So, I promised a liveblog this week, but due to some unforeseen circumstances (stupid life, why must you always get in the way?!), it just didn’t happen. But I’m going to make up for it this week, and will be bringing you the San Jose/Boston game on Tuesday. Should be a fun one.
Let’s take a look at some of highlights (and lowlights) of this week in the NHL.
-Sean Avery completed his stint in the NHLPA’s behavior management program this week, and was placed on waivers by the Stars. GMs Les Jackson and Brett Hull will now seek an AHL club to stash Avery in for the time being. Dallas’ hope is that they can arrange something with an NHL club (the likely destination right now seemingly being the Rangers) to send Avery to their AHL affiliate for a conditioning stint, and then the big club would claim him (and half of his monstrous contract) on re-entry waivers. I just hope it gets done quickly because I’m sick of hearing about him.
-Word from those in the know in New Jersey is that Martin Brodeur has been taking hard shots from trainers and the coaching staff this week, including using his injured glove hand without any trouble. Sources within the organization claim Marty’s shooting for a February 26th home game against the Colorado Avalanche for a return to action. This would make me ridiculously happy. Check out Fire & Ice for more.
-On the opposite end of the spectrum, Blue Jackets’ rookie netminder Steve Mason was placed on the IR today after being diagnosed with mono last weekend. This is a tough blow to the Columbus organization, which is seeking its first-ever playoff berth in an extremely competitive Western Conference. If Mason is out for a long period of time, it may signal the beginning of the end of their playoff hopes for this season.
-The New York Rangers find themselves in the middle of a 4-game losing streak this week, punctuated by a 10-2 loss to Dallas on Saturday. The fanbase is restless and calling for Renney’s head (I can’t say I blame them), and the team just doesn’t seem to have any sort of chemistry. They need a finisher (the team is currently 29th in the league, averaging 2.4 goals per game), they need to tighten up their defense — things definitely need to change. Somehow, bringing in a guy like Sean Avery doesn’t seem like the answer to me, but there’s a lot of talk that’s what Sather’s looking to do.
-St. Louis placed Manny Legace on waivers this weekend. This didn’t come as a surprise, as Legace’s numbers this season were pretty awful (13-9-2 with a 3.12 GAA and .885 save percentage) and Chris Mason had been consistently outplaying him. He’s been the latest in a series of goaltenders to pass through waivers over the past month (Curtis Sanford, Martin Gerber). The Blues called up Chris Holt (this required an Arrested Development joke) to serve as Mason’s back up.
-Chris Osgood is in the doghouse with the Red Wing’s coaching staff. Osgood has struggled most of this year, and GM Ken Holland called him out earlier this week:
“Obviously, his game isn’t where it was last year, the statistics bear that out,” Holland said Thursday. “We know we got to get him on top of his game.
…We need Chris to get his game back to where it was last year, and now.” Windsor Star
Luckily for Detroit, Ty Conklin has been playing extremely well (he posted his sixth shutout against his former team this afternoon). But going into the playoffs, I’m sure the Red Wings would feel a lot better knowing Osgood was bringing a solid performance every night.
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TOMORROW:
Eastern Conference:
Boston Bruins (1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (8)
Washington Capitals (2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (7)
New Jersey Devils (3) vs. New York Rangers (6)
Montreal Canadiens (4) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5)
On the bubble: Florida Panthers (1 point out), Pittsburgh Penguins (2 points out)
Western Conference:
San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (8)
Detroit Red Wings (2) vs. Vancouver Canucks (7)
Calgary Flames (3) vs. Dallas Stars (6)
Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs. Anaheim Ducks (5)
On the bubble: Edmonton Oilers (tied with Minnesota, one more game played), Columbus Blue Jackets (tied with Minnesota, two more games played)
PLAYS OF THE WEEK:
Richard Zednik put in his entry for goal of the year earlier this week, leaping over an Islander defenseman before putting the puck behind Joey Macdonald. Incredible play.
Niklas Hagman had a rough start to a early shift against the Panthers this week, getting checked by a ref, kneed in the back of the head, and hit in the visor with the puck in rapid succession. After shaking off the cobwebs, he came back with a beautiful play to put the Leafs up 1-0.
Drew Stafford faked his way around Mike van Ryn of the Maple Leafs before stuffing the puck behind Vesa Toskala with a gorgeous move on Wednesday night.
