Mr Guy:UNC_Samurai: The 'Canes always start slow. This year, I don't think they're going to do enough to make the playoffs after the putrid first month.
There's starting slow and there's WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!
True. As a Hurricanes fan, I'll tell you that "Swirling Vortex of Suck" barely begins to describe it.
cameroncrazy1984:It's nice to see a Buffalo team in the top five of SOMETHING.
I was at the Sabres @ Islanders game on Saturday night.
Ugh. Not only did I choose the worst game of the season by far to attend, but I had to trek out to the Nassau Mausoleum and sit in the absolute deadest, most sparsely attended crowd I have ever seen at an NHL game (there were maybe 6000-7000 people there, max).
As for the result itself, I'm not terribly concerned. Miller was (inadvisably) starting both games of a back-to-back with travel in between, and a bunch of players were out with the flu. As long as they bounce back this week, they should be in good shape.
It's shocking to see my Avalanche in the top five still. I wouldn't have called it at the beginning of the year. As much as I hope they continue their torrid start, I'm afraid the wheels are coming off the bus. Too often the Avs have depended entirely on Anderson to steal the game, giving up an absurd number of shots in the process. The dumb penalties haven't helped either.
I think opposing teams have figured this out, and until they learn to play defense again (and stop doing stupid things) they're going to get back in the running for Taylor Hall pretty quick. I'll take what I can get though after last year.
It's simple: When Marian Gaborik is in the lineup, as he was in Sunday's 1-0 victory, the Rangers are contenders. When he's not, they're just another bunch of guys in skates.
Yeah, the Blackhawks are showing they have depth, too. I'd like a Pens-Hawks Finals this year so I can go to a game here (it's what I was hoping for last year, too).
The Kovalev signing is looking worse by the night. We still need another top 4 D. Two key injuries have affected my team way too much. Cheechoo is starting to look better, but still sucks hard. Foligno needs to step up.
On the bright side, Alfie is still the king. Spezza, while hurt, is a new player - strong skating, two way play and is (*gasp*) responsible with the puck. Michalek is a stud. Phillips and Volchenkov are still tops. Campoli is getting better. Carkner is worth every penny. Fisher is actually scoring. Our fourth line is keeps scoring. Leclaire is the real deal. The rookies look good.
I still think we're heading to the playoffs. I expect a few more deals throughout the year. Hopefully a new top 6 LW and top 4 D. Nails needs to come down harder on Kovy.
Dr.Knockboots:Dammit Bruins... get healthy and start scoring!
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
jdog71:Dr.Knockboots: Dammit Bruins... get healthy and start scoring!
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
We've got this Michael Nylander guy we'd love offer you...
whereisian:I still think we're heading to the playoffs.
I'll just say that I still loathe your team, which is why I'm quite happy that Buffalo and Ottawa have both returned to their rightful place at the top of the Northeast division. The season is much more interesting when these two teams vie for the division and meet again in the playoffs. I was enjoying the bad blood and rivalry that was developing between the two teams and hope that we get to see that continue.
NittLion78:GrooveMonkeyZero: No Toews? No Hossa? No problem!
Go Hawks!
Yeah, the Blackhawks are showing they have depth, too. I'd like a Pens-Hawks Finals this year so I can go to a game here (it's what I was hoping for last year, too).
I've only caught two Hawks games since Toews was injured, and while they still look solid, you can tell they're missing him. Faceoffs and forechecking are significantly worse compared to earlier in the season.
I'm just glad that he got drilled early in the season. As long as he can get healthy, they'll be dangerous late in the season.
mcvey:jdog71: Dr.Knockboots: Dammit Bruins... get healthy and start scoring!
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
We've got this Michael Nylander guy we'd love offer you...
Nils for sale...cheap.
/Don't think that Boston will be all that eager to deal with the Caps after the last couple of transactions (their own damn fault).
Doc Daneeka:whereisian: I still think we're heading to the playoffs.
I'll just say that I still loathe your team, which is why I'm quite happy that Buffalo and Ottawa have both returned to their rightful place at the top of the Northeast division. The season is much more interesting when these two teams vie for the division and meet again in the playoffs. I was enjoying the bad blood and rivalry that was developing between the two teams and hope that we get to see that continue.
Screw Boston and Montreal.
As an Ottawa fan, I'm right on board with you here.
Regardless of the manufactured 'rivalries' Ottawa has with Montreal and Toronto... I say our true rival is Buffalo. Those are the best games to watch imo and especially when there's something on the line.
MBFGeek
2009-11-03 10:00:33 AM
cameroncrazy1984
2009-11-03 10:51:18 AM
UNC_Samurai
2009-11-03 10:55:19 AM
/I don't think re-hiring Paul Maurice was the answer
bigpeeler
2009-11-03 11:03:37 AM
Blues fan here. :-(
Dr.Knockboots
2009-11-03 11:22:46 AM
Recoil Therapy
2009-11-03 11:41:18 AM
It's really sad when the only team that they've beaten is my Ducks. Ah well, at least there was that big Cup thing they earned a couple of years ago.
Good to see that a former baby duck is kicking butt out west and giving Phoenix a good run so early.
/I've got Bryz's minor league bobble head doll around here somewhere
//I tend to root for those that I've got a (tiny) monetary interest in
Mr Guy
2009-11-03 01:58:28 PM
There's starting slow and there's WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!
paj
2009-11-03 02:00:42 PM
Also a Mr. P. Kessel makes his debut in blue tonight.
cptjeff
2009-11-03 02:03:48 PM
There's starting slow and there's WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!
True. As a Hurricanes fan, I'll tell you that "Swirling Vortex of Suck" barely begins to describe it.
We're #1 (pick)!
We're #1 (pick)!
We're #1 (pick)!
phartnocker
2009-11-03 02:07:00 PM
/Hockey is cool too...
FreakinB
2009-11-03 02:08:08 PM
And now we have a top-20 hockey team! The Rockies of hockey (not counting the actual former Rockies)!
Seriously though, things are looking up here in Islander-land.
/And now to vote out Kate Murray and get the Lighthouse approved.
iruber1337
2009-11-03 02:08:57 PM
The Islanders have looked great recently -- just a matter of time before we start cracking the playoffs again. Okposo is a beast...
Doc Daneeka
2009-11-03 02:09:32 PM
I was at the Sabres @ Islanders game on Saturday night.
Ugh. Not only did I choose the worst game of the season by far to attend, but I had to trek out to the Nassau Mausoleum and sit in the absolute deadest, most sparsely attended crowd I have ever seen at an NHL game (there were maybe 6000-7000 people there, max).
As for the result itself, I'm not terribly concerned. Miller was (inadvisably) starting both games of a back-to-back with travel in between, and a bunch of players were out with the flu. As long as they bounce back this week, they should be in good shape.
The_Boy_Blunder
2009-11-03 02:10:45 PM
I think opposing teams have figured this out, and until they learn to play defense again (and stop doing stupid things) they're going to get back in the running for Taylor Hall pretty quick. I'll take what I can get though after last year.
Yanks_RSJ
2009-11-03 02:11:34 PM
Yeah, that about covers that.
GrooveMonkeyZero
2009-11-03 02:11:58 PM
Go Hawks!
NittLion78
2009-11-03 02:13:46 PM
Go Hawks!
Yeah, the Blackhawks are showing they have depth, too. I'd like a Pens-Hawks Finals this year so I can go to a game here (it's what I was hoping for last year, too).
whereisian
2009-11-03 02:17:17 PM
The Kovalev signing is looking worse by the night. We still need another top 4 D. Two key injuries have affected my team way too much. Cheechoo is starting to look better, but still sucks hard. Foligno needs to step up.
On the bright side, Alfie is still the king. Spezza, while hurt, is a new player - strong skating, two way play and is (*gasp*) responsible with the puck. Michalek is a stud. Phillips and Volchenkov are still tops. Campoli is getting better. Carkner is worth every penny. Fisher is actually scoring. Our fourth line is keeps scoring. Leclaire is the real deal. The rookies look good.
I still think we're heading to the playoffs. I expect a few more deals throughout the year. Hopefully a new top 6 LW and top 4 D. Nails needs to come down harder on Kovy.
jdog71
2009-11-03 02:18:26 PM
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
mcvey
2009-11-03 02:22:21 PM
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
We've got this Michael Nylander guy we'd love offer you...
Doc Daneeka
2009-11-03 02:23:03 PM
I'll just say that I still loathe your team, which is why I'm quite happy that Buffalo and Ottawa have both returned to their rightful place at the top of the Northeast division. The season is much more interesting when these two teams vie for the division and meet again in the playoffs. I was enjoying the bad blood and rivalry that was developing between the two teams and hope that we get to see that continue.
Screw Boston and Montreal.
Express Train to Bonertown
2009-11-03 02:26:26 PM
The bad news: the Bruins haven't had a winning streak all season.
Jubeebee
2009-11-03 02:29:13 PM
Go Hawks!
Yeah, the Blackhawks are showing they have depth, too. I'd like a Pens-Hawks Finals this year so I can go to a game here (it's what I was hoping for last year, too).
I've only caught two Hawks games since Toews was injured, and while they still look solid, you can tell they're missing him. Faceoffs and forechecking are significantly worse compared to earlier in the season.
I'm just glad that he got drilled early in the season. As long as he can get healthy, they'll be dangerous late in the season.
MBFGeek
2009-11-03 02:32:49 PM
This, sadly. Savard and Lucic can only do so much though. I'm thinking a trade is in the works for a sniper. They have the picks and the depth to do it, and I'd rather see them do it now than attempt to cobble something together at the deadline.
We've got this Michael Nylander guy we'd love offer you...
Nils for sale...cheap.
/Don't think that Boston will be all that eager to deal with the Caps after the last couple of transactions (their own damn fault).
Caeldan
2009-11-03 02:35:51 PM
I'll just say that I still loathe your team, which is why I'm quite happy that Buffalo and Ottawa have both returned to their rightful place at the top of the Northeast division. The season is much more interesting when these two teams vie for the division and meet again in the playoffs. I was enjoying the bad blood and rivalry that was developing between the two teams and hope that we get to see that continue.
Screw Boston and Montreal.
As an Ottawa fan, I'm right on board with you here.
Regardless of the manufactured 'rivalries' Ottawa has with Montreal and Toronto... I say our true rival is Buffalo. Those are the best games to watch imo and especially when there's something on the line.