Weekend Observations

On what's a great sunny Monday with near 60 degree Spring weather- a virtual miracle- rather than do recaps, I'm going to give some more observations on what's been going on. In no particular order:

1.The Rangers finally snapped a six-game winless streak yesterday by coming back from two early goals down to defeat the shorthanded Pens 5-3 at MSG. To say it was big is an understatement. Especially with Carolina and Atlanta closing in along with Buffalo. It may not have started out well but John Tortorella's timeout settled his club down and they responded by scoring five straight en route to their first win in three weeks. The best aspect was they scored three power play goals. Repeat. THREE POWER PLAY GOALS! Coincidence that Steve Eminger was back for Mike Del Zotto?!?!?!?! We kid. Ryan Callahan netted two of them. One on a redirect and the other on a quick shot from the left circle with Brandon Dubinsky screening Marc-Andre Fleury. Brian Boyle started the comeback with a nifty deflection of a Marc Staal shot. Vinny Prospal,who set up the goal also was the beneficiary of a nice Marian Gaborik feed for a slam dunk. Prosp continues to prosper since returning with two goals and an assist in five games. Gaborik didn't score but has been more active lately. A good sign. Artem Anisimov got the other PPG with Mats Zuccarello setting him up. If they really want to prove this isn't a fluke, then games Thursday and Friday against the Kings and Devils loom large.

2.The Islanders were hit hard, stemming from Friday's bloodshed with the league announcing the verdict after the club exacted revenge on the Pens highlighted by 15 fights, 10 game misconducts and 346 penalty minutes in their 9-3 rout. Not surprisingly, Trevor Gillies was suspended nine games for his dirty high hit that concussed Pens' rookie Eric Tangradi. His antics crossed the line as did goon Matt Martin who tried to sucker punch No.1 target Max Talbot. He gets four games. Nothing for Micheal Haley who had a memorable night taking on all comers including Brent Johnson before Eric Godard violated league policy by coming off the bench- earning a mandatory 10-game ban. The part that is mind boggling is that the Islanders were fined $100,000 while the Penguins zilch. How could that be? Even if the Islanders deserve a bulk of the criticism for going overboard in response to Talbot's unpenalized blindside hit that KO'd Blake Comeau four games and Johnson's one punch KO that put Rick DiPietro out over a month, it doesn't add up. Especially when Godard comes off the bench and double teams Haley. Shouldn't the Pens or possibly coach Dan Byslma been fined?

3.As for Mario Lemieux's statement:

“Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. But what happened Friday night on Long Island wasn’t hockey. It was a travesty. It was painful to watch the game I love turn into a sideshow like that. ... The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed. We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action. ... If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to rethink whether I want to be a part of it.”

Before I chime in on where Mario's wrong, let's first admit that yes he has a point about the league needing to be tougher in this area. The four-game suspension to repeat offender Matt Cooke was a joke. How does he get that after all the garbage he's pulled? Anton Volchenkov is a clean player and received one less game for an elbow. Could the suspensions have been longer? Sure. I could've seen 12 for Gillies and definitely feel Martin should've received at least double because it was a deliberate attempt to injure. I agree with why the Islanders were upset but feel you shouldn't break The Code to do it. Make Talbot drop his gloves first. If Super Mario's going to get on his high horse and criticize the NHL for how it handles these delicate situations, fine. But it would be refreshing if No.66 also came out publicly and ripped Cooke a new one for his blatant disrespect. That's not hockey.

4.As for the Islanders on the ice yesterday, what heart they're showing. They followed up a nine-goal outburst with seven more in another unpredictable 7-6 overtime win which hurt Buffalo in the standings. The Sabres have had trouble all year with their Kryptonite losing three of four to the club who they once traded star Pat Lafontaine to in exchange for Pierre Turgeon. Other players were involved including Uwe Krupp. In a game the Sabres needed two points in with Carolina winning late at Atlanta to move up to 62 points two behind the Rangers, instead it turned into another showcase for Michael Grabner. The emerging Calder hopeful followed up his first three-point game with the first hat trick of his career. The wiz kid who both the Canucks and Panthers let go now is tied with San Jose's Logan Couture for tops among freshmen with 24 goals following an exclamation point finish when he beat Ryan Miller for the third of the game on a fancy deke. He has a five-game point streak over which time the former Vancouver first round pick has a ridiculous nine goals and two helpers. The 23 year-old Austrian is showing why he was selected that high, finally getting the opportunity on Long Island. If nothing else, GM Garth Snow looks like a genius. Too bad we can't say the same for his foolish support of Gillies. Anyone could've had Grabner and now he's emerging into a legit finisher. Exactly what John Tavares, who notched his 21st, has needed. With Kyle Okposo (2-6-8 in 12 GP) rounding into shape and Matt Moulson (21 goals) proving last year wasn't a fluke, suddenly the Islanders can score. No wonder they're a point behind the sizzling Devils who are getting all the talk of a possible playoff miracle. Nobody is saying the same of the Islanders who remain without a true No.1 goalie with Al Montoya (12 saves) relieving rookie Mikko Koskinen for the victory. The Isles look to continue their torrid pace when they visit Ottawa tomorrow and return home for Boston Thursday.

5.Meanwhile, yesterday was a bitter pill for Ryan Miller to swallow. In permitting seven goals, the rating Vezina winner got testy with a couple of Buffalo News reporters who questioned whether confidence has become an issue. “Give me a break, they scored goals,” he said, after being asked how he felt by John Vogl. “I’m just frustrated.” Who could blame him? He has to start every game and play up to par for the Sabres minus Derek Roy to have any chance. Was it a bit out of character for the Team USA hero? Of course. But when reporters push buttons and even make foolish statements about how many instances he's given up four-or-more, it's not professional. Is the guy supposed to be happy after the weak attempt by Andrej Sekera that led to the winner? Lindy Ruff even second guessed not pulling him. But it's not like Patrick Lalime is insurance. Newsflash: Darcy Regier, this ain't '03 when Lalime was nearly good enough to best Martin Brodeur in the Conference Finals.

6.How about Drew Stafford. Three more goals Sunday including the clutch tying one that gave Buffalo a point. His fourth hat trick has him up to a club-leading 23 goals- one better than Thomas Vanek despite missing 18 games. Where would the Sabres be without him?

7.Buffalo has a tough back-to-back traveling to Montreal tomorrow and then returning to HSBC for the Maple Leafs, who are no picnic thanks to rookie netminder James Reimer and the hot trio of Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin. If they want to stay in the race, this is a big week.

8.It's too bad about Peter Forsberg, who needed only 35 minutes in his latest comeback attempt with the Avalanche to realize it wasn't going to work. Foppa announced his retirement today. In two games, he had no points and was minus-four. At 37, the time is finally right for Forsberg to call it quits. Even with all the injuries, we're still talking about one of the most talented players to ever play the game. Someone who was breathtaking to watch working his magic with the puck, Peter The Great will never be forgotten. It's a shame that the Cup winner and two-time gold medalist never got to really go out on his terms. All too ironic considering who he'll always be linked with in Eric Lindros, who suffered the same cruel fate. Sometimes, you wonder how they would've done if they'd stayed with their original teams before Lindros forced Quebec to trade his rights with the Flyers beating out the Rangers in an arbitration ruling that I remember like yesterday. And so, Lindros went to the City of Brotherly Love for a larger than life package that featured Forsberg, Matt Duchene, Kerry Huffman, Ron Hextall, Mike Ricci, Chris Simon, two first round picks (Jocelyn Thibault-later dealt to Habs for Patrick Roy, Nolan Baumgartner-traded to Caps) plus cash. One franchise still relocated to the Rockie Mountains becoming one of the elite winning two Cups ('96, '01) with the dynamic duo of Forsberg and Joe Sakic making the former Nordiques a contender. Both Lindros and Forsberg won the Hart but only one lifted Lord Stanley with the Big E taking the '97 Flyers to the Final before the Red Wings swept them. It was as close as he came. Forberg finishes with 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points with a plus-238 rating in only 708 games. By comparison, Lindros registered 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points with a plus-215 over 760 games. Amazing that neither ever reached 800. Sad too. Ironic that the production is so similar with Lindros breaking down more towards the end when he was a shell of himself post-lockout with Dallas and Toronto. Two great players. Will either make the Hockey Hall Of Fame???

9.How tight is the West? After top two Vancouver and Detroit, seven total points separates 10 teams vying for the remaining six with Dallas and Anaheim tied with 68 while Nashville and Phoenix have 67, San Jose has 66, Minnesota and LA are tied with 65, Calgary has 64, Chicago has 62 and rejuvenated Columbus has 61. Every year, the Western race is compelling with teams scrambling to make the cut. With so many still in the hunt, what does that mean for the trade deadline? How many teams will be sellers? In the East, the Devils are 9-0-1 in their last 10 with 48 points, still trailing eighth Carolina by 14. They meet twice this week. New Jersey believes they can do it. The Rangers are seventh with 64 while the Hurricanes have 62 with the Thrashers ninth at 60. Buffalo has 58 points and Florida has 55. Toronto also is in front of the Devils with 52 despite an OT loss that saw Ilya Kovalchuk go coast to coast for a thrilling decider last week. Even the Islanders at 47 have to believe they can make a push. Given how teams ahead have struggled, why not? That's why it'll be very interesting to see what happens as we get closer to February 28. A lot can happen in two weeks. Get ready!

10.Hart: 1.Steven Stamkos 2.Tim Thomas 3.Daniel Sedin

11.Vezina: 1.Tim Thomas 2.Carey Price 3.Henrik Lundqvist

12.Norris: 1.Nick Lidstrom 2.Kris Letang 3.Shea Weber

13.Calder: 1.Jeff Skinner 2.Logan Couture 3.Corey Crawford

14.Selke: 1.Ryan Kesler 2.Mike Richards 3.Brian Boyle

15.Jack Adams: 1.Barry Trotz 2.Guy Boucher 3.Todd Richards

16.Lady Byng: 1.Loui Eriksson 2.Martin St. Louis 3.Marian Gaborik

Finland blanks Czechs, Slovakia upsets Sweden

There will be a new Olympic champion in Vancouver. For the fourth consecutive Winter Games, the defending men's gold medalists were ousted in the quarterfinals. This time, Sweden was victimized by a hungry bunch of Slovaks, who never trailed in a 4-3 win, advancing to the medal round for the first time ever. They'll meet Canada, who should be a heavy favorite after dismantling Russia 7-3.

Nobody solved Henrik Lundqvist for seven-plus periods setting an Olympic record. But once Ranger teammate Marian Gaborik did via a nifty Marian Hossa power play set up, Slovakia had little trouble beating him on three consecutive shots, including a sweet Andrej Sekera finish off a two-on-one 37 seconds later for a quick 2-zip lead at Hockey Canada Place. Before Pavol Demitra's left point power play bomb steered them back in front during a wild second that featured five goals, Sweden struck for a pair also eerily 37 ticks apart.

First, a fluky bounce allowed Peter Forsberg to get the puck behind the net and center for Patric Hornqvist, who snuck a backhand one-timer past Jaroslav Halak. The same trio combined for a Henrik Zetterberg tally when the Red Wing star centered for a cutting Forsberg with the puck deflecting off a Slovak defender. Just like that, it was knotted with Sweden pressing for more. However, Halak kept them afloat with timely stops in an odd played game that didn't have many shots. In fact, after the Slovaks beat Lundqvist, they went a long stretch without taking No.12 which saw Demitra blast one thru traffic high glove late in the period, regaining the lead.

The Swedes blew a power play opportunity that carried over into the third. Having already made one glaring mistake earlier on the second goal, this time Nick Lidstrom got caught leading directly to a three-on-one the other way. A streaking Demitra dished across for Hossa whose bid was denied by Lundqvist but he couldn't stop Tomas Kopecky who put home the rebound for 4-2. But before they could get too comfortable, the defending champs came right back when Halak misplayed a puck leading to Nicklas Backstrom setting up Daniel Alfredsson in the slot slicing it to 4-3.

From there, it became a battle to run off the clock. Opting to play smart defensive hockey which burned them earlier in the match, this time the Slovaks did a better job forcing Sweden into turnovers and attacking when they could with diligent checking from Hossa, Gaborik, Demitra and Jozef Stumpel. They nearly iced it with a point blank chance that Lundqvist denied with a quick blocker. The Swedes came close a couple of times with the Sedins nearly working their magic but Halak was strong against the post. Slovakia even made it difficult for them to pull Lundqvist with him finally on the bench with 45 ticks left. One final shot from Lidstrom almost deflected right to a teammate in front but the buzzer sounded giving Slovakia its biggest victory.

In the other late quarter, Finland prevailed over Czech Republic 2-0 backstopped by Miikka Kiprusoff's 31 saves at a much quieter UBC Thunderbird Arena. Early on, the Finns struggled on special teams, failing to capitalize on three consecutive power plays. In total, they misfired on five man-advantages instead allowing an undisciplined Czech team to stay tied after 20 minutes.

The Czechs were sharper in the second testing Kiprusoff, who made a few strong stops including a sprawling one with his legs extended. The classic unorthodox style that's seen him win a Vezina for Calgary. Each country warmed to the task at the halfway point with physicality picking up along with a mixed bag in the stands that makes European games such a fun atmosphere. The teams took turns testing both netminders with Tomas Vokoun also looking sharp as the contest remained scoreless after two.

A turning point came when Jaromir Jagr had two pointblank chances to break the tie but was blocked once and then with Kiprusoff dead to rights, fanned on the shot. No.68, who was competing in his final Winter Games, got stronger as the game went on- being moved up by former '98 Nagano captain Vladimir Ruzicka to the top line with captain Patrik Elias and Tomas Plekanec. They nearly hooked up for the game's first goal when Jagr drew defenders on a three-on-two, passing to Plekanec who dished across for an isolated Elias, who from eight feet hit the side of the net. Afterwards, the Devil looked skyward in disbelief. Unfortunately, those missed opportunitied cameback to bite them.

In a game where the refs were content to let the players decide it, a bizarre Martin Erat clear into no-man's land wound up costing Czech Republic. Finland cashed in in even more bizarre fashion when a diving Pavel Kubina prevented a scoring chance in front. However, the Atlanta defenseman lost his helmet. A no no in IIHF competition. Instead of going to take Niklas Hagman, he had to go pick up his helmet behind the net.

"A player on the ice whose helmet comes off and continues to play without a helmet without going directly to the bench will get a minor penalty," the media guide states.

It allowed Suomi to push ahead with Hagman the beneficiary, neatly deflecting home defenseman Janne Niskala's left point shot. Teemu Selanne, who also is competing in his fifth and final Olympics, discussed at length the bizarre rule which helped his country advance to the medal round for a second straight Winter Games. In Torino, they took silver.

"We play in the NHL, so you don't remember [the IIHF rule] and the team is so focused and so into the game that it's almost impossible to remember that. On the safety issue, I think it's a good rule. Hockey-wise, it's a bad rule, especially in the NHL."

 "It was obvious, in the third period, that who scored first will win the game," added a disappointed Ruzicka who supported Kubina for conforming to the odd rule.

 Trailing by a goal with under seven minutes remaining, the Czechs searched for the equalizer but it never came with Kiprusoff making another awkward stop off a crazy redirect. Ruzicka pulled Vokoun early with still 100 seconds left. It backfired. Due to his team not having clear possession which was needed to get it deep, Mikko Koivu came the other way patiently going around a Czech defender before dishing to an open Valtteri Filppula, who clinched it.

"I got a little chill," Selanne noted of Jagr's glorious chance. Not surprisingly, an emotional beared Jagr buried his head on the bench after Filppula's gimme. "You give him five chances like that; he's going to bury four. You can see that he is hurt."



"It was good for us that he lost his helmet, but it's a stupid rule," Hagman explained of his eerie decider which frustrated Kubina. "I know they want to keep it safe. [But] you lose a helmet; you should let the guy play."

Instead, the Finns march on and will meet Team USA for another possible shot at Olympic gold.

Forsberg Back To The Future, McCarty back in MoTown

If you're an avid Back To The Future fan, then yesterday was your day when it came to the hockey scene as two former bitter Western rivals turned back the clock to a decade prior.





Back then, the best rivalry in the game was between the Red Wings and Avalanche featuring some epic playoff battles resulting in Cups for both franchises. Well, it's been a while since these teams had that sort of magic going. Maybe with yesterday's moves, they're trying to rekindle it in hopes of a big Spring.





First, former Colorado star center Peter Forsberg decided after all that he wanted to comeback, reversing course to re-sign with the Avalanche where he had his most success. It was there where Peter The Great became one of the best players in the league helping lead the Avs to their first Cup in 1996 and also being part of that second championship five years later even though he missed the final two series.



For a decade, Forsberg lit up the highlight reel teaming up with captain Joe Sakic to form a dynamic duo. Following the lockout, the Swede left the thin air for the Flyers where he played the last two injury riddled seasons due to a bad right foot.

Not long ago, it looked like a Foppa return to the NHL wouldn't occur because the 34 year-old pivot recently concluded that he wasn't where he needed to be for that to happen. Well, I guess a lot can change in a week. Especially when the Avs are waving lots of cash at their former superstar in the hopes that a less than 100 percent Forsberg will be able to get them back to the postseason after falling short last year.

Currently, the Avalanche rank 10th in the ultracompetitive Western Conference trailing eighth place Nashville by four points and the upstart Coyotes by one. The Blue Jackets are only a point in back of the Avs and five out while the Blues are six behind the Preds.

With 19 games remaining, Colorado is paying Forsberg a pro-rated one million for basically a six week rental. If it were a full season, he'd make five million.

It's certainly no guarantee that the Avs will make the cut but with Sakic finally healthy along with leading scorer Paul Stastny plus a motivated Forsberg, that should give them a leg up on the competition.

Colorado will visit Calgary later tonight and plays Vancouver twice in the next week. Plus the pesky Kings and defending champion Ducks. Certainly nothing easy about the upcoming schedule.

While the Avs are going Back To The Future, Doc Brown and Marty McFly also might want to make a visit to the Joe Louis Arena where the Wings will be welcoming back the comebacking Darren McCarty.

The 35 year-old former member of The Grind Line will get a second chance at the NHL after a battle with alcohol and drugs which left him bankrupt. The Wings gave him a tryout with the AHL's Grand Rapids and IHL's Flint Generals.

With the team struggling lately having dropped seven of eight due to a ton of injuries which has kept out Nicklas Lidstrom, Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios, Dan Cleary and Niklas Kronwall, Detroit GM Ken Holland decided his club needed to do something despite continuing to lead the league with 89 points (six more than red hot Dallas).

They'll hope the gritty and physical McCarty still has something left to reenergize the Original Six club who he once helped win three Cups with in 1997-98 and 2002.

At the very least, it should be intriguing to see how he fares. Wishing him the best of luck and hoping he makes the most out of this opportunity.


Boyle re-ups with Lightning: With the 3 PM deadline approaching, Tampa Bay and much coveted defenseman Dan Boyle decided they wanted to remain together. The Bolts and Boyle agreed to a brand new six-year contract extension worth a reported $40 million.

The 31 year-old has three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 17 games this season. During his nine-year NHL career with Florida and Tampa, the Ottawa native has tallied 76 goals and 203 assists for 278 points in 503 games.

Most of that production has come with the Bolts. In 374 games since GM Jay Feaster acquired him six years prior, Boyle has totaled 239 points (65-174-239). That kind of reliable production was a big part of the franchise's only championship in 2004.

He'll be continuing to run the power play and log big minutes instead of being dealt elsewhere.


Prospal To Flyers: The same day, Feaster also unloaded forward Vaclav Prospal to the Flyers in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a conditional 2009 draft pick.

The recently turned 33 year-old Prospal returns to where he began his NHL career a decade ago. After stints with Ottawa, Florida, Tampa, Anaheim and again Tampa, he's come full circle and will try to help the depleted Flyers make the playoffs.

After a disappointing 2006-07 in which he scored just 14 goals and 55 points with a dreadful minus-24 rating, the veteran Czech has bounced back with a strong season notching 29 goals, 28 helpers for 57 points in 62 contests with the Bolts.

With the Flyers' best forward Mike Richards sidelined due to a torn hamstring, GM Paul Holmgren needed to do something to upgrade his roster. This is a solid addition.


Jackman re-signed: The St. Louis Blues also made some news yesterday re-signing defenseman Barret Jackman to a four-year extension. The 26 year-old injury prone physical defenseman was thought to be on the block but instead St. Louis Team President John Davidson opted to retain him.

Following a solid 2006-07 in which he attained career highs in assists (24) and points (27) as well as got into his most games (70) since his rookie season, the British Columbia native has struggled. In 58 contests, he's 2-6-8 with 63 penalty minutes and a minus-12 rating.

One Blogger's Reaction: With Boyle and Jackman staying put, the defensemen to look for who could get moved later today are Buffalo's Brian Campbell, Toronto's Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle along with LA's Rob Blake.


We'll have more on the deadline at some point today as I'll be quite busy. Hope our other bloggers contribute to what should be a fun day!