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Mike Driver
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@bluelineblonde
My Latest
Hello all of you!
You’ll see at lot of my work being posted to Lastwordonhockey.com now that I’m a contributing writer for them.
Check out my latest here on Dan Girardi! http://lastwordonhockey.com/2017/06/14/new-york-rangers-buy-out-dan-girardis-contract/
I’ll be at the NHL Awards next week as well so I’ll have a post about my experience up here for your reading pleasure as well!
Blondie out
Ottawa Desperate to Keep Season Alive at Home
The Ottawa Senators are on the brink of elimination after a particularly ugly beat down from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Can the Pens keep their momentum from the 7-0 shutout going in a notoriously difficult Scotiabank Centre? Experts say yes.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have outscored the Ottawa Sentors by a combined scored of 10-2 in their last two contests in their quest for consecutive cups. While they could easily rest on their dominant performance Sunday, the Penguins’ captain, Sidney Crosby has no plans to that effect.
“I think it’s about how you play the next game, and I think we expect a pretty desperate group,” said Crosby. “You don’t get to the Eastern Conference Finals without having that ability to bounce back. We know that tomorrow night’s going to be their best game, and it’s going to be our best as well.”
With two cups under his belt already, the face of Pittsburgh is certainly one to trust in pressure situations such as this. The Penguins can also be confident that Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin will be at their best tonight with post-game points any player would envy. Kessel has 18 points in 17 games this post-season and continues to be the grinder we met in the 2015-16 season.
Matt Murray’s return has also been a glittering gift for the Penguins after he was sidelined with an injury before post-season began. Relieving Marc-Andre Fluery whose playoff streak when from dominant to lack-luster resulted in Murray’s stellar execution against the Senators. Ottawa has only managed to squeak two tallies past Murray on 51 shots.
Despite their defending champ status, the Penguins have exhibited cracks of their own this post-season. Ottawa’s defensive, calculated play that earned them a ticket to round three was decidedly absent from game five, a big mistake. While the Senators’ style may not be the most exciting, it’s taken them on a playoff run few expected and they’ll have to take a step back to their foundation to stay alive after tonight.
Captain Erik Karlsson believes in his team, proud to be farther than they’ve ever gone in the playoffs in his reign.
“If you had told us that we’d be in this position six months ago, we would have said yes,” Karlsson said. “There’s no doubt about that. It’s a challenge for us. It’s an experience for us.”
Karlsson has been fighting hairline fractures in his heel, consistently leaving games only to return once more. It’s easy for spectators to compare Karlsson to a superhuman but he’s got a limit like any athlete. His defensive teammates will need to reach another level tonight to relief some of the pressure from Karlsson.
While the outcome remains unclear, fans can certainly expect only the best from these two teams from the East tonight.
Music City to Hockeytown: Nashville’s Fandom Is Putting Yours to Shame
Spray paint, sledgehammers and vandalized vehicles but this is no junkyard.
It’s Smashville.
Bridgestone Arena’s entrance is littered with the smashed skeletons of cars decorated with fallen opponents logos and they’re 60 minutes away from adding some black and orange to their colorful collection.
Nashville was the team nobody saw coming in the quest for Lord Stanley. The Blackhawks counted them out but were swept in four games, not even scoring until game three. The St. Louis Blues were next, losing in six games and sent packing. Now, in round three against the Anaheim Ducks, we’ve seen the Predators assert their depth after losing Ryan Johansen and also emerge as the more sportsmanlike and determined franchise. Losing a top centerman for another team would send ripple effects throughout the core but not Nashville. They’ve got a job to do.
Accolades for the franchise this season include their conference final and becoming the first team in 20 years to win 10 consecutive home-playoff games. However, the most special element to the Predators’ winning ways is that this team’s depth seeps far beyond the glass. It has permeated a city as Smashville stands together to watch history.
Comedy duo, Austin and Collin, creators of the #Fangerang video that’s been going viral today, described tonight’s atmosphere best to The Tennessean.
"The Ducks are a good team and you can't ever count them out, but it's going to be incredibly hard to beat us when you only have 6 guys on the ice and you have to beat the entire city of Nashville that has every intention of making history tonight." Austin said.
Fans came out in the thousands to greet the Predators at the airport while the Anaheim Ducks can’t fill the Honda Center for a round three playoff game. Nashville Public Radio has even posted a feature on how to scream louder, and longer, with insights from professional vocal coach, Gaelyn Garrett.
These fan bases are metaphors for each team’s success. The more passion you have, the more successful you’ll become. Today all the passion lays with the Predators.
So Nashville, will you make history tonight? I hope so.
Dallas Close Out Road Trip Against Ducks
After beating the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 at the Staples Center last night, the Dallas Stars will close out their road trip against the Anaheim Ducks tonight at the Honda Center.
The Stars (17-16-8) have been struggling this season, unable to maintain any sort of momentum. However, their prized player, Tyler Seguin is doing just fine with 9 points in his last seven games. Seguin was named to the 2017 NHL All Star team this morning as well. Captain Jamie Benn has missed the last three games with a foot injury but skated yesterday and is TBD for tonight’s match-up.
The Anaheim Ducks (21-13-8) are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday after letting the second period run away from them. The Ducks have seven points in their last 8 games. Getzlaf, the Ducks also injured captain, did skate before practice Monday but is an unknown for tonight. Tonight’s contest will end a 5-game homestand for the Ducks.
For these teams in the 16/17 season, the Stars have had their number, winning both of their match-ups this year. The Ducks will look to get at least one under their belt tonight.
Looking forward to a clash between two teams tonight with something to prove.
Team USA Conquers Canada for Gold
Parsons hurls his stick though the air. It’s finally over.
Team USA beat Canada after 80 minutes and 10 shootout shots last night after Troy Terry became the World Junior official shootout hero scoring the game winner for Team USA on Wednesday and in the Gold Medal game on Thursday to silence the Bell Centre which had been echoing with Canadian praise all night. All of the hockey world leaned in to watch these elite junior teams give their hearts to the game on ice.
"We're booed for 80 minutes, we're in a place that doesn't want us, and to come out on top it's that much sweeter,” said U.S. defensemen, Charlie McAvoy. “ This is one of the most resilient groups I've ever been a part of," he continued. "We got down and there was no panic. There wasn't any point in this game where we thought losing was an option.”
The resilience of the Americans was unbelievable rallying to overcome two two-goal deficits, once in the second from 2-0 to 2-2 then from 4-2 to 4-4 in the third. Tyler Parsons, in goal for the US and Calgary Flames prospect, had an amazing night, stopping 46 shots in regulation and everything afterwards. Kieffer Bellows (Islanders) scored twice, while McAvoy and Colin White (Senators) got a goal-a-piece.
Canada was not pleased with themselves as they felt as though they let up on the U.S. just bit too much.
"We kind of let them get back into the game too easily," Canada captain Dylan Strome said. "It's a tough feeling.”
Strome’s teammates Thomas Chabot (Senators), Jeremy Lauzon (Bruins), Nicolas Roy (Hurricanes) and Mathieu Joseph (Lightning) all found the net for Canada. Carter Hart (Flyers) had 31 saves.
Overtime was riddled with chances for both teams, both Hart and Parsons stood on their head for their teams, riding the dream of gold that sat waiting in the wings. The shootout was save after save until Troy Terry (Ducks) netted the sole shootout goal to send his team flying off the bench to celebrate their hard earned victory.
The United States has beaten Canada the last three times they’ve met in the WJC final. NHL players like Derek Stepan, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews all tweeted our praise to their fellow Americans while Canadian’s like Tyler Seguin lost bets to radio hosts. No matter who was watching or what was said, these boys will remember that night forever. McAvoy said it best:
"World Champions. I mean, we'll be brothers, we'll be family forever.”
Toews Questionable as Blackhawks Face Anaheim Ducks
The Chicago Blackhawks will face the Anaheim Ducks this afternoon in Anaheim. Both teams are coming off close losses, the Ducks to the Islanders in a 14 round shoot out and the Hawks against the Sharks in a close 2-1 bout.
The story for the Hawks is the question mark of captain, Jonathan Toews. After suffering an injury in the second period against the Ducks, Toews did not return and did not practice yesterday.
"He plays in all situations, we know that, but injuries happen in this game,” said Patrick Kane. “He's obviously a huge player in our lineup, and if we're missing him we're going to be missing a lot. But it's kind of that next man up or we'll do it collectively as a group."
Vincent Hinostroza took Toews spot for the remaining minutes against the Sharks and in practice in El Segundo yesterday. Duncan Keith also missed practice but is expected to play.
Does Toews unknown presence change anything for the Ducks? According to Cam Fowler, not a chance.
"They seem to be kind of a model of consistency in the NHL and a team that competes no matter who they have there,” said Fowler.
The Ducks are expected to put John Gibson in net tonight, whose last appearance came in the form of a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings last Sunday. Gibby is 2-2-1 in his last five starts with a 2.61 GAA and .901 save percentage. Logan Shaw was also called up from the Gulls Thursday and may make his Ducks debut tonight.
Ducks Leave Oilers Leaking
It was one of those nights for the Ducks as their dominant puck possession and John Gibson’s 33-save performance elevated them to sweet victory.
Living as an East Coaster in Southern California can be tough, especially when it comes to hockey but last night, there’s was a game brewing under the palm trees and the dome of the Honda Center. And, let’s be real, there’s nothing more motivating to a team than being shutout as badly as the Ducks were in Nashville over the weekend.
The Ducks came hard against the Oilers, serving them their fourth straight loss and bumping them down to second in the Pacific, conquering first place. McDavid was also sent packing without a point, ending his four game point streak.
"You have to stay on top of him and be above him all night," number 17, Ryan Kesler said. "My line did a good job against them. They're a young team, but they have great skill over there. Same with us. Our young guys are showing they can play." McDavid has one point in four career games against the Ducks.
Nick Ritchie was definitely one to watch last night, delivering strong hits and netting the first tally for the team from Anaheim just over seven minutes into the contest. Cam Fowler sunk his fifth of the year with a sweet wrister. That kid is playing with something to prove this season if you ask me. There’s been a lot of chatter about trading him and no matter his angle, he’s playing very well as of late. Vermette and Kesler had Anaheim’s other two goals.
John Gibson, affectionately known to fans as “Gibby”, had a high of 33 saves on the night with his only blemish at the hands of Leon Draisaitl. While he wasn’t perfect, he was darn close with an incredible left pad save in the third period to deny the Oilers once again. He tracked the puck well and deserved the #1 star awarded to him at the end of the night.
Well done Duckies and keep it up, it’s nice to have winners in the backyard.
Anaheim Ducks Look to Drain Edmonton Oilers
Both the Anaheim Ducks (7-6-3) and Edmonton Oilers (9-6-1) are rolling into Tuesday after a disappointing weekend. With a home-stay of five games, Anaheim hope this advantage will continue to drain the Oilers.
The Ducks are coming off of a Saturday slump, dropping 5-0 to the Nashville Predators on the road. Cause of death? A late first period goal that set the stage for a net-finding frenzy for the Predators. As for the Oilers, the team from up North found no solace against the New York Rangers as the Rangers topped them 3-1, leaving the Oilers in a three-game losing streak.
These teams had opposite beginnings to the 16/17 season as the Oilers came out of the gates screaming with a 7-1-0 record and the Ducks with an unexciting 0-3-1. As the Oilers settle and the Ducks start quacking back it’s a question of grit tonight.
The Ducks are 4-0-1 against Pacific Division rivals and remain right on the heels of the Oilers in their division by a mere two points. After Nashville’s rock-and-steamroll wake up call, Anaheim is searching to get back on the upswing. Getzlaf and Perry lead the club with 13 points each, yet Getzlaf has a solitary goal. Perry, hot off the Canadian World Cup win, has 23 goals and 37 points in 43 career games against the Oilers. Bringing up the star-pack is Ryan Kesler who has 12 points on the season, including six goals. Kesler has 10 goals and 38 points in 59 career contests against the Oilers.
Patrick Maroon, a former Duck, is finding his game on this Oilers team, earning points in the last three consecutive games and in five of his last six played. Totaling 23 points in 31 contests with the Oilers, there seems to be a balance in chemistry for Maroon up north. Maroon has six goals and three assists in 16 games played this season. Connor McDavid continues to lead the Oilers with as many points as he has years on this earth, 19. He’s tied with Steven Stamkos and just behind Tyler Seguin and Mark Scheifele who both have 20. Dang.
Should be a great match-up tonight with both teams trying to prove something to their fans and most importantly themselves. No one likes a losing streak and Anaheim doesn’t want to start one.
Carey Price and his Canadiens: Why Their Netminder is Everything
You were probably shielding your eyes as a Habs fan or watching in disbelief last night as the Montreal Canadiens were brutally shutout by the Columbus Bluejackets 10-0. That’s right... 10 to nothing.
“There’s nothing positive about tonight — nothing,” Montreal Coach Michel Therrien said. He’s absolutely right. Every sports publication has covered this horrible loss, their worst since 1995 from Yahoo! Sports, local publications all the way to the New York Times.
Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Scott Hartnell and Josh Anderson all had two goals on the night and improved their team’s franchise record for highest win. Coach Tortorella was flippant about the giant win considering it just another notch in the right column but he’s got to feel pretty good about serving the previously undefeated Canadiens their first loss of the season.
“I don’t think you’re going to forget one like that,” Montreal wing Brendan Gallagher said to the New York Times. They certainly shouldn't forget but how can a team become a champion when your goaltender is the only true cog in your machine. Carey Price was out one game and they’re blanked, Montoya saving 30 of 40 shots.
This has been a Canadiens’ story time and time again, hot hot team and then they lose Price to an injury and forget their chances. It happened last year too, started out the best team in the NHL and then Carey Price goes down and they plummet to last place and miss the playoffs (along with the rest of Canada).
Carey Price is good but a team should be a team, with or without your top goaltender.
Good luck Montreal. I hope you woke up.
Los Angeles Kings Rapidly Being Dethroned
The once mighty Los Angeles Kings are in a very tough spot right now and there’s no realistic way out. The team hasn’t scored in regulation time in nearly 200 minutes of play.
The Kings registered their third shutout loss in a row last night at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks with a final tally of 4-0. The Blackhawks also served the Kings a 3-0 loss and the Blues bested the Kings 1-0 the night before that. This hasn’t happened to the team from LA since January 1969 so why is it occurring now? The absence of Jonathan Quick. Since Quick’s departure two weeks ago due to a lower body procedure, the Kings have been faltering and back-up goaltender, Peter Budaj is starting to feel the pressure.
“He wasn’t very good,” head coach of the Kings, Daryl Sutter said. “I mean, did you look at the shots and scoring chances? He wasn’t very good. That’s clear. I don’t pull goalies very often, but they’re expected to make some saves.”
Can they trade? Not realistically. The Kings are at their cap and while the management could make a case for Halak in a roundabout way as the Isles look to trade him, it would mean taking on a $4.5 million contract which doesn’t make sense considering Quick is expected to return at some point this season. Jack Campbell, the Kings third stringer is really their only chance but Campbell is extremely green, splitting his last season between the AHL and ECHL. Campbell’s only NHL game was a loss with the Dallas Stars, letting in six of 47 Anaheim shots.
Too be bold, the Kings egos needed to be taken down a notch. Clearly their off-season, despite its longevity, didn’t let that message sink in quite like it did for other teams who were also knocked out early.
Hang in there Kings.
Legendary NHL Alumni to Take the Ice in 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic
The NHL World will get a blast from the past on Saturday as NHL greats known for their rivalry on the Oilers and Jets in the 80s will play in the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic.
Most notably, we will see Wayne Gretzky take the ice for the first time since 2003 at the Heritage Classic in Edmonton. It’s been said that this will be his last game as he will officially settle exclusively into his behind-the-scenes role with the Oilers organization.
“We’re not that good anymore,” said Gretzky, who admits he only skates around once a year at the age of 55. However, he’s got great company by his side including Mark Messier, Glen Anderson, Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey and according to the great one himself, “playing with good players makes the game a lot easier." The Jets will have Teemu Selanne, Dale Hawerchuk and Mike Ford among many others.
Grant Fuhr, Oilers goaltending great, will not play but will be in the stands cheering on his lifelong friends and teammates.
"That's the one thing about our group, we all go together. If one guy can't go, pretty much nobody goes,” said Gretzky.
Tune into all the classic action at 4:00pm EST and 1:00pm PST on NHL Network and NHL.TV.
going up.... on a Tuesday #COLvsWSH
You Get a Hat Trick and YOU Get a Hat Trick. DALvsCOL and NSHvsCHI
Last night the NHL world was treated the quite a few thrilling games. The Chicago Blackhawks were able to bust out of their two game losing streak and notch two points in the standings. Tyler Seguin is back with a vengeance for the Dallas Stars, recovering nicely from the injury that sidelined him from the World Cup of Hockey, scoring two goals and a helper.
The Avalanche under their new coach, Jared Bednar were performing extremely well, besting the Stars 6-5 at the Pepsi Center. As many may remember, the Stars were the highest scoring team of the 15/16 season. With beastly youngster Nathan McKinnon, whose OT goal against Sweden is still giving me aftershocks, is a great asset to the Avalanche and should give them some extra firing power to become a real cup contender this year. Newbie, Joe Colborne scored three goals in his Avalanche debut yesterday, his first NHL hat trick.
The youngsters are taking over ladies and gentlemen and it’s a pleasure to watch.
In the Windy City, we saw another hattie scored by Richard Panik. His first goal was particularly filthy, sticking with the puck, spinning around to best the Nashville defense and scooping a backhander into the net. Nick Schmaltz also scored his first for the Hawks. Scott Darling was spectacular, stopping 30 of 32 shots. It was clear the Hawks were not thrilled with the start of their season and you can be Captain Serious, Jonathan Toews, had a thing or two to say in the locker room.
A beautiful night for the beautiful game. It’s shaping up to be a season for the books ladies and gentleman and it’s just getting started.
Game of the Day: Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Nashville Predators are looking to make it two-for-two tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, who they bested 3-2 last night. The only difference, a change in scenery.
Tonight in the Windy City, the Predators will be short defenseman Anthony Bitetto with an upper body injury and is set to be re-evaluated in Nashville Monday. Newbie Yannick Weber is expected to take his place. Head coach, Peter Laviolette was pleased with Weber’s training camp experience and notes him as a good puck-moving defenseman.
"He's aggressive in his style and the way he plays the game,” said Laviolette. “Just by numbers and through conversations - but more just the numbers - we can only dress six [so he started out of the lineup]. It'll be a good opportunity for him to get going."
All three of Nashville’s goals came on the power play last night, netted by Roman Jose, Mike Fisher and P.K. Subban who mad a smash of his Nashville debut. Last night’s goals doubled the amount of power play goals Chicago has given up in two games this season. Centerman, Ryan Johansen spoke up about special teams last night.
"We were moving the puck around fast, supporting each other and winning battles and shooting the puck. It really wasn't anything fancy or surprising, or a trick or anything like that," said Johansen, who had three assists on the power play, said. "It was just get the puck, find the lane, shoot it with a screen, get in the goalie's eyes and hopefully score some goals. It was great to get off to a good start like we did with our special teams."
The Pred’s strategy certainly worked as all three of their shots game from the middle of the ice on hard drives, a tactic that Corey Crawford couldn’t handle last night. The Hawks are floundering to find their pace despite a great goal from the boards delivered by Hjalmarsson in his return and Kruger’s first goal in 47 games. Captain Jonathan Toews was clearly not thrilled with his team in post-game interviews and thinks his team needs to play smarter and stay out of the box but remains optimistic about the teams 5-on-5 play.
It should be another feisty one with these Western Conference teams tonight. Looking forward to the Hawks attempt to rebound from double losses and to see how Nashville’s newest addition, Subban continues to adapt.
Catch the action tonight at 5:30pm PST, 7:30pm CT and 8:30pm EST
NHL Round-Up: 10/13/16
What a first two days, eh?
Here’s the top things you need to know from the first two days of the NHL Season.
- Auston Matthews is instilling respect and fear in all who watch him. He also forced NBC Sports to add Toronto Maple Leafs’ game to their Saturday night schedule. Power.
- Jack Eichel - out for 6 to 8 weeks with a high ankle sprain (not great for the Buffalo Sabres who lost tonight 4-1 at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens).
- Brandon Pirri is looking real hot for the New York Rangers, scoring a power play goal tonight after scoring four goals for the Blueshirts in preseason.
- Connor McDavid scored two goals and garnered an assist in his first game as captain of the Edmonton Oilers against the Calgary Flames.
- Pittsburgh Penguins, defending Stanley Cup Champions, raised their banner today and won in a shootout
- Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings is week-to-week after suffering a lower body injury in last night’s game against the San Jose Sharks
- Wayne Gretzky has been hired by the Edmonton Oilers in a management role aka Partner and Vice Chairman
So good to have hockey back, bring it on!
Auston. Matthews.
You’ve heard it all night and probably all this morning so I’m going to keep my take on this short.
In all the years I’ve spent watching hockey, I have never seen anyone come in and completely dominate play and make seasoned NHLers look like mite players. Matthews’ complete pickpocket of Erik Karlsson of the Senators (who is part of the World’s best defense with Sweden) was unbelievable. The sheer power in this young kid truly is luminescent.
The entire NHL world couldn’t help but watch and applaud this rookie whose name we will be hearing for years to come.
#easygame
Game of the Week: Los Angeles Kings Take to the Tank to Face San Jose Sharks
The Los Angeles Kings will take to the Tank to play bitter rivals, The San Jose Sharks tonight.
The last time these two teams met was last playoffs where the Sharks eliminated the Kings in the first round. Blood will be boiling tonight as we all say hello to the NHL 16/17 Season.
The Sharks saw a very short off-season as they put up quite a fight against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final. Tonight Sharks fans can expect to see new faces Mikkel Boedker and David Schlemko take the ice tonight and the Kings will be without defenseman Marion Gaborik who was injured in the World Cup of Hockey earlier this Fall.
Some key factors tonight will the Kings new leadership under Anze Kopitar and how the Sharks’ core of thirty-year-old and up players recovered in a much shorter off-season than they’re used to.
Looking forward to seeing these California rivals clash tonight. Something tells me the Kings are poised to take a pretty big bite out of their aquatic foes.
