Flyers-Pens a prime example teams within division should play more

   Starting to watch the Battle of Pennsylvania @11:30 pst; Wednesday night.

   I wasn't even five minutes of watching the Flyers-Penguins and I ask my self why Peter Laviolette doesn't have Tom Sestito dressed against there arch rivals? I can recall two incidents last season where he should have been playing but did not. Each time the Flyers have had insufficient toughness the Penguins play like they are the second coming of the Boston Bruins; plus Brooks Orpik looks like he's the second coming of Derain Hatcher. I find it comical on how Pierre Mcguire calls Harry Zolnierczyk dirty for a so called board, he forgets to mentions seconds later how on Derek Engelland drives the Flyers head into the ice. How obvious is it to tell who Mcguire is going for. According to Mcguire.... Matt Cooke and Wayne Simmonds were almost going at it, the only problem is there were two linesman in the way (only reason why Cooke is yapping away). To prove I am not bios... is it me are is Zach Rinaldo a pu$$y...

   My last point is this about the lack of Flyers toughness tonight; the fact is Sestito has just as many goals (two) in seven games, as do Mike Knuble, Ruslan Fedotenko & Zolnierczyk combined (2 goals in 35 games combined).

    Penguins fans at the beginning of the game chanting Flyers suck; guess they forget the fact the Flyers manhandled them in six games in the 2012 playoffs. I have never seen 10 players & a goalie within 3 feet of the net; (Flyers first goal last night).

    Just got the point where Simmonds and Tanner Glass scrap.... with the lack of toughness dressed, guys like Simmonds has to scrap more than he should have to.

    This hands down has been the best game from beginning to end; back & fourth; 11 goals; playoff intensity.... This is why teams within there own division should play 6-8 times in a year. I'm sorry folks but these East vs West games are the worst to watch most of the time. There is the odd exception (Boston vs Vancouver) but 90% of the times; those games are complete duds. Do the folks in LA want to see Carolina, Florida, or even Buffalo.... no they'd rather see the Sharks, Ducks even more than what they do.

Three unlikely playoff game changers

When it come to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s always the top line players who get most of the notoriety but deservedly so. But to every successful team you have to have the mockers, grinders and sometimes those who come out of nowhere. While the below players teams did not win the Cup, they did have either memorable individual performances whether it be one game or one entire series.

Matthew Barnaby

May 10, 1998; Game two between the Montreal Canadiens and the hated Buffalo Sabres. The Habs were looking for a split in Buffalo after dropping game one in overtime; but one pesky SOB named Matthew Barnaby had other thoughts. It would be his first NHL Hat rick as the Sabres rolled past the Habs 6-3. The mothers day three goal performance is one example on how a fourth line checker/enforcer made a difference in a Stanley Cup playoff game.

Steve Webb

For myself in my mind I keep going back to a 2002 first round meeting between the New York Islander and the Toronto Maple Leafs. To this day, (not because I’m a diehard Leaf fan) I must say that this series was the nastiest most hard-fought series I’ve ever seen.  While that series featured some of the scrappiest, dirtiest players from a decade ago like Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi, Shayne Corson, Gary Roberts, Eric Cairns, Dave Scathard and Jason Wiemer; the entire series took shape because of one little known fourth liner name Steve Webb.

Especially once the series got back to the Nassau Coliseum for game three, that is when Webb changed the complexion of the series. Was it his 3 shifts in game two; or knowing sooner or later he’d be a healthy scratch, no one will ever know. Webb’s ability shift in shift out to take the body, but most importantly very hard and clean, frustrated the Leafs into bad penalty after penalty. That one and only skill kept the Isles in the series, and brought the crowd alive like it’s never been.

Don’t believe me? Have a look for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ92U-yj9Ek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7f0RTedfSQ (go to 1 min 38 secs)

John Druce

In 45 OHL playoff games, John Druce had a whopping 6 goals and 10 assists (0 goals in his last 28 games). Imagine the surprise come the 1989-90 Stanley Cup Playoffs when he came literally out of nowhere and scored 14 goals, 3 assists in 15 games. This coming from a guy that scored 16 times in 93 regular season games.

Druce outscored team leaders Dino Ciccarelli, Geoff Courtnall & Dale Hunter; so much so the next leader in goals was 8 (by Ciccarelli).

Sens still outaged, goons go unclaimed, Canucks finally to be tested

  Can one be shocked by the outrage in Ottawa this week. Already missing Jason Spezza, Peter Regin, Milan Michalek and Guillaume Latendresse due to injuries; Wednesday’s injury to Norris defenseman Erik Karlsson for 3-4 months due the Achilles surgery cut the teams hopes a playoff berth in half. When one sits back and thinks about the consequences for the team, this easily could mean them losing millions of dollars(if they do not make the playoffs).

    Senators owner Eugene Melynk had a candid conversion with the Ottawa Sun. “I’m very upset, actually more than upset, I’m outraged that in this day and age this continues. It’s something that never should have happened. This player should never be playing in this league. It’s a league for elite players,” said Melnyk. “Get him in the Central League. He can be a $60, 000 a year guy playing pickup hockey there.”

    Melynk went onto say how he wants goons out of the league. “I’m on the record when Spezza got hurt and I said one day it’s going to be somebody’s else’s superstar and sure enough within 60 days Crosby got taken out.” What I find hypocritical is how recent the Senators employed Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka, and still employee Chris Neil.

    I for one agree with him sort of, I personally get sick of Matt Cooke and the Penguins keep saying it was an accident. It’s not the first nor last time we’ll hear this song and dance from the Penguins and Cooke.

“Goons” falling by the waste side

   This week was not a good week for one that likes the toughguy. Both the Oilers Darcy Hordichuk and Wild forward Matt Kassian went unclaimed on waivers. Hordichuk has been used sparingly this season and when he has played has been horrible. The writing was on the wall for Kassian when the Wild acquired Mike Rupp. 

One would assume Jody Shelley is due to be waived. The former Blue Jacket has played one game; but has seen as many as five players be recalled and play from the AHL farm team.

   The next tougher player to be on the way out could be the Flames visor wearing Tim Jackman. He’s been a healthy scratch this season, something he wasn’t all of last year. The main reason why he could be done sooner rather than later is continuous softness. Being down 4-0 after 1 period of play, Jackman continued to play a soft game, refusing to challenge Blues enforcer Ryan Reaves.

Canucks to be tested

    All the uproar in Vancouver these days is the return of Ryan Kesler and the team six game winning streak. The fact remains five of six wins have been versus the Northwest Division; (6-0-1 this season vs the NW). Nobody aside from the Canucks have made the playoffs for two years in the (NW). Against the Pacific Division they've gone 2-2-1, the next eight games starting tonight is against the Central and Pacific Division.

 

 

Blues & Wings struggling early

    At times this season it’s shocking to see how bad the Detroit Red Wings are defensively. For almost the entire 60 minutes Sunday versus the LA Kings, the Wings were completely schooled. From beginning to end they gave up 49 shots on goal, including 40 in the first two periods. The only saving grace they had was goaltender Jimmy Howard who’s finally finding his game this season. Even tonight versus St. Louis, again the Red Wings looked terrible at times. To say they’re missing defenseman Niklas Lindstrom is the understatement of the century.

Blues struggling and then some

    The same can be said the Blues, at times defensively they’re scrambling for their lives. Kris Russell looks more and more than a undersized minor league defenseman, compared to a six deman. Same could be said for young defenseman Ian Cole. But when it’s all said and done, goaltender Brian Elliott is looking like he did before he arrived in St. Louis. In 2011-12 he had a 1.56 g.a.a with a .940 save percentage, this season (in 9 games) he’s got a 3.57 g.a.a and a .849%; similar numbers to 2010-11 3.45 g.a.a and a .892%. He’s been so bad this year, Ken Hitchcock played third stringer Jake Allen instead of Elliott. 

Jets make two deals, Cookie at it again, Sens are in deep trouble

    The “Toronto Maple Leaf” experiment lasted all of 12 games. The Winnipeg Jets came into the season with a third line of Kyle Wellwood, Nik Antropov and newly signed Alexei Ponikarvosky. Earlier today the Jets acquired former Pittsburgh Penguin Eric Tangradi for a 2013 seventh round draft pick. Four hours later to make room for Tangradi, the Jets traded Ponikarvosky to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth & seventh round draft pick. When the Jets signed the Ukrainian left winger in the off-season it reeked of desperation, a far-fetched hope to finally find Antropov a linemate he can trust and play with. That like the acquisition of Tangradi will mean the Jets will need to keep searching high and low.

    Amazed is my reaction to anyone wanting Ponikarovsky. Did he play decent hockey with the Devils last year? Yes, but I also watched him the year before in Los Angeles were he looked liked the most disinterested play in hockey history. He most certainly will be an upgrade compared to Bobby Butler and or Jacob Josefson.

    “Cookie” at it again?

   Yes for the first time in a long time, another team is disgusted with Penguin forward Matt Cooke. Tonight in the Sens vs Pens game; Cooke & star defenseman went into the boards together, with Karlsson leaving the battle with a very serious cut on the back of him leg. He has to have surgery in his Achilles tendon, it would be safe to assume the Senators season (playoff lives) is more than in jeopardy. Tonight with 3 minutes left in the third period, Sens tough guy Chris Neil sort of went after Cooke; in obvious disgust. One would assume no suspension would be levied, to hard to tell if he did this intentionally. One could easily say Karlsson was the NHL’s MVP for the first quarter of the season. “Cookie” is far from an angel, known as one of if not one of the dirtiest players in the game.

Leafs to stand pat; Kadri, Frattin going nowhere

 

    It’s looking less and less likely that Roberto Luongo would be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Has the goaltending for the Leafs been great? Some nights yes, some nights no. But there is a few reasons why this trade will not occur. The Leafs have lost the depth up front they once had just after the lockout ended. They've traded Matthew Lombardi to the Phoenix Coyotes (to free up a roster spot), they waived and sent to the minors Tim Connolly. They then lost Keith Aucoin to waivers (claimed by the NYI), then Joffrey Lupul broke his forearm Wednesday and is out 6 weeks. After looking at the start that Nazem Kadri & Tyler Bozak have had.... guessing the Canucks wish they would have acquired them when they had a chance.

    If the Leafs decide on getting another goalie outside of the organization, look for it to be Jonathan Bernier from the LA Kings. The defending cup champs have a desperate need for defenseman, that is something the Leafs have more than enough of. But, the Kings are currently seeking a top four de-man; would the Leafs part with Carl Gunnarsson or John-Michael Liles? And would LA want either of those two back in return? It would be a forgone conclusion that Cody Franson wouldn’t be enough in return for the Kings to part with Bernier. In the offseason, the Kings could have got Matt Frattin and a draft pick; but like the Canucks option; the Kings now should regret not making the move.

    Would the Leafs want a 33 year old goalie with 10 years left on his contract;  not a chance. Would Bernier a major upgrade compared to the two Leaf goalies now? Bernier to me is more unproven then Andrew Raycroft, Leaf fans remember acquiring him years ago, in hopes of the former Bruin becoming “the goalie of the future”. It’s obvious the Leafs are going with what they have for the season. Keep in mind  there are free agent goalies like Nicklas Backstrom (starting goalie in Minnesota) & Jose Theodore who are available on July 1.

NHL reffing at an all time worst?

   Fictitious hit to the head; spears called then not called; players staying down until they get the call. This has been a less than banner season for the NHL referees thus far. More often than not, every day it seems like a questionable call is costing teams important points in the standings.

    David Backes gets nailed for five and a game, for a clear hit to the chest. That “penalty” led to the Blues losing a 4-3 game last week to the Red Wings. The next day the NHL rescinded the match penalty; because replays clearly show it shouldn’t have been called.

   Last night James Van Riemsdyk gets called for smothering the puck; when his hand was not four feet from the actual puck.

    Yet stars like Evegeni Malkin can two hands Marc Stall over the head; but no call? Johan Franzen spears David Perron, and then punches him in the head and again no call, yet all of the this happening right in front of the official.

   But tonight again a call for the ages; Corey Perry gets speared by Stephane Robidas (no call); after they scrap, Ducks tough guy Brad Staubitz spears Stars defenseman Brendan Dillion, (whom stays down) and magically it’s 5 and a game. But after the call; seconds later Dillion all of a sudden ok. I had thought bogus calls only took place in the British Columbia Hockey League, sadly I was mistaken.

     This doesn't even touch on the “protect the goalie crap”; more than good goals being called back for goalie interference; on a daily basis.  All four officials are to discuss as a whole; but this is certainly not the case. If a netminder is out of his crease, no call should be made.

    I hate to be harsh on today refs; but nobody can lie we haven’t recovered from losing veterans over the past few years. More than fair refs like Kerry Fraser, Bill Mccleary, Dan Marouelli and Rob Schick have all retired over the past few seasons. Who can we says have taken the torch? Marc Joanette, Tim Peel  or Chris Rooney? Is it just me or have today’s refs become more sensitive than ever or am I being to harsh?