One week to go: A short wrap up

Real, meaningful, hockey games start in less than a week. I've been barely keeping up with whatever pre-season games are shown on TV.

Did anyone catch the Leafs/Sabres game the other night on the NHL Network. It was in Buffalo at HSBC Arena, but I couldn't figure that out for a bit, because the boards had no ads. They were stark white. Also, Miller and a Sabres skater were wearing helmet cams. Of course, I didn't see one replay from those vantage points.

I watched John Tavares' debut on Long Island, versus the Devils. He didn't unimpress me. He actually made nicer plays on the defensive end, instead of showing off his offensive hops. Maybe he's saving that for the regular season.

Last night after the U2 concert, I caught the replay of the Capitals/Rangers game. Brashear and Sugden had 2 fights, but round 2 was solid.



Also, Brandon Dubinsky made a great play to set up the eventual game winner. Smart move by both sides to end that stand-off.


Gretzky stepped down and Dave Tippet got the job. Great trade off for the Coyotes. Gretzky was a great name and a not-so-great coach. Tippet is a proven winner. He's just go to teach the kids and get an everyone is against us attitude in the locker room.

What you missed last night while you were organizing your t-shirts

Devils shut-out the Rangers, 3-0: This game had a lot of firsts (in a long time). First time in a long time Scott Clemenson had a shut-out. First time in a long time I've heard Eddi Olczyck say something relevant and insightful (at the end of the 3rd he correctly observed that Dubinsky was too fancy with the puck and should just get it on net, down 3 goals). As I watched Parise zoom down the ice to put away the game with an empty netter, I wondered to myself if he's this generations Mike Modano (Scotty says maybe). Truthfully, Mikey Mo was a more voractious points getter this early in his career, but the speed and saavy of Parise makes me want to call him the baby shark.

Flames beat the Canadiens, 6-2: I'm going to channel my inner Buccigross and say the song of the moment for the Canadiens is Hold On. My favorite part about this game was that TSN's preview of it was titled "Slumping Canadiens face Slumping Flames" Not only is the Montreal power play awful (do you miss Mark Streit?) - its not even even. The PP is minus (last night). Thats a problem. Also will the Canadiens make a sneaky goalie move? Bring in Khabibulin (that would be full circle).