Two games against the Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose forward Jonathan Cheechoo scored 4 goals. Unfortunately, San Jose dropped the first of the home and home with Anaheim 7-4 on Tuesday night despite Cheechoo's production. Last night the San Jose Sharks took the second meeting 3-2, thanks to a late power play goal by Milan Michalek.

Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle was quoted saying "He's been a thorn in our side..." (pulled from TSN.ca). He really has. The broadcasters were melting over Cheechoo last night and continued to ladel his stats on me all night. During Cheechoo's Rocket Richard winning season last year, he had 5 hat tricks. The first player to record that many hat tricks in a season in 10 years (the last being Mario Lemieux). To come full circle to Carlyle's quote.... three of Cheechoo's hat tricks last season were against the Anaheim Ducks (then Mighty).

Altough he only has 20 goals on the season, he appears to finding the form that carried him to the goal scoring lead last season. If the last two games are any indication, I would look for Jonathan Cheechoo to have an impressive second half of the season. Although now that I've said that, look for him to never score a goal again.

Quick Shave:
Henrik Zetterberg is the man. Nobody, not even Cujo can stop this kid. Zetterberg recorded the 100th goal of his career last night, (as well as the 99th), in a two goal evening that helped lift the Detroit Red Wings over the Phoenix Coyotes 4-2. Zetterberg's 100th was also the game winner, and the Red Wings have now recorded 5 straight victories. Patrick Lalime returned to action last night (remember the former displaced Ottawa keeper?) as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, and you would have to say it was a successful debut. Lalime made 34 saves to blank the Vancouver Canucks 3-0, one of the hottest teams in the league. It was Lalime's 34th career win by shutout. Speaking of shutouts.....Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders made 27 saves to shutdown, and shutout the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0. This is interesting..... according to rumors there are apparently several teams interested in acquiring defenceman Derian Hatcher from the Flyers. I can't imagine how he would improve a lineup or what the Flyers would recieve in exchange for him......I guess we'll see. Look for the Flyers to begin dumping salaries like the L.A. Kings have begun to do already. The Buffalo Sabres finally solved the Ottawa Senators, who have been one of the few teams able to consistentely defeat the Eastern Conference's top seed. The Sabres got a pair of goals from forward Thomas Vanek and went on to defeat the Sens 3-2.

Game of the Night:
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Toronto at Nashville 8:00 PM

I know, it's kind of like staring at a car accident on the side of the road..... but everytime Crosby and the Pens head to Philadelphia, we get highlight reel goals. Tonight should be no different. The Toronto Maple Leafs have strung together a few wins so of course every one in Toronto is convinced they will be winning the Stanley Cup this season. In fairness they have played some great hockey of late, so lets see how they fare against an elite team in the Nashville Predators (the team everyone in Toronto expects them to face in the finals). Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh