Michael Frolik recorded three points on a goal and two assists, and David Booth netted the game-winning goal as Florida snuck past Philadelphia, 3-2, at BankAtlantic Center.
Bryan McCabe tallied the other goal for the Panthers, who picked up their first home win since January 10 and stopped a two-game losing streak.
Tomas Vokoun was strong, making 33 saves for the win.
Simon Gagne and Claude Giroux tallied for the Flyers, who had beaten Florida in Sunrise, 3-2, in a shootout on January 16.
Martin Biron stopped 24 shots, but lost for the third time in as many starts.
Panthers defenseman Karlis Skrastins committed a hooking infraction with just under two minutes remaining in regulation but play was not halted until 1:23 remained. On the delayed call, the Flyers pulled Biron, kept possession in the Panthers' zone, then after the whistle, skated 6-on-4 for the rest of the contest.
However, the visitors didn't have more than a couple scoring chances and one good shot on the advantage and the home team escaped with the victory.
The Flyers got the game's first goal at 10:44, as Mike Knuble backhanded a pass from the left wing which caromed off Gagne's skate at the side of the net and slid in.
McCabe evened the score with 5:26 to play in the first, jumping up to create a 3-on-2 and sticking a wrister through at the near post.
Frolik gave the Panthers their first lead of the game 7:43 into the second when his wraparound from the right side deflected off Philly backliner Matt Carle's stick and slid through Biron's pads.
Booth added a power-play marker on a deflection from Keith Ballard's point shot with 8:10 left in the period for a 3-1 Florida lead.
Giroux netted his first career tally off a feed from Darroll Powe only 1:51 into the third period to cut the Flyers' deficit to one, then Philadelphia had a potential game-tying goal wiped out a short time later.
A little more than 6 1/2 minutes in, defenseman Randy Jones dished to Mike Richards in the right circle for what looked like an easy score, but a goaltender interference call on Kimmo Timonen kept it a one-goal game and put Florida on a power play.
The Panthers failed to convert and dodged a bullet at the end of regulation.
Game Notes
Booth reached the 20-goal mark for the second straight year and is just two scores away from his career-best, set last season...Gagne reached the 20-goal plateau for the seventh time in his career and for the first time since a 41- goal year in 2006-07...Knuble's assist was his 100th as a Flyer...Biron has not won since January 10, a 4-1 decision over Toronto...Florida has won four of the last six games against Philly at home...The Panthers host Montreal on Thursday, and the Flyers play in Tampa on Friday.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Knuble rescues Flyers with two late goals; Flyers hit break with win over Atlanta
Mike Knuble notched a pair of goals late in regulation as the Philadelphia Flyers wasted a three-goal lead but recovered to top Atlanta, 5-3, at Wachovia Center.
Scott Hartnell, Darroll Powe and Randy Jones also tallied for the Flyers (25-12-9), who hit the All-Star break having won four of six overall and extended their win streak against Atlanta to 13 in a row since November 2005.
Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne picked up two assists each and Antero Niittymaki made 28 saves for the victory, extending his personal record against Atlanta to 12-0.
Eric Perrin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Chris Thorburn scored third-period goals for the Thrashers (17-26-5), who head to the break with their season-best three- game winning streak snapped.
Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals on 32 shots in the loss.
Perrin's turnaround blast from the left circle made it a 3-1 game at the 4:42 mark of the third period, and Kovalchuk snuck a wrister inside the left post with 10:12 remaining in regulation to bring the Thrashers within a goal.
Only 61 seconds later, Thorburn scored on a breakaway to knot the game, 3-3, and Flyers head coach John Stevens called a timeout, during which he berated his club for losing a solid three-goal edge.
The move paid off, as Knuble scored off his own rebound with 7:48 to play to give Philly a one-goal lead, then added an empty-net goal with 41 seconds left to seal the win.
Niittymaki was sharp in the early going, foiling Colby Armstrong's breakaway with a right pad stop during a Thrashers power play.
Hartnell put the Flyers on the board at 9:54, taking Carter's muted shot from the left boards and sliding the puck around Lehtonen from the top of the crease.
It was 2-0 for the home team with 2:05 left in the first, as Scottie Upshall sent a slick lead pass for Powe, who lifted a backhander under the crossbar while falling forward.
Jones followed up a Carter shot that went high and wide of the net and slipped a backhander inside the left post for a 3-0 Flyers lead 1:44 into the second period.
Game Notes
The Flyers improved to 3-0 this year against the Thrashers, outscoring them by a 16-6 margin. The clubs play one final time, in Atlanta, on February 8...Knuble has four multi-goal games this season, the last coming on December 13, a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh...Lehtonen fell to 0-8-1 lifetime against the Flyers...Prior to the game, the Flyers announced that forward Danny Briere, originally believed to be ready to return from a groin injury, will have exploratory surgery on Thursday and will need two weeks to recover...Philly has won 16 of its last 17 games against Atlanta, including 10 of 11 at home...The Flyers resume their schedule next Tuesday at Florida, and the Thrashers head to Dallas also next Tuesday.
Scott Hartnell, Darroll Powe and Randy Jones also tallied for the Flyers (25-12-9), who hit the All-Star break having won four of six overall and extended their win streak against Atlanta to 13 in a row since November 2005.
Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne picked up two assists each and Antero Niittymaki made 28 saves for the victory, extending his personal record against Atlanta to 12-0.
Eric Perrin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Chris Thorburn scored third-period goals for the Thrashers (17-26-5), who head to the break with their season-best three- game winning streak snapped.
Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals on 32 shots in the loss.
Perrin's turnaround blast from the left circle made it a 3-1 game at the 4:42 mark of the third period, and Kovalchuk snuck a wrister inside the left post with 10:12 remaining in regulation to bring the Thrashers within a goal.
Only 61 seconds later, Thorburn scored on a breakaway to knot the game, 3-3, and Flyers head coach John Stevens called a timeout, during which he berated his club for losing a solid three-goal edge.
The move paid off, as Knuble scored off his own rebound with 7:48 to play to give Philly a one-goal lead, then added an empty-net goal with 41 seconds left to seal the win.
Niittymaki was sharp in the early going, foiling Colby Armstrong's breakaway with a right pad stop during a Thrashers power play.
Hartnell put the Flyers on the board at 9:54, taking Carter's muted shot from the left boards and sliding the puck around Lehtonen from the top of the crease.
It was 2-0 for the home team with 2:05 left in the first, as Scottie Upshall sent a slick lead pass for Powe, who lifted a backhander under the crossbar while falling forward.
Jones followed up a Carter shot that went high and wide of the net and slipped a backhander inside the left post for a 3-0 Flyers lead 1:44 into the second period.
Game Notes
The Flyers improved to 3-0 this year against the Thrashers, outscoring them by a 16-6 margin. The clubs play one final time, in Atlanta, on February 8...Knuble has four multi-goal games this season, the last coming on December 13, a 6-3 win over Pittsburgh...Lehtonen fell to 0-8-1 lifetime against the Flyers...Prior to the game, the Flyers announced that forward Danny Briere, originally believed to be ready to return from a groin injury, will have exploratory surgery on Thursday and will need two weeks to recover...Philly has won 16 of its last 17 games against Atlanta, including 10 of 11 at home...The Flyers resume their schedule next Tuesday at Florida, and the Thrashers head to Dallas also next Tuesday.
Briere to miss another two weeks after impending surgery
Courtesy of the Sports Network
Philadelphia Flyers center Danny Briere will undergo an exploratory surgical procedure on Thursday, the team announced on Wednesday.
"Due to lingering discomfort in his groin/stomach areas, Danny (Briere) will have an exploratory surgical procedure done tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) by Dr. William Meyers (at Hahnemann University Hospital)," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "Recovery time will be a minimum of two weeks."
Briere has missed the last 21 Flyers games with a groin strain and 30 of the last 31 overall due to injury.
The 31-year-old Briere recorded a goal and four assists for five points and two penalty minutes in three games for the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, after being assigned there for conditioning purposes on January 14.
"I am very disappointed," said Briere. "It's been frustrating not knowing what is going on, so we have decided to go in and check things out."
In nine games with the Flyers this season, Briere has registered five goals and four assists.
Philadelphia Flyers center Danny Briere will undergo an exploratory surgical procedure on Thursday, the team announced on Wednesday.
"Due to lingering discomfort in his groin/stomach areas, Danny (Briere) will have an exploratory surgical procedure done tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) by Dr. William Meyers (at Hahnemann University Hospital)," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "Recovery time will be a minimum of two weeks."
Briere has missed the last 21 Flyers games with a groin strain and 30 of the last 31 overall due to injury.
The 31-year-old Briere recorded a goal and four assists for five points and two penalty minutes in three games for the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, after being assigned there for conditioning purposes on January 14.
"I am very disappointed," said Briere. "It's been frustrating not knowing what is going on, so we have decided to go in and check things out."
In nine games with the Flyers this season, Briere has registered five goals and four assists.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Breaking News
Barack Obama signed a deal with the Capitals today.
It's for four years at $260,000 per year.
It's for four years at $260,000 per year.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cue the music from "Jaws"
Claude Lemieux is baaaaaack...
Called up today after Sharks defenseman Brad Lukowich was placed on IR.
Lemieux last trolled top-level professional ice in 2003 as one of the bargain-basement geezers the Dallas Stars collected on their way to playoff mediocrity before 2004.
This will be the sixth team the 43-year-old Quebec native has skated for, after the Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, Coyotes and Stars.
He posted three goals and 11 points in 23 games with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL this season.
Called up today after Sharks defenseman Brad Lukowich was placed on IR.
Lemieux last trolled top-level professional ice in 2003 as one of the bargain-basement geezers the Dallas Stars collected on their way to playoff mediocrity before 2004.
This will be the sixth team the 43-year-old Quebec native has skated for, after the Canadiens, Devils, Avalanche, Coyotes and Stars.
He posted three goals and 11 points in 23 games with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL this season.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Briere comes through as Phantoms rip Sharks, 7-1.
Courtesy of the Worcester Sharks
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — You know the feeling when the odds are against you. That’s what the Sharks had to face on Wednesday night.
Worcester, playing its second-ever game at the Wachovia Spectrum, which will be torn down following the season, was handed a quick 4-0 first period deficit before falling by a 7-1 final.
The loss drops Worcester’s all-time record against Philadelphia to 0-3-0-0.
The Phantoms were coming off a tough five-game road trip eager to skate on home ice where it entered the game 9-5-1-1 compared to 11-13-0-0 on the road.
Former NHL All-Star Daniel Briere played in his first game of a conditioning assignment, scoring a shorthanded goal and adding an assist in his first AHL game in eight years. Jared Ross had a hat trick and an assist while five other Phantoms had multiple point nights.
Thomas Greiss' bid for a fifth straight win ended quickly. He allowed four goals on nine first period shots and finished the night with 16 saves on 23 shots. Greiss had only allowed five goals in his previous four games.
The loss came in a game in which the Sharks outshot their opponent for a 14th straight game.
One bright spot came from Lukas Kaspar and Ryan Vesce, who continue to impress as they combined on the Sharks’ lone goal at 13:31 of the second period. In the process, Vesce upped his point streak to a Sharks’ season-high eight games, while Kaspar is up to six straight.
After Philadelphia took a 6-0 second period lead, tempers boiled over when James McEwan, making his AHL debut, dropped the gloves against Matt Clackson at 8:33 of the period. Off the ensuing faceoff, Frazer McLaren and Garrett Klotz squared off. Mike Moore and Clackson also had a fight in the first.
The second period included three Phantoms goals, by Ross, Briere, and Jonathan Matsumoto, to up their lead to 7-1 heading into the second intermission.
Briere quickly made his presence felt with an assist on Philadelphia’s second goal at the 13:17 mark of the first period. Patrick Maroon scored, jamming the puck into the net after Greiss made the initial save on Ross.
Only 1:28 later, Ross lit the lamp for the first time to hand Worcester a 3-0 deficit.
Ross added his second goal with 14 seconds remaining in the opening frame to put the Sharks into a 4-0 hole heading into the first intermission.
A familiar name, Sean Curry, gave the Phantoms the 1-0 lead at 5:47 of the first period with a hard slap shot from 50 feet. Curry is in his first season with Philadelphia and is best remembered by Sharks fans from his time with the Providence Bruins.
Wednesday marked the first of a six-game road trip which will bring Worcester to Norfolk for two followed by Hershey, Springfield, and Lowell.
NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Briere (1g, 1a) (2) Munroe (42 saves, 1 GA) (1) Ross (3g, 1a) … Attendance for the contest was 3,048 … Worcester went 0/5 on the power play; Philadelphia went 3/5… Final shots were 43-23 Worcester … The four first period goals tied the most the Sharks have allowed in a period all season.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — You know the feeling when the odds are against you. That’s what the Sharks had to face on Wednesday night.
Worcester, playing its second-ever game at the Wachovia Spectrum, which will be torn down following the season, was handed a quick 4-0 first period deficit before falling by a 7-1 final.
The loss drops Worcester’s all-time record against Philadelphia to 0-3-0-0.
The Phantoms were coming off a tough five-game road trip eager to skate on home ice where it entered the game 9-5-1-1 compared to 11-13-0-0 on the road.
Former NHL All-Star Daniel Briere played in his first game of a conditioning assignment, scoring a shorthanded goal and adding an assist in his first AHL game in eight years. Jared Ross had a hat trick and an assist while five other Phantoms had multiple point nights.
Thomas Greiss' bid for a fifth straight win ended quickly. He allowed four goals on nine first period shots and finished the night with 16 saves on 23 shots. Greiss had only allowed five goals in his previous four games.
The loss came in a game in which the Sharks outshot their opponent for a 14th straight game.
One bright spot came from Lukas Kaspar and Ryan Vesce, who continue to impress as they combined on the Sharks’ lone goal at 13:31 of the second period. In the process, Vesce upped his point streak to a Sharks’ season-high eight games, while Kaspar is up to six straight.
After Philadelphia took a 6-0 second period lead, tempers boiled over when James McEwan, making his AHL debut, dropped the gloves against Matt Clackson at 8:33 of the period. Off the ensuing faceoff, Frazer McLaren and Garrett Klotz squared off. Mike Moore and Clackson also had a fight in the first.
The second period included three Phantoms goals, by Ross, Briere, and Jonathan Matsumoto, to up their lead to 7-1 heading into the second intermission.
Briere quickly made his presence felt with an assist on Philadelphia’s second goal at the 13:17 mark of the first period. Patrick Maroon scored, jamming the puck into the net after Greiss made the initial save on Ross.
Only 1:28 later, Ross lit the lamp for the first time to hand Worcester a 3-0 deficit.
Ross added his second goal with 14 seconds remaining in the opening frame to put the Sharks into a 4-0 hole heading into the first intermission.
A familiar name, Sean Curry, gave the Phantoms the 1-0 lead at 5:47 of the first period with a hard slap shot from 50 feet. Curry is in his first season with Philadelphia and is best remembered by Sharks fans from his time with the Providence Bruins.
Wednesday marked the first of a six-game road trip which will bring Worcester to Norfolk for two followed by Hershey, Springfield, and Lowell.
NOTES: Three Stars: (3) Briere (1g, 1a) (2) Munroe (42 saves, 1 GA) (1) Ross (3g, 1a) … Attendance for the contest was 3,048 … Worcester went 0/5 on the power play; Philadelphia went 3/5… Final shots were 43-23 Worcester … The four first period goals tied the most the Sharks have allowed in a period all season.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Into Each Hockey Relationship...
...comes an unexpected jolt out of the blue to stoke the mental fires when all seemed lost.
Courtesy of On Frozen Blog, who cites a source a bit closer to where I'm coming from, it's a question of how to realign the divisions while not resorting to the flight of fancy that is contracting teams.
While I salute my Philly brother for the well-written thesis and intriguing ideas, I think this is a bit too radical to be realistic. I mean, resurrecting the Smythe Division to include teams in the American Southeast? Blasphemous, even for me, who regularly blast owners for making weird cosmetic suggestions like this at their bi-annual meetings.
Besides, no matter what happens, nobody will ever be pleased with where the Penguins or the Thrashers wind up because of their "unique" position in geography.
Still, I have to say that I am with him on A) the need to go back to four divisions, B) the need to restore the historical names of the divisions and conferences, and C) a need to do something with the playoff system.
As far as my brain can process at the moment, I'm thinking the NHL could look like this:
Patrick Division
New Jersey
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
Philadelphia
Washington
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Florida
Adams Division
Boston
Buffalo
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Columbus
Pittsburgh
Central Division
Atlanta
Detroit
St. Louis
Chicago
Nashville
Minnesota
Dallas
Smythe Division
Colorado
Edmonton
Calgary
Vancouver
San Jose
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Phoenix
With four divisions, shortening up distances really can't be a consideration. Each division has teams that have to travel far to one or more rivals.
For scheduling, it looks like even with unbalanced slate, the fairest way to compute it would be to extend the schedule to 84 games again, like in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Problem is, things would be really imbalanced.
In the seven-team divisions, they get it easier with five divisional games per team (30) plus three against the other division in the conference (24) and two against all opposite conference teams (30) for a neat total of 84.
Unfortunately, it creates havoc for the eight-division teams. After three games against teams from the other division (24) and the 30 from the opposite conference, that leaves 30 games divided unequally among seven other intra-division clubs.
As for the playoff system, I wouldn't really be averse to a 1-16 method to eliminate weak division winners getting a two-seed. With the already built-in 30 games against the opposite conference, plus the fact that playoff games are rarely held every other day within series, travelling even cross-country shouldn't be a complaint.
Short of that, going with the current NBA-ized 1-8 in each conference isn't bad, and is a certain antidote to anyone who thinks the old "top four in each division get in regardless" system which plagued the 80's and made for some interesting upsets.
Back to reality for a bit.
With the current standings as they are, here is what the playoff seedings would be on a 1-16 format:
1. San Jose vs. 16. Florida
2. Boston vs. 15. Phoenix
3. Detroit vs. 14. Carolina
4. Washington vs. 13. Buffalo
5. Montreal vs. 12. Anaheim
6. Philadelphia vs. 11. Vancouver
7. Calgary vs. 10. New Jersey
8. NY Rangers vs. 9. Chicago
This still precludes a team with a winning percentage near or below .500 from making the playoffs and providing a cupcake for a higher seed, but with the NHL's current inter-conference schedule still lacking, the strategy for certain foes would be interesting.
Even if the current six-division format remains, I would be in favor of a 1-8 system within each conference if seedings were initially based on records and not division standing. That would make mild "upsets" like the sixth-seed Flyers' seven-game trimming of third-seed and Southeast-winner Washington a little more palatable for fans and management alike.
If your team wins a weak division, they get a seven or eight seed where defeat seems more inevitable instead of having the albatross of a division victor falling in the opening round when the hype machine is in full effect.
Of course, with the NHL's prohibitive plan to admit two more franchises and move another in the next five years, some sort of balance might be restored, as a 32-team league fits nicely into either eight four-team groups or four eight-team sets.
Courtesy of On Frozen Blog, who cites a source a bit closer to where I'm coming from, it's a question of how to realign the divisions while not resorting to the flight of fancy that is contracting teams.
While I salute my Philly brother for the well-written thesis and intriguing ideas, I think this is a bit too radical to be realistic. I mean, resurrecting the Smythe Division to include teams in the American Southeast? Blasphemous, even for me, who regularly blast owners for making weird cosmetic suggestions like this at their bi-annual meetings.
Besides, no matter what happens, nobody will ever be pleased with where the Penguins or the Thrashers wind up because of their "unique" position in geography.
Still, I have to say that I am with him on A) the need to go back to four divisions, B) the need to restore the historical names of the divisions and conferences, and C) a need to do something with the playoff system.
As far as my brain can process at the moment, I'm thinking the NHL could look like this:
Patrick Division
New Jersey
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
Philadelphia
Washington
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Florida
Adams Division
Boston
Buffalo
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Columbus
Pittsburgh
Central Division
Atlanta
Detroit
St. Louis
Chicago
Nashville
Minnesota
Dallas
Smythe Division
Colorado
Edmonton
Calgary
Vancouver
San Jose
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Phoenix
With four divisions, shortening up distances really can't be a consideration. Each division has teams that have to travel far to one or more rivals.
For scheduling, it looks like even with unbalanced slate, the fairest way to compute it would be to extend the schedule to 84 games again, like in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Problem is, things would be really imbalanced.
In the seven-team divisions, they get it easier with five divisional games per team (30) plus three against the other division in the conference (24) and two against all opposite conference teams (30) for a neat total of 84.
Unfortunately, it creates havoc for the eight-division teams. After three games against teams from the other division (24) and the 30 from the opposite conference, that leaves 30 games divided unequally among seven other intra-division clubs.
As for the playoff system, I wouldn't really be averse to a 1-16 method to eliminate weak division winners getting a two-seed. With the already built-in 30 games against the opposite conference, plus the fact that playoff games are rarely held every other day within series, travelling even cross-country shouldn't be a complaint.
Short of that, going with the current NBA-ized 1-8 in each conference isn't bad, and is a certain antidote to anyone who thinks the old "top four in each division get in regardless" system which plagued the 80's and made for some interesting upsets.
Back to reality for a bit.
With the current standings as they are, here is what the playoff seedings would be on a 1-16 format:
1. San Jose vs. 16. Florida
2. Boston vs. 15. Phoenix
3. Detroit vs. 14. Carolina
4. Washington vs. 13. Buffalo
5. Montreal vs. 12. Anaheim
6. Philadelphia vs. 11. Vancouver
7. Calgary vs. 10. New Jersey
8. NY Rangers vs. 9. Chicago
This still precludes a team with a winning percentage near or below .500 from making the playoffs and providing a cupcake for a higher seed, but with the NHL's current inter-conference schedule still lacking, the strategy for certain foes would be interesting.
Even if the current six-division format remains, I would be in favor of a 1-8 system within each conference if seedings were initially based on records and not division standing. That would make mild "upsets" like the sixth-seed Flyers' seven-game trimming of third-seed and Southeast-winner Washington a little more palatable for fans and management alike.
If your team wins a weak division, they get a seven or eight seed where defeat seems more inevitable instead of having the albatross of a division victor falling in the opening round when the hype machine is in full effect.
Of course, with the NHL's prohibitive plan to admit two more franchises and move another in the next five years, some sort of balance might be restored, as a 32-team league fits nicely into either eight four-team groups or four eight-team sets.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Shanahan to make return to NHL shortly
Brendan Shanahan will return to the NHL for a 22nd season, with the club for whom he began his lengthy career.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Saturday that Shanahan has agreed in principle to skate for the club. Although he has yet to sign a contract to make it official, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said details of a deal will be worked out in the next couple days.
"In our minds, Brendan can be a full-time player," Lamoriello said during a conference call. "It's no different than any other player. They determine the ice time that they get, and the coaches determine how much they're used within how the games go. He's not being signed just to play on power plays, or just to play on penalty kills. We feel he can come and help this team be better and have more success."
There is also no firm timetable for Shanahan's return to game action, but Lamoriello added that the veteran will skate on his own for the time being.
Entering the weekend, the Devils are 23-14-3, good enough for third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but have struggled offensively, having been shut out in three of their last nine contests.
A native of Mimico, Ontario, the soon-to-be 40-year-old was the Devils' second overall pick in the 1987 draft. After four seasons with New Jersey, he signed with the St. Louis Blues as a free agent in July, 1991 -- a move which altered the luck of the franchise -- as the Devils received defenseman Scott Stevens as compensation.
Shanahan leads all active NHL players in goals scored with 650, ranking 11th on the all-time list, only 18 behind Hall of Fame forward Luc Robitaille. He has also appeared in eight All-Star games and captured three Stanley Cup titles while with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002.
With the New York Rangers a season ago, his second on Broadway, Shanahan posted 23 goals and 46 points in 73 games.
The gritty winger has appeared in 1,490 career games with the Devils, Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and Rangers, adding 690 assists for 1,340 points, along with 2,460 penalty minutes.
In 2002, Shanahan captured the gold medal in Salt Lake City with Team Canada and won the Stanley Cup with Detroit, becoming only the third player in NHL history, at that time, to win both in the same year.
The New Jersey Devils announced on Saturday that Shanahan has agreed in principle to skate for the club. Although he has yet to sign a contract to make it official, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said details of a deal will be worked out in the next couple days.
"In our minds, Brendan can be a full-time player," Lamoriello said during a conference call. "It's no different than any other player. They determine the ice time that they get, and the coaches determine how much they're used within how the games go. He's not being signed just to play on power plays, or just to play on penalty kills. We feel he can come and help this team be better and have more success."
There is also no firm timetable for Shanahan's return to game action, but Lamoriello added that the veteran will skate on his own for the time being.
Entering the weekend, the Devils are 23-14-3, good enough for third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but have struggled offensively, having been shut out in three of their last nine contests.
A native of Mimico, Ontario, the soon-to-be 40-year-old was the Devils' second overall pick in the 1987 draft. After four seasons with New Jersey, he signed with the St. Louis Blues as a free agent in July, 1991 -- a move which altered the luck of the franchise -- as the Devils received defenseman Scott Stevens as compensation.
Shanahan leads all active NHL players in goals scored with 650, ranking 11th on the all-time list, only 18 behind Hall of Fame forward Luc Robitaille. He has also appeared in eight All-Star games and captured three Stanley Cup titles while with the Red Wings in 1997, 1998 and 2002.
With the New York Rangers a season ago, his second on Broadway, Shanahan posted 23 goals and 46 points in 73 games.
The gritty winger has appeared in 1,490 career games with the Devils, Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and Rangers, adding 690 assists for 1,340 points, along with 2,460 penalty minutes.
In 2002, Shanahan captured the gold medal in Salt Lake City with Team Canada and won the Stanley Cup with Detroit, becoming only the third player in NHL history, at that time, to win both in the same year.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Carter scores twice, Biron strong as Flyers down Leafs
Martin Biron made 41 saves and Jeff Carter scored twice, including the game-winner, as Philadelphia got past Toronto, 4-1, at the Wachovia Center.
Mike Richards and Andrew Alberts lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won two in a row and improved to 4-0-2 in their last six games.
Alexei Ponikarovsky scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost three in a row and seven of nine. Vesa Toskala stopped 26 shots in defeat.
Ponikarovsky's backhanded poke through the crease 41 seconds into the third period produced a 1-1 tie, but that was as close Toronto got to a win.
Carter broke out of a four-game goal slump and gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead, streaking down the right side and lifting a backhander under the crossbar for a power-play goal at 5:59.
Alberts then snapped a 163-game goal drought with 8:59 left in regulation. Scottie Upshall carried down the right wing, turned at the bottom of the right circle and dished to the defenseman at the inner edge of the left circle for a snap shot through Toskala's pads.
Toskala went to the bench with a little over two minutes to play and Carter picked up his second of the game into the empty net with 1:48 remaining.
Richards connected off a cross-ice feed from Simon Gagne for a power-play goal and 1-0 Flyers lead 6:41 into the contest.
In a scoreless second period, Biron made 18 saves and Toskala had 11 stops. The Toronto netminder had more quality chances to halt, including several short-handed opportunities by Carter along with twin stops on a Richards breakaway and follow-up from Gagne.
Game Notes
The triumph extended the Flyers' home win streak to eight and they improved to 12-0-2 in their last 14 home games, after a regulation 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on November 8...Carter broke a tie with both Thomas Vanek of Buffalo and Washington's Alex Ovechkin -- both of whom were held scoreless on Saturday -- and leads the NHL with 29 goals...Alberts' last goal came as a member of the Boston Bruins on March 12, 2006...Philly improved to 17-1-5 when scoring first.
Mike Richards and Andrew Alberts lit the lamp for the Flyers, who have won two in a row and improved to 4-0-2 in their last six games.
Alexei Ponikarovsky scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost three in a row and seven of nine. Vesa Toskala stopped 26 shots in defeat.
Ponikarovsky's backhanded poke through the crease 41 seconds into the third period produced a 1-1 tie, but that was as close Toronto got to a win.
Carter broke out of a four-game goal slump and gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead, streaking down the right side and lifting a backhander under the crossbar for a power-play goal at 5:59.
Alberts then snapped a 163-game goal drought with 8:59 left in regulation. Scottie Upshall carried down the right wing, turned at the bottom of the right circle and dished to the defenseman at the inner edge of the left circle for a snap shot through Toskala's pads.
Toskala went to the bench with a little over two minutes to play and Carter picked up his second of the game into the empty net with 1:48 remaining.
Richards connected off a cross-ice feed from Simon Gagne for a power-play goal and 1-0 Flyers lead 6:41 into the contest.
In a scoreless second period, Biron made 18 saves and Toskala had 11 stops. The Toronto netminder had more quality chances to halt, including several short-handed opportunities by Carter along with twin stops on a Richards breakaway and follow-up from Gagne.
Game Notes
The triumph extended the Flyers' home win streak to eight and they improved to 12-0-2 in their last 14 home games, after a regulation 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on November 8...Carter broke a tie with both Thomas Vanek of Buffalo and Washington's Alex Ovechkin -- both of whom were held scoreless on Saturday -- and leads the NHL with 29 goals...Alberts' last goal came as a member of the Boston Bruins on March 12, 2006...Philly improved to 17-1-5 when scoring first.
Friday, January 09, 2009
NHL All-Star Game: FAIL!
Let's start with the obvious as to why the 2009 NHL All-Star Game is a fraud this year yet again:
Four Canadiens and two Penguins are the All-Star starters for the Eastern Conference.
Three Blackhawks and three Ducks are the All-Star starters for the Western Conference.
Here's the link to the factual starters and reserves.
All are products of overzealous (and in Montreal's case slightly illegal) voting promotions from each club because the fan votes count more than anything else, like...well...talent, or actual statistics.
This isn't the 1980's, where in a 21-team league a coach can select his top players right off the bat because they were the cream of the crop in the entire NHL. There's no Glen Sather to step in an select Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey, Messier and Fuhr deservedly before anyone else.
This also isn't major-league baseball, where the voter fraud in cities like Cincinnati, St. Louis and the Bronx have rendered fan selection for All-Star starters a complete joke for over two decades.
In reality, the East starters should look something like this:
Left Wing: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
Center: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh (league leader in points)
Right Wing: Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers
Defense: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Defense: Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens (in a down year for healthy, honor-worthy D)
Goaltending: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Sidney Crosby doesn't belong anywhere NEAR Bell Centre, and I don't care how vital he is to the league's success. He's having a down year so far below even what Mario Lemieux had in his worst year - and Crosby doesn't have an excuse like chronic back pain or cancer to justify his numbers. Neither does Alex Kovalev. Especially because I'm sure like me, there are a million Montrealers who forget that he's actually the captain.
If fans cared a bit more and came back sooner to the new Garden, Marc Savard would have been a lot higher on the list as a reserve. I'll agree with Thomas Vanek, but Zach Parise? No Devil forward should be included on the list, even if he does lead the team in goals.
On defense, it is a REAL lean year with selections. I suppose Sergei Gonchar would have gotten 750,000 votes if he'd have played in at least five games. Mike Komisarek and Mark Streit, though? I call bullshit. Tomas Kaberle is one step away from being sent to the Marlies, which leaves Chara and Jay Bouwmeester as the only legit selections I see on the backline.
In the net, I'd really go Lundie one, Thomas two and Price three. King Henrik is really needed on Broadway because the Rangers don't score - something Thomas doesn't have to worry about. Again, ballot stuffing baurons in Mount Royal really fouled this one up good by putting Price (last seen in the playoffs on the bench because of fatal mistakes) as the lead guy.
And the West starters should look like this:
Left Wing: Henrik Lundqvist, Detroit Red Wings (Remember him?)
Center: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Right Wing: Brad Boyes, St. Louis Blues (let the discussion begin)
Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Defense: Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
Goaltending: Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks/Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild (tie because they're both so damn good)
The second point as to why the All-Star Game is a fraud is because of the ridiculous insistence on broadcasting the game on Versus instead of NBC.
I know this year, NBC is not broadcasting any weekend games until the Super Bowl is over (a move that should not be made because NBC could have easily gone to Saturday games before 4 pm as a way to not compete with the NFL playoffs), but why not make this the second showpiece event for 2009?
The NFL will be at its off-week between the conference title games and Supe XLIII, with nothing but some less-than-desirable NBA games plus college basketball on the tube.
Plus, this year's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field had higher ratings (more scoring) and better appeal than last year's, why not keep up the momentum and put the game back on a national network? And...it's not like they have the almost-defunct Arena Football league contract anymore.
It's so counterintuitive and beyond ridiculous for anyone around the game to complain about how hockey has to compete with this, that and the other in America, then have its national network contract go 31 days between broadcasts halfway through the season.
It's even more so when the best of the best play in a showcase game which only slightly more than 2 million homes in North America can see anyway. I guess we hardcore fans with a memory longer than one year at a time should be grateful it's not being played on a Wednesday night.
Four Canadiens and two Penguins are the All-Star starters for the Eastern Conference.
Three Blackhawks and three Ducks are the All-Star starters for the Western Conference.
Here's the link to the factual starters and reserves.
All are products of overzealous (and in Montreal's case slightly illegal) voting promotions from each club because the fan votes count more than anything else, like...well...talent, or actual statistics.
This isn't the 1980's, where in a 21-team league a coach can select his top players right off the bat because they were the cream of the crop in the entire NHL. There's no Glen Sather to step in an select Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey, Messier and Fuhr deservedly before anyone else.
This also isn't major-league baseball, where the voter fraud in cities like Cincinnati, St. Louis and the Bronx have rendered fan selection for All-Star starters a complete joke for over two decades.
In reality, the East starters should look something like this:
Left Wing: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
Center: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh (league leader in points)
Right Wing: Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers
Defense: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Defense: Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens (in a down year for healthy, honor-worthy D)
Goaltending: Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Sidney Crosby doesn't belong anywhere NEAR Bell Centre, and I don't care how vital he is to the league's success. He's having a down year so far below even what Mario Lemieux had in his worst year - and Crosby doesn't have an excuse like chronic back pain or cancer to justify his numbers. Neither does Alex Kovalev. Especially because I'm sure like me, there are a million Montrealers who forget that he's actually the captain.
If fans cared a bit more and came back sooner to the new Garden, Marc Savard would have been a lot higher on the list as a reserve. I'll agree with Thomas Vanek, but Zach Parise? No Devil forward should be included on the list, even if he does lead the team in goals.
On defense, it is a REAL lean year with selections. I suppose Sergei Gonchar would have gotten 750,000 votes if he'd have played in at least five games. Mike Komisarek and Mark Streit, though? I call bullshit. Tomas Kaberle is one step away from being sent to the Marlies, which leaves Chara and Jay Bouwmeester as the only legit selections I see on the backline.
In the net, I'd really go Lundie one, Thomas two and Price three. King Henrik is really needed on Broadway because the Rangers don't score - something Thomas doesn't have to worry about. Again, ballot stuffing baurons in Mount Royal really fouled this one up good by putting Price (last seen in the playoffs on the bench because of fatal mistakes) as the lead guy.
And the West starters should look like this:
Left Wing: Henrik Lundqvist, Detroit Red Wings (Remember him?)
Center: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Right Wing: Brad Boyes, St. Louis Blues (let the discussion begin)
Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Defense: Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
Goaltending: Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks/Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild (tie because they're both so damn good)
The second point as to why the All-Star Game is a fraud is because of the ridiculous insistence on broadcasting the game on Versus instead of NBC.
I know this year, NBC is not broadcasting any weekend games until the Super Bowl is over (a move that should not be made because NBC could have easily gone to Saturday games before 4 pm as a way to not compete with the NFL playoffs), but why not make this the second showpiece event for 2009?
The NFL will be at its off-week between the conference title games and Supe XLIII, with nothing but some less-than-desirable NBA games plus college basketball on the tube.
Plus, this year's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field had higher ratings (more scoring) and better appeal than last year's, why not keep up the momentum and put the game back on a national network? And...it's not like they have the almost-defunct Arena Football league contract anymore.
It's so counterintuitive and beyond ridiculous for anyone around the game to complain about how hockey has to compete with this, that and the other in America, then have its national network contract go 31 days between broadcasts halfway through the season.
It's even more so when the best of the best play in a showcase game which only slightly more than 2 million homes in North America can see anyway. I guess we hardcore fans with a memory longer than one year at a time should be grateful it's not being played on a Wednesday night.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Flyers use strong third period to stop Wild, gain first in Atlantic
Scottie Upshall registered a goal and one assist as Philadelphia tripped up Minnesota, 3-1, at the Wachovia Center.
Scott Hartnell and Mike Knuble also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who snapped a two-game losing streak but picked up a point for the fifth consecutive game (3-0-2).
With the victory, Philly jumped into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division and extended its streak to 13 consecutive home games without a regulation loss (11-0-2), since a 2-1 setback to Tampa Bay on November 8.
Martin Biron made 27 saves, improving to 3-0-1 in his last four starts and 14-7-5 on the season.
Stephane Veilleux had the lone tally for the Wild, who had won three of four coming in and allowed just five goals over that span. After blanking Colorado and East-leading Boston in consecutive starts, Niklas Backstrom took the loss by allowing three goals on 23 shots.
The Flyers assumed a 2-1 lead 5:10 into the third on a power play. Mike Richards fired from the boards near the right point and the shot was tipped by Knuble off Backstrom's blocker. The puck slithered towards the goal line, but an instant before the Wild netminder covered, the disc slid into the net.
Upshall provided the clincher, snapping a wrister from the right wing to finish off a 2-on-1 break with 7:42 left in the contest for a 3-1 Philly advantage.
Hartnell went off for tripping with 2:17 left in the contest and Minnesota picked up an extra skater with a minute remaining, but the Flyers came up with the better chances against the open net in the final seconds.
Veilleux put the Wild on the board with 7:49 left in the first period, one- timing a sliding feed from Cal Clutterbuck.
Hartnell evened the score by knocking home a loose puck from the right side of the crease 7:10 into the second.
Game Notes
The Flyers improved to 6-2-1 in the overall series, which began when the Wild entered the NHL in 2000, and have won the last four meetings...Prior to the contest, Philly placed defenseman Lasse Kukkonen on waivers...Upshall's last multi-point game came in a 7-6 shootout loss to San Jose on October 22...The Flyers continue their three-game homestand by welcoming Toronto on Saturday, and the Wild head to Columbus also on Saturday...Minnesota came up empty on eight chances with the man advantage, and Philadelphia scored on its lone power play.
Scott Hartnell and Mike Knuble also lit the lamp for the Flyers, who snapped a two-game losing streak but picked up a point for the fifth consecutive game (3-0-2).
With the victory, Philly jumped into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division and extended its streak to 13 consecutive home games without a regulation loss (11-0-2), since a 2-1 setback to Tampa Bay on November 8.
Martin Biron made 27 saves, improving to 3-0-1 in his last four starts and 14-7-5 on the season.
Stephane Veilleux had the lone tally for the Wild, who had won three of four coming in and allowed just five goals over that span. After blanking Colorado and East-leading Boston in consecutive starts, Niklas Backstrom took the loss by allowing three goals on 23 shots.
The Flyers assumed a 2-1 lead 5:10 into the third on a power play. Mike Richards fired from the boards near the right point and the shot was tipped by Knuble off Backstrom's blocker. The puck slithered towards the goal line, but an instant before the Wild netminder covered, the disc slid into the net.
Upshall provided the clincher, snapping a wrister from the right wing to finish off a 2-on-1 break with 7:42 left in the contest for a 3-1 Philly advantage.
Hartnell went off for tripping with 2:17 left in the contest and Minnesota picked up an extra skater with a minute remaining, but the Flyers came up with the better chances against the open net in the final seconds.
Veilleux put the Wild on the board with 7:49 left in the first period, one- timing a sliding feed from Cal Clutterbuck.
Hartnell evened the score by knocking home a loose puck from the right side of the crease 7:10 into the second.
Game Notes
The Flyers improved to 6-2-1 in the overall series, which began when the Wild entered the NHL in 2000, and have won the last four meetings...Prior to the contest, Philly placed defenseman Lasse Kukkonen on waivers...Upshall's last multi-point game came in a 7-6 shootout loss to San Jose on October 22...The Flyers continue their three-game homestand by welcoming Toronto on Saturday, and the Wild head to Columbus also on Saturday...Minnesota came up empty on eight chances with the man advantage, and Philadelphia scored on its lone power play.
Carter (FINALLY!) selected to All-Star team
Flyers forward and goal-scoring machine Jeff Carter earned a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, when the conference's reserves were named on Thursday.
Carter is tied for the league-lead in goals with Alex Ovechkin, both with 27 tallies on the year.
The selection is the end of a long and somewhat pointless campaign to get Carter's name written on the ballots. As per the rules, at least one representative of each team in each conference has to be named. As there were no Flyers starters anywhere near the top vote-getters, it was pretty much a lock that Carter would be the Flyers' pick.
In other team news, defenseman Lasse Kukkonen was again placed on waivers...this time it was earlier today. The move is rumored to be a set-up so that either Danny Briere or Simon Gagne can return to the lineup.
Carter is tied for the league-lead in goals with Alex Ovechkin, both with 27 tallies on the year.
The selection is the end of a long and somewhat pointless campaign to get Carter's name written on the ballots. As per the rules, at least one representative of each team in each conference has to be named. As there were no Flyers starters anywhere near the top vote-getters, it was pretty much a lock that Carter would be the Flyers' pick.
In other team news, defenseman Lasse Kukkonen was again placed on waivers...this time it was earlier today. The move is rumored to be a set-up so that either Danny Briere or Simon Gagne can return to the lineup.
Once more before we move on...
Once again, On Frozen Blog is trying to stoke the fires of a rivalry from the Caps' perspective.
Take a look before refreshing your mind and turning to how the Minnesota Wild will muck up the ice and possibly win a definitely low-scoring game tonight.
Take a look before refreshing your mind and turning to how the Minnesota Wild will muck up the ice and possibly win a definitely low-scoring game tonight.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Capitals top Flyers in shootout
Courtesy of the Sports Network
Viktor Kozlov scored the game-winner in the shootout as the Washington Capitals won a hard-fought battle against the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, at Verizon Center.
Kozlov was the first shooter and he lifted a backhander over Martin Biron.
Jose Theodore then made pad saves on Simon Gagne, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to preserve the win.
Nicklas Backstrom scored the goal in regulation while Theodore finished the game with 33 saves for the red-hot Capitals, who have won seven straight and are 18-1-1 at home this season.
Washington reached its mid-point of the regular season and has a record of 27-11-3, good for a 10-point lead over Carolina for first place in the Southeast Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference.
Braydon Coburn scored the lone goal while Biron stopped 33 shots in the loss for the Flyers, who finished a season-high six-game road trip with a mark of 2-2-2.
It was a spirited first period that saw shots and hits all over the ice and the Capitals were the team that took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Skating on an early power play, Alexander Semin had the puck behind the net and sent a quick centering pass to Backstrom, who banged it in from down low for his 12th goal of the season at the 2:10 mark.
Theodore was on his game in the first period and stopped all 12 shots he saw and helped kill two power plays, including 30 seconds of a 5-on-3 to keep Philadelphia off the board.
The second period went scoreless as Washington threw 13 shots on net while Philadelphia had 11, all of which the goaltenders turned aside.
A hooking penalty to Michael Nylander just 18 seconds into the third period set up Philadelphia's goal. After the whistle, the left circle faceoff was won by Philadelphia and the puck came back to Kimmo Timonen, who fired the puck to the right point for a one-timer by Coburn that beat Theodore just 23 seconds into the third.
The Capitals had the best opportunity of overtime as an errant pass resulted in the Caps heading the other way on a 2-on-1 break, but Glen Metropolit got back at the last second to break up the play.
Game Notes
The Flyers return home to face Minnesota on Thursday...Washington hosts Columbus on Friday...Gagne returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a shoulder strain...It was the third straight shootout for Philadelphia...Washington has won nine straight at home...Each team went 1- for-4 on the power play.
Viktor Kozlov scored the game-winner in the shootout as the Washington Capitals won a hard-fought battle against the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, at Verizon Center.
Kozlov was the first shooter and he lifted a backhander over Martin Biron.
Jose Theodore then made pad saves on Simon Gagne, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to preserve the win.
Nicklas Backstrom scored the goal in regulation while Theodore finished the game with 33 saves for the red-hot Capitals, who have won seven straight and are 18-1-1 at home this season.
Washington reached its mid-point of the regular season and has a record of 27-11-3, good for a 10-point lead over Carolina for first place in the Southeast Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference.
Braydon Coburn scored the lone goal while Biron stopped 33 shots in the loss for the Flyers, who finished a season-high six-game road trip with a mark of 2-2-2.
It was a spirited first period that saw shots and hits all over the ice and the Capitals were the team that took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Skating on an early power play, Alexander Semin had the puck behind the net and sent a quick centering pass to Backstrom, who banged it in from down low for his 12th goal of the season at the 2:10 mark.
Theodore was on his game in the first period and stopped all 12 shots he saw and helped kill two power plays, including 30 seconds of a 5-on-3 to keep Philadelphia off the board.
The second period went scoreless as Washington threw 13 shots on net while Philadelphia had 11, all of which the goaltenders turned aside.
A hooking penalty to Michael Nylander just 18 seconds into the third period set up Philadelphia's goal. After the whistle, the left circle faceoff was won by Philadelphia and the puck came back to Kimmo Timonen, who fired the puck to the right point for a one-timer by Coburn that beat Theodore just 23 seconds into the third.
The Capitals had the best opportunity of overtime as an errant pass resulted in the Caps heading the other way on a 2-on-1 break, but Glen Metropolit got back at the last second to break up the play.
Game Notes
The Flyers return home to face Minnesota on Thursday...Washington hosts Columbus on Friday...Gagne returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games with a shoulder strain...It was the third straight shootout for Philadelphia...Washington has won nine straight at home...Each team went 1- for-4 on the power play.
Flyers-Capitals rivalry
My new good blog read, over at brought up the notion of the Capitals now considering the Flyers one of their rivals. Good quote from Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau as well.
Rivalries in this bloated league are still by and large either based on geographic proximity or division alignment.
The Flyers-Capitals is the example of the former. Technically, the clubs should still be aligned in the same division. Pittsburgh is 305 miles away to the west but in the "Atlantic" while DC is 130 miles down the road but grouped with the "Southeast" although they are closer to all Atlantic division teams than any of their own division.
The genesis of the battles between the clubs started to formulate when the Capitals started to get good in the mid-1980's, when both were placed in the Patrick Division with the Islanders, Rangers, Penguins and Devils. After the Islanders' dynasty fell apart following their loss to Edmonton in the 1984 Finals, the Flyers were in a rebuilding year and Washington, having set a team record with 48 wins and 101 points, was the favorite to win the Patrick and go deep into the playoffs in 1984-85.
What happened was that during the next five years, the Flyers were the major burr in the Caps' collective saddle. Philly won the regular-season division crown from 1984-87 and went a combined 15-4-2 against Washington. Though the Capitals took a fiercely competitive seven-game playoff in 1988, the fourth-place Flyers struck back in 1989 to upset the division-winning Capitals in the first round.
As the Flyers took a downturn in the late 80's and early 90's, both sides traded some memorable contests thanks to the machinations of Dale Hunter, Criag Berube and others (including one year Washington won all four games at the Spectrum).
It looked like the mid-to-late 90's could have re-stoked the competitive fires for both teams as the Patrick evolved into the Atlantic and the number of games per year shrunk from seven to five per season. Unfortunately, the Jim Schoenfeld and Ron Wilson era teams virtually choked the life out of the game, and Flyers-Capitals games in the Capital Centre and the new MCI Center were characterized by the "four-goals-or-less" mantra and were very boring, tight-checking, unappetizing contests.
The only entertainment of those years came the time Rob Pearson decided to taunt Ron Hextall and got a blocker to the head plus Hextall pile-driving him into the ice behind the net.
Any hopes for the rivalry to blossom in the 2000's was wrecked as the Capitals went to the Southeast Division, overhauled their roster then dismantled the club piece by piece until the cancelled season.
Even with the arrival of Ovechkin, Semin, Carter and Richards, something was off the first two years as each club took turns as one of the league's worst. Then, last year the Flyers got good real fast, and so did the Capitals, whose smartest move of all was to return to their old red, blue and white jerseys.
With only four regular-season meetings possible until another realignment occurs, each side has to bring the intensity for any rivalry to develop. Of course, a knock-down, drag-out seven-game playoff series ending in a Game 7 overtime goes a long way towards creating animosity.
The Flyers accomplished just that, sending Washington home on its own ice in that Game 7 overtime thanks to Joffrey Lupul.
This season, the Capitals have taken full advantage of a weak division and relatively unspectacular conference to lead the Southeast and solidify a high playoff seed. They have been a silent steamroller on par with the Boston Bruins...except for December 20 in Philadelphia, when 48 shots was only sufficient for one goal while the Flyers scored seven times on just 28.
Washington will be looking for revenge but they might have an easier time than expected since Philadelphia is coming off a six-game road trip and half the team has some kind of debilitating injury.
Whoever wins and by how much, it's still not an indicator of future success/failure for either team. It's only the first full week of January, people. Let's just enjoy it for what it is...the clash of two young, fearless clubs.
Rivalries in this bloated league are still by and large either based on geographic proximity or division alignment.
The Flyers-Capitals is the example of the former. Technically, the clubs should still be aligned in the same division. Pittsburgh is 305 miles away to the west but in the "Atlantic" while DC is 130 miles down the road but grouped with the "Southeast" although they are closer to all Atlantic division teams than any of their own division.
The genesis of the battles between the clubs started to formulate when the Capitals started to get good in the mid-1980's, when both were placed in the Patrick Division with the Islanders, Rangers, Penguins and Devils. After the Islanders' dynasty fell apart following their loss to Edmonton in the 1984 Finals, the Flyers were in a rebuilding year and Washington, having set a team record with 48 wins and 101 points, was the favorite to win the Patrick and go deep into the playoffs in 1984-85.
What happened was that during the next five years, the Flyers were the major burr in the Caps' collective saddle. Philly won the regular-season division crown from 1984-87 and went a combined 15-4-2 against Washington. Though the Capitals took a fiercely competitive seven-game playoff in 1988, the fourth-place Flyers struck back in 1989 to upset the division-winning Capitals in the first round.
As the Flyers took a downturn in the late 80's and early 90's, both sides traded some memorable contests thanks to the machinations of Dale Hunter, Criag Berube and others (including one year Washington won all four games at the Spectrum).
It looked like the mid-to-late 90's could have re-stoked the competitive fires for both teams as the Patrick evolved into the Atlantic and the number of games per year shrunk from seven to five per season. Unfortunately, the Jim Schoenfeld and Ron Wilson era teams virtually choked the life out of the game, and Flyers-Capitals games in the Capital Centre and the new MCI Center were characterized by the "four-goals-or-less" mantra and were very boring, tight-checking, unappetizing contests.
The only entertainment of those years came the time Rob Pearson decided to taunt Ron Hextall and got a blocker to the head plus Hextall pile-driving him into the ice behind the net.
Any hopes for the rivalry to blossom in the 2000's was wrecked as the Capitals went to the Southeast Division, overhauled their roster then dismantled the club piece by piece until the cancelled season.
Even with the arrival of Ovechkin, Semin, Carter and Richards, something was off the first two years as each club took turns as one of the league's worst. Then, last year the Flyers got good real fast, and so did the Capitals, whose smartest move of all was to return to their old red, blue and white jerseys.
With only four regular-season meetings possible until another realignment occurs, each side has to bring the intensity for any rivalry to develop. Of course, a knock-down, drag-out seven-game playoff series ending in a Game 7 overtime goes a long way towards creating animosity.
The Flyers accomplished just that, sending Washington home on its own ice in that Game 7 overtime thanks to Joffrey Lupul.
This season, the Capitals have taken full advantage of a weak division and relatively unspectacular conference to lead the Southeast and solidify a high playoff seed. They have been a silent steamroller on par with the Boston Bruins...except for December 20 in Philadelphia, when 48 shots was only sufficient for one goal while the Flyers scored seven times on just 28.
Washington will be looking for revenge but they might have an easier time than expected since Philadelphia is coming off a six-game road trip and half the team has some kind of debilitating injury.
Whoever wins and by how much, it's still not an indicator of future success/failure for either team. It's only the first full week of January, people. Let's just enjoy it for what it is...the clash of two young, fearless clubs.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
It's Been a Good Year...So Far
The Flyers went on a mini-tear for a bit, dispatching Vancouver and Anaheim (in a shootout) before losing (in a shootout) to Los Angeles - a game which they should have won because they didn't finish between a half and dozen good chances.
Now, they come back from the Western part of the road trip even more beaten up than before. Half the team has some kind of injury which may keep them out for more games than they have missed already. Still, heading into Washington to face a charged-up Capitals squad on Tuesday, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be upset if they lose. They've done so much already to go from last to first that a blip on the radar because of injuries and travel is permissible at this point.
Of course, if the Flyers lose, it'll be under the microscope here and under the magnifying glass in DC. Washington has clearly played the best hockey overall in the Southeast Division and it shows by their comfortable position in first place.
However, with Ovechkin's star power, even a win over their playoff tormentors in early January might get some people predicting a meteoric rise, when all it is, is an injury-plagued team at the end of a road trip playing a healthy one which had the benefit of being at home for several days.
The second annual Winter Classic in Wrigley was a success, and I missed it all.
Due to the pressures of my job, which is a 40-hour-plus deluge of college and pro sports each week, I elected to have fun all New Year's Day. Still, my eyes bulged with delight at the box score and pictures from the game.
In general, I figure that either the coaches or league representatives go out and tell their players not to embarrass the club/coaches/league in front of a national audience in these games. Last year, there was a TON riding on the contest at Ralph Wilson Stadium and I don't think it was a surprise or coincidence that the Pens and Sabres battled to a 1-1 draw through overtime with Crosby getting the winner in the shootout.
This year, I was pleased that the Red Wings and Blackhawks opened things up a bit. Great to see Chicago up 3-1 after one, then the defending Cup champs rally back with five straight goals before a 6-4 decision in their favor. It was more like hockey should be, with everyone giving their all, not concerned so much with obsessive line matching as they are with style points and scoring.
As for Montreal having a game before the end of the season at Olympic Stadium...You have your 100th year of the great Canadiens franchise. You have the All-Star Game at Bell Centre. You have a zillion players voted in thanks to slightly fraudulent practices. Why did you have to get greedy and try to schedule an outdoor game months after this one was in the works?
I'm all for a Montreal-Toronto game with the roof off...NEXT January. I'll hold off my requests for the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game at State College for Canada to get its shot. But the Canadiens fans and the franchise itself has to relearn how to stand in line and wait their turn. There's no reason to try and force another game, especially in the decrepit conditions at little-used Olympic.
Here are the possible games I'd like to see in the future:
Flyers-Penguins at Beaver Stadium
Rangers-Bruins at Fenway Park
Canadiens-Maple Leafs at Olympic/Molson Stadium
Flames/Oilers-Senators at Winnipeg's CFL stadium
Sabres-Maple Leafs at Hamilton, Ontario
Wild-Blackhawks at Lambeau Field
Now, they come back from the Western part of the road trip even more beaten up than before. Half the team has some kind of injury which may keep them out for more games than they have missed already. Still, heading into Washington to face a charged-up Capitals squad on Tuesday, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be upset if they lose. They've done so much already to go from last to first that a blip on the radar because of injuries and travel is permissible at this point.
Of course, if the Flyers lose, it'll be under the microscope here and under the magnifying glass in DC. Washington has clearly played the best hockey overall in the Southeast Division and it shows by their comfortable position in first place.
However, with Ovechkin's star power, even a win over their playoff tormentors in early January might get some people predicting a meteoric rise, when all it is, is an injury-plagued team at the end of a road trip playing a healthy one which had the benefit of being at home for several days.
The second annual Winter Classic in Wrigley was a success, and I missed it all.
Due to the pressures of my job, which is a 40-hour-plus deluge of college and pro sports each week, I elected to have fun all New Year's Day. Still, my eyes bulged with delight at the box score and pictures from the game.
In general, I figure that either the coaches or league representatives go out and tell their players not to embarrass the club/coaches/league in front of a national audience in these games. Last year, there was a TON riding on the contest at Ralph Wilson Stadium and I don't think it was a surprise or coincidence that the Pens and Sabres battled to a 1-1 draw through overtime with Crosby getting the winner in the shootout.
This year, I was pleased that the Red Wings and Blackhawks opened things up a bit. Great to see Chicago up 3-1 after one, then the defending Cup champs rally back with five straight goals before a 6-4 decision in their favor. It was more like hockey should be, with everyone giving their all, not concerned so much with obsessive line matching as they are with style points and scoring.
As for Montreal having a game before the end of the season at Olympic Stadium...You have your 100th year of the great Canadiens franchise. You have the All-Star Game at Bell Centre. You have a zillion players voted in thanks to slightly fraudulent practices. Why did you have to get greedy and try to schedule an outdoor game months after this one was in the works?
I'm all for a Montreal-Toronto game with the roof off...NEXT January. I'll hold off my requests for the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia game at State College for Canada to get its shot. But the Canadiens fans and the franchise itself has to relearn how to stand in line and wait their turn. There's no reason to try and force another game, especially in the decrepit conditions at little-used Olympic.
Here are the possible games I'd like to see in the future:
Flyers-Penguins at Beaver Stadium
Rangers-Bruins at Fenway Park
Canadiens-Maple Leafs at Olympic/Molson Stadium
Flames/Oilers-Senators at Winnipeg's CFL stadium
Sabres-Maple Leafs at Hamilton, Ontario
Wild-Blackhawks at Lambeau Field
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