Saturday, February 16, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Resurgent Kovie
Unless you live north of the border, you may not have noticed the resurgence of one of the NHL's top snipers.
Alex(ei) Kovalev has been superb for the Montreal Canadiens; leading the team with 19 goals and on pace for nearly equaling his '02-'03 output when he split time between the Penguins and Rangers while tallying 37+40=77.
Not many saw this coming after last years campaign with the Habs and the bad press that followed for actions both on- and off- the ice. And there's no way anyone could have dreamt he'd be wearing the captain "C" this year (if only for a game).
Canadian Press article...
Alex(ei) Kovalev has been superb for the Montreal Canadiens; leading the team with 19 goals and on pace for nearly equaling his '02-'03 output when he split time between the Penguins and Rangers while tallying 37+40=77.
Not many saw this coming after last years campaign with the Habs and the bad press that followed for actions both on- and off- the ice. And there's no way anyone could have dreamt he'd be wearing the captain "C" this year (if only for a game).
Canadian Press article...
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Yotes rise, Rangers fall
When the Phoenix Coyotes hosted the mighty Detriot Red Wings on December 29th, they weren't playing poorly at all. The most goals they had given up to opponents in the month of December was 3 (4 times, all losses). So when the Coyotes had a 2-2 game in front of a packed house in Glendale in the 3rd period vs. Detriot and Pavel Datsyuk has a break with Valtteri Filppula and 'Yotes Defenseman Keith Ballard is struggling to get back into position, and then overplays Datsyuk as he scores the game winner, it's no wonder Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky was so visibly upset on the bench.
Gretzky's anger must have gotten to the team - since that game the Coyotes have been awesome. 5-0 in beating Colorado in a home-and-home, Chicago, Anaheim, and Calgary. They even managed to give up 3 goals to the Avs in the 1st game and still win (in a shootout). This stretch, coupled with the aforementioned solid December, has the 'Yotes 2 points back of the 8th playoff spot out West.
On the other hand, everyone's favorite pre-season pick to lift the Cup, the New York Rangers, are struggling again. Save for the last three games of 2007, December was terrible for the Blueshirts. And now they have yet to win in 2008. Getting swept on a Western Canadian swing is bad enough, but to help another struggling team (Tampa) end their 7-game winless streak on your ice is pitiful.
Henrik Lundqvist has been struggling lately - just ask my fantasy team. The Daily News reports that Henrik has some other things on his mind, even if he won't admit it's bothering his play.
But, the Rangers obviously have other problems. The offense isn't chipping in as expected. They've averaged 2 goals per game in their winless '08. Their goal scoring is tied for 3rd worse in the league. Look at their roster and tell me how that makes sense.
Is it the late '90's again at MSG? Tons of money, loaded roster, no chemistry.
Gretzky's anger must have gotten to the team - since that game the Coyotes have been awesome. 5-0 in beating Colorado in a home-and-home, Chicago, Anaheim, and Calgary. They even managed to give up 3 goals to the Avs in the 1st game and still win (in a shootout). This stretch, coupled with the aforementioned solid December, has the 'Yotes 2 points back of the 8th playoff spot out West.
On the other hand, everyone's favorite pre-season pick to lift the Cup, the New York Rangers, are struggling again. Save for the last three games of 2007, December was terrible for the Blueshirts. And now they have yet to win in 2008. Getting swept on a Western Canadian swing is bad enough, but to help another struggling team (Tampa) end their 7-game winless streak on your ice is pitiful.
Henrik Lundqvist has been struggling lately - just ask my fantasy team. The Daily News reports that Henrik has some other things on his mind, even if he won't admit it's bothering his play.
But, the Rangers obviously have other problems. The offense isn't chipping in as expected. They've averaged 2 goals per game in their winless '08. Their goal scoring is tied for 3rd worse in the league. Look at their roster and tell me how that makes sense.
Is it the late '90's again at MSG? Tons of money, loaded roster, no chemistry.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Weekes -79
While listening to the Penguins-Devils radio broadcast last night on Pittsburgh's 105.9 WXDX, I heard a story from color-man and ex-Penguin Phil Bourque (he's the Bourque with two Stanley Cup rings, mind you) that I hadn't heard before.
Devils goalie Kevin Weekes was brought in this year to back up future HHOF'er Martin Brodeur. Weekes, throughout his career, including stints with Carolina and the NY Rangers, had worn #80, as a tribute to legend NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. When he got to New Jersey this year, he initially donned the number until one day during the pre-season when he walked into the locker room to discover all of is equipment had been changed to #1. Apparently, Mr. New Jersey Devil, Lou Lamoriello, had told the Devils' equipment guy to go into the locker room and change Weeks' number - no questions asked and without Weekes' knowledge or permission. Lamoriello is an "old school" guy and doesn't allow his players to wear high numbers. Weekes and Lamoriello never spoke about it - Weekes just accepted it because he wanted to be part of the team and moved on. Lamoriello is a system guy, a team guy, and doesn't like anybody to stand out from the pack.
You can't argue with success; but still, I don't know whether to love or hate Lou for something like this. It's approaching, but not quite, Steinbrenner territory.
Devils goalie Kevin Weekes was brought in this year to back up future HHOF'er Martin Brodeur. Weekes, throughout his career, including stints with Carolina and the NY Rangers, had worn #80, as a tribute to legend NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. When he got to New Jersey this year, he initially donned the number until one day during the pre-season when he walked into the locker room to discover all of is equipment had been changed to #1. Apparently, Mr. New Jersey Devil, Lou Lamoriello, had told the Devils' equipment guy to go into the locker room and change Weeks' number - no questions asked and without Weekes' knowledge or permission. Lamoriello is an "old school" guy and doesn't allow his players to wear high numbers. Weekes and Lamoriello never spoke about it - Weekes just accepted it because he wanted to be part of the team and moved on. Lamoriello is a system guy, a team guy, and doesn't like anybody to stand out from the pack.
You can't argue with success; but still, I don't know whether to love or hate Lou for something like this. It's approaching, but not quite, Steinbrenner territory.
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