Florida Goaltending, Ales Kotalik, and Mild Tropical Storms

While watching the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres games tonight on TSN a few things stood out.

First off was a discussion on how Craig Anderson made his first NHL start tonight with the Florida Panthers. There seemed to be several surprised members of the TSN team that were curious of why Anderson and not Belfour made the start tonight. The Panthers are essentially eliminated for the playoffs. Why wouldn't the give one of their kids a chance? Ed Belfour is ancient and has started 27 games in a row before tonights action. During that time period The Eagle proved to everyone he can still play. Since the Panthers don't have any other goaltender waiting in the wings, maybe they are giving Eddie some rest since chances are they are going to lean on him next year too.

Secondly, Ales Kotalik return to the Sabres lineup tonight after missing 16 games with a knee injury. Kotalik is a very underrated player. He was all over the ice tonight, and showed no signs of wear from his absence. While his numbers don't show it, Kotalik is a key component to the Sabres roster. He logs time on the Power Play and takes part in the majority of the Sabres shoot outs. If given a chance to play on the top two lines in the future he's a player who has great potential to produce.

Lastly, Carolina can all but kiss their chance at a repeat good-bye after tonights loss against Philadelphia. To get blown out by a team that has won only eight games at home this year when you are fighting for a playoff spot just isn't acceptable. For a roster with most of it's key components from it's cup victory remaining performances like tonight are very disappointing. This team doesn't deserve a chance at the cup this year.

M.V.P.and R.O.Y. Candidates No One Talks About

The 'Iginla for MVP,' cries are few and far between this year. The common argument against him is that he only has 34 goals and 85 points this season, not really MVP material. Currently, that ranks him 13th in the NHL leaders page. When broken down however, you see that his 1.33 points per game ranks him 3rd in the NHL. He is behind only Crosby’s 1.53 and Thornton’s 1.37 points per game average, those two names are heard in nearly every MVP debate.

The Rookie of the Year debate all but ended in early October, when Mr. Malkin took the NHL by storm. The runners up have pretty much solidified themselves as well in Paul Stastny (who only set the rookie record for consecutive game scoring streak), and Jordan Staal (who has put up a solid 29 goals thus far). Unfortunatly, have you heard anyone argue a case for Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom? All he has done is lead the league in Goals Against Average at 2.12, and Save Percentage at .925%. Backstrom has won his last seven starts and has been key to the Wild’s current run to the top of the Northwest Division.

The King for MVP

Here is one for you.
Henrik Lundqvist for league MVP.

What the F....? You are asking with coffee spraying out your nose. Just give me a chance to state my case.

Since Christmas, the New York Rangers have given up the fewest goals against in the league. This is an incredible feat for a team that pre-Lundqvist was perennially known as the worst defensive team in the league. Lundqvist was the catalyst to the injury riddled Rangers making the playoffs last spring and this year as the Rangers are getting healthier, they are looking like difficult a team to contend with in the Eastern Conference.

Lundqvist has tallied some jaw dropping stats in his last five appearances, when his team has needed him most. 5-0-0, 0.58, .979 in last 5 GPI 7th in wins (earning an NHL 1st Star selection) He is just .004 % off of both Brodeur's and .003 off Luongo's save percentage on the season. In the past he has also proven he is a rock under pressure, as established by his gold medal winning, international experience.

No one player in the NHL has stepped his game up during this season's second half, like King Henrik. After struggling to find his game for much of the first half of the season he has shown that last year was no fluke and that he is the real deal.

While I agree that his numbers are not ideal for a league MVP and that he has no chance in the world of winning the award, his name should be discussed when conversing about those worthy of mention. While many of the MVP candidates games have fallen-off near season's end, he is simply getting better. Presently, he may be the best performing goaltender in the Eastern Conference, and he has his team looking like a serious threat if they can hold off all on-comers vying for their playoff spot.

Here's one for the entry draft hidden gem list, in our draft review series. Lundqvist was picked 205th overall in the 7th round of the 2000 NHL draft. His career has been about proving his worth throughout the ranks and now that he has been given his chance in the NHL he does not appear to be willing to relinquish his position. Even his scouting report on other hockey sites still state that his career potential is an established 1A goaltender, perhaps it's time to update the site and have that changed to A1.

Holy Makinaw! What a choke job

Holy Makinaw!

The collective Leaf media's heart breaking was almost too funny to watch last night. I was sure I could hear the exact moment when Harry Neale's heart split in half; somewhere between the Jason Pominville roof job, and the Drew Stafford winning tip-in.

In all seriousness this was an exciting, well officiated (yeah, I said it) game. The officials made it clear from the start of the game that they were calling everything and because of that, the ice really opened up.
The pace of the game was quick and the fans were really into the action. This game had all the feeling and atmosphere of a playoff game, and that is how the Sabres treated it.

Buffalo, after falling behind 4-1 early in the third period (thanks in large part to the great play of the duo of Boyd Devereoux and Matt Stajan), showed the intensity of a contender. The Sabres kept the flow of the game and simply started out-skating the Leafs. Toronto, who had played a strong physical game could not keep up with the surge and were left flat footed, resulting in penalties and scoring chances.

The loss does not move the Leafs out of playoff contention by any stretch, but if the Leafs fall short by a few points they simply have to look in the mirror to find the individual to blame.

Simply put, this was hands down the collapse of the season; the true test now, is how they will rebound.

The Debate Continues

With the Todd Fedoruk incident last night and the Tootoo incident still lingering in people minds, the TSN panel of ‘experts’ had a discussion of whether or not fighting should be eliminated from the game. I just wanted to add my two cents to the idea.

First off, the Tootoo incident was not a fight. Anyone who uses this as an argument on eliminating fighting should understand the game of hockey before they make any comments.

Secondly, this is the second time Fedoruk has been knocked out and taken off the ice on a stretcher. Here’s a thought, maybe Fedoruk should learn how to fight if he wants to be an NHL tough guy. In 10 fights this year, he has been out cold in two of them.

Lastly, there was an argument made by one of the ‘experts’ that hockey there will be nothing done to deter fighting until someone is killed in a fight. That could be very true and there is a possibility that someone is killed during a fight. However unlikely that possibility is, it’s still a possibility. But everyone knows that hockey players are paralyzed due to checking from behind, but is the NHL doing anything to stop that? Two minutes for boarding? How can you think about eliminating fighting, but look the other way on something like checking from behind?

Tune into the game, Not the Gong Show

Here is a quick news flash to Toronto media... the entirety of the country could really care less if the 2 Minute Man, Cam Janssen get into a fight. Seeing that Janssen gets into a fight every other night on the schedule, I can save you the speculation and false buildup. Yes, he will fight; and nobody outside of your own little universe gives two shits.

Cam Janssen is a goon, he gets paid to be a goon and for the most part he does his job exactly how the Devils expect him to do it. If this means taking the odd run at a star player he will do it, because his job relies on it. This is not being cynical, this is being realistic.

Unnamed media panelists suggest he (and others just like him) have no place in the game, however by them giving players like this the attention they look for, their place in the game is solidified. They are aggressors and pests, they have abrasive means of making their presence known and many times they are fan favorites. Essentially their main role is to PROTECT their teammates. They are expendable in the eyes of the coaches and front office, hence they need to do their job to whatever extent necessary; even though that often means crossing the proverbial line.

Now people can whine and complain about this, or they can take the Brian Burke or Lou Lamoriello approach and act accordingly. Come playoff time, the only people that will be bitching will be those that have not taken the required steps to protect their star players. I believe the NHL needs to address this situation in the off-season, but this is not the off-season. While I do not condone any cheap shots handed out by these players, as the law is being handled right now they are still more of a commodity than a detriment to their team.

Detroit is a scary team

Tied for second in the NHL, 6-3-1 in their last 10, usually makes a teams match up against the Detroit Red Wings a little scary. It gets worse. In their last 10 games they have been without arguably their best player in Henrik Zetterberg. It gets worse still, it looks like Todd Bertuzzi is ready to step back on the ice this week as well. Ouch.

The Detroit Red Wings are picking it up at the right time. Once Bertuzzi and Zetterberg are back on the ice look out, this team is only going to get better. With home ice advantage locked up for the playoffs this is a team that is going to go deep into the playoffs, and if they can stay healthy they're my pick to make it to the Finals from the Western Conference.

I know what you're thinking though. What about Nashville? Detroit has owned the Preds this year with 5 wins in their seven games so far this year. So what about Nashville?

CreaseCrashers.com

Montreal Goaltending

How in the hell can certain 'pundits' be upset about the Canadiens not aquiring a tender at the deadline? When I hear people saying Montreal should have picked up Belfour or Joseph, I can't beleive it. Has anyone watched Eddie play this season? He has been J.Jonah junk, this guy would help? Are you kidding me? Curtis, while performing admirably better than the Eagle, would not upgrade the current situation in the Montreal crease either. Most likely the goaltending situation would be weaker, or at best the same. So why would Bob Gainey want to give up anything, except perhaps a used Koho, or a bag of pucks for either one of these well-past-prime goalies.

Why does any half wit think either tender would make a difference to Montreal's playoff hunt? Not bloody likely. These guys are so called experts, yet they criticize an excellent hockey man in Bob Gainey for the lack of deadline movement. Makes me wonder what they are smoking; and where I can get some.

The Pens are hot

The Penguins are in fourth place. Yes, the Penguins are in fourth place. Yesterdays win over the Senators who are also tied for fourth, is the Penguins fifth in a row, and eighth in their last ten outings. That's not bad for a team that some didn't think would make it to the playoffs in January.

Talk to most people a few months ago and the normal responses were; the Pens are too soft, they need someone to protect Crosby and Malkin. The answer, Georges Laraque, one of the leagues heavy-weights. They need more veteran leadership. Answer, Gary Roberts. Roberts bring more veteran leadership and some grit to a very talented team. Roberts also waived a no trade clause to come to Pittsburgh when it was well known he wanted to end up in Ontario. He's must think there is something special there. The defense has some holes in it. That's still outstanding, and could very well be their downfall.

With the playoffs only a month away the Penguins are looking to be a very dangerous team. With only two points separating them from division leading New Jersey, the Penguins could be a force come playoff time.

Washington's Woes

The Washington Capitals are one of those teams that captured nothing but headlines at the start of the season, but have rolled by the way-side down the stretch. Young Superstars Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin are a dynamic pair of young NHL superstars, but the team's recent slump can hardly be attributed to the pair struggling mightily in the crunch.

The heralded two-way physical play of Ovechkin from fans and critics alike in year one, has silenced considerably this season as he is currently a minus 18 and often appears lost in the defensive zone. Perhaps the effort has not quite been the same in his defensive game this year, but the hard nosed two way play has rarely been seen in his game to this point.

Combine Ovechkin's recent defensive struggles with the fact that Semin has not been able to duplicate his great start to the season, and there is little surprise that the Capitals have slid in the standings. Rarely can a team win important games when their best player has the worst plus/minus rating on the team.

While this team is dynamic, there are still some glaring areas that require improvement; and the most important of these is a lack of a veteran shutdown defenceman. The Capitals have some young D-men that are being asked to do too much right now. The potential for a couple of these youngsters to develop into studs is there, but the Caps need some veteran presence to allow them to develop and help instill confidence.

Mike Green, Steve Eminger and Milan Jurcina have the potential to excel at the NHL level, but some of the big pressure minutes they currently play need to be eaten up by a steady veteran that can offer leadership and consistency to a team desperately in need of just that.

Just to press the point, the Capitals record with Olaf Kolzig between the pipes is 20-19-6, while their record with Brent Johnson is a dismal 5-14-6. Although Johnson has not had a poor season, he does not offer his young defence any leeway for mistakes, which in turn has resulted in some piling up in the loss column. Kolzig has quietly had another strong season and actually had this team in contention for a playoff spot until his injury at the start of February put the Capitals rebuilding process on hold for yet another year.

This is a team that completely cleaned house to build with youth and they appear to be sticking to their guns; and are making considerable progress. However, Kolzig is not getting any younger and this team is ready to add some veterans to their lineup to give themselves the best possible opportunity to get to the next level. Here's to hoping the Capitals can possibly find what their looking for in this summer's free agent pool and climb to the next level by this point next season.

Colorado won't roll over

I would just like to say that the Colorado Avalanche have done a admirable job the past few weeks in not rolling over and dying. Just a week a go the Avs found themselves 10 points out of the playoffs, after 5 straight wins including tonight over the Buffalo Sabres. This win only brings Colorado 6 points behind Minnesota for the final playoff spot, but at least it gives the playoff teams in the west something to think about so they don't just coast in.

Why am I writing about Saskin?

As the NHL is pushing hard into the playoff stretch drive it is not Crosby's 200 career points, or the dynamic duo in Tampa, or even the annual false hope of a Stanley Cup from Leaf's media that is getting the headlines. Instead, it is an email tampering scandal aimed directly at the current head of the NHLPA, Ted Saskin.

After weaseling his way into power and drawing the ire of Chelios and a handful of other outspoken players, Saskin now appears to be in very hot water. The oft overlooked fact, that he essentially appointed himself to his post should be enough of a red flag for the members of the Players Association. Even if Saskin survives the latest barrage of investigation, perhaps the P.A. members should get together and give their head a shake.

There may be a reason as to why this scandal continues to drag on. There is a number of individuals that firmly believe the Saskin 'hiring' was the wrong choice and are not afraid to publicly address this issue, because of their belief in the cause. If Saskin had a thread of moral decency, maybe he would democratically hold a vote that can determine this issue; either one way or the other. I speak for the masses when I say this issue has gone on for way too long and fans are tired of hearing about it. So if the current investigation does not find any 'wrong-doings', please for the sake of the game Mr. Saskin, take the high road and address this situation. You are supposed to be in charge, so man up and stop detracting from the sport.