the hockey thread

[capt. scotty]

Yes, no need to remind me Canadia won  :)

[Jaimoe]

Yes, no need to remind me Canadia won  :)

I was disappointed in the US's effort. The coaching staff is often to blame for the US's poor efforts over the years. This championship was no different.

[capt. scotty]

Big win by the Pens @ Chicago in OT...Malkin with a killer shot for a game winner. We def gave them way too many PP opportunities, and that almost killed us. But we still be the Hawks in Chicago without Crosby. HUGE win. Now we just need to replicate this in Dallas.

As for Kunitz, a ho-hum goal and an assist and looked very good all around, all game. Love this trade  :)

[capt. scotty]

Since Bylsma took over as coach, Pens are 5-1-1, and had their first win streak of at least 3 games since November. Big game tomorrow vs. the Lightning, and its even bigger that it appears because I think were something like 2-7-3 vs TB over the last 5 years.

And according to this article, the Pens have the 2 best prospects at wing in the Canadian junior leagues - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/allan_muir/02/06/canadian.juniors.mailbag/index.html

[Jaimoe]

Since Bylsma took over as coach, Pens are 5-1-1, and had their first win streak of at least 3 games since November. Big game tomorrow vs. the Lightning, and its even bigger that it appears because I think were something like 2-7-3 vs TB over the last 5 years.

And according to this article, the Pens have the 2 best prospects at wing in the Canadian junior leagues - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/allan_muir/02/06/canadian.juniors.mailbag/index.html

Yes, the Pens have turned it around just in time.

As for the prospects list, its interesting that he throws all the players into the mix, the top ones not drafted (Tavares, Hodgson) with the ones that are. Anyway, I don't know Casey Pierro-Zabotel's game, but he's leading the WHL in scoring - he didn't make the Canadian World Junior team, but its a tough team to make (Tavares barely made it last year); it's likely he was too slow for Team Canada scouts.  

BTW, remember the name Taylor Hall from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He's the favourite as the #1 pick in the 2010 draft. Let's hope your Pens aren't in the running for him next year.

[Jbones72]

Avery's back! I like the move, they should have never let him go in the first place. It's not going to change anything for this year, but they need a guy like him.

http://rangers.nhl.com/

[capt. scotty]

Pretty slow on trades so far, but theres still a little over a half hour left. Olli Jokinen to Calgary is the only real big move so far. I think if he regains his form of the past, and I think will on a line with Iginla and Cammalleri, this makes Calgary almost as good as SJ and the Wings, I just think their defense isnt as good as those 2.

Pens just got Bill Guerin and all they traded away was a conditional draft pick, 3rd rounder tops. Since they didnt really lose anything I love the move.

And how about Chris Kunitz?!!?!? Hasnt even played with Crosby yet since hes been injured, and he has 5 points in 3 games, all of which were wins.

We be looking good. I wouldnt want to play us in the playoffs, which Im pretty sure well make after acquiring Guerin and Kunitz

[Jaimoe]

Pretty slow on trades so far, but theres still a little over a half hour left. Olli Jokinen to Calgary is the only real big move so far. I think if he regains his form of the past, and I think will on a line with Iginla and Cammalleri, this makes Calgary almost as good as SJ and the Wings, I just think their defense isnt as good as those 2.

I'm a big fan of Calgary's D. They may not always show it in the regular season, but their D is built for the playoffs. They are a bunch of mean game-breakers, especially Phaneuf and Regehr. I like the deal for Ollie. He's a pretty hard-nosed player and he can score.

[capt. scotty]

Pretty slow on trades so far, but theres still a little over a half hour left. Olli Jokinen to Calgary is the only real big move so far. I think if he regains his form of the past, and I think will on a line with Iginla and Cammalleri, this makes Calgary almost as good as SJ and the Wings, I just think their defense isnt as good as those 2.

I'm a big fan of Calgary's D. They may not always show it in the regular season, but their D is built for the playoffs. They are a bunch of mean game-breakers, especially Phaneuf and Regehr. I like the deal for Ollie. He's a pretty hard-nosed player and he can score.

I like Regehr and Phaneuf, and Phaneuf is very good offensively although hes had a bit of a down year, but the main reason I dont like their D is because I think they give up wayyy too many shots. If it wasnt for Kipper, they would undoubtedly have at least a handful more losses.

Their D is tough, but they give up many more shots and scoring chances than SJ and especially DET

[capt. scotty]

Pens are on FIYA!!! 4 game winning streak now I think and 7-1-1 under new cooach Dan Bylsma (hopefully they take the interim out from before his title as head coach).

4-1 domination of Florida. Fleury looked about as good as he has all year and made some nice saves. Crosby had a highlight reel goal and Tyler Kennedy played a great game. Our 3rd line of Cooke-Staal-Kennedy has really been playing great.

Figures since it said they werent sure if Jokinen was going to play tonight, I sat him on my fantasy team for Jarret Stoll who doesnt even have a SOG after 1 period. Jokinen got 2 goals in his Flames debut and they dominated Philly.

2 weeks ago I never thought Id say were only 4 points behind 4 seed Philly right now.

[Jbones72]

I like the Rangers moves, they defiantly have a big test Sunday!

[Jaimoe]

I like the Rangers moves, they defiantly have a big test Sunday!

Good luck with Antropov. He's fragile for a big man and he's never lived up to his potential. I've disliked his game since the day he was drafted.

[capt. scotty]

I dont think the Rangers really improved all that much. Derek Morris was probably the most overrated guy who was traded and you had to trade Prucha and Dawes to get him

[Leontheslut]

In Flyers related new Danny Briere hurt his vagina again!

[Jbones72]

I dont think the Rangers really improved all that much. Derek Morris was probably the most overrated guy who was traded and you had to trade Prucha and Dawes to get him

the fact that they are both free agents after this year is what i liked. also i wasn't upset  to see prucha and dawes go, they had too may of the same type fowards. they are both free agent's so at least you got something for this year for them. if they make a run with these guys fine, if not let them go after the season.

[capt. scotty]

Pens had a huge win today, beating Washington @ their place 4-3 in a shootout with Crosby netting the gamewinner. First time we beat the Caps this year in 4 tries, and we just went 5-0 on our 5 game road trip.

No Petr Sykora today either, but this time is just playing lights out. 8-1-1 since Therrien was fired.

Oh yeah, Billy Guerin had a point and 2 assists today as well. 4 pts in 2 games with the Pens.

Bring on Florida on tuesday!!!  :D

[capt. scotty]

Evgeni just broke Florida with the GWG in the shootout.

Really, it shouldnt have even gotten to OT, Pens dominated them. The SOG disparity was crazy, I think it was 50-21 Pens. 2 of Florida's goals were pretty lucky ones as well. No Petr Sykora once again, but they didnt miss a beat. The 3rd line looked very strong with Staal getting robbed of a goal and Kennedy all over the place.

Heres the shootout. Letang made a nice move, but Malkin undressed Vokoun, who was the only reason Florida even made it to OT

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJPvaot6654[/media]

[capt. scotty]

Another big win for the Pens sunday afternoon. Boston had only lost 1 game all season after leading after 2 periods, they were winning 3-2 in this 1 after 2, but the Pens come back and win it 6-4. Best thing about it was Fleury got a day off and we still got 2 points.

I said I loved the trades for Kunitz (who had his 2nd career hat trick) and Guerin (who had a goal and 2 assists), but I didnt think they'd make this big of an impact. I really get the feeling from Guerin he'd take a slight discount next year to stay in the Burgh, but I might be kidding myself.

I believe we moved into 5th place in the East also.

[MickeyReds]

In Flyers related new Danny Briere hurt his vagina again!

poor baby

[capt. scotty]

Ovie got his 50th goal tonight (along with ESPN basically calling him King Arthur) and Malkin had a 5 point game on tuesday. Since the Pens were off tonight, I think Malkin has about 10 more points than Ovechkin.

Maybe Im biased, but I think the race for the Hart Trophy is neck and neck with Ovie and Geno. If the Pens end up with a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs, I actually think Malkin deserves it.

Each player has their reasoning, but if Malkin maintains a double digit point lead, a double digit better +/-, and the Pens end up with a 4th/5th seed, I dont see how he doesnt win the Hart

...and who votes on the Hart Trophy and such exactly??? This has been a big question the last few days that I havent found out exactly.