Chicago Nashville and Anaheim look like the strength of the West right now. The Kings are always in it but without Gaborik and the depth they had in the past (Williams, Staal), I don't see them reaching the finals, unless Quick gives a superhuman performance. Which could be in the making. Who knows.
Now Nashville is playing the way they're capable of playing. Rinne has looked like the Rinne of past years and they're starting to score.
Headed to Verizon Center soon for Maple Leafs at Caps. Brooks Laich returns to town just days after being traded. Not every fan can keep up with news. I am sure there will be someone in the crowd with a Laich jersey on trying to find him on the ice. Then I will point to a guy wearing a white Leafs jersey and say "There he is!". Bittersweet for me, but I wanted to go and salute him during warm-ups. Anyone know the Stanley Cup rules? I know I am getting ahead of myself, but isn't there a rule where if you play a certain amount of games, you get a ring and your name on the cup? I would assume Brooks has reached that this season.
Per NHL.com To have one's name engraved on the Stanley Cup certain requirements must be met. A player must have at least 41 games played with the club or one game played in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, in 1994 a stipulation was added to allow a team to petition the Commissioner for permission to have players' names put on the Cup if extenuating circumstances prevented them from being available to play. He becomes eligible to go on the Cup if they win. Teams get 52 names MAX to go on the cup, no gurantee he goes on the cup but he prob will if they win. He def will get a ring if they win, thats up to the team.
Thanks man! I thought the Leafs actually looked pretty good, but it was a bad hockey game. No energy at all from the Caps for most of the game. Thinking a Capitals-Rangers Round 2 match-up is likely again this year, @matt robinson 17! We get a preview, tomorrow.
Purcell and Hudler are out for Florida because they're having trouble getting visas. Bizarre situation where Canadians can come play on the road in the US with no issue but if they are traded to an American team, all of a sudden it's a problem.
makes no sense to me I guess there's a different status between temporarily working in the US (road game) versus more permanently working in the US (if traded to an American team), but really I don't think there should be, especially not when they're going to be difficult about awarding visas. Panthers I believe were cost two players for two games as a result of this bureaucratic nonsense. It's really stupid. Both Purcell and Hudler have played many games in the US, because most of the NHL is in the US! Most of their road games have been in America.
Florida is no match for Boston. Jagr passes Howe all time but it is bittersweet right now. 4-1 Bruins after the 1st.
Surprised Boston has let Florida back in it. Rask is the reason it's not tied in addition to the 2nd goal being upheld even though it was offside on Boston. Has turned into an intense game
Bruins were 114-1-2 when leading by 3 in the last 5 years and Florida almost handed them another loss. Lots of character shown but the Bruins still have their number despite the 2nd goal being offside and the refs blowing it after the challenge. These two face off again in Boston soon. Would make an excellent playoff series
Oilers all of a sudden can't score. The McDavid line was sizzling hot for a week or so post-break and then just died.
East talk: The Atlantic is looking like a 3 team race now with the Lightning, Bruins and Panthers. Penguins loss to the Isles making a Rangers-Isles series more than likely for Round 1. Still plenty of time to go though, of course. The Wild Card looking like a 3-team race for 2 spots with the Red Wings, Penguins and Flyers. West talk: I'm liking 4 teams from the Central: Blackhawks, Stars, Blues and Preds. In the Pacific the Caps ended the Ducks 11 game win streak, but they and the Kings could make a deep playoff run. Interesting battle for the final Wild Card spot in the West too with the Wild and Avalanche. Neither team is that good, but one will likely get in.
Stars still have a shaky defense and inconsistent goaltending. Ruff also is pretty terrible with the way he juggles his lines. I'd be shocked if they made noise. Kings, Ducks, Caps, Blackhawks. As for Colorado, they have plenty of talent, especially after trading for Boedker, but Roy also doesn't really know what he's doing. His forward lines are consistenly awful. Comeau has been on the top line for a while, while he relegates either Landeskog or Mackinnon to the third line. I shouldn't have to tell him that Landeskog and Mackinnon do not belong on the third line. I really like the talent on that team. If they could replace Roy with someone with a better idea of how to coach, they would be a dark horse. Sadly, that's not happening. The Avalanche made the common mistake of assuming that great players make great executives/coaches. Sakic and Roy were all-time greats...as players. Neither of them earned their current position.
He is trying to get balanced scoring from his team, I saw the Chicago game and the speed that the stars were attacking with was very impressive. The Hawks could not put out their top line against the stars top line and neutralize them. Spezza has been a great addition to that team and he is rock solid on the second line.
