Monday, February 25, 2008
Corruption in the NHL
Refs are biased in PHI's favor in tonight's Sabres game. There have been allegations of corruption for years. They must be investigated and the referees who rig the games need to be held accountable.
Boxscore notes, Feb 24, 2008
1) I'm glad to have Selanne! Five point night!
2) Panthers were slain by the Rangers. Is Jokinen really going to go?
3) J. Williams in action for Chicago, did well. Will he return to his point per game form?
4) How will Detroit survive the injuries to its top three defensemen?
5) Paul Martin is underrated. Oduya is improving fast.
6) What happened to Paul Stastny tonight? Was he a healthy scratch?
2) Panthers were slain by the Rangers. Is Jokinen really going to go?
3) J. Williams in action for Chicago, did well. Will he return to his point per game form?
4) How will Detroit survive the injuries to its top three defensemen?
5) Paul Martin is underrated. Oduya is improving fast.
6) What happened to Paul Stastny tonight? Was he a healthy scratch?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Boxscore notes, Feb 22, 2008
Sens top line fails to score -- second line, with Stillman on it, comes through. Why was Foote tossed at the end of the game? Vyborny might be available in CLB, but Federov and Zherdev should not be traded.
Tampa Bay shut out, third time this year -- second time by the Islanders.
Atlanta's still Kovalchuk, Hossa, and Kozlov -- and Recchi. Where's Enstrom?
Cullen's getting the ice time -- has he really recovered? He's not scoring. Staal stepping up nicely in place of Brind'Amour.
Cheechoo scores again, and so does Knuble -- and I bench Nabokov in his first win in a while.
Pittsburgh and Montreal -- would be a great postseason series.
STL 1 LA 5, full of surprises, such as the emergence of O'Sullivan, long touted. But the biggest surprise is one win for Cloutier. Don't add him to your fantasy team just yet.
Tampa Bay shut out, third time this year -- second time by the Islanders.
Atlanta's still Kovalchuk, Hossa, and Kozlov -- and Recchi. Where's Enstrom?
Cullen's getting the ice time -- has he really recovered? He's not scoring. Staal stepping up nicely in place of Brind'Amour.
Cheechoo scores again, and so does Knuble -- and I bench Nabokov in his first win in a while.
Pittsburgh and Montreal -- would be a great postseason series.
STL 1 LA 5, full of surprises, such as the emergence of O'Sullivan, long touted. But the biggest surprise is one win for Cloutier. Don't add him to your fantasy team just yet.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Who is Willie Mitchell?
While preditable goal scorers like Dumont and Jagr and Kovalev made their mark tonight, some surprises hit the net as well.
In ice time, Willie Mitchell notched 27 minutes, ahead of Sami Salo and M. Ohlund.
For the Senators, Vermette had a goal, and assist, and another goal in the shootout.
Ryan Malone, a rising star, got two of PIT's three third period goals.
Speaking of comebacks -- MON came from 5-0 down to win it in overtime. Of course, it was against the flameout team, the Rangers, for whom a big lead is bad news.
In Toronto, a bunch of promising kids got the points, tho Sundin had one. Maybe the team could survive trading him and Blake? Coliacovo (second goal of the season) had more ice time than Blake.
In ice time, Willie Mitchell notched 27 minutes, ahead of Sami Salo and M. Ohlund.
For the Senators, Vermette had a goal, and assist, and another goal in the shootout.
Ryan Malone, a rising star, got two of PIT's three third period goals.
Speaking of comebacks -- MON came from 5-0 down to win it in overtime. Of course, it was against the flameout team, the Rangers, for whom a big lead is bad news.
In Toronto, a bunch of promising kids got the points, tho Sundin had one. Maybe the team could survive trading him and Blake? Coliacovo (second goal of the season) had more ice time than Blake.
Monday, February 18, 2008
More violence
The NHL claims to be selling players like Crosby, Ovechkin, and Thornton -- but they really seem to be selling Downie, Hollweg, and Laperriere.
The Laperriere hit on Lidstrom was clean . . . but I still did not enjoy seeing it.
The hit to the face of Filpula, on the other hand, was not.
Both plays were Intent To Injure and deserved five minutes.
The Laperriere hit on Lidstrom was clean . . . but I still did not enjoy seeing it.
The hit to the face of Filpula, on the other hand, was not.
Both plays were Intent To Injure and deserved five minutes.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Pacific Divison
While everyone's complaining about the weakness of the Southeast Division, I'd like to point out that the Pacific Division has astonishing strength.
Want to fix the problems? Realign the divisions and change the postseason:
NE: BOS, MON, BUF, OTT, WASH
Atlantic: PHI, PITT, NYI, NJD, NYR
South: CAR, FLA, TB, ATL, DAL
Central: NSH, CHI, CLB, DET, TOR
NW: MIN, STL, COL, CAL, EDM,
Pacific: VAN, LA, ANH, SJ, PHO
A key element here: every conference (except South) has at least one Canadian team. Also, DET and TOR get to play each other.
Everyone plays 4 games against own division (20 games) and 2 against everyone else (50 games) for 70 games.
End of season: league rankings. No Conferences, just Divisions.
Or: 3 Divisions, with league rankings making the postseason.
4 games against division (36 games) plus 2 aginst everyone else (40 games) for 76 games.
In either case, first month of the season is cross-divisional play. Last few weeks, as this year, are within the division.
Want to fix the problems? Realign the divisions and change the postseason:
NE: BOS, MON, BUF, OTT, WASH
Atlantic: PHI, PITT, NYI, NJD, NYR
South: CAR, FLA, TB, ATL, DAL
Central: NSH, CHI, CLB, DET, TOR
NW: MIN, STL, COL, CAL, EDM,
Pacific: VAN, LA, ANH, SJ, PHO
A key element here: every conference (except South) has at least one Canadian team. Also, DET and TOR get to play each other.
Everyone plays 4 games against own division (20 games) and 2 against everyone else (50 games) for 70 games.
End of season: league rankings. No Conferences, just Divisions.
Or: 3 Divisions, with league rankings making the postseason.
4 games against division (36 games) plus 2 aginst everyone else (40 games) for 76 games.
In either case, first month of the season is cross-divisional play. Last few weeks, as this year, are within the division.
Boxscore notes, Feb 14, 2008
Brodeur STOOD ON HIS HEAD. He's back to playoff peak performance. Great for him! Dropped Commodore for Robidas before the game and could have used Commodore's 5 PIMs. But otherwise, fantasy hockey misses value of players like Commodore. It's all about hits and blocked shots.
Don't know what happened to the Sabres today but I watched the game and I can tell you they played weak today. They were outmuscled by the Rangers. The opening play reminded me of the outdoor game when Crosby scored early. Today it was Jagr with the muscle and Avery with the finish.
Dustin Brown scored again for LA. They really should give up on Cloutier. He'll make a popular minor leaguer somewhere. La Barbera, OTOH, is quite good.
What's wrong with Atlanta? The Islanders do play well occasionally but 10 shots in one game is unforgivable. Hossa needs to be traded. Perhaps a pending trade situation with Campbell led to the blowout against the Rangers today? It would serve Sabres management right if they lost Campbell on the free agent market after failing to make the playoffs. And I'm a fan of the team (just not the management).
I'm a Devils fan first, however, and am thrilled by the recent performance of the whole defence corps. Martin is playing like an all-star, Oduya is playing well, and everyone else is doing what they're supposed to. Asham did extremely well today.
Don't know what happened to the Sabres today but I watched the game and I can tell you they played weak today. They were outmuscled by the Rangers. The opening play reminded me of the outdoor game when Crosby scored early. Today it was Jagr with the muscle and Avery with the finish.
Dustin Brown scored again for LA. They really should give up on Cloutier. He'll make a popular minor leaguer somewhere. La Barbera, OTOH, is quite good.
What's wrong with Atlanta? The Islanders do play well occasionally but 10 shots in one game is unforgivable. Hossa needs to be traded. Perhaps a pending trade situation with Campbell led to the blowout against the Rangers today? It would serve Sabres management right if they lost Campbell on the free agent market after failing to make the playoffs. And I'm a fan of the team (just not the management).
I'm a Devils fan first, however, and am thrilled by the recent performance of the whole defence corps. Martin is playing like an all-star, Oduya is playing well, and everyone else is doing what they're supposed to. Asham did extremely well today.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Robidas Replaces Zubov?
When I lost Zubov, I assumed that I needed to look to another team. I've currently got Commodore, recently traded from Carolina to Ottawa. But Robidas is tempting.
Players Who Performed Well When Their Teams Did Not
Last night:
Nasville: 1 Goal. Jason Arnott: 1 Goal
Pittsburgh: 3 Goals (in loss). Lupul 1 G 1 A.
Nasville: 1 Goal. Jason Arnott: 1 Goal
Pittsburgh: 3 Goals (in loss). Lupul 1 G 1 A.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Boxscore notes, Feb 13, 2008
New Jersey beat Ottawa tonight, as I'd hoped, but I expect Ottawa to have integrated the new pieces by Saturday and to crush NJ then. That would be a good time for NJ to play Weekes (poor Kevin). Did Heatley and Alfredsson come back too early?
Lang and the Blackhawk defense show up and trounce Columbus and poor Leclaire got pulled. Hainsey fought Ruutuu (The Dirty Finn -- all the other Finns play clean). Yay Hainsey. Kane scored. Should I pick up Dustin Byf? Too many shots in the loss to Edmonton.
Buffalo beat Toronto 1-0 in spite of being outshot 35 to 20. Sabres need to do better. My guess is that Connolly should have rested and Stafford should have played. If Paetsch can play, he deserves at least a few minutes. This was supposed to be an easy game for Buffalo, but this is hockey and no game is easy. Buffalo's now in seventh place -- I hope they don't meet NJD in the first round of the playoffs -- Carolina would be an ironic opponent, Ottawa the most hated.
Carey Price is back!!! And another win for him. I'm thrilled I have Kovalev.
Poor Conklin. Looks like he played well and the Penguins let him down. Malkin, of course, got the only goal. Tim Thomas continues an astonishing season, but can Boston make the playoffs -- and if they do, will Chara? Because of Chara, a BOS-OTT round 1 matchup would also be interesting.
Lang and the Blackhawk defense show up and trounce Columbus and poor Leclaire got pulled. Hainsey fought Ruutuu (The Dirty Finn -- all the other Finns play clean). Yay Hainsey. Kane scored. Should I pick up Dustin Byf? Too many shots in the loss to Edmonton.
Buffalo beat Toronto 1-0 in spite of being outshot 35 to 20. Sabres need to do better. My guess is that Connolly should have rested and Stafford should have played. If Paetsch can play, he deserves at least a few minutes. This was supposed to be an easy game for Buffalo, but this is hockey and no game is easy. Buffalo's now in seventh place -- I hope they don't meet NJD in the first round of the playoffs -- Carolina would be an ironic opponent, Ottawa the most hated.
Carey Price is back!!! And another win for him. I'm thrilled I have Kovalev.
Poor Conklin. Looks like he played well and the Penguins let him down. Malkin, of course, got the only goal. Tim Thomas continues an astonishing season, but can Boston make the playoffs -- and if they do, will Chara? Because of Chara, a BOS-OTT round 1 matchup would also be interesting.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
VISORS NOW!!!!!
After the Zednik incident, some are calling for neck guards for all NHL players -- and maybe they should have neck guards -- but they should definitely have visors.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The other timeless protection debate
Yes, Freak accidents are unavoidable in NHL, but they would be less harmful if players were protected. The correct attitude to quadriplegic youth hockey players is not complacency. Action is needed.
Bettman and Campbell should learn from this incident, but history shows they won't change anything. After all, injuries give the NHL press coverage, and that's more important than a player's life and future health.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The other timeless protection debate
Yes, Freak accidents are unavoidable in NHL, but they would be less harmful if players were protected. The correct attitude to quadriplegic youth hockey players is not complacency. Action is needed.
Bettman and Campbell should learn from this incident, but history shows they won't change anything. After all, injuries give the NHL press coverage, and that's more important than a player's life and future health.
Lehtinen
Lehtinen is one of my favorite players and he's back and clicking with Modano. . . if I were looking for points, I'd pick him up, but I'm not looking, so no action.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Commodore
Dropped Timonen for Commodore.
So whom should I drop to make room for Stastny? I'll keep him on IR for a bit.
So whom should I drop to make room for Stastny? I'll keep him on IR for a bit.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
ELIAS
Picked up Patrick Elias. He has 32 points in 48 games. He has 10 points in the last 6 games and 22 points in the precending 42 games.
What happened? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I'm going with it.
What happened? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I'm going with it.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The All Star Game?
It sucked.
Next time, please, at least, be able to time the races and allow some skills events to be ties.
Next time, please, at least, be able to time the races and allow some skills events to be ties.
There Must Be Consequences for Ruutu's Hit on Kovalchuk
Even during the Olympics, I nicknamed this guy "the dirty Finn" because there was only one Finnish player playing like this. Now he eliminated one of the young stars with a dirty hit. Colin Campbell has been practically begging for more dirty play, and the result is more hits like this.
In the past, he's certainly condoned it during the playoffs (see Hartnell on Cheechoo, Tucker on Hecht).
The league claims to be investing in players like Malkin, Crosby, Staal, and Savard; but it actually wants more of Downie, Hartnell, Avery, and the dirty side of Ovechkin.
The league will eventually be sued by an injured player, and the tool that will condemn the head office is called Digital Discovery. His own words, in his own e-mails, will condemn him.
In the past, he's certainly condoned it during the playoffs (see Hartnell on Cheechoo, Tucker on Hecht).
The league claims to be investing in players like Malkin, Crosby, Staal, and Savard; but it actually wants more of Downie, Hartnell, Avery, and the dirty side of Ovechkin.
The league will eventually be sued by an injured player, and the tool that will condemn the head office is called Digital Discovery. His own words, in his own e-mails, will condemn him.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Preparing for the end of the season in head to head NHL fantasy leagues
Assuming you make the final playoff round, the last week of the season is extremely important.
Here's how the last six days end (April 1 2 3 4 5 6)
ANH 5 @LA 6 PHO
ATL 1 FLA 5 TAM
BOS 2 @NJ 4 @OTT 5 BUF (yikes!)
BUF 1 @TOR 3 @MON 5 @ BOS (BUF has a favorable FEB MAR APR schedule)
CAL 1 @EDM 3 @MIN 5 @ VAN
CAR 1 @ WAS 2 TAM 4 FLA == very favorable, and if I understand the rules correctly, you could drop CAR players and pick up ANH players but could not trade.
CHI 2 DET 4 NSH 6 @DET (yikes!)
COL 1 @VAN 6 MIN
CLB 3 @DET 5 @STL 6 STL (I don't understand this team)
DAL 3 @PHO 4 PHO 6 SJ (depends on how tough PHO is)
DET 2 @CHI 3 COL 6 CHI (very favorable and note that CHI plays on 4 while DET plays on 3)
EDM 1 CAL 3 @VAN -- season ends early, as it will.
FLA 1 @ATL 4 @CAR 5 @WAS == not easy to be predict -- advantage could go either way.
LA 1 @SJ 3 SJ 5 ANH (yikes!)
MIN 3 CAL 6 @ COL (only two games, neither good -- COL and CAL are the two toughest stadiums, IMO)
MON 1 @OTT 3 BUF 5 TOR == not bad
NAS 1 @STL 3 STL 4 @CHI == ends early
NJ 1 @NYI 2 BOS 4 @PHI 6 NYR -- 4 games! Generally favorable. Good to not have PIT in the final week.
NYI 1 NJ 3 NYR 4 @ NYR == NYI owns these teams -- season ends early
NYR 3 @NYI 4 NYI 6 @NJ == in previous years, this would have been fine, but this year, they'll be lucky to score against these teams, let alone win a game.
OTT 1 MON 3 @ TOR 4 BOS == the NHL gave this team such a favorable schedule because they want to give the Senators a head start on the path to the cup == BEST
PHI 2 @ PIT 4 NJ 6 PIT == favorable games to win, but this team will lose at least one player in the final week (and so will PIT or NJ)
PIT 2 PHI 6 @ PHI == only two games, but the final one should be ADV PIT because of the rest (but rests can also slow down a team -- they'll need to survive the first five minutes and then they'll be ok)
SJ 1 LA 3 @LA 6 @ DAL == two LA games!!!! great!
STL 1 NAS 3 @NAS 5 CLB 6 @CLB -- too many games in too short a time with too intense rivalries. STL and CLB and NAS had better not be fighting for the 8 spot, or there will be blood
TAM 2 @CAR 3 @WAS 5 @ATL == this team had better learn how to win away games
TOR 1 BUF 3 OTT 5 @ MON == this team won't win any in the last week
VAN 1 COL 3 EDM 5 CAL nice home stand, esp. good for Luongo owners, but the last game will not be easy
WAS 1 CAR 3 TAM 5 FLA == nice home stand but every game in this division is up for grabs -- I think the first game, vs. CAR, will be the most important
Here's how the last six days end (April 1 2 3 4 5 6)
ANH 5 @LA 6 PHO
ATL 1 FLA 5 TAM
BOS 2 @NJ 4 @OTT 5 BUF (yikes!)
BUF 1 @TOR 3 @MON 5 @ BOS (BUF has a favorable FEB MAR APR schedule)
CAL 1 @EDM 3 @MIN 5 @ VAN
CAR 1 @ WAS 2 TAM 4 FLA == very favorable, and if I understand the rules correctly, you could drop CAR players and pick up ANH players but could not trade.
CHI 2 DET 4 NSH 6 @DET (yikes!)
COL 1 @VAN 6 MIN
CLB 3 @DET 5 @STL 6 STL (I don't understand this team)
DAL 3 @PHO 4 PHO 6 SJ (depends on how tough PHO is)
DET 2 @CHI 3 COL 6 CHI (very favorable and note that CHI plays on 4 while DET plays on 3)
EDM 1 CAL 3 @VAN -- season ends early, as it will.
FLA 1 @ATL 4 @CAR 5 @WAS == not easy to be predict -- advantage could go either way.
LA 1 @SJ 3 SJ 5 ANH (yikes!)
MIN 3 CAL 6 @ COL (only two games, neither good -- COL and CAL are the two toughest stadiums, IMO)
MON 1 @OTT 3 BUF 5 TOR == not bad
NAS 1 @STL 3 STL 4 @CHI == ends early
NJ 1 @NYI 2 BOS 4 @PHI 6 NYR -- 4 games! Generally favorable. Good to not have PIT in the final week.
NYI 1 NJ 3 NYR 4 @ NYR == NYI owns these teams -- season ends early
NYR 3 @NYI 4 NYI 6 @NJ == in previous years, this would have been fine, but this year, they'll be lucky to score against these teams, let alone win a game.
OTT 1 MON 3 @ TOR 4 BOS == the NHL gave this team such a favorable schedule because they want to give the Senators a head start on the path to the cup == BEST
PHI 2 @ PIT 4 NJ 6 PIT == favorable games to win, but this team will lose at least one player in the final week (and so will PIT or NJ)
PIT 2 PHI 6 @ PHI == only two games, but the final one should be ADV PIT because of the rest (but rests can also slow down a team -- they'll need to survive the first five minutes and then they'll be ok)
SJ 1 LA 3 @LA 6 @ DAL == two LA games!!!! great!
STL 1 NAS 3 @NAS 5 CLB 6 @CLB -- too many games in too short a time with too intense rivalries. STL and CLB and NAS had better not be fighting for the 8 spot, or there will be blood
TAM 2 @CAR 3 @WAS 5 @ATL == this team had better learn how to win away games
TOR 1 BUF 3 OTT 5 @ MON == this team won't win any in the last week
VAN 1 COL 3 EDM 5 CAL nice home stand, esp. good for Luongo owners, but the last game will not be easy
WAS 1 CAR 3 TAM 5 FLA == nice home stand but every game in this division is up for grabs -- I think the first game, vs. CAR, will be the most important
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Boxscore notes, Jan 24
The night before the long All Star weekend.
Radulov is playing on the Dumont-Arnott line in Nashville (replacing whom?). And doing well.
Vrbata continues to do well.
Boyle is back! 2 goals in the 8-4 loss to the Sens, during a night that may be Alfredsson's best ever: a double hat trick consisting of 3 goals and 3 assists.
Brodeur was crushed by the Canadiens. Did someone complain to the Devils about their boycott of the All Star game? I think it was a good idea for Brodeur and Sutter to skip it.
The Roy-Stafford-Vanek line is FINALLY clicking. Needed to get rid of Afinogenov. Trade him now!
In the absence of Stastny and Crosby, Svatos and Malkin are awesome, but can their teams win?
I cannot figure out Edmonton. Horcoff's been carrying the team and tonight Stoll shows up, gets 2 goals -- and then Horcoff scores the GWG in the shootout.
Radulov is playing on the Dumont-Arnott line in Nashville (replacing whom?). And doing well.
Vrbata continues to do well.
Boyle is back! 2 goals in the 8-4 loss to the Sens, during a night that may be Alfredsson's best ever: a double hat trick consisting of 3 goals and 3 assists.
Brodeur was crushed by the Canadiens. Did someone complain to the Devils about their boycott of the All Star game? I think it was a good idea for Brodeur and Sutter to skip it.
The Roy-Stafford-Vanek line is FINALLY clicking. Needed to get rid of Afinogenov. Trade him now!
In the absence of Stastny and Crosby, Svatos and Malkin are awesome, but can their teams win?
I cannot figure out Edmonton. Horcoff's been carrying the team and tonight Stoll shows up, gets 2 goals -- and then Horcoff scores the GWG in the shootout.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Ducks, Canes Rising
Hurricanes and Ducks should rise. Both teams feel a mission to do better than they are doing.
Red Wings continue to dominate.
Senators are showing interesting cracks.
Southeast is wide open, and Atlantic is close.
Sabres need to sign some players.
Paul Kariya is the odd man out in St. Louis. Could the Ducks get him back?
Senators should offer Randy R to Sabres for Campbell.
Red Wings continue to dominate.
Senators are showing interesting cracks.
Southeast is wide open, and Atlantic is close.
Sabres need to sign some players.
Paul Kariya is the odd man out in St. Louis. Could the Ducks get him back?
Senators should offer Randy R to Sabres for Campbell.
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