Mid-November saw Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke make a few maneuvers that sent a couple of players in Stanislav Chistov and Todd Fedoruk out East (to Boston and Philadelphia respectively) in return for a bag of future draft picks. Burke however did send one draft pick to Colorado to retrieve a player in return. George Parros.

Burke admitted the acquisition of Parros was because of his affinity for enforcers as he stated : ''I don't like playing without a heavyweight. I think everyone knows that.'' (quoted from TSN.ca) What GM Brian Burke didn't say, was the real reason he acquired the hulking winger. Playoff Beard Depth.

Sure Parros can open up a can of butt-kick (as he has now done twice for the Ducks, most recently to Cam Janssen of the New Jersey Devils who suffered a shoulder injury in the scrum), but it's his facial hair that was the driving force behind this deal. George Parros sports a playoff moustache the likes of which Jeff Friesen can only dream about. Not since the days of Lanny McDonald has the NHL witnessed a lip mullet of this stature. In 1881, Wyatt Earp would be handing the street-howitzer to George Parros and not Doc Holliday as they marched toward the O.K. Corral. Today, GM Brian Burke hands the playoff beard to Parros, as the Ducks march toward the Stanley Cup.

Quick Shave:
Maybe a coaching change was what the Chicago Blackhawks needed? Or perhaps the Dallas Stars are in line for one? Tuomo Ruutu scored the game winner with less that 2 minutes remaining to give Coach Savard, and the Chicago Blackhawks the 2-1 victory. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 last night. The goal was the first allowed by the Sharks in 2 games, whose goaltending tandem of Toskala and Nabokov have been very stingy lately (I think we should nickname them Tos-Nab, or Nab-Tos, just to make it easier....a kind of JayLo, A-Rod monicker if you will....anyone?). Nabokov only had to make 15 saves to secure the win. The Sharks are unstoppable, and are second only to Anaheim and Buffalo in the NHL with 38 points. I think this team is for real. The Nashville Predators handed the Philadelphia Flyers another loss last night. Martin Erat scored the game winner late in the third period to get the 3-2 win for the Predators. Predators call-up Alexander Radulov scored again, in his third straight game and may be making a case for his stay with the big team. Chris Mason also had a solid game in net for the Predators covering for the injured Vokoun. Prior to the game, Mike Knuble signed a two year contract extension with the Philadelpia Flyers worth $5.6 million....he also opened the scoring for the Flyers in thanks. Flyers goaltender Robert Esche had surgery on his groin (yep) and will be out of action for most of December. Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky will be having his shoulder x-rayed after being injured in the loss to Anaheim Tuesday night.

Game of the Night:
Montreal at Carolina 7:00 PM

First round rematch? Cristobal Huet is on, and I'd like to see if Cam Ward can match his efforts. The Hurricanes have stumbled a bit lately, and the Habs have been riding the hot netminding of Huet....both teams mirror each other so this should be a great match. Also, look for Alexander Frolov to join the HTC against Phoenix tonight. Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh