2008/09 NHL Thread

Caught the third period and OT/SO at work. The other sports guy is a huge Flames fan. Needless to say he was relentless. Was not a good night.

 

That blog is actually pretty good.
Couldn't agree more. the only one I would have a problem with is the smoking one other than that, young males drinking beer, shocking isn't it.

 

The Caps are shitkicking the Pens, 5-2, in the second period. Pens coach Dan Bylsma just pulled Marc-Andre Fleury. Clearly, Bylsma feels that this performance has seriously damaged Fleury's chances to be one of Team Canada's top 8,000 goaltenders for next year's Olympics.

 

My friend, let Larry Brooks ease your worries:

 

Okay, I am officially impressed. Sounds like the Rangers are doing it right - who'da thunk it?!

Interesting that Brooks would make reference to the Bob Nevin-Bobby Rousseau trade, since it was an even bigger deal that brought Nevin to Broadway in the first place. The Leafs sent Nevin, Dick Duff and a couple of other guys to the Rangers for - wait for it - Andy Bathgate.

It was a controversial trade, though. The Leafs won the Stanley Cup that season, 1964, but it's been said that was the beginning of the end of the 1960s dynasty. The Leafs had built a damn good organization from within, and in one fell swoop they unloaded several good players for a guy who was long gone by the time 1967 rolled around. The gutting of the franchise just picked up speed after that.

 

We've discussed it before, but I think it bears repeating. A former Rangers executive told me last year that the reason that the some of the great Rangers from years past have not been honored is (A) much of the fanbase was not around for the first three Cups (the Patricks, and Ching Johnson) and (B) after those guys, there were great individuals on spectacularly lousy teams.

Again, I don't think agree with the organization's beliefs. Just stating what they believe.

 

The board's Whalercanes fans (Sammy, OnDeadline) will be happy with today's result.

In the day's natural disaster game, the 'Canes topped the Avalanche, 5-2. Legendary goal scorer Matt Cullen had a hat trick for the 'Canes.

 

Ovechkin joins the crowd (NHL players that dislike Crosby's antics on the ice) after today's game calling out Sid for his yapping.

NHL must be salivating over the Pens making it to the playoffs and getting the 7th seed to have a Washington-Pittsburgh first round matchup.

 

What did Ovechkin say, exactly?

 

First career trick for Cullen. Given the way he and Ray Whitney are playing, it's not a surprise.

Power play didn't look so hot, though. 0-for-8.

 

Chicago is honoring Bob Probert tonight.

 

Also, since Howell's No. 3 will be raised to the Garden's rafters shortly, defenseman Michael Roszival will switch to No. 33.

Note: There are already loud "Eddie" chants for Ed Giacomin, who told MSG Network's Al Trautwig "It should have happened a long time ago" when the latter asked what feelings Howell and Bathgate will experience.