Well, at least the Bruins are making it easy for me to decide whether or not I want to continue watching them tonight. Ovechkin already has a hat trick and they're not even out of the first period yet. Now we just need some help from the Sharks and Ducks, not to mention a bunch of other teams tomorrow night.

6-0 in the 1st

This is awesome

Holy shit, I just saw it. 6-0 after only 1 period. And 6 goals on just 16 shots. Craaazy. And this is "just" Washington. They must really want that playoff spot.

Peace,
Mike

9-2, 4 goals for Ovechkin now... 53 overall. Damn.

Edit - Aw they changed it

So he had a hat trick in the FIRST PERIOD?!

I have 4 of the top 6 point getters in fantasy.

Boston lost tonight, Ottawa is currently losing 2-1 to Anaheim, and the Montreal/San Jose game is tied at 2. If Anaheim can just prevail over Ottawa, and the Habs win their game, the Habs will be in a solid position, distancing themselves from Ottawa and Boston and keeping a firm grip on the top spot in the division. As long as they have that spot, they will be at least in top 3 in the conference. And right now sit at #1.

Come on Habs, don't screw this up. And I'm crossing my fingers for Anaheim to beat Ottawa.

Peace,
Mike

What a night for me to miss!

Ovechkin broke out of his slump in a big way. Joe Thornton had four points. And all three Northeast teams lost.

What a terribly officiated game the San Jose/Montreal was. Still, Montreal failed to capitalize when necessary, so they are fully to blame for their loss. I'm disappointed, but oh well. I'll move on...

Peace,
Mike

The Pens moved to the top of the east because Montreal lost? Now that's progression!

The Bruins picked a good night to lose by 8 goals.

Auld's got to be the starter from now on. There's no excuse for Thomas letting in ten goals in just about two periods worth of work to the Capitals and Maple Leafs. There's obviously no excuse to let in that many goals, but it's even worse against two shitty teams.

Really, the problem has been that both goalies aren't playing well. Which leads me to believe that it is perhaps the defence or team as a whole. But I don't know, because I didn't watch those particular games.

WASHINGTON GAME
Thomas: 7 goals on 24 shots = 0.708
Auld: 3 goals on 10 shots = 0.700

And Auld is the one who started the Washington game, and he let in 2 goals on 6 shots until he was pulled. Then Thomas was pulled, too. Allowing Auld back on again to let in another goal.

TORONTO GAME
Thomas: 5 goals on 23 shots = 0.783
Auld: 3 goals on 17 shots = 0.823

Peace,
Mike

Auld didn't start the Washington game, Thomas did.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt= ... 23&prov=ap

Auld then followed up that performance by allowing one goal against Florida (as the starter), which came in overtime. Then against Toronto he had to follow Thomas again. It's not a big shocker that he didn't perform that well after Thomas gave him a four goal disadvantage.

Ah, yes, sorry. The Washington game went Thomas (pulled), Auld (pulled), Thomas (pulled), and then ended with Auld. And both goalies did poorly both times they were on the ice.

Ultimately, my point still stands. Following a poor performance from a goalie shouldn't make you play poorly too - in fact, if Auld really wanted to make an impression, he would help win it for the team. Which again, makes me think it had more to do with the whole team playing poorly as opposed to Thomas (who is ordinarily solid). The goalie (in general across all teams) is often pulled not solely because of his poor performance, but to send a message to the team.

Peace,
Mike

Oh, no I agree with that point. I just think the team would play much better if Auld were starting the next couple of games, then bring Thomas back into the mix.

That's true, I would have to agree with you.

It's interesting to note that despite those two blowout losses, the Bruins are still in a mighty fine position in general. They've been rather glossed over, in terms of coverage on the race in the East. I think it's because they initially sat lower in the rankings for the mere fact that they had played less games. Right now they sit only slightly out of the lead positions, are 7th with 77 points and have played one less game than all the other teams. I hope they hold off the overstated Flyers and pass the Rangers at least.

Peace,
Mike

How in the FUCK do the Senators lose 2-0 to the Kings, the worst team in the league?

I suspect heads will roll in the offseason for this franchise.

I can't believe this is the same team that started 16-2. They look like the Leafs!

Of course...... The day the Bruins finally win a game, every team ahead of them that played just had to win too.

The Washington/Pittsburgh game this morning - at least, the third period of it - was one of the most entertaining games I've seen in some time. The NHL needs teams like these to be popular in the States - young, exciting, and - dare I say - dumb. Teams like Dallas or Minnesota who play smart but BORING hockey are not the key to improving NHL popularity.

Well, Jmart, I have to apologize and say that you are completely right and I was completely wrong. At least thus far in the game, Auld is completely shutting the door for the Bruins, and he has faced a lot of shots too. Starting him was a great idea.

Peace,
Mike

Speaking of entertaining hockey, what a barn-burner that Oilers/Hawks game was! Back-and-forth like nothing I've ever seen, and it culminates in a overtime victory for Edmonton. Greatness.

I can't wait till San Jose gets the 2nd seed and Nashville gets 7th. It'd be so mean.