Thanks to the NHL's fantastic Web casting agreement with Yahoo! and to the fact that living in the New York area allows me to see Sidney Crosby 24 times a year (Thank you, Gary Bettman's convoluted little brain), I was able to watch him torch Philly and the Isles for 10 points in two games. He's got 52 points now, and it's mind-boggling to think that a 19-year old is currently ruling the hockey world. While I may have made my case for Marty Brodeur as an MVP last week, does anyone think a Crosby-less Penguins are still in Pittsburgh TODAY, nevertheless with a playoff shot.
Speaking of the Islanders, they proved how the NHL's convoluted scheduling--not of opponents, but in time between games-- can really hurt a team. On Friday, after not playing for five straight days, they got trashed 7-4 by Sid the Kid's Penguins, and making them look like laughingstocks by #87. But on Saturday, with a returned Alexei Yashin (I know, it's remarkable that I just said that) they went out and, pardon the pun, thrashed Atlanta.
Long Island is a problem market for the NHL right now, but in no small amount is it because of the Isles. This is a likeable team of mostly hardworking role players who really seem to want to win. You have to think the Isle faithful will return to see this team make a run after they were labeled as a punch-line by certain pundits in the NHL-o-sphere.
Sometimes, I can find myself on a power trip. I saw it as a personal, Stephen Colbert-ish victory when--after my column trashing them--both FOX and ESPN made changes to their NFL scoreboards. Now, I'm taking on Versus' NHL Intermissions and postgames. Quoting Matthew Perry, "Could you be any less informative?"
I had this conversation (or something akin to it) with my brother a couple weeks ago:
"What, the Buffalo Sabres beat Montreal 3-1? Well that's just great. Who scored?"
"I dunno, I'm watchin Versus."
When you watch NBA, NFL and MLB highlight shows, you get in depth statistics, stuff that goes inside the game. Versus needs to start doing this. Hockey's a fantastic game for stat-freaks and fantasy-nerds. Also, could you please add a bottom line ticker? That would be helpful for the 75% of the time we can't view the scoreboard rolling above your head. Thank you.
Andy Murray has his work cut out for him in St. Louis. He's got a team built for a Stanley Cup in 1997. GM John Davidson has made some major mistakes in his first year. Namely: EVERY SINGLE PERSON HE HAS SIGNED, HAS FAILED. Keith Tkachuk leads them, with 22 points. Martin Rucinsky is just below that with 19. Petr Cajanek is nowhere near his assist levels last year, Jay McKee and Barret Jackman have all missed time due to injury. JD's hair is getting thinner and greyer by the day. Maybe when he returns to the Garden in January, he'll see he probably should've never left.
Is it too early to hypothesize that Ovechkin and Crosby could meet in the playoffs? This year? Bettman and Co. would blow a load, and it's probably too early, still but take a look. Both clubs have the hardest part of their schedules--The West coast trip-out of the way, save for a quick back-to-back in Dallas and Phoenix for the Penguins in January. Now it's just a question of winning against the division, a feat neither team has had much of a problem with this year. Pittsburgh is 11-4-2 against the Atlantic, while the Caps have survived at 5-5-2, but have managed to stick around. It's probably crazy to think, but still, it's a fun dream to have, and something this league needs.
For this to be more than just a friendly rivalry would go toward making this an actual one.
Finally, one more Penguin related topic, kudos to Hockey Night in Canada for giving into the masses. Originally slated to air the Rangers-Maple Leafs game to the nation (Save for Ottawa and Montreal) and leave Crosby vs. the Habs to only Quebec viewers, that plan drew rage from fans across Canada, even though the Rangers are a better team and have that guy Jagr there. Anyway, eventually HNIC and the CBC caved in, and instead of a 9-2 game, they got a 6-3 one. Happy?
Finally, the Nashville Predators drew 12,000 fans Thursday, all of whom I'm sure were making a priority to see the Ottawa Senators for the only time in the next three years.
-SFM-
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