There has been a lot of buzzing in the hockey world about this rule in the NHL rule book. The first incident this season happened in the King/Rangers game on October 14th. The Referee apparently blew the whistle after the puck had crossed the goal line and waved the goal off. The play went to video review and the call was over turned. Naturally Kings fans were pretty pissed as the call went against them. The most recent occurrence happened Wednesday night when Brad May appeared to have tied the game for the Red Wings late in the third period when Dennis LaRue waived the goal off even though he had blown the whistle after the puck had crossed the goal line. In this situation, the play was reviewed but the Referee over ruled the replay. Okay your probably saying, what is the point of replay then. Two different outcomes on similar situations. Here is the NHL rule right out of the book. Continue reading »
After 21 seasons, Brendan Shanahan announced his retirement on Tuesday and what a resume he leaves behind. The future hall of famer leaves the sport 11th all time with 656 goals and 23rd all time with 1,354 points in 1,524 games. He is the only player to score 600 goals and have 2000 minutes in penalties. Continue reading »
Another week in the NHL and just like every week, I am here to give you the highlights and the things you may have missed over the last week. Look for this segment at Stick to Hockey every week as I recap the weeks stories all in one article.
Streaks
The New Jersey Devils extended their road win record to 9-0 on Thursday night by beating the slumping Penguins 4-1. The Penguins had a streak of their own, losing 5 straight before Christmas coming early on Saturday night as Tim Thomas and the Bruins hand them a gift in OT. Continue reading »
Fast Tube by Casper
Once again a player has been injured and another one susupended in the NHL for a high and dirty hit. This victim is Chris Drury of the New York Rangers who got blind sided by Calgary Flames Curtis Glencross.
The latest incident happened in the opening period of Sunday nights game in Calgary as Drury was skating out of the zone, Glencross came across the ice from the other side and threw a shoulder and elbow into Drury’s head. There is no question this is a dirty hit as Drury was not involved in the play or near the puck at the time. Plain and simple it was a cheap shot.
Glencross received a three game suspension for his actions even though the officials on the ice did not penalize the Calgary forward. This is a good move by the NHL who have been under fire for not stepping up to the plate and disciplining these players accordingly. I have personally criticized the NHL and am glad to see they finally got one right.
Coincidentally, the GM’s are in Toronto for their annual meetings and hits to the head are the hot topic to be discussed. The meetings are scheduled to wrap up today.
Happy Halloween to everyone from Stick to Hockey. Today I decided to throw together a quick “trick” or “treat” article about some of the who’s hot and who’s not in the NHL so far this season. Here is a few stand outs for you.
Treats
I don’t think anyone is hotter than L A Kings foward, Anze Kopitar right now in the NHL tallying 8 points in his last 3 games including a natural hat trick against Dallas on Thursday night. The Kings early success this season has a lot to do with Kopitar.
The Colorado Avalanche out to a great start and best in the west need to give goaltender Craig Anderson a pat on the back. Anderson leads the league with wins (10) and is sporting a 2.04 GAA and a .939 save %.
Speaking of goalies, Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres is leading the league in save % (.944) and GAA (1.65) . Miller is still undefeated at 8-0-1, Buffalo is 3rd in the east at 8-1-1.
The New York Rangers got a very good treat aquiring Marian Gaborik from the Minnesota Wild. Gaborik has 10 goals and 8 assist as he sits 5th in the league for points. The much anticipated return to Minnesota last night was a let down as Gaborik was out with a leg injury.
Tricks
Nathan Horton of the Florida Panthers has been less than impressive with a mere 2 goals and a -3. Those are not the numbers that the Panthers were expecting out of Horton when they gave him that 4 million dollar contract. There has also been trade rumors circulating with Horton’s name attached.
The Detroit Red Wings are in the market for a goaltender as Chris Osgood could have passed his prime. Osgood , one game over .500 and a dismal 3.41 GAA and a .882 save %, there is no surprise on why Detroit is shopping.
A big part of the Carolina Hurricanes success a few years ago when they won the Stanley Cup was the outstanding play of goaltender Cam Ward. This season Ward has started out very shaky with a 2-6 record.
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!
The NHL only had 13 games scheduled this weekend with all of them played Saturday. Since I didn’t have any games to report on for Sunday I put a few things together for you to summarize the NHL so far this season.
Boston Bruins
The B’s hot and cold season continued Saturday night in Phoenix without the services of Milan Lucic as they lost to the Coyotes 4-1. Although they played an above average game, they ran into hot a goaltender, Ilya Bryzgalov as he stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced. The B’s are now one game under .500 (3-4)
Who’s hot…. Who’s not
The Atlanta Thrashers are off to their best start in franchise history (4-1-0) and handed Buffalo their first loss of the season beating them 4-2.
After losing their opener, the New York Rangers have peeled off 7 straight wins giving them a share of the top spot in the NHL with Pittsburgh who has a 5 game winning streak of their own. Both teams are 7-1-0 and unlike the Rangers who are undefeated at home(4-0), the Penguins are undefeated on the road (5-0)
The Colorado Avalanche are riding a 4 game winning streak and top in the west with a 6-1-1 record, two points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks who are off to their best start in 27 years at 5-2-1
With the Rangers and Sabres off to great starts, fans in New York must be happy ( big deal from us Boston fans), not all is good as the Islanders are one of two teams still without a win at 0-3-3. Moping up the cellar so far this season are the Toronto Maple Leafs who after losing to the Rangers Saturday 4-1, gave the Leafs a 0-6-1 record. To us Boston fans we are wondering how Kessel is loving his new team.
Transactions and Key injuries
The Boston Bruins traded Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday for Craig Weller, the rights to Alexander Fallstrom and a second round draft pick in 2011. The 28 year old Weller is 6′4, 220 # with 4 goals , 10 assists and 127 pim in 95 NHL games. He was playing for the Houston Aeros of the AHL. The 19 year old Fallstrom is currently in his freshman year at Harvard University.
Milan Lucic was placed on long term injured reserve Sunday with a broken index finger, meaning that he has to miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days making his earliest return on Nov 10th. With Lucic out, the Bruins recalled Lefebrve, Marchand and Sobotka from the Providence Bruins of the AHL.
Toronto’s defenseman, Mike Van Ryn will be out for the season with a torn MCL, he is scheduled for surgery on Oct 22nd
Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek is listed day to day with an upper body injury
Chicago’s Mirian Hossa is on injured reserve with a right shoulder injury
Islander’s Rick Depietro is out with knee surgery
Washington’s Jose Theodore is listed day to day with lower back spasms
