Though the Montreal Canadiens are denying it, preliminary reports are saying that the Habs could lose their captain for up to four weeks.
Koivu was injured during Friday night's comeback 4-3 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres. During the game Koivu was hit by a shot in the foot. X-rays were to be taken today or tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury once the swelling went down.
Koivu now joins a injured list that continues to grow which includes defencemen Mark Streit (who was also injured during Friday's game) and Mike Komisarek.
After last night's 4-0 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks, the Minnesota Wild need only one more victory to clinch a playoff spot. The Wild now hold a three point advantage over the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche and are in prime position to take the Northwest Division title and the third seed in the Western Conference.
Last night was a rough outting for the Canucks. Goaltender Roberto Luongo returned from Florida after the birth of his child (congrats congrats) but unfortunately did not last long. Luongo was yanked for the second straight game and has now given up nine goals in the last two matches.
The Minnesota Wild's Aaron Voros and Mikko Koivu opened the scoring and they never looked back. Minnesota's new tough guy line of Todd Fedoruk, Chris SImon and Derek Boogaard are providing the WIld with a much needed physical presence, and last night contributed on the scoreboard as Fedoruk finished a Marian Gaborik feed.
Quick Shave: Colorado Avalanche forward and captain may have single handedly broken the hearts of the Edmonton Oilers and perhaps finished their chances of making the post-seaon. The Edmonton Oilers were less than 6 sedonds away from victory and moving into a three way tie for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference (Predators and Canucks currently sit 8th), but Sakic tied the game late to force overtime. Sakic's heroics didn't end there, as he completed the comeback for the Avs with the game winner in the shootout. The San Jose Sharks clinched the Pacific Division title last night after their 3-1 victory over the rivals the Anaheim Ducks. Sharks backup goaltender made 23 saves to help secure the win. The New Jersey Devils have had some difficulty closing out games lately, and last night was the same old song. The Devils gave up the lead to the Philadelphia Flyers with less than a minute to play when forward Mike Knuble scored to force overtime. Fortunately for the Devils, goaltender Martin Biron was unable to silence their offence during the shootout, as all three forwards scored (Gionta, Elias, Parise) to close out the win 5-4. The Devils will not have the luxury of the shoot out in the post season, so they best get to finishing games and soon. The Carolina Hurricanes destroyed an Atlanta Thrashers club that appears ready to mail it in for the rest of the season, 7-1 last night. The Hurricanes scored a franchise record tying 5 powerplay goals last night and moved closer to clinching the Southeast Division title.
The Vancouver Canucks who currently hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by a very narrow margin were hit with devestating news today.
Canucks forward Brendan Morrison will mis the rest of the year with a torn ACL. Morrison has missed a large part of the year because of injuries, and has only seen action in 38 games this season.
Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo left his club today to be with his wife in Florida who is expecting the couple's first child. For the Canucks and their fans this obviously a big dissappointment, losing their starting netminder, and arguably the best player on their club. For Luongo, I'm sure hockey is the last the thing on his mind at this moment, and I commend him on his decision.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New Jersey Devils for their second straight meeting 2-0 last night, and cushioned their lead in the Atlantic Division to 4 points. They also moved within one point of Eastern Conference leading Monteal.
Pens goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 save of the 2-0 shutout win and Ryan Malone and Marian Hossa scored. Captain Sidney Crosby sat out for his seventh straight game. The Penguins have hardly missed a beat since losing him and have gone 16-8-4 in his absence.
Quick Shave:
The race for the final spots in the Eastern Conference could have gotten a lot tighter last night, but the Philadelphia Flyers (who defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 in OT), and the Boston Bruins (who hammered the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2) refused to cooperate. The Maple Leafs playoffs may have ended last night. The Washington Capitals kept pace by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2, but still remain 2 outside.
How about them Edmonton Oilers? Are they playing out of their minds just to piss Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke off? Three points out...
Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin hit the 60 goal mark last night by scoring a pair in the 5-3 come from behind win over the Atlanta Thrashers last night.
The Capital starving for points necessary to make the playoffs were down 3-1 to the Thrashers early in the game, but jumped on board the O-train and were carried to victory. Ovechkin scored his 59th and 60th goals of the season and also set up two more to lift his club to victory and to within one point of the 8th and final playoff spot, currently held by the Boston Bruins.
It has been over a decade since the 60 goal mark has been achieved. During the 1995-1996 season, Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr both hit the mark.
Ovechkin is amazing. The NHL needs to promote the heck out of this kid, because he, much like Crosby has the potential to transcend the sport, and bring much needed attention to the game. I really hope the Washington Capitals secure a playoff berth. I can only what kind of magic he will bring to the post-season. Regardless of how they finish, post season or not, Alexander Ovechkin has to be the NHL's MVP.
Quick Shave:
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still battling to make the playoffs, and keep pulling off victory after victory (last taking a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres) and inching closer and closer to the post season. The Leafs have 78 points and sit 5 behind the Boston Bruins who have 83. Tonight they face off against the rival Ottawa Senators, whom they spanked the last time they met. Tonight's game should be a violent affair, and have a playoff atmosphere as both teams are desperate for points.
Has the NHL gone the way of the gladiator this season? Skate stomps, hits from behind, flying elbows, slashed throats, and faces driven into turnbuckles!
Last night we saw Minnesota Wild's Kurt Foster and San Jose Sharks Torrey Mitchell race to prevent an icing. While battling for the puck, Foster had a step on Mitchell and the two crashed into the boards behind the net. Foster suffered a fractured tibula on the play, and is recovering in a San Jose hospital following surgery to repair the broken bone.
Mitchell will not receive any further disciplinary action from the league as a result of the play.
I'm not sure he should either. After watching the play a few times, there was obviously contact between the pair, but I'm not sure Mitchell intentionally tried to injure Foster. In any case the debate is already being raised that the no-touch icing rule be brought into effect.
The New York Islanders will be without their starting goaltender Rick DiPietro for the remainder of the season.
DiPietro underwent an MRI yesterday to determine the extent of a right hip problem. The injury will require surgery, and since the Islanders have fallen from playoff contention they have obviously decided to protect their 15 year investment in DiPietro and take care of the problem now rather than make it worse. DiPietro should be back in action and ready for the start of training camp next season.
DiPietro is one of a few big names that have been dropping like flies in the last week or so. The Blackhawks lost Martin Havlat, and the Philadelphia Flyers just lost defenceman Derian Hatcher to a broken leg for the season, as well as forward R.J. Umberger for the next two weeks with a sprained MCL.
The Pittsburgh Penguins expect forward Sidney Crosby to resume skating tomorrow and hope to see him return to their lineup before the end of the season.
After viewing better quality footage, the NHL handed Anaheim Duck's defenceman Chris Pronger an 8 game suspension for his skate stomp to the leg of Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler. Pronger's suspension pales in comparison the 30 day special that New York Islanders forward Chris Simon recieved for an almost duplicate incident.
There is clearly a double standard. While Pronger's actions had to be addressed, the man puts the fans in the seats... where Simon does not. I don't agree with it. It's just the way it is, and it is something that will never change.
Quick Shave: New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur has done it again. Broduer made 24 saves earlier today and helped the Devils to a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, his 40th victory of the season. Brodeur has now won 40 games or more in a record seven NHL seasons. We are watching the greatest goaltender in NHL history right now. Drink it in folks.
Has Martin Havlat taken the role of most talented forward to never play a game for the Chicago Blackhawks from Eric Daze?
Often injured forward Martin Havlat will once again miss the bulk of an NHL season for the third consecutive year. Havlat underwent season-ending shoulder surgery yesterday to repair damage that occurred in the Hawks opener against the Minnesota Wild. He missed 22 games following that, then returned and re-injured against the Phoenix Coyotes in late February. In the 35 games he did play this year, Havlat collected 10 goals and 17 assists.
Havlat expects to be ready for training camp next season. So he can be healthy enough to get hurt again? Havlat for the most part is a point a game player. The point is, that he rarely plays. The most games he's ever played was last season when he appeared in 56, and had 57 points (25 goals, 32 assists). Next year is the final year of his three year deal with the Blackhawks.
Quick Shave:
Not so fast Pronger! New video of Anaheim Ducks defenceman's tap dance on Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler surfaced today, and was sent to the NHL for review. He's not out of the woods yet..... but I doubt he will get the premium Simon Package suspension. Had Kesler been injured he probably would have recieved the Bertuzzi special. Expect a handful of games, and little else.
Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger has managed to pull off the infamous skate blade stomp on another player and get away free and clear.
In a game last night, against the Vancouver Canucks, Pronger stomped on the calf of Canucks forward Ryan Kesler following a collision early in the game. Kesler was uninjured on the play but was convinced Pronger deliberately dropped his skate blade on his leg.
Pronger is no stranger to suspensions. He was suspended twice last year during the playoffs, once during the Western Conference Finals, and again during the Stanley Cup Finals.
What's unusual about this incident is that then New York Islanders forward recieved a 30 game suspension for a similiar act he pulled against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jaarko Ruutu. Granted, Simon was fresh off a suspension for attempting to decapitate Rangers pest Ryan Holleweg the previous year, and has a history of pulling maneuvers that most with common sense would not. While Pronger doesnt' quite have the history Simon does, he is far from being a Lady Byng candidate. The major difference between the two is that Pronger is a superstar, and Simon is not. The NHL should look into this further.
Here is the video of Pronger's alleged skate stomp.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their superstar forward and captain Sidney Crosby tonight.
Crosby has had discomfort in his right ankle since the Pens last game, on Sunday when they defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2. Crosby had just returned to the lineup three games prior after having missed 21 games with a sprain in the same ankle.
After tonight's the game versus the Buffalo Sabres, the Penguins have a three day layoff and Coach Therrien is playing it cautious and decided not to play their captain. The Penguins are currently second in the Atlantic Division, just one point behind the first place New Jersey Devils, and two points behind the Montreal Canadiens who hold the Eastern Conference lead.
Quick Shave:
Anyone watch the matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers last night? That was hockey! Granted that was a match I would have shut off when the Flyers took a 3 goal lead into the third, but thankfully I exercised some patience and watched an outstanding comeback by the playoff hopefull Leafs, who won the game in OT 4-3. Tonight's game is another must win for the Leafs, as the finish off the home and home in Philadelphia this evening for what has to be another must-win. Unfortunately for the Leafs, this may all be too little too late, and every win that takes them closer to a possible post-season berth, also takes them further from a possible first round draft pick in this summer's NHL Entry Draft. In any case, tonight's game is clearly the Game of the NIght! Enjoy!
Almost time to put the razors away my friends... and allow those chins (and in some very disturbing instances... armpits) to become the fertile ground on which playoff beards can blossom!
The 2007-2008 NHL season is roughly a dozen games per club from completion, and for most of us (at least the lucky ones.... or skilled depending on your perspective) it is already playoff time in our Fantasy Leagues.
The Bosher has performed much better this year than in season's past, and is entering the post-season in 3 out of his 4 leagues, including the official Playoff Beard.com Fantasy Hockey League. Here are the regular season standings:
1. Lobstrosities 148-93-35
2. ShedDawg 136-95-45
3. The Lone Wolf 137-98-41
4. Simon Loves Hollweg 134-100-42
5. Captain Bosh 135-102-39
6. omega supreme 134-107-35
My buddy and hetero-lifemate Stache invited me to join a Reality Fantasy Hockey League this season as part of an experiment. The rules were pretty simple. Pick a team, and enjoy. The results of which were very interesting... perhaps moreso than we expected. Here are the final regular season standings:
*1. Detroit Red Wings 178-89-55
*2. Duck!!! 164-119-39
*3. les canadiens 154-113-55
*4. Senator Bosh 153-130-39
*5. BLUELAND 133-137-52
*6. Flames 133-138-51
7. New Jersey Steamers 131-142-49
8. Shark Attack 130-144-48
9. Rangers 129-146-47
10. Avalanche Bitches! 116-151-55
11. Virtual Hurricanes 109-161-52
12. BlackHawks 111-171-40
Here are the categories we played for in head to head competition:
G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, GWG, SOG, FW, W, GAA, SV, SV%, SHO
Two stand outs for me. The St. Louis Blues made the playoffs, and the Sharks don't? The Devils have always been a stingy defensive team, but they are often just as stingy with their offense so that wasn't much of a shock. The Rangers couldn't buy a goal at the beginning of the year, so seeing them on the outside isn't much of a surprise. The Montreal Canadiens? Who saw them doing what they've done this year?
All in all this league was more interesting than fun and entertaining. For the most part, aside from a few trades, there was little reason to adjust your lineup for the year. This league was more like playing video hockey in manager mode. Still the results to bring good conversation.
Jose Theodore has become the latest castoff player to rediscover his game this season (the others being Conklin, and Samsonov). The former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, after several sub par seasons is starting to look like the player who collected all of those accolades 6 years ago.
Having successfully reclaimed the mantle of starting netminder in Colorado, Jose Theodore has the Avalanche riding a 5 game winning streak. Last night Theodore made 27 saves to help his club to the 1-0 shutout win over the Anaheim Ducks... his second shutout victory of the year. Avs forward Wojtek Wolski recorded the lone tally for the win.
Theodore has backstopped the Avalanche for all 5 games during this recent win streak, which is the longest he's had since playing for the Habs in 2004.
Quick Shave:
Is something brewing in Boston? The Boston Bruins were blown up again, for the second consecutive game 8-2, this time at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe had a solid outting netting the game winner and assisting on three goals in the game (I actually set up a pair in the game... there were plenty to go around) The Bruins have now given up 18 goals in the last two games.... and coach Claude Julien stated that 'it's not time to panic'... reassuring words coming from a man who was fired just a few games prior to the playoffs....while helming a first place club. I can't wait to see what Tim Thomas GAA looks like tomorrow. The Leafs continue their march towards the post-season, and look to achieve that goal by closing the 6 point defecit between them and 8th place Philadelphia. What's interesting about the Eastern Conference this season is not so much who will make the playoffs but who will win the Conference itself. The Montreal Canadiens who defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 4-2 last night moved into a tie for first place with the Pittsburgh Penguins who fell to the Florida Panthers 5-2. Both clubs have 83 points. A marginal 1 point lead over the New Jersey Devils who sit in 4th with 82 points, and a 2 point cushion over the Ottawa Senators who have 81 points in 5th. The New York Rangers are 4 points behind with 79 in 6th. It's anyone's game. This year the last games of the year will not only determine who goes to the playoffs but the seating as well. Damn, I love this sport.
If you didn't know, Peter Forsberg returned to the Colorado Avalanche for the first time Tuesday night. If I had a drink for every time his name was mentioned during that game.... well I'd still be drunk right now.
Are the Phoenix Coyotes going to make it to the playoffs this year?
If they do, Coyotes captain Shane Doan is ready. Doan is sporting the latest in playoff beard fashion, as he and his club are already in playoff mode... battling for that 8th and final spot in the Western Conference.
Doan scored a goal, and along with some superb goaltending by Ilya Bryzgalov defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 and helped inch closer to a playoff berth. The Coyotes are just 3 points shy of the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators who hole the 7th and 8th place spots in the West.
Doan tallied his 20th of the season last night and now has 63 points on the year. He also has a playoff beard worthy of mention.
Congratulations to the Phoenix Coyote's Shane Doan for being being the Playoff Beard of the Month for February!
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of Tim Thomas Fantasy Hockey owners suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened. "
- Obi Wan Kenobi
The Boston Bruins had their 6 game winning streak stopped last night.... or completely destroyed last night as the Washington Capitals hammered them 10-2. Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored a hat trick during a 6 goal explosion in the first period. The three scores helped Ovechkin eclipse the 50 goal plateu for the second time in his career. Ovechkin also added a pair of assists in the game, and leads the NHL with 52 goals.
Recently acquired goaltender, Cristobal Huet won his second game as a member of the Washington Capitals making 20 saves before leaving with mild back spasms.
Goaltender Tim Thomas who has been solid for the Bruins this year was anything but last night. Thomas was yanked twice during the game and allowed 7 goals on 24 shots.
The Caps are now just 4 points shy of the 8th and final playoff spot currenlty held by the Philadelphia Flyers. The Bruins remain in 6th place.
Quick Shave:
The Colorado Avalanche have had a rough season regarding injuries this season, and recieved some rough news yesterday. The Avs have lost forward Marek Svatos for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, and forward Ryan Smyth will be out indefinitely as he recovers from a concussion and minor shoulder separation. Both players were injured in a game over the weekend against the Los Angeles Kings. Ryan Smyth had just returned from the injured list recovering from a broken leg. The Avs do have some good news as they recieve an injection of new players in defenceman Adam Foote and forward Peter Forsberg. Foote has been playing since acquired last week prior to the trade deadline, and Forsberg is expected to make his debut this evening. The rematch between last year's Stanley Cup Final combatants took place last night (and early on into this morning) and little has changed in that time. The Anaheim Ducks still own the Ottawa Senators. The Sens seemed powerless to create an offense, save for a few minutes in early in the third, and the goaltending of Martin Gerber probably did little to inspire confidence in Coach Andy Murray.... who was ejected late in the third as the game got a little spicy towards it finale. The Ducks look like the team to beat again this year, and they are playing like the machine that marched to the Cup last season. The Ducks defeated the Sens 3-1 last night.
Though the Montreal Canadiens are denying it, preliminary reports are saying that the Habs could lose their captain for up to four weeks.
After last night's 4-0 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks, the Minnesota Wild need only one more victory to clinch a playoff spot. The Wild now hold a three point advantage over the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche and are in prime position to take the Northwest Division title and the third seed in the Western Conference.
Quick Shave:
The Vancouver Canucks who currently hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by a very narrow margin were hit with devestating news today.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New Jersey Devils for their second straight meeting 2-0 last night, and cushioned their lead in the Atlantic Division to 4 points. They also moved within one point of Eastern Conference leading Monteal.
Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin hit the 60 goal mark last night by scoring a pair in the 5-3 come from behind win over the Atlanta Thrashers last night.
The New York Islanders will be without their starting goaltender Rick DiPietro for the remainder of the season.
Upon further review....
Quick Shave:
Has Martin Havlat taken the role of most talented forward to never play a game for the Chicago Blackhawks from Eric Daze?
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their superstar forward and captain Sidney Crosby tonight. 
Quick Shave:
Almost time to put the razors away my friends... and allow those chins (and in some very disturbing instances... armpits) to become the fertile ground on which playoff beards can blossom!
Jose Theodore has become the latest castoff player to rediscover his game this season (the others being Conklin, and Samsonov). The former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, after several sub par seasons is starting to look like the player who collected all of those accolades 6 years ago.
Quick Shave:
Are the Phoenix Coyotes going to make it to the playoffs this year?
"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of Tim Thomas Fantasy Hockey owners suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened. "
