FTS - 2/11/08

JAWSTON
(Photo Credit: AP)

The Sharks bite the Bruins late to win the battle of the best in the NHL

This was billed as "the game of the year" so far going in to it. It had so many storylines...Joe Thornton playing back in Boston for the 3rd time since THE trade, the best record in the West vs. the best record in the East, the first top team in the NHL this season vs. the current top team. The first two periods lived up to the hype. Milan Lucic scored twice in the 1st period off of rebounds and had the B's up 2-1 heading in to the intermission. They would play to a stalemate in the 2nd period behind great goaltending from both Evgeni Nabokov and Tim Thomas. The Boston "blood in the water" would start to show in the 3rd period as Patrick Marleau (27th of the season), Milan Michalek (15th of the season), Joe Thornton (13th of the season), and Mike Grier (10th - empty netter) would beatdown the Bruins for the 5-2 win (Rob Blake scored the other Sharks goal on the PP in the 1st period). "They're a darn good team, probably one of the best we've played this year," said former Bruins captain Joe Thornton. "If the power play was on a little bit more it would have been a different game," Thornton added. "They're a good team. (The Bruins PP went 0 for 4). "We play fast, we play big. They came out really strong and we didn't have too many answers. I think the second half of the game, the ice kind of tilted." This was the first time this season Boston had lost by more than two goals.

I think last night's game showed that the West is still the stronger conference in the NHL. I'm not saying the West is clearly stronger than the East, but the West is better top to bottom than the East. In the West, other than the Blues, every other team still has a realistic chance of snagging a playoff spot (although the toe-tag is being made for the Predators). In the East, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, the Islanders, and Ottawa are clearly not going to be playing past early April. I'm not officially declaring this yet, but it looks like the Stanley Cup will be in either Detroit or San Jose.

ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...

-The Islanders (16-31-6) held a 2-1 lead heading in to the 3rd period, but Kings (24-21-7) winger Alexander Frolov potted his 22nd goal of the season (on the power play) to tie the game at the 6:41 mark of the period. In the shootout, D Jack Johnson scored the lone goal to make the Kings 7-1 in their last eight games. The Isles have registered a point in just 10 of their last 30 games and haven't beaten L.A. at home since 1998.

-Another rookie goal posted a shutout in Columbus (26-23-5) as 22-year old Dan LaCosta made 31 saves for his first career shutout in his second career start as the Blue Jackets beat the Avalanche (25-28-1) 3-0. Andrew Murray, Jason Williams and Frerik Modin were the three scorers for Columbus.

-Gary Roberts drew first blood for the Lightning (18-25-11), but that would be the end of the day for Tampa Bay as the Thrashers (19-31-5) beat their division rivals 3-1. G Kari Lehtonen made 40 saves and Slaza Kozlov scored his 18th of the season early in the 2nd period for the game winner.

-The Florida Panthers (26-19-8) rallied from a 4-1 deficit midway through the 3rd period to beat the Maple Leafs (20-24-10) in overtime 5-4. Winger Richard Zednik scored the game-tying and game winning goals on the one year anniversary of suffering a scary laceration ins his carotid artery in his neck. Toronto RW Niklas Hagman had two goals in the loss.

-Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg each had two goals and an assist and Marian Hossa scored his 31st goal of the season (PPG) to lead the Red Wings (36-11-7) past the Predators (25-26-3) 5-3. Red Wings D Brian Rafalski chipped in with three assists while Joel Ward scored two goals for Nashville in the loss.

-Mats Sundin scored twice to help lead the Canucks (25-20-8) in a come-from-behind road victory over the Blues (22-25-6) 6-4. Ryan Kesler added a goal and an assist and D Kevin Bieksa added two assists. Blues C Patrik Berglund

OTHER HEADLINES

-Less than a week after being placed on the injured list, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky's season is over due to an upcoming surgery on his injured labrum. The 32-year old will have surgery on his injured right labrum on Thursday. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Robert Balyk in Edmonton. Visnovsky hurt his labrum last Tuesday in the third period of Edmonton's 3-1 home ice loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Visnovsky had eight goals and 23 assists in 50 games this season.

-St. Louis Blues forward Paul Kariya underwent successful surgery on his right hip yesterday. The procedure comes just a month after the 34-year old had surgery done on his left hip. He is scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2009-10 campaign. Kariya played in only 11 contests this season, last seeing the ice in a November 5 game against Anaheim. He had two goals and 15 points this season. The 14-year veteran has scored 384 career goals with 946 points in 914 games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis.

-Sean Avery is one step closer to making MSG his home again:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=266456&lid=sublink07&lpos=headlines_nhl

When Sean Avery wasn't resigned by the Rangers, I applauded the move. My theory was that he was beginning to wear his welcome out in the Rangers locker room. With legends like Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan not returning, there was no one in the locker room that Avery would listen to, and keeping him around would be a recipe for disaster. Well, it's mid-February, the Rangers look like ass (I'm calling a spade a spade there), and they lack any sort of heart or effort on the ice. Avery brings toughness on the ice and he's going to be a jolt in the locker room one way or the other, and the Rangers need that. The New York fans love him, Avery has always said (even before becoming a Ranger) that MSG is his favorite place to play, so why shouldn't the Rangers take a chance. I've officially eaten my words on the Rangers letting Avery go.

RUMOR MILL

-Despite the rumors and strong lobbying from pal Ales Hemsky, don't expect Jaromir Jagr to be signing with Edmonton anytime soon. If you think the KHL is going to let

TONIGHTS ACTION:
%Washington @ NY Rangers - 7PM
NY Islanders @ New Jersey - 7PM
Chicago @ Atlanta - 7PM
Ottawa @ Buffalo - 7:30PM
San Jose @ Pittsburgh - 7:30PM
Colorado @ Minnesota - 8PM
Phoenix @ Dallas - 8:30PM
Montreal @ Edmonton - 10PM
Calgary @ Anaheim - 10PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern

*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out Mondays

~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays

TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM

H5L5 / FTS - 2/10/08

HIGH FIVE/LOW FIVE

The Dallas Stars are soaring in the Western Conference right now
(Photo Credit: AP)

In lieu of the PLUS/MINUS Column, we're going to debut H5L5. The five hottest teams and the five coldest teams in the league and why.

HIGH FIVE

Boston Bruins (39-8-7 - 85 points)
They have the best record in the league, they are playing smart hockey, and have won six of their past eight (the two losses came in overtime). While they are playing great hockey, it's not like they are playing over their heads. This Bruins team is legit and they could make Boston titletown again if they continue whats been status quo for them all year long.

Dallas Stars (26-19-7 - 59 points)
Talk about addition by subtraction. The Stars lose Sean Avery and make a ridiculous push in the standings that now has them 5th in the West. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. In those eight wins include victories at Detroit, vs. Calgary and a 10-2 drubbing of the Rangers. Look out Western Conference, because the Dallas Stars that played Detroit tough in the Conference Finals last year looks like they are back.

New Jersey Devils (34-17-3 - 71 points)
The Devils are the story of the year in the NHL this season. They lose probably the best goalie ever for a good chunk of the season and manage to get great goaltending from Scott Clemmensen. Winger Zach Parise has provided a big offensive punch on a team that's used to winning games 2-1. Brendan Shanahan has provided a big boost to the 4th line and the locker room. What does GM Lou Lamoreillio have up his sleeve for the trade deadline?

Washington Capitals (34-16-4 - 72 points)
G Jose Theodore has finally settled in to the starting role and has looked like a starting goalie over the past month. Washington has won 7 of their past 10 (one of those losses was in OT to the Bruins) and are fortunate enough to play in a division where two of the league's worst teams reside. We all know the Caps are an offensive juggernaut, but they are starting to win low-scoring games, and that should scare the rest of the East.

Los Angeles Kings (23-21-7 - 53 points)
Yes, THOSE Los Angeles Kings. I wrote in FTS earlier this year that they were exceeding expectations and would play hard but wouldn't be a playoff team. Well, we're in the middle of February and the Kings are only three points out of a playoff spot and two games above .500. While I still don't think they'll make the playoffs this year, but GM Dean Lombardi is building something special in the Staples Center.

LOW FIVE

Phoenix Coyotes (24-25-5 - 53 points)
My oh my how the tides have changed in Phoenix. It seems like that we were talking about the Coyotes rise through the Western Conference standings just two weeks ago. Now, after losing six in a row, they sit in 13th place in the West (but only three points out of 8th). With the current financial situation of the Coyotes, it will be interesting to see what the Great One and GM Don Maloney does to try and right the ship and remain cost-effective.

New York Rangers (29-20-5 - 63 points)
If you're a Rangers fan, the five game losing streak (0-4-1) comes as no shock to you. The Rangers have been playing mediocre hockey for months but only know is it showing on the scoreboard and in the standings. Expect a big change (besides the whole pending Sean Avery acquisition) with the roster and, potentially behind the bench. Head Coach Tom Renney changes lines combinations way too frequently and, I know he's a mild-mannered guy, but get pissed once in awhile and see if the team respods to that. The Rangers were worried about advancing past the 2nd round of the playoffs coming in to the season...they may not have a playoff season to worry about at this rate.

Montreal Canadiens (29-19-6 - 64 points)
It looks like Les Habitents are paying the karma penalty for their fans stuffing the ballot-boxes at the All-Star game. They've lost 8 of 10 (bizarro Dallas Stars). Losing Robert Lang will hurt this team more than people realize, but the Canadiens will bounce back and be fine.

Ottawa Senators (18-25-8 - 44 points)
I think it's safe to call the Senators the most dysfunctional team in the league. They've lost four of five and can't seem to get in to any sort of rhythm. Expect a firesale at the deadline with Jason Spezza being the big ticket item.

Vancouver Canucks (24-20-8 - 56 points)
While Vancouver has won two in a row and still hold on to the 8th spot in the West, they had lost 9 in a row (0-6-3) before that. Things don't get easier for the Canucks with only two home games remaining in February.

ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...

-G Scott Clemmensen made 27 saves, LW Zach Parise had two goals, and Bobby Holik drew first blood as the Devils (34-17-3) handed the Rangers (29-20-5) their 5th straight loss 3-0. With the win, the Devils move to one point behind the Capitals for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference.

-The Canadiens (29-19-6) dominated the 1st period behind goals from Matt D'Agostini and Tomas Plekanec, but the Flames (31-18-4) would dominate the last two periods and get goals from six different players in the game to win 6-2. Calgary snapped a four game losing streak thanks to goals from Mike Cammalleri (28th of the season), Matthew Lombardi (SHG - also had two assists), Dion Phaneuf, Dustin Boyd (SHG), Rene Bouque and David Moss (PPG) all chipped in for the Calgary win.

OTHER HEADLINES

-The St. Louis Blues signed centre Andy McDonald to a US$18.8-million, four-year contract extension Monday. "The St. Louis Blues realize how integral Andy is to the future of our organization," team president John Davidson said. "He's a top-line centre who will play a major role in the development of our team." The 31-year-old McDonald is in his eighth NHL season. He has missed the past 35 games with a broken left leg, but practised Monday and could play Tuesday when the Blues host Vancouver. In 16 games before the injury, he led the Blues with 18 points, including six goals and 12 assists. "I've been really itching to get back in," McDonald said. "I feel like now I'm at the point where I can contribute." McDonald has 20 goals and 54 points in 65 games with St. Louis since he was acquired from Anaheim in the middle of last season. He was part of the Ducks team that won the 2007 Stanley Cup. In 456 career games, McDonald has 112 goals and 201 assists for 313 points, along with 206 penalty minutes.

-Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith is suffering from post-concussion syndrome but is expected to return to action within the next week. "We were hopeful that Mike's symptoms would clear sooner and they haven't, so we're taking a conservative approach with him making sure he is 100-percent before he returns to the ice," said Lightning executive vice president and general manager Brian Lawton. "Although Mike would prefer to be skating and playing right now, the appropriate course of action is to err on the safe side." The 26-year-old will continue to work with the team's medical staff on a regular basis on the rest, recovery and rehabilitation process. Smith hasn't played since a 6-1 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on January 30. Acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline last year, Smith is 14-18-9 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 41 games for the Bolts this season.

-The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping rookie goaltender Steve Mason will return to the lineup Friday night. Mason, who has missed the last two games while battling mononucleosis, has been on injured reserve while trying to rest and regain his strength. Mason practised for an hour and 15 minutes on Monday. Coach Ken Hitchcock said the club's goal was to get Mason ready to start on Friday night at home against the Detroit Red Wings. Dan LaCosta was called up to start Saturday's 3-2 overtime win against San Jose. LaCosta will start tonight against Colorado.

-The NHL named it's Three Stars of the Week:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=266460&lid=sublink07&lpos=headlines_nhl

RUMOR MILL

-The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Blackhawks winger Cam Barker (they are alos interested in Flyers D Jay Bouwmeester, but who isn't)

-The Edmonton Oilers are looking in to the possibility of acquiring Antoine Vermette from Ottawa

-Avalacnhe winger Milan Hejduk could be heading to the Atlantic Division. The question is if it's the Rangers, Devils, or Penguins.

-The Sabres will throw their hat in to the Erik Cole sweepstakes (what a great fit for the team and city) but would look in to Tyler Arnason as a fallback.

TONIGHTS ACTION:
%Sharks @ Bruins - 7PM
Kings @ Islanders - 7PM
Avalanche @ Blue Jackets - 7PM
Thrashers @ Lightning - 7:30PM
Maple Leafs @ Panthers - 7:30PM
Red Wings @ Predators - 8PM
Canucks @ Blues - 8:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern

*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out tonight

~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays

TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM

FTS 2/9/09

DATSYUK DOUBLE

(Photo Credit: AP)

Datsyuk scores twice to lead the Red Wings past the Penguins

In a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup finals, the Red Wings (35-11-7) won on the ice they clinched the Cup on thanks to two goals from Pavel Datsyuk in a 3-0 shutout over the Penguins (26-24-5). Marian Hossa's homecoming was a sweet one for him as he scored the 2nd goal of the game on a hard backhand shot from way out in the slot. Hossa was booed loudly whenever he stepped on the ice during the first two periods, and some in the sellout crowd of 17,132 once chanted, "Traitor, traitor." Another Red Wing making a return visit was G Ty Conklin, who made 25 saves for his sixth shutout of the season (18-7-1). The Penguins, two points out of the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, lost their fourth in six games and Sidney Crosby was held to one shot for the game.

ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...

-The Philadelphia Flyers (28-15-9) won their 14th straight against the Atlanta Thrashers (18-31-5) 3-2. Jeff Carter scored his 33rd and 34th goals of the season (also had an assist), winger Joffrey Lupul had a goal, and LW Scott Hartnell had two assists. Antero Niittymaki made 29 saves in the win.

-Mikko Koivu scored the shootout winner and Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom made 28 saves (including all 4 shooter in the shootout) to help Minnesota (27-22-3) over the Oilers (26-23-4) 3-2. Eric Belnager and Antti Miettinen (SHG) each scored to helpthe Wild win their 9th straight game over Edmonton at the XCel Energy Center.

-Brad Richards had a goal and an assist and Marty Turco made 25 saves to help Dallas (26-19-7) to a 4-1 win over Nasvhille (25-25-3). The Stars are 11-1-1 in their last 13 at home and 9-2-2 in their last 13 overall. Both teams were playing their fourth game in six nights.

OTHER HEADLINES

-Buffalo Sabres all-star Thomas Vanek will be sidelined three to four weeks after having surgery Sunday to repair a fractured jaw. Vanek, whose 32 goals ranks third in the league, was hurt in the first period Saturday night in Ottawa after being struck in the face by a slapshot by Senators defenceman Anton Volchenkov. "He was in a lot of pain," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. "The teeth got pushed up a little bit." The injury comes just as the Sabres appear to be hitting their stride. They've won two of their last three, and are 11-5-1 in their last 17 games to move into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of eighth-place Carolina. Vanek had played in a team-high 225 consecutive games. The four-year pro has only missed one regular season game since the Sabres selected him with the fifth overall pick in 2003, and that was when he was a healthy scratch against Toronto in April 2006 during his rookie year.

-Boston Bruins right winger Michael Ryder will be sidelined indefinitely with a small fracture to the nose/eye area. Ryder suffered the injury when he took a high stick to the face during Thursday's 4-3 shootout win in Ottawa. Doctors haven't ruled out surgery as a possibility to repair the damage. "It's a small fracture, so he's out indefinitely," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien. "It needs to be determined whether he can play with a shield, or how far it needs to be looked into." Ryder will be evaluated again on Monday. Ryder has 19 goals and 17 assists in 52 games this season for the Bruins.

-The Columbus Blue Jackets have put rookie goaltender Steve Mason on injured reserve retroactive to Feb. 4 because he has been sidelined with a viral infection. The 20-year-old starter was diagnosed with mononucleosis on Jan. 29, though the Columbus medical staff believe he'd had it for weeks. He and backup Wade Dubielewicz sat out the Blue Jackets' 3-2 overtime victory against San Jose on Saturday because of illness, and Dan LaCosta making his first NHL start. Mason opened the season with Syracuse in the American Hockey League, but has shot to stardom in Columbus, leading the NHL with seven shutouts in 34 games. He has a 2.09 goals-against average, ranking him second in the league, and a .923 save percentage.

-The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired forward Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Wade Brookbank, defenceman Josef Melichar and a fourth-round draft pick in the 2009 Entry Draft. "Jussi is a skilled, two-positional player that can be used in all situations," Hurricanes President and General Manager Jim Rutherford said in a release. "He will add depth to our team at an important time of the season." Jokinen, 25, has scored six goals and earned 10 assists (16 points) in 46 games this season with Tampa Bay. The 31-year old Brookbank has played in 27 games this season, posting one goal and 40 penalty minutes. The 33-year old Melichar has four assists in 15 games this year.

-The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned rookie defenseman Alex Goligoski to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. The 23-year-old blueliner has tallied six goals to go along with 14 assists in 44 contests with the Penguins this season. His points total leads all rookie defensemen and he is fifth among first-year players with eight power play points (four goals and four assists).

-The groups for the 2010 Olympic men's hockey tournament are set. Germany and Norway were the final countries to secure a place in the event Sunday, each winning qualifying tournaments to get in. The Norwegians will play in Group A at the Olympics along with Canada, Switzerland and the United States. Norway is one of the top Winter Olympic nations in history, but has not qualified for an Olympic hockey tournament since hosting the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer. Former NHLer Patrick Thoresen had a hat trick on Sunday as Norway beat rival Denmark 5-3 in Oslo. The victory secured a trip to Vancouver. Germany was already assured of qualifying before registering a 2-1 win over Slovenia in Hannover. The Germans will play in Group C along with Sweden, Finland and Belarus. Group B will feature Russia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Latvia. The Olympic tournament begins on Feb.16, 2010.

RUMOR MILL

-With the loss of winger Thomas Vanek, the Sabres have jumped in to the Erik Cole race

-D Scott Niedermayer's name is coming up in some trade rumors. Montreal, New Jersey, Philly, or staying in Anaheim are the popular teams

-Look for the recently waived Blues G Manny Legace to be heading to Detroit or Columbus.

-Sources have confirmed to TSN that the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL will likely be the destination for Sean Avery's return to professional hockey. But at this point, the New York Rangers and their top minor league affiliate have yet to finalize an arrangement with the Dallas Stars to provide a home for Avery in the event he clears waivers on Monday. Assuming an agreement is reached with the Stars, Avery would clear waivers and Dallas would assign him to the AHL. The forward isn't expected to report to Hartford before Tuesday. The Wolf Pack will host the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday.

TONIGHTS ACTION:
NY Rangers @ New Jersey – 7PM
%Montreal @ Calgary – 9PM

*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out tonight

~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays

TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM

DROPPING THE GLOVES w/ ANDREW BOGUSCH - 2/5/09

(Before we get to Andrew's column, I just want to apologize for the lack of blogs this week. I started a new job this week - producing The First Word with Gary Williams on Mad Dog Radio on Sirius XM Radio (Sirius Ch 123, XM Ch 144). If you're looking for a morning all-sports talk show, this is the show to be listening too. Oh, and I've been back and forth to eye doctor's all week because I had a guitar pick accidentally thrown in my eye by James Hetfield at a Metallica concert on Sunday. All of that being said, FTS returns on Monday)

Is it time for Senators GM Bryan Murray to go?

We should all enjoy the same job security Senators GM Bryan Murray does in Ottawa these days. His team woke up Wednesday morning at 17-25-7. Those 41 measly points are good for 13th in the Eastern Conference. Since November 19, 2007, the Senators are 44-57-15, including last year’s first round sweep at the hands of the Penguins. That for a team that compiled 105 points in the 2006-07 season, then went 12-3 en route to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Monday, Murray canned head coach Craig Hartsburg, whom he hired last summer to replace himself…after firing John Paddock in the spring. Cory Clouston is the fourth head coach in Ottawa in less than two seasons. Yet, owner Eugene Melnyk still employs Murray. He has now swung-and-missed on two coaches and failed himself to salvage the end of last season. And it was Murray who let Ray Emery hijack last season. Instead of sending the disgruntled goalie home, he let Emery spoil the locker room by showing up late for practices and getting into scuffles with teammates.

It was Murray who over-committed financially to Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. They are still a fairly dangerous duo, but have failed to lift this team out of its doldrums. We’ve written in this space more than once that Spezza should be moved to fix Ottawa’s depth issues. A trade is difficult, though, with his cap hit at $8 million over the next five seasons.

It was Murray that miscast Martin Gerber as #1 goaltender. And it was Murray who allowed a deep and talented blueline to disintegrate. The coaches certainly deserve some of the blame for failing to get the most out of this roster. There is no reason the Senators should not have or be close to a playoff spot right now. However, we can only point our finger at them for so long. It’s time for Murray to follow Paddock and Hartsburg out the door.

* * *

The Shootout…Our apologies to the Los Angeles Kings, whom we wrote off for dead in last week’s playoff predictions when in fact they were just four points out of the postseason picture as of Wednesday morning. A playoff berth might not happen, but Dean Lombardi’s rebuilding plan is working well…

Gary Bettman told NHL Radio’s NHL Live Friday that warm-weather locales like Las Vegas were not being considered for the next Winter Classic. Chief Operating Officer John Collins floated that possibility during All-Star Weekend, but the Commissioner says the League will focus on member cities with the appropriate climate. Thank whichever god you root for – the Winter Classic should be held in every League city before someplace like Vegas is considered…

Finally, congratulations to Adam Graves on having his #9 retired by the Rangers Tuesday night. Graves is one of the best men you could meet and is a hockey player in the truest sense of the term.