I’ve been slipping on my weekly updates lately. My job has taken over my life. I need an extra hour in my days. On to the current happenings in the NHL.
THE GOOD:
-Rick Tocchet won his first game as interim head coach of the Lightning after the firing of Barry “The Mullet” Melrose last week. The Bolts are finally starting to put the puck in the net, which is the one thing most people thought they WOULDN’T struggle with this year.
-The NHL finally realized “fan voting” for the All-Star game wasn’t working out quite like they planned and did away with the automated votes certain Habs fans had been submitting for half of the Habs roster. The results look slightly more believable now than they did two weeks ago — even if the entire starting lineup would be Canadiens if the voting ended today. The site also has a CAPTCHA in place now to prevent any other
-The Devils figured out how to win games with someone besides Martin Brodeur in net.
-In other goaltending news, Roberto Luongo is a monster. After having his shutout streak last week snapped, Luongo gave up only 3 goals to the tri-state area in games Monday and Wednesday, and looked absolutely unbelievable. I absolutely love watching him. The Canucks have also been strong offensively, as the return of Pavol Demitra on a line with the Sedin twins has been nearly unstoppable.
-San Jose’s record as of today is 17-3-1. Just….wow.
THE BAD:
-The above mentioned Luongo was injured in the Canucks game against the Penguins yesterday. There won’t be further updates until tomorrow, but it appeared to be a left groin injury, and it didn’t look good. This would be a major blow to the Canucks if he is out for any major length of time.
-The hockey gods give and then taketh away. The Devils were finally starting to get “healthy”, and are now without John Madden, who bruised his foot in a game against the Panthers on Thursday, and Mike Mottau, who was suspended for two games for a hit on Islander forward Franz Nielsen Friday night. One of these days the Devils will have the team that took the ice back on October 10th back again. Really.
-Third jerseys are ugly. 90% of the time. Excluded from this list are those teams using throwback jerseys, and St. Louis and San Jose. Everyone else, you’re on notice. I’m looking at you Atlanta.
-Brendan Morrow was lost for the season this week with a torn ACL. The comeback for the already struggling Stars just got a whole lot harder.
THE RIDICULOUS:
Sidney Crosby with another goal from the seat of his pants earlier this week.
Patrik Elias had a great week for the Devils, including this gem.
Not to go Devils heavy, but how about this fight between Bryce Salvador and Tim Jackman? Jackman took a few stitches in his face between periods.
Have a great week everyone 
November 25th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
A couple things:
1) Sid is Sick — every goal is see from him gets more ridiculous
2) What’s with the goalie injury parade? First Brodeur, then Nabakov, now Luongo. If I’m Lundqvist I’m nervous because this is basically the list of Vezina contentders the last couple years minus him.
3) Salvador is becoming Ken Danekyo reincarnated for me. Tough, steady, smart. Couldn’t be happier with the guy
4) Nothing on Boston?? The B’s keep surprising everyone. Tim Thomas has been the key
5) You’re right … San Jose… wow. Detroit look out.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Hey Sarah, what do you think of Sean Avery being suspended indefinitely for his “sloppy seconds” remark? I know he is not well-liked at all within the NHL, but that seems a little excessive. I know I sure laughed my — off when I heard it.