Archive for March 8th, 2009
SUNDAY’S GAMES AND PICKS
For in depth look into the NHL teams records and preview of tonight’s games please go back to the “Home Page” on Hockey God, at the bottom lower left hand side:
Click on “Scoreboard” and review every game by clicking in the individual games being played on Sunday.
Today’s Picks
BOS @ NYR: Take RANGERS
COL @ CHI: Take BLACKHAWKS
PHX @ NYI: Take ISLANDERS
PIT @ WSH: Take CAPITALS
CGY @ ATL: Take FLAMES
MTL @ DAL: Take STARS
MIN @ ANA: Take DUCKS
SUNDAY’S HOCKEY HITS
HAT TRICK HAPPY IN THE NHL
Saturday’s games went wacky in the NHL as four different players in four separate games scored hat tricks in a very high scoring slate of games.
None more different than Columbus Blue Jackets star captain Rick Nash who scored all three unassisted which is unheard of having potted his 29-30-31st of the season. All the more crazy is Nash scored them against last years Stanley Cup winner Detroit and it’s the second hat trick of the season for Nash vs Detroit-wow!
Also Carolina Hurricanes fresh of the trading deadline where they landed former Cane Erik Cole and put him on a line with Eric Staal drove home 4 of his own Saturday against Tampa Bay in their 9-3 drubbing.
Staal seemed totally rejuvenated back playing with Cole who also came back like he was never gone and never missed a beat playing for his former team with 4 helpers on the night. Staal scored numbers 25 through 28 to now assure himself of breaking 30 plus again this season after his 4 goal, 2 assist night.
For New York Islanders who are now playing mostly kids in their lineup and surprisingly beating teams got a hat trick from Sean Bergenheim, who got his in a huge beat down against one of the leagues best teams and goalies to make it all the more special. Islanders pounded Marty Brodeur and his Devils 7-3 which is sure to make Devils coach Brent Sutter beside himself.
Florida’s David Booth couldn’t have chosen a better time to pace his Panthers to a win with them in a very tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Booth with his three goals helped put the Panthers ahead of the Montreal Canadiens in points in the East with 76.
Also on this crazy NHL night these players all netted two goals each for their respective teams.
Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson & Nick Foligno scored two each in their win over the playoff chasing Buffalo Sabres. Also with two for the Boston Bruins was newly acquired veteran Mark Recchi who put home two of his own in Boston’s win over Chicago.
Others with two goals on Saturday were Flyers Joffrey Lupul and David Backes for the Blues. Columus’s RJ Umberger in Detroit along with last nights game at the ACC where Edmonton’s Kyle Brodziak netted two of his own in the 4-1win over Toronto. To finish of the amazing goal scoring machine night was Canes Tuomo Ruttu.
TAMPA COACH TOCCHET TO GET EXTENSION ?
Rick Tocchet who was hired as interim coach to take the place of fired broadcaster Barry Melrose will word is receive a three year contract with the Bolts.
Just when you think the organization will actually get some stability in their crazy upside down season someone throws fire on the blaze. Reports that Tocchet was being extended a contract was premature according to the GM.
Lightning GM Brian Lawton has shot down reports that Tocchet was already guaranteed to be the coach next season.
After Tocchet replaced Melrose on Nov. 14 he slowly turned around the teams concept. Tampa Bay is 21-32-13 under Tocchet this season.
“All those reports are premature,” Lawton said . “Rick’s done a good job, but it’s premature.”
“Rick’s had a real calming effect,” Lawton said. “I like what he’s doing. This is his first opportunity to be a head coach and he’ll be judged on his body of work.”
All of this after rumours of trading away the franchise in Vinny Lecavalier and the mishandling of the development of first year forward Steve Stamkos.
Perhaps the worst comments coming from the recently traded veteran Mark Recchi who said he has seen so many things this season playing for Tampa that he has NEVER seen in all of his years combined in the NHL, in terms of how the organization runs. The one bright spot according to Recchi was the coaching of Tocchet.
WILSON DEALS SMART
I have always thought that Sharks GM Doug Wilson was among the smartest managers in the entire league. But this latest trade combined with the trade he made before the season to fleece defenceman Dan Boyle from the Lightning.
On the deadline Wislon managed to land very useful parts with former Stanley Cup experience winners Travis Moen & Kent Huskins. Obviously the key to the deal is Moen who was a key part of the Ducks win two seasons ago and adds that all important grit element to Wilson’s playoff roster.
Wilson was trying to land Senators soon to be free agent tough gritty Chris Neil when he switched gears and made the deal with the Ducks. Watching the Sharks last night I firmly believe that them and the Canucks will be the two teams in the West you will have to go through to get to the Cup.
Detroit’s goaltending this season is not good enough and unless one of either Chris Osgood or Ty Conklin wake up and start to play much better the West will belong to Sharks or Canucks this season.
CHERRY RIPS ON . . .
HNIC between period loud mouth Don Cherry often says some patriotic things and some things about the game that I agree with.
But ripping on Washington star Alex Ovechkin for having some character and over celebrating after scoring goals is ridiculous to say the least.
Cherry is over the top at times and Ovechkin as I have said before breaths life into the game and is the best player in the league whether Cherry or anyone else likes it or not.
But now last night he took a run at the current owner of the Caps Ted Leonsis for I’m still not sure really why? Something about signing Jagr years ago! It’s laughable and although I totally agree with Cherry’s stance on fighting and visors and things of that nature but to cut up an Owner like Leonsis is just dumb.
Instead of going out to watch minor hockey like Cherry brags that he does, stay in and watch a game in Washington and see how that crowd reacts to its team and the atmosphere that was created by the Caps owner. The team is good, the owner is good and the only thing standing in their way of a championship may be their GM and a goaltender.
Just when I shake my head about Cherry’s comments, he lays down the comment that hockey reporters know nothing about the game and I find myself agreeing with him again. Ha ha this is why he is no matter what . . . entertaining on Saturday nights.
GERBER BACK ?
Toronto’s new tender Martin Gerber who played real well in his first game back to the NHL seemed to go back to the goalie Leafs fans will remember.
Last night he made several solid stops before allowing two softies between the legs albeit on breakaways. Gerber is a big guy and covers a lot of net but is prone to soft goals like last night and that’s why the Sens gave up on him, it’s really that simple. Toronto can only hope that he continues this trend in the net so they can possibly have a chance at a lottery pick this summer.
Staying with the Leafs please tell me that defenceman Mike Van Ryn is not turning into the new traded soft as butter Carlo Colaicovo, as Van Ryn was injured again Saturday night.
For Hockey God I’m Dave Frost
