Dallas riding the 'E' Train
We haven't talked much at all about Eric Lindros, but that hasn't kept him from quietly contributing to the Dallas Stars sucess thus far this season. Lindros has 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 19 games this season, and helped his new team fight back into a game last night against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avs scored 2 quick goals on their first 5 shots early in the game that saw Dallas Star's netminder Marty Turco get the hook. Captain Brendan Morrow drew the Stars even with 2 late scores in the first, but left the game in the second period with an apparent groin injury. Colorado again gained the advantage, but Dallas tied the game on a late third period goal by Eric Lindros from a centering pass by Mike Modano. Minutes later Antti Miettinen got the game winner for Dallas to complete the victory 5-4.
What's the story inbetween the pipes in Colorado? Peter Budaj, up until last night had played outstanding in net for the Avs in place of Jose Theodore who has been less than spectacular. Actually he's sucked. Theodore's confidence, has to be at an all time low, and the entire Colorado Avalanche organization can't be very confident in the tandem of keepers on the whole. Goaltending controversy in Colorado? With Pierre Lacroix no longer manning the helm at the Pepsi Center, will his successor GM Francois Giguere pull the trigger on a move to strengthen his goaltending?
Quick Shave:
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Marc Denis set an NHL Record (I heard this on In the Tent with Clement) for allowing 7 goals in one period. 7 goals on 13 shots. Of course Captain Bosh started him tonight, so my goaltending stats are completely shot this week. Thank you Mr. Denis! The Buffalo Sabres kicked the stuffing out of the Lightning 7-2. The Nashville Predators defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, again, 3-1. Columbus is apparently considering Ken Hitchcock (duh), and Andy Murray (wha?) for their head coaching position. What they are waiting on is beyond me. I think they will be mathematically eliminated next week. Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery is back, and so are the Senators. Emery stopped 42 shots to help the Sens defeat the Minnesota Wild 5-3 last night. The groin is the injury of choice still this season. Perhaps some of the trainers should advise their players to stretch during the pre-game skate? Just a thought. Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Andrew Raycroft, who was in the groin club (hmmmmm), returned from missing three games, and made 19 saves to lift the Leafs to a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Philadelphia Flyers again, for the fourth time this season last night 5-3, but the victory may have been a costly one. Sidney Crosby left the game in the second and did not return, having suffered a...you guessed it! A groin injury. The Penguins hopes rest on their young superstar, so hopefully he will not be missing from action for too long. The Boston Bruins 4 game win streak came to a halt last night against the Florida Panthers. Panthers keeper Alex Auld made 29 saves to give his club the 3-2 win.
Game of the Night:
Carolina at NY Rangers 7:00 PM
Calgary at Edmonton 9:00 PM
San Jose at Anaheim 10:00 PM
Ok, all three of these games rock, and really you can watch them all, since they are layerd chronologically. Set up the ole NHL Center Ice Package and relax! Enjoy the games my furry friends!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
What the crap? I go out of town for a weekend and I return to find more groin pulls than a night in Vegas. My fantasy squad is being decimated by the minute. First it was Derek Roy. Then Alexander Semin. And now Brendan Morrow. And dude had just pumped in two goals! No fair! I'm going to have to get Ian Moran just to put out a starting line! Yikes!
Of course, there's no groin I value more than Sidney Crosby's. Here's a quote from the Pittsburgh Trib: "He didn't play in the third period "as a precautionary measure," coach Michel Therrien said, adding he was "not concerned" about the injury." Is it just me or is Michel Therrien never concerned about anything? Somebody get that guy some concern for Christmas...
Sorry to hear you had Denis between the pipes. Holy hell that's gotta hurt. Turco's GAA was in the 15s after getting yanked last night, so I shouldn't really say anything I suppose. At least they don't play for Colorado. I think with a GM whose last name is Giguere, the Avs need to only look at one team to supply them with a number one goalie: Anaheim. Francois, listen to me, Bryzgalov's your man. Grab him now and ride him into the playoffs where he will be dying to exact some revenge on the Ducks and Mr. Carlyle. Get on the phone, make the deal.
And speaking of Anaheim, I'm going to go with the old rarity for my HTC pick tonight: a defenseman. I'll take Scott Neidermizzle to blast three past the Sharks.
Posted by: Stache | November 21, 2006 08:55 AM
Burke keeps saying he has no interest in trading Bryzgalov.....who's the keeper behind him? Is their farm keeper any good, or is he so bad that they are afraid of a total Giguere collapse?
Beardermeyer to join the HTC? I like that call. I'm gonna go homer, and say on one the Rangers top line will join the HTC. That was a bit of a cop out, so I will say Nylander.
Posted by: Captain Bosh | November 21, 2006 09:55 AM
It's about time for Iginla to break out and join the HTC.
Posted by: Paul | November 21, 2006 10:34 AM
I totally almost picked Iginla. He's been having a good run of late. It'll happen sooner or later for sure.
No idea on the depth of Anaheim's keepers, but that's a good question. And Burke may want to keep Bryzgalov around, but he's a fairly expensive piece of injury insurance if that's all they're going to use him as.
Posted by: Stache | November 21, 2006 01:39 PM
Doesn't seem like Anaheim has a quality back up in the system. I looked up their AHL affiliate and one goalie is 5-1 the other 6-5, doesn't look they would fair well in the NHL. So any deal that burke makes, might include a quality #2 goalie.
Posted by: Paul | November 21, 2006 02:44 PM
Take a look at Anaheim right now. What do you guys think they could use? They looked solid last night against the Sharks. Really solid.
Burke has already made a few minor moves to free up some cap space, so he is obviously gearing up for something later on, but aside from a player going on IR, I can't think of thing I'd change on this team.
Posted by: Captain Bosh | November 22, 2006 01:58 AM