NHL Wrapup: The state of the offseason
NHL Hot Stove Editor Brandon Macdonald takes a look in to the news and events that have taken place during the 2010 NHL offseason.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Chris Pronger, Columbus Blue Jackets, Donald Fehr, Fantasy Hockey, Henrick Sedin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Ken Hitchcock, Marc Savard, NBA, New Jersey Devils, NHL, NHLPA, Phoenix Coyotes, Roberto Luongo, Sidney Crosby
Southeast Division Draft Recap
NHLHS Los Angeles Kings Correspondent Mike Murangi discusses the Southeast Division in his draft recap. Mike is a self proclaimed prospects expert and shows off his skills.
The Southeast had only one team qualify for the play-offs in 2010. Strange, because the division owns two Stanley Cups with the Lighting in 2004 and the Hurricanes in 2006.
Categories: Around the League, Atlanta Thrashers, By Teams, Carolina Hurricanes, Eastern Conference, Florida Panthers, NHLHS Features, Southeast, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Eric Stall, Evander Kane, Martin St.Louis, nhl draft, NHL Entry Draft, Nicklas Backstrom, prospects, Semyon Varlamov, Steven Stamkos
Hall, Seguin or Spezza? Oilers face decisions
The 2010 NHL entry draft is fast approaching and will be starting June 25th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles; the buzz around the Edmonton Oilers is rapidly heating up.
Not only has there been great debates on whom the Oilers should take albeit Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin but since a leak broke out about Jason Spezza being on the block along with his 7 Million dollar cap hit through 2014-2015 has sparked rumors aplenty across NHL nation this last week.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Edmonton Oilers, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew Cogliano, Boston Bruins, Cam Barker, Cam Fowler, Chicago Blackhawks, Dave Bolland, Dennis Wideman, Edmonton Oilers, Evgeni Malkin, Jason Spezza, Jonathan Toews, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Ottawa Senators, Patrick Kane, Ryan Smyth, Sam Gagner, Sheldon Souray, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin
Halak-ing into the Semi’s
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens Correspondent Christopher Nardi breaks down the overall thoughts from the Habs first round series which they wrapped up last night against the Washington Capitals.
When Montreal began the series with Washington, it was obvious that the number one seed in the league just didn’t have what it takes to beat the Canadiens. The Capitals, with the number one powerplay and the most goals scored in the league really had nothing on the team who’s penalty kill clicked at exactly 83%, good for 12th in the league and who had scored on average, 2.56 goals/game, ONLY 1.26 goals/game less on average than the Caps.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Northeast, Pittsburgh Penguins, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Hal Gill, Jaroslav Halak, Jose Theodore, Mike Green, Nicklas Backstrom, Semyon Varlamov
Karma Police… Arrest This Man… This Is What You Get… When You Mess With Us
Next on Sports Psychosis, MD: Sports Paranoia: What to do when your players want to blame inferior play and losses on league conspiracies, inept officiating, flying reptiles, fish and/or men (we're assuming men?) in bright neon costumes that climb the sin bin like spider-man without the power or responsibility. The truth, though no one will admit it or give the LA Kings respect for it, is that they have dominated the Vancouver Canucks in net, special teams (and no the Kings have not been favored in power plays given) and, well heart. So the Vancouver Canucks took to that adage - if you can't beat them, beat the shit out of them. And I suppose that is fine, if you are going to kill off your penalties. But-- um... pssst..... boys.. yeah you... with the Greenmen... you missed a spot...
Categories: Around the League, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Ryan Smyth, Sidney Crosby, Wayne Simmonds
Habs Hit Hard at Home
NHLHS writer Christopher Nardi takes a look at the happenings from game three between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals. Game four happens tonight.
It was the first home game of the fairy tale Canadiens, returning to Montreal with a very unexpected win in game one of the series against the wrecking ball that is the Washington Capitals. Expectations were very high for this team, and it could be heard from the 21,273 fans, or shall we call them referees, filling the seats of the Bell Centre Monday evening. The fans knew that their team could score goals, just as they had in their previous 6-5 OT loss in Washington, and the fact that they had blown a two, and then one goal lead in the third period was nothing to fret, Jaroslav Halak was in nets!
Right?
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Eastern Conference, Montreal Canadiens, NHLHS Features, Northeast Tags: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alexander Ovechkin, Andrei Kostitsyn, Boyd Gordon, Brendan Morrison, Brian Gionta, Brooks Laich, Carey Price, Jaroslav Halak, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Matt Bradley, Mike Green, Scott Gomez, Semyon Varlamov, Tom Poti, Tomas Plekanec, Washington Capitals
NHL Conspiracy Theories: Allegations and Facts
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Conspiracy Theories regarding certain NHL teams as fans, players, and even coaches are getting into the act.
NHL fans are a passionate lot, and the postseason seems to magnify the emotions of even the most casual of fans.
But it seems that some extremely passionate supporters are becoming paranoid, especially when they appear to be looking through glasses that are in the shape of their rooting interest’s logo.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Playoff Coverage Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Malkin, gary bettman, Henrik Sedin, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Roberto Luongo, Sergei Gonchar, Sidney Crosby, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Down One…
The Capitals have lost their first game of the quarter finals and I’ve had a number of Capitals fans walk up to me searching for answers. I’m never one to sugarcoat hockey, and I won’t start now.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Jose Theodore, Mike Green, Seymon Varlamov
Follow The Underdog, Hold On His Collar Tight- Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads!
Follow the underdog, hold on his collar tight
-Kaiser Chiefs- Off With Their Heads (2008)
This is the song of the blog <and part of the next> because I think it is just that fitting.. plus the name of the cd it is from.. HEH. <save the line that ends the blog>
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Christian Ehroff, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Pittsburgh Pen, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Smyth, Scuds, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Simmonds
Looking Forward & Back…
NHLHS writer Jodie Smola gives her take on the regular season of the Washington Capitals and what it means heading into the post season.
As I write this I’m watching the Caps last regular season game, I’d like to take a look forward as well as back for the season.
First and foremost, I’m left wondering how much Alexander Ovechkin is thinking about how those suspensions have impacted his final scoring stats for the season. Think about it, would the great #8 have to absorb so many minutes today if he’d had those games back? I think he probably thought about it a lot before this game.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Southeast, Washington Capitals Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Jose Theodore, Semyon Varlamov
Canucks Clinch NW Division Crown
With a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, the Canucks clinched their 2nd straight Northwest Division title and their 3rd in the last 4 years.
Ryan Kesler opened the scoring at 5:02 of the 1st period with a short-handed goal with assists going to Sami Salo and Alex Burrows. For Burrows, that was his league leading 7th shorthanded point of the season.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Alexander Edler, Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen, Cody Almond, Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Niklas Backstrom, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Sami Salo
Carcillo Faces NHL “Justice” Today
Once again the bell tolls at noon time for an NHL player facing a disciplinary hearing with Colin Campbell for an unacceptable on-ice act.
Today’s hearing is for an all-too familiar face in this type of situation, namely Daniel Carcillo of the Philadelphia Flyers. Carcillo appears on the carpet for an incident involving David Clarkson in Sunday night’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Eastern Conference, NHLHS Features, Philadelphia Flyers Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Brian Campbell, Cam Janssen, Daniel Carcillo, David Clarkson, Matt Cooke, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Tim Gleason
Henrik Sedin gets points 100 and 101 in Canucks loss
Our wonderful duo that comprise I-5 Canucks discuss Henrik Sedin and his excellent season which puts him in the running for a scoring title.
Although the Vancouver Canucks came up short in their effort tonight against the San Jose Sharks, Henrik Sedin became the first Canuck player to reach 100 points since Markus Naslund did it on this day in 2003. The assist also made Henrik the first player in the NHL this season to reach the 100 point plateau.
Henrik got his 100th point of the season after Alex Burrows scored his 34th of the season on a shot that dribbled past Evgeni Nabokov to open the scoring. Henrik picked up his 2nd assist (and 101st point) on the Canucks second goal, a power play marker by brother Daniel Sedin. Unfortunately that was all the magic they could muster as they ran out of time.
Henrik ends the night with a 3 point lead over Alex Ovechkin. Only time will tell if he’ll be able to maintain his lead, as Ovechkin has been in a bit of a slump and is due to break out anytime.
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Nabakov, Henrik Sedin, Markus Naslund, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks
Henrik Sedin Takes NHL Scoring Lead With Canucks 4-1 Win
Henrik Sedin assisted on the first 3 Canucks goals and had his 31st multiple point game of the season as he became the NHL’s leading scorer with 99 points. He now has a 1 point lead over Alexander Ovechkin who had an assist in Washington’s 4-3 shootout win over Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
There was a lot of discussion tonight on TSN about the Hart Trophy and the fact that Henrik is a legitimate contender for the trophy even though Ovechkin and Crosby are the popular choices. While Ovechkin has 45 goals, the Capitals continued to win even when he was out of the lineup. The Canucks would not be where they are without Henrik’s consistent scoring this season, even while Daniel Sedin was out of the lineup for 18 games.
With 8 games left after tonight, Henrik still has a shot at catching Pavel Bure’s team record of 110 points set during the 92-93 season. If he keeps up his current pace he’ll end up with 110 points.
Andrew Raycroft gets the win in goal for the Canucks and it’s also the first time a healthy Roberto Luongo has not started at home since Jan. 11, 2008. The Canucks also tie Chicago for the most home wins with 27.
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew Raycroft, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, Sidney Crosby
3 Reasons Why It’s Time to Scrap the Shootout
As the National Hockey League finally takes steps in a positive direction regarding “head shots” and the penalties that should be levied against offenders, it’s time that the powers that be take care of another hot button issue.
It’s time to get rid of the shootout as a way of deciding regular season National Hockey League games…and here are 3 reasons in support of it’s abolition:
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Darren Helm, Evgeni Malkin, Jarome Iginla, Teemu Selanne, Zach Parise
