Minnesota Wild

Humble Pie For The King…..

This apparently is King Henrik’s court…err ice!  Someone forgot to tell the New Jersey Devils.  New Jersey not only scored two power play goals, scored 4 times, and generated quite a few scoring chances…they made King Henrik look like a prince yesterday.  Oh what a birthday present!!

The nicest thing I can say about my job at Walmart was my assistant manager who was nice enough to let me listen to the Overtime in the Electronics department.  They have Sirius and XM radio in there…so it was nice to have a pick.  My heart almost sank when the Devils hit two posts in rapid fire succession early in the extra frame.  I really thought that was the game right then and there.  Then much to my surprise…John Madden does his best trick shot impersonation and BANG!!….there is a series!!

That goal was more than just a goal honestly.  With two days off….the Rangers have that time to dwell and dwell and dwell on it.  It would be the equivalent of icing the goalie….in the grandest form.  I can’t say much about Martin Brodeur because Brodeur got his bell rung and answered the call while Lundqvist did not in this game.  The interesting thing is the Devils looked more like the 2006 Devils in this game.  Now there were some considerable negatives but this definitely has the look of going seven now.

If the Devils can keep playing like this and cover Jagr better (he had 3 assists)….they really may be able to not only stay competitive in this series but they may also win this.  It will not be easy as these two teams are really mirror images of each other.  I am interested to see what happens Wednesday in Game 4.  That will tell a lot as far as where this series is headed.  One thing is for sure….this series is GAME ON!

Playoff Predictor Update……

1-3 yesterday…12-7 overall….

3 Games Today……

Pittsburgh Over Ottawa 4-3

Nashville Over Detroit 3-2

Colorado Over Minnesota 3-2 (OT)

Hopefully today goes better than yesterday….though in theory it wasn’t all that bad….as I did get one hell of a birthday present.  The Pittsburgh game is on yahoo live tv and the other two games are on VS….so enjoy the hockey!!!

Decision Day Part One

Yes it is only Thursday but tonight’s action will go a long way of determining who gets in and who stays home come April 7th. There are still so many scenarios but I believe tonight should start to bring this whole thing into focus just a bit more. First up, the poor teams that are battling for their playoff lives. You can hear the paddles going off in the back of the ambulance right now.

First up is Buffalo who plays at Montreal tonight. Montreal has the #2 seed clinched but they are playing for tops in the East right now….so every game counts. A win for the Habs tonight outright eliminates Buffalo and keeps the Habs tied with Pittsburgh. Even worse for the Sabres…last night’s questionable point (the Zubrus goal that was in but Toronto somehow could not see it) by Boston puts Buffalo’s postseason hopes in the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning of all teams. Yes, the same Lightning that got blown out in Carolina 6-2 last night travel to Washington tonight to face the Washington Capitals. Basically if the Caps win…Buffalo’s hopes are almost over and done because Washington will have 92 points and the at the time be tied for 6th (if Ottawa loses in regulation). All those shootout and OT losses (12 total) will indeed have come back to haunt the Sabres. Needless to say, Ryan Miller will not be sending Martin Brodeur a gift basket at the end of the year.  I said almost for this reason.*

There is even a possibility that the West could be all sewn up except for seeding by tonight. Chicago Blackhawk fans will be doing extensive scoreboard watching in Vancouver and Nashville. The Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville hosts the St. Louis Blues. With Hannu Toivonen (Legace out with hip flexor injury) getting the start for St. Louis….Nashville fans are probably drooling already (Hannu gave up 4 goals on 18 shots the last time out against the Preds). A Nashville win and Vancouver loss in regulation eliminates both Vancouver and Chicago all in one shot. A Nashville loss or even a loss in extra time leaves the door open for both Vancouver and Chicago. There are so many permutations that you may need a scientific calculator and a professor from M.I.T. for this one.

Now for the other teams that could clinch. Simply…the Rangers and Senators can win and they are in. The Rangers have two cracks against the Isles (tonight and tomorrow night). The Sens play at Toronto and Toronto is without Mats Sundin (groin tear). The Rangers could even lose both in extra time and be in with 95 points total. Minnesota simply needs a point and they win the Northwest and the 3 seed. Calgary just needs a point to make the playoffs. Detroit just needs a point at home against Columbus tonight to win not only the West but the overall #1 seed in the league or a Sharks loss (whether it be in OT, SO or regulation don’t matter).

Tonight will go in a big way to tell the playoff fates of more teams…now seeding is a different matter entirely. I did want to thank ESPN for their concise tiebreaking procedures on their page. Now of course they are all chasing one thing and that is the only thing that ultimately matters. There is that nice, shiny, silver thing called the Stanley Cup.

Thank You Wikipedia for the pic.

So with ten big games tonight….may the DVR’s work some OT and so may your eyes as the regular season comes firing all guns a blazing to the end. The end is definitely very near…and for some more near than they hope.

* Editor’s Note:  Thanks to my friend Andrew from The NHL Arena.  If Washington wins tonight, that doesn’t eliminate the Sabres. Buffalo can jump Philly into 9th, and then jump Boston for 8th based on the THIRD tiebreak. They would be tied in wins, tied in head to head record (4-2-2), but Buffalo would actually win the tiebreak based on goal differential.

April Fools Day…..A Day Of Hockey

It is the one day of the year where it is more than okay to be a little zany. The strangest thing is this has to be one of the most insane postseason races in history and one of the biggest days of the season is today of all days. This includes what will probably be the game of the year in the Southeast Division. Also a couple more teams have the chance to clinch division titles and playoff berths. This has the makings of being a great hockey night.

However, just to show a little sense of humor…it is time to sidetrack a little into the world of hockey pranks. Everyone has a favorite prank to pull on someone today. I wonder who has pulled one off today and how did it go. I know with some of the hockey players…the traditional pie in the face gag was so overused that we wound up going to a different standby. The place that we practice at down in Palm Desert has a helium tank in it…so yesterday we pulled an early prank on one of the guys. He thought he was blowing air into balloons when really he was blowing helium. Needless to say it not only changes your voice but the balloons did some pretty funny things when we popped them. I swear one smacked him in the head. He didn’t look all that pleased but it was hilarious to see the look on his face.

Another classic was the rubber cement hockey puck. Take rubber cement on an inline floor and put it around the rolling hockey puck. We literally had dozens of people trying to pull the puck off the floor and a couple even fell down. I was laughing so hard I almost spit out my soda when one of the guys tried firing a slap shot and the stick smacked his helmet so hard that the helmet came flying off. One girl nearly fell head over heels when she tried to pull too hard. After ten minutes, we just had to tell people in good conscience that this was an April Fools’ Day prank. I can only imagine how many more would have tried to get the puck off the ground…after all who wants to slip on it?

Finally there is the cold roller…or that’s what I call it….Fill a small kitchen garbage can 3/4 of the way with water and a little ice and lean it on any door….then wait for the hilarity to ensue. We left the door at the office of the guy that runs the place….waited for him to finish his lunch then placed the small kitchen can leaning on the door. When he opened it…I swear he jumped 20 feet…that water was really cold. Considering it was nearly 80 degrees out…that is one nasty chill but damn it sure is funny!!!

Well on the funniest day of the year, there is nothing better than some big hockey games. Tonight’s Capitals-Hurricanes clash more than transcends the funny stuff. This is an absolute must win for both teams. The Caps have to win out to hope and make the playoffs either as a division winner or an 8 seed…they may even get 6th or 7th who knows. The Canes have to win tonight to keep their division lead…at the worst lose in OT or a shootout. It will be Cristobal Huet Vs. Cam Ward in the nets and both have been rather good of late. Huet won the last meeting but both goalies were amazing in that game and I expect more of the same in this one. A low scoring, high intensity duel that can be seen if you have Fox Sports South, Comcast DC Sportsnet or simply Center Ice….though I wonder if VS. somehow finds a way to get this game on the airwaves.

Here is why. Last week’s game was a 3-2 Washington win in Carolina via the shootout….Huet was particularly outstanding in the extra frame and shootout stopping an onslaught that came at him. Cam Ward was no slouch in this game and the physicality was intense. When was the last time you saw a goalie check someone into the boards…it happened in the last meeting. No doubt this is the game of the night and probably week.

In other action….the Devils play the Islanders at Nassau Colosseum . A win clinches a playoff birth for the Devils but so does a regulation loss by the Capitals. Martin Brodeur will be looking for his 42nd win but only his 2nd against the Isles this season as the Devils for whatever reason have a hard time beating this team no matter who is in net for the Islanders. Whether it be bad luck or worse, the Isles and the Rangers for that matter have the Devils’ number this year and that is unusual for a team who feasts on the Atlantic year in and year out. Four games in six nights will be a nasty stretch for New Jersey to end the season but if any team can pull it off…it is New Jersey. For more on the Devils side of things…check out 2 Man Advantage later on in the day.

There was a tie for the third most important matchup of the day…between Montreal-Ottawa and Vancouver-Colorado. Both are very essential to playoff seedings in the West. Montreal can tie for the lead in the East and Ottawa can virtually clinch a playoff berth. Montreal has controlled most of the Northeast all season and sprinted out to a 7-1 lead in their last meeting before Ottawa made a game of it late scoring 4 times before falling short 7-5. Ottawa’s goalies don’t seem to do well against Montreal and really the Habs’ depth and team speed are a killer for any team…when they are playing on their game. Ottawa counters with the most dangerous first line in hockey…Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatley. So expect either a low scoring barnburner or a shootout…no one really knows till these two drop the puck…what is going to happen.

Lastly, there is Vancouver Vs. Colorado. Vancouver has to win this game for Nashville is playing St. Louis and SHOULD get 2 points tonight. Luongo has been good for the most part lately but has thrown a few clunkers into the mix. He has to be on his game from the outset tonight as Colorado is very dangerous at the Pepsi Center. Hell the first ten minutes of this game will pretty much tell the tale on this one. If Vancouver can hold firm early….they should be able to take this game late. If they don’t, Colorado will be able to score and force the Canucks to play catch up…something they do not like to do at all. Comfort zone is essential and whoever comes out of theirs first will lose. An oh by the way….if Minnesota wins tonight and Colorado and Calgary lose…Minnesots wins the Northwest crown and the 3 seed.

So aside from all the funny stuff….hockey is still serious business. As the playoffs get closer and closer…more teams will find their bubble bursting or their seeding plummet. Good fight….good hockey…and good night!

Trade Deadline Fun!!!

The deed has been done…they day is now over…here is what happened.

TRADES AND SIGNINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY!!

– Mike Comrie resigned 1 year…4 million with the Isles.
– Actual Trade: Bryce Salvador to New Jersey and Cam Janssen goes to St. Louis.
– Wade Belak goes to Florida for a 5th round 08 draft pick.
– Defenseman Brian Campbell to San Jose for Steve Bernier and a 2008 first round pick.
– Brad Richards goes to Dallas…also going with him will be goalie Johan Holmqvist…Tampa gets goalie Mike Smith, center Jeff Halpern and winger Jussi Jokinen and a 4th round pick.
– Goalie Cristobal Huet has been traded to Washington for a second round pick in the 09 draft.
– Andrew Ladd has been traded from the Canes to the Blackhawks for Tuomo Ruutu.
– The Colorado Avalanche have acquired Ruslan Salei from the Panthers for Karlis Skrastins and a third round pick.
– Chicago has moved Martin Lapointe to Ottawa….Chicago return a 6th round 2008 pick.
– Colorado acquires Adam Foote from Columbus…for a first round conditional pick and more.
– Sergei Fedorov has been traded to Washington…..for defenseman Ted Ruth.
– Rob Davison has been traded to the Isles from the Sharks for a 7th round pick in 08.
– Washington traded Matt Pettinger for Vancouver’s Matt Cooke.
– Toronto trades Hall Gill to the Pens….. for a 2nd rounder and 5th rounder in 09.
– Backman to the New York Rangers….Blues get a 4th rounder in return.
– WOW! The big one. Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Pens….for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Angelo Esposito, and a first round 2008 pick.
– Chris Simon to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th round pick.
– Brad Stuart has been traded to the Detroit Red Wings…Kings get back a 2nd and 4th rounder.
– Chad Kilger has been traded to Florida for a third round draft pick.
– Sjostrom, Leneveau and Josh Gratton going to the New York Rangers for Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa.
– Marc-Andre Bergeron has been traded to the Ducks for a 3rd round pick.
– JS Aubin has been traded for a 7th round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks.
– Joe Motzko has been traded from the Thrashers to the Caps for Alexandre Giroux.
– Jan Hlavac was moved to Nashville for a 7th round pick.
– Brandon Bochenski traded to Nashville for future considerations.

ANALYSIS OF TRADES:

– Devils bolster their defensive depth with stay at home defenseman Salvador while Janssen goes home to St. Louis to add some grit to the Blues lineup.
– Florida finally gets a fighter that they need to add some physicality to the mix.
– Campbell does indeed get dealt and the San Jose blue line gets that much stronger with a QB on the Power Play. Buffalo gets a good forward with upside and a much coveted first rounder in this year’s draft.
– Dallas gets the center of attention they feel they need and a decent backup in Holmqvist…they do give up on Smith and Jokinen though. But you have to give to get something in the trade deadline.
– This is a precursor for bigger things in Montreal but you have to give major points for Washington in securing a #1 netminder with very good upside. And they only gave up a second rounder to boot.
– Carolina wanted more grit well they got it and Ladd provides Chicago with a little punch.
– The Avs get bigger on defense but they do get a little slower while the Panthers make a pretty smart trade in getting a vet like Skrastins.
– Ottawa gets a little stingier with Lapointe and for next to nothing…not bad.
– Colorado gets the old boys together as Foote helps them out on the defensive end….but pays for it with a conditional first rounder. An 08 if Avs make playoffs and an 09 if they don’t…plus Columbus gets another pick if Foote resigns with Avs…not as good of a move as it first looked to be.
– Fedorov provides a bit of veteran leadership to Washington as they try to win the Southeast…and trade not much for him.
– Isles needed defenseman help….and get a bit here. Just some depth to help the injuries mounting on the D side.
– Cooke provides the Caps with a little grit…it makes me wonder why the Canucks would do such a deal.
– The Pens get a big physical d-man but for a couple picks…a curious price to say the least but he will help in his own end.
– Rangers get a pretty good one with some upside….and the Blues get a decent pick.
– The Pens make 2 trades..the second one being an even bigger risk than the first one will be interesting one way or the other for Shero. Hossa will provide them with undeniable offensive punch…but trading away some of these character guys may hurt the Pens in the long run. A very curious move and if you are Montreal, why trade Huet now? But that is second guessing.
– Why Minnesota why? That is all I will say. I do not get it at all.
– Stuart gives the Wings some much needed defensive depth given all the injuries the Wings have sustained.
– A bit of a curious move for a third rounder but Florida does get a pretty good vet.
– Maloney had to give up a bit to get Montoya…hopefully he thinks it is worth it because I think Sjostrom could be pretty darn good.
– Isles did not like Bergeron of late but maybe the Ducks can turn him around…Bergeron will help some on the Power Play.
– I don’t get this one at all Burke….I just don’t.
– Another trade that seemed just a trade for trade’s sake.
– Hlavac will help the Preds just a little bit but the Preds seemed content to stay out of the fray on this trade deadline.
– I guess Bochenski was just interchangeable parts for Burke.