one wonder if they are a playoff team. I'm sticking with my preseason prediction that the team will finish 7th in th...
Kamal Panesar writes...
Olympic Hockey: Anticipation Peaks on Super Sunday
Posted Sunday | Comments 0
Can you feel it? Can you taste it? That palpable anticipation and excitement that is building in Vancouver and is echoing across the hockey world?
It’s growing. And with each minute that passes the anticipation will continue to build on one of the biggest, most important days in international hockey history.
With five hours before the puck drops on what is being c...
Postgame Recap Quaterfinals
Wow what a day of hockey and what a day for results. Im still stunned on how this day went with every game.I was surprised that Switz gave USA a run for there money, even though we came through with the Win. I still can't get over the Russia vs Canada game who would have thought Canada was going to make it a blowout. I don't think anyone coul...
Semi Finals analysis
USA vs Finland
This will be a great game to watch of course(because USA is playing). No but seriously i believe USA might not be a powerhouse in this game. They are playing a real good offensive team with a lot of high skilled shooters and playmakers. But like the USA have been doing, to win they will just have to fight hard for the puck and stay...
Watching the Flyers play the Canadiens in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals has made sick.
Every goal that has been scored, every save that has been made, each shift that has been played...has taken me one step closer to wanting to "hurl" on my living room floor.
As a lifelong Penguins fan, isn't that the natural reaction you would expect from watc...
The Flyers are in the Stanley Cup Finals! Congrats to all the Flyer faithful, and even those who had their moments of doubt and pain.
Mike Richards is becoming a leader before our eyes. His taking the game into his own hands against Boston, when he demolished Krejci, reminded me of Scott Stevens (only cleaner) on Lindros. As a Flyer fan who was psychologically injured ...
The Winter Classic has been played in the NHL on January 1st of each of the last three seasons. It's a showcase game, designed to spotlight the sport on New Year's Day. Whether its focus is on star players, historical rivalries, or both, the Classic has, thus far, been a huge success for the NHL.
In its short history, the Classic has produced an exciting hockey event......
NHL fans are constantly debating the effectiveness of their team's captains.
Let's face it, unless you are in the city that wins the cup (and sometimes even that's not enough), you are likely to find a good number of people who will argue that the current team captain (--->insert your favorite whipping boy here
When Brian Burke added Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin to an established Leafs cast of Luke Schenn, Tomas Kaberle, Ian White and Jeff Finger it looked to all that the Toronto GM had built himself an enviable problem. A premium blueline, arguably one of the finest in the Eastern Conference, that also came with a premium price tag.
Of course, what began an enviable...
John_Anderson writes...
Afinogenov, Potential Blue and White Candidate??
Posted Thursday | Comments 0
I believe that Afinogenov would be a great pick up on free agency for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Give him a chance to bring in a veteran presence for the young top 6 forwards, since he is now in his Early 30s.
He may have had a great season last year, but that could've been a fluke if you look at his stats the previous two seasons, where he didn't even mass a total combin...
We all remember how this season ended, but many may not be aware of how the Sabres actually got to the finals during the 1998-1999 season. The Sabres were not expected to do well at all that year.
Just one year prior, Miroslav Satan led the team with just 46 points. The Sabres draft picks before the start of the season didn’t fare too well, either. They included Andre...
Trans4md Thundrcat writes...
Beauchemin vs Finger, Beauchemin Ain't All That
Posted Monday | Comments 0
[img]http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/HumanEraser2/fingervsbeauchemin.jpg?t=1286235955[/img]
click to enlarge and zoom
this is so simple that it can be found on nhl.com.
finger hardly played last year, but i'll use it as a comparison anyways.
as you can see finger played in 39 games and beauchemin played in all 82.
[b]Finger[/b]
in just 39 games hav...
This was a game in which most people thought was the turning point for the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008-2009 season. With just a handful of games remaining and the Sabres sitting six points out of a playoff spot, it was do or die against the Florida Panthers.
The Sabres were originally thought to have solidified the 6th spot in the East until goaltender Ryan Miller went d...
The Detroit Red Wings finished up their regular season with a win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center yesterday, solidifying their place as the number 3 seed. Next up will be the Phoenix Coyotes, a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Quarterfinals. The season series between these two clubs was split down the middle, with both teams grabbing two out o...
I know I haven't really spoke up on here all season but I am now. I'm sick of both teams whining about each other. Both teams have been dealt some bad breaks and some uneven and/or make up calls. When it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter.
The Flyers can whine all they want about games 1 and 5 and being over penalized but the fact is that they didn't score a...
It’s 2010 all over again as the Detroit Red Wings will meet the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Semifinals. The seeding remains the same too, as the Sharks secured home ice advantage once again for this series.
The Red Wings have been resting up for over a week after sweeping the Phoenix Coyotes last Wednesday, and have been able to mend their bumps and bru...
Finally, the Stanley Cup Finals are set. While that means two weeks of excitement and anticipation for the fans of the Bruins and Canucks, the fans of the other 28 teams in the league may feel a bit left out. So, like good people, we want to get involved, take sides, and go to war, so to speak. But just what side should you take.
Below is a comprehensive guide to who yo...
Canucks vs. Bruins. Who you got? Come on over to the Sports Roundup to read my quick take on the final and where my cheering allegiance lies.
http://www.thesportsroundup.com/2011/05/stanley-cup-final-predictions.html
Newman
I can't stand them. The other thing that pisses me off is that a lot of people in Calgary including a lot of the bars are supporting them. It makes me so angry but seeing them lose tonight was so great. Come read why here:
http://www.thesportsroundup.com/2011/06/why-i-dont-like-canucks.html
Newman
twitter.com/TSRNewman
FLYERSROCK! writes...
2012 NHL Predictions- Part 5 of 7: Stanley Cup Finals
Posted Thursday | Comments 0
First off, I'd like to say that I've had a pretty miserable week so far. 1st with going bcck to school. Then on Tuesday I found out that my great grandpa, who was a former scout for the NJ Devils, had passed away. My grandma and grandpa got a call from Lou Lamoriello, who gave his condolences to our family. He was also still paying him, even though he retired about 5 years...
FLYERSROCK! writes...
2012 NHL Predictions- Part 6 of 7: League Leaders
Posted Saturday | Comments 0
I decided to cut out the Draft predictions, as that would just be a waste of a blog, and too short. So now I am onto who I think will be the league leaders in the major stats catagories. It will include the Points leader, Goals winner, Assists champ, GAA leader, Save % leader, Wins leader, and shutouts leader.
Well then, here we go!
[u][b]TOP 10 POINT GETTERS [/b][/u]
...
This morning Ruff announced Tyler Myers will be out about a month due to surgery on a broken wrist. A big blow to a D-core who wasn't playing all that well as it was and the big bad Bruins coming into a hyped up matchup Wednesday. Once I noticed Myers missed the entire 3rd period Saturday night I went and took a look at the Amerks roster. Two D-men caught my attention, ...
Since the beginning of the 2011-2012 season, Claude Giroux, Sidney Crosby, Jeff Skinner, Brayden Schenn, Daniel Paille, Peter Muller, Joey Hishon, Radek Martinek, Marek Zidlicky, Nino Niederreriter, Michael Sauer, Milan Michalek, Zbynek Michalek, Kris Letang and Andy Mcdonald have all been diagnosed with concussions.
While the NHL attempts to remove hits to the head, ...
More and more it’s becoming abundantly clear that the Lightning will be holding onto the 10th overall pick at this year’s NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh. Whether you agree with the move or not, it shouldn’t come as that much of a shock when you consider that Al Murray, the Lightning’s chief amateur scout, has been quoted as saying that Steve Yzerman will be taking ...
Anze Kopitar is hardly the skater a goaltender wants to see bearing down on him in overtime with yards of unimpeded ice. Kopitar's slick hands, put on display during the St. Louis series, waited out Martin Brodeur and snagged Los Angeles a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday evening, giving the Kings home-ice advantage in the process.
In a physical...
What excitement! At least from my perspective, this was a successful draft day for the Leafs. Not because of the picks, but because no stupid moves were made in order to "upgrade" the team.
Being able to hear Burke actually draft [b]Morgan Reilly[/b] was a relief. I was worried the pick may be traded before hand, as Burke likes to make bold and drastic moves like that....
It's that time of the year...Stanley Cup Playoffs. Also a perfect time to write my first blog.
I may be a penguins fan but I am going to attack this from a non-biased approach. There are a couple teams this year that I believe have a legitimate chance at winning the cup and also a couple who have little to no shot of getting anywhere close to lord Stanley's cup. So ...
Senate_Speaker writes...
2014 Stanley Cup Final Breakdown: Who Has The Edge?
Posted Wednesday | Comments 0
The Day of Reckoning in the National Hockey League has arrived as Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers kicks off tonight. And it must be said again: what a dream match-up for the NHL, as its two biggest markets get set to do battle on its biggest stage. The league’s growth-and-revenue train just seems to keep on chugging....
The Calgary Flames, clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2009 after beating the defending champions the LA Kings 3-1 last night. They clinched the playoff spot with one game to go in the season. For most of the final part of the season they battled with the Kings and the Winnipeg Jets for 3rd in the Pacific and the final wild card spot. This has been one of the...
There is no doubt that this year's playoffs have been a weird one. Eastern Conference favorites were bounced in consecutive rounds by a surprising Tampa Bay Lightning team. The Washington Capitals finally seemed like they were going to make it out of the second round again, only to lose three straight to the Rangers. Stanley Cup Champion goaltender Corey Crawford was ch...
You know what this is! Why give some long drawn out explanation with a thesis paragraph and other formulaic writing nonsense? (Not that I'm not guilty of using the odd trope here and there!). Cite me if I'm wrong and laugh in my face... go ahead, do it!
NOTES:
1. Some of the prices I put forth would be ridiculous in any other year, but because of the really strong cro...
Those of us who follow the Carolina Hurricanes closely continue to be pleasantly surprised by the consistent, high quality play of the Canes defence grouping. We keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but guess what? Not going to happen. Outsiders look at a “D” group of Faulk, Hainsey, Liles, Hanifin, Pesce, and Slavin and say “who?”, dismissing them as light weight an...
Those of us who follow the Carolina Hurricanes closely continue to be pleasantly surprised by the consistent, high quality play of the Canes defence grouping. We keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but guess what? Not going to happen. Outsiders look at a “D” group of Faulk, Hainsey, Liles, Hanifin, Pesce, and Slavin and say “who?”, dismissing them as light weight an...
Zak MacMillan writes...
CBJ Sign Defenseman Markus Nutivaara to Entry Level Contract
Posted Friday | Comments 0
After four years of draft eligibility, the Jackets' 2015 seventh round draft pick, Finnish defenseman Markus Nutivaara has signed a two year entry level deal with the organization. My guess is because of his age, he signed to a lesser term, but it is good to see the Jackets lock up a young defenseman. The funny part is all this is another Finn is buying into Finnish genera...
CanesTR writes...
Carolina Hurricanes – NHL Prospect Tournament 2016 Preview
Posted Saturday | Comments 0
As the Carolina Hurricanes approach the 2016-17 season, there are still a number of questions unanswered regarding the upcoming season. It is expected to be a spirited training camp with some key positions up for grabs. With that in mind, the upcoming NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, September 16-20, will be a major opportunity for some of the exciting new talent ...
Zak MacMillan writes...
WCH: Is Tortorella the 2016 Version of Herb Brooks?
Posted Wednesday | Comments 1
With the preliminary matchups wrapping up in the World Cup of Hockey, not much has been discussed about Team USA besides head coach John Tortorella and his methods.
First, he asked a question in regards to an issue that occurred in another sport- about the controversy of the National Anthem. His response- he "would bench anyone who sits during the anthem." This call fo...
The official start to the tournament starts today and goes until October 1, but nothing gets a conversation going like an opinion. So let's start.
Division One
United States of America
Canada
Czech Republic
Europe
Division Two
Sweden
Russia
Finland
North America
Canada and USA will advance. The Czech and Europe are two of the weaker t...
The official start to the tournament starts today and goes until October 1, but nothing gets a conversation going like an opinion. So let's start.
Division One
United States of America
Canada
Czech Republic
Europe
Division Two
Sweden
Russia
Finland
North America
Canada and USA will advance. The Czech and Europe are two of the weaker t...
Stanley Cup Finals Game 2 Draftkings Preview
Game 1 is over, the Lightning won 5-1 and the guys who were supposed to handle their business, handled their business. Nikita Kucherov had 2 goals and 1 assist, Brayden Point had 3 assists and Adrei Vasilevski only allowed 1 goal on 19 shots. Meanwhile Carey Price had his worst outing of the post season allowing 5 goals on 27...
Stanley Cup Finals Game 2 Draftkings Review
The Lightning survived an early onslaught from the Canadiens and made the most of their opportunities to go up 2-0 in the series with a 3-1 win in Game 2. Tampa got goals from their not so usual suspects, Cirelli, Coleman and Palat tallied a goal a piece. Suzuki scored a power play goal for the Canadiens. Vasilevskiy was pheno...
Stanley Cup Game 3 Draftkings Preview
So far we’ve been middle of the road with our strategies but that’s how GPP strategies go, with a need to balance optimal production with slight differential in our lineups because when we win we want to get paid out and not split the top prize 10 ways. Also just to touch on some contest selection decisions, make sure whatever c...