NHL season thread

[CMJ]

Season begins tonight. My Sabres are gonna be tough to beat this year, unless the crappy new jerseys affect them. In a way I hope we don't win this year, cuz that means I'll have to buy stuff the the slug on it.

[JMK]

Those jerseys really are weird looking. But I suspect they will be easier to look at when your team is sitting at #1 or 2 in the conference, which is where I expect them to be.

As for my team, I expect them to be a lot like last year's edition. Looking like world beaters one night, and bottom feeders the next. They'll fight for their playoff lives, but I think they'll manage to squeak in. Unless an injury comes along to one of their major players, then it's over.

I can't wait for this season to start, and I especially can't wait to see how Crosby & Ovechkin mature. There have NEVER been so many good young players in the league and there should be speed and skill to burn in almost every and any game you tune in to watch.

[CMJ]

I think Carolina will be pretty good this year after they get healthy. But they're starting the year off pretty banged up. Not that I expect them to truly contend for the Cup, but they have alot of expereince and will be tough come....December/January.

[JMK]

Yeah, but they lost a lot of key players from the Cup run. Weight, Recchi, Ward (Aaron), Cullen, and a couple others too.
On the plus side, they'll have Cam Ward for the whole year. Eric Staal has emerged as a stud, Erik Cole should be around all year.

The thing that kills me about the Canes....the traded blue chip prospect Jack Johnson to the Kings for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger....decent players, at least in Gleason's place, but holy cow...to lose a can't miss talent like Johnson is mind-boggling. People in the hockey world are still shaking their heads on that one.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

The Avs face off against the Stars tonight - we'll see how we do with our new team. :uhoh Thank God we managed to keep Joe Sakic, and :( about Konawalchuk.

[CMJ]

It's fun watching the squad play in blue and gold again(not to mention take the early lead). But I still hate that new logo. It sucks.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I thought it was supposed to be a Sabre toothed tiger until I got a better look at it. It isn't too bad, but I liked the old ones better. The gold on the buffalo in the logo is weird. :p

[CMJ]

The old school ones from 10+ years ago are the best. But I coulda been quite happy with them turning the previous ones we had from Black/Red/White to Blue and Gold. That woulda looked sharp.

The Buffalo slug is awful. I'm not gonna buy anything with it - unless we win the Cup and I have to.

Bring back the old one!!!

http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/50/8f/7175879p623138reg-resized200.jpg

[JMK]

They're using the one from 10+ years ago as the 3rd alternate jersey IIRC.

Good start for the Sabres - seems like they're going to pick up where they left off.

The Leafs looked poor. Sure they generated some chances but for the most part they were not able to keep up with Ottawa.

Word is Theodore had a terrible training camp, but he looked solid last night...until he gave up a couple quick goals, then eventually the game winner. I won't miss him. ;)

[CMJ]

Miller was terrific. We're gonna be on TV several times this season looking at the schedule. Guess that run to the Eastern Conference did some good.

[JMK]

Yeah, successful playoff runs are funny like that. ;)

I wonder if Carolina is going to get the same sort of exposure?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Avs went down in overtime again tonight after rallying to tie the game with 2 minutes left in regulation! There was much tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth over here. ;)

And say what you want about Theodore, every goalie looks good until he gives up the game winner. :rolleyes

[JMK]

Aren't you glad 1 point is awarded for an overtime loss?

I'm going to have a lot of things to say about 'Open door Theodore' this season. ;) This guy's contract is already ruining the Avs. Don't let the pretty face fool ya, he's a cancer.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I like the team, but I'm not going to defend their every move. If Theodore is a handicap then we'll have to work harder defensively to make sure not as many pucks go his way. And harder offensively to put more points on the board in regulation!

[JMK]

Nice weekend for the Habs. 3 out of 4 points on the road.

What a game Friday huh Court? I was on my way to Toronto during the game, but I was able to pull in Buffalo's radio signal with about 12 minutes left in the 3rd. What a barnburner!

Then we go in to Toronto and win with a comeback shootout victory. Beautiful!

[CMJ]

Yeah, I'm cautiously optimistic about our start so far. We've had some real tight contests that we've won.

Still despise the logo.

[JMK]

Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder about that logo too. It really does look like a slug with horns. I've heard nothing but terrible opinions of it. I doubt they'll keep it beyond this season. That's why I love the original 6 teams. There's only so much deviation that can be allowed before there's a riot. The biggest change was when the Rangers put the statue of liberty on their jersey. I didn't find it that bad, but apparently the rest of the world did.

The worst of all time has to be belong to the L.A. Kings circa 1997. My girlfriend's dad gave me a bunch of cards that he found on a construction site and I nearly puked. I'm pretty much a hockey fanatic and I didn't even remember these jerseys. They were just awful.
http://mall.ballparks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2797
It's the jersey second from the right in the picture. And believe me, it looks FAR worse when you see it on a player. In a way you should be glad the Sabres have what they have.

[JMK]

Habs get 5 out of a possible 6 points on their season-opening 3 game road trip. I'll take that, even though they are behind last year's pace of 6 out 6 possible points. ;)

[CMJ]

Wow, the Sabres sure know how to win the shootouts don't they?

[JMK]

So LD, how is Theo looking these days?

I saw his putrid act on saturday night and apparently last night was even worse. He's cost the Avs 4 points already (some argue even more than that), and considering they're going to be in tough just to make the playoffs, those 4 points will come in pretty handy at the end of the year.

Thanks for Aebischer though. We'll gladly take his NHL leading 1.44 goals against average. ;)

[CMJ]

Wow we looked great tonight.

[JMK]

As great as the Sabres are (they don't just look great, they ARE great), the Flyers are just that bad. Did you see Afinogenov blow around Hatcher? The whole Philly team is slow footed, and Esche sucks the bag.

On the other hand, the Canadiens are still one of a handful of teams that have not lost a game in regulation time yet. Though I suspect that streak may come to an abrupt end tonight in Chicago.

[CMJ]

Did you see Afinogenov blow around Hatcher?

It was the #3 play on Sportscenter. ;) Not to mention the game was televised here. :D

[JMK]

Sweet! It was a great play. That friggin guy scares me. In years past he was always flashy and fast and dangerous, but he had no ability to finish a play. Now he's starting to develop that, and I'm hating him for it. :)

[CMJ]

I thought the streak was gonna end tonight Kyle. Sorry about that.

[JMK]

Nah...the game ended exactly as I predicted it would. I was pretty sure the Habs were ripe for an emotional let down tonight after saturday night. Looks like I was right. I thought the Canadiens were the better team until Huet gave up that softie. Ah well.

[CMJ]

Well I figured WE were ripe for the picking. And yall are so tough at home normally, I thought this was a trap game. Now I have no clue how far we'll go. The record seems possible now.

[JMK]

The Habs WERE tough at home...when they played at the forum. I don't know what their record is since they've moved, but it's not very impressive.

I think this Buffalo team will take the record, I just don't see them slowing down. If Drury isn't carrying them one night, it's Afinogenov. If neither of them are doing it it, then Briere is around. And if Briere ain't up to it, guys like Kotalik step in...and of course there's Miller, who's the best goalie in the league right now.

As for last night, I could feel the energy just leak out of the arena last night after that first goal. Those are devastating, especially against a team like the Sabres.

[CMJ]

If I recall correctly, you had the best home record last year.

[JMK]

Not even close.

Here are the teams, by division in the order that they finished at the end of the regular 82 game season, but I gave the point total for home records:

New Jersey 57
Philly 50
New York 56
Long Island 43
Pitt 30

Ottawa 61
Buffalo 57
Montreal 52
Toronto 55
Boston 42

Carolina 64
Tampa 52
Atlanta 52
Florida 55
Washington 39

Detroit 59
Nashville 65
Columbus 46
Chicago 38
St Louis 30

Calgary 64
Colorado 56
Edmonton 46
Vancouver 56
Minnesota 48

Dallas 58
San Jose 57
Anaheim 57
Los Angeles 53
Phoenix 42

By my count, that makes 16 teams with more points earned at home. A number of teams were also tied with Montreal last year. So we were in the bottom half of the league in terms of success at home.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Yeah yeah, Theodore looked horrible in Montreal last week. :x Peter Budaj is playing much better than Jose, and I think our team plays better in front of Budaj than they do Theodore.

[JMK]

That's because they have LOST confidence in Theodore. They're not picking favorites - Sakic wouldn't allow for that sort of nonsense to happen in his dressing room. But there's an instinctive confidence that runs through a team when they have confidence in their goalie. I saw the same thing last year. It was night and day when Theodore and Huet were in net. The Avs are much better off playing Budaj and running with him until he proves he can't do it.

[CMJ]

We tied the record! One more to go and it's ours. :D

[JMK]

Don't get too excited Court - check this out, you should like this since you're a big believer in historical trends: There have been 5 teams that have started out 8-0 or better in NHL history. None have gone on to win the cup that year. The closest was the 34-35 Maple Leafs who started the season 8-0 and lost in the Cup finals. But it should be noted that there were only a handful of teams back then.

Still, it's encouraging for the Sabres, and I hope they lay claim to the record, because currrently it belongs to the 92-93 Maple Leafs, who won 10 straight.

[CMJ]

Eh, the postseason is a crap shoot - I know that. In fact we're doing a bit too well right now, I'm sure we'll collapse under the weight of expectations come playoff time. But let me enjoy the Presidents Trophy. :)

[JMK]

Ooohhh you're a bold one! Claiming the President's Trophy already! You may be 10-0 (20 points), but Atlanta has 17 points, and Minnesota, Dallas and Anaheim all have 16. The Sabres have been perfect and they're still only 3-4 points ahead of the curve. :p

[CMJ]

Ooohhh you're a bold one! Claiming the President's Trophy already! You may be 10-0 (20 points), but Atlanta has 17 points, and Minnesota, Dallas and Anaheim all have 16. The Sabres have been perfect and they're still only 3-4 points ahead of the curve. :p

If we beat Atlanta in the next one, yes I'll call the President Trophy after 11 games. ;)

[JMK]

If you beat Atlanta, I think it will be a while before anyone beats the Sabres. They get the Bruins & Leafs back to back after that, and should have no problem steam rolling them. Though division matchups are unpredictable. The only divisional thing you can predict is that the Sens are going to knock the snot out of the Leafs. :D

[CMJ]

The Sabres board is already thinking 18-0 is possible if we get by Atlanta.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

That's because they have LOST confidence in Theodore. They're not picking favorites - Sakic wouldn't allow for that sort of nonsense to happen in his dressing room. But there's an instinctive confidence that runs through a team when they have confidence in their goalie. I saw the same thing last year. It was night and day when Theodore and Huet were in net. The Avs are much better off playing Budaj and running with him until he proves he can't do it.

Yeah, I don't think they're playing favorites, just I know that a team can simply play better in front of a different goalie, subconsciously or consciously who can tell? Theodore was a great goalie - didn't he get league MVP? But whether he can be one again or not remains to be seen.

[JMK]

Yes, he won the Hart trophy (MVP) and Vezina trophy (best goalie) in the same year. But he hasn't been the same since. It also bears mentioning that the year he won those 2 awards was - surprise - a contract year. And he scored a big fat 3 year deal. When that one expired, he had 1 good season, one mediocre (at best) and one horrendous. He was given another 3 year deal, which is in the 2nd year right now. He was awful in the first year, and doesn't look any better this year.

[JMK]

Streak's over dude. 1 goal away from setting the record. Bummer.

[CMJ]

Eh, it's okay. At least we played a whale of a game in defeat.

[JMK]

And there's still a goose egg in the regulation loss column. :)

[CMJ]

And we win the President's Trophy!

[JMK]

Good luck in the playoffs. I'll be rooting for the winner of the Sabres/Isles series to win it all.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

ONE POINT out of the playoffs!! :shakefist Damn those Flames! :headbash

[JMK]

They simply waited too long for Theo to snap out of his funk which never happened. The Canadiens snuck in last year by a point or 2 because the coach who refused to sit Theo was fired, giving Huet the chance to carry the team.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Budaj carried us. :) He's awesome!

[JMK]

Yeah Budaj was solid most of the season, good enough for them to make an impressive run. You can also give a good amount of thanks to Stastny - he's going to be incredible. In the end though, a poor defense and Theo's crappyness in the first half meant that the Avs had to be perfect in the second half, and that's too much to ask any team, never mind a team full of young kids and weak defensemen. I think Brisebois' contract is up, so that will only help you! :)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

And, we never should have traded Tanguay (spelling?) to Calgary. :shakefist

[CMJ]

Solid game last night. Three to go....

[JMK]

I think you should aim higher.

15 to go.

[CMJ]

I think you should aim higher.

15 to go.

One series at a time my friend. The other 12 can't happen if the first four don't.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Interesting trivia: the Canucks called up Jannik Hansen to play in the playoffs - last year he played here in Portland for our WHL team. He's awesome. :thumbup

[CMJ]

I was surprised the Stars were able to suck it up and win tonight. I figured they'd be emotionally out of it till Game 3.

[CMJ]

Sabres looked slow tonight(how does that happen?). Islanders were way more motivated than us, and it showed. Honestly they outplayed Buffalo by more than one goal.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

The Pens game was terriffic. I'm rooting for them this year. :):thumbup

[CMJ]

Sabres up 3-1. :)

[CMJ]

Sabres win! :D

[Wyl Staedtler]

God I am so behind this year. :( I do know that we (Canucks) lost our last game. :verymad

[CMJ]

One down, three to go.

[JMK]

Dude, just stamp your ticket for the eastern final already! The Rangers don't have a prayer. Now against Ottawa, your hands will be full.

[CMJ]

I don't write anyone off....

[CMJ]

Two down, two to go. :D

[CMJ]

Dude, just stamp your ticket for the eastern final already! The Rangers don't have a prayer. Now against Ottawa, your hands will be full.

Yeah right.

[JMK]

Bah, you aren't in trouble until you lose in your own building. I bet the Sabres score at least 4 in game 5.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

That last second shot in the Sabres/Rangers game tonight was totally a goal. I don't see how it couldn't have been called one. :shakefist

Back to Buffalo for the next game!

[JMK]

It probably was a goal, but there was no video replay that was 100% conclusive. I'd be pissed if I were a Sabres fan, but the right call was made based on the rules. I wish they would throw a 'common sense' clause in to that rule because I'm sure that puck was in.

[CMJ]

DRURY and AFINOGENOV!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JMK]

Boy, too bad Drury and Briere are free agents huh? ;)

[CMJ]

We'll keep Drury and lose Briere.

[JMK]

Presto! A berth in the conference finals vs Ottawa. That should be a GREAT series.

[CMJ]

I'm looking forward to it. :D

[CMJ]

Senators looked fantastic in Game 1.

[JMK]

They've been incredible so far in the playoffs. This could be their year. I've feel that the Sabres are good enough to beat ANYONE, but they really haven't brought their 'A' game to the post season yet. The Sens have really stepped it up, and if they get to the cup finals, the only duo that can stop them is Niedermayer and Pronger.

[CMJ]

Great game by both squads. But we're toast now.

[JMK]

Yeah, it's pretty much over. I can see Buffalo coming back, but it's a long shot. Ottawa looks possessed. They really want to shed the playoff choker label.

[JMK]

Now it's over. I can't believe how badly Buffalo has been stricken with a case of Ottawaitis. Sure the Sens are a great team, but to flame out like this? Wow.

[CMJ]

I'm just hoping we don't get swept at this point.

[JMK]

What a turn in Sabres fans spirits. I was hoping for a classic series, instead it's been total domination by 1 team. These 2 squads have completely switched demeanors from last season when Buffalo destroyed Ottawa. Go figure.

[CMJ]

At least we avoided the sweep. Let's take Game 5 and make this a series!

[JMK]

You had the sense that game 4 was going to be Buffalo's night. From the complacency that had probably set in with the Senators, to the early Buffalo goal, to all the posts the Sens hit, I definetly had the feeling that the Sabres were going to take this one. If the Sabres can manage to take #5, the Sens may have a problem. Old phobias may set in, and the pressure will begin to mount. Then we will see what the Sens are made of.

[CMJ]

I think HSBC might will Buffalo to victory in Game 5. Senators in six(even with their phobias). Hell, I'll take it...at least we'd go down fighting.