A Jersey that should not have been retired

It's Barack Obama's first full day as president -- do you know where your favorite NHL team is [in the standings]?

Never mind that -- I just came up the idea of profiling a player whose jersey never should have been sent to the rafters. Here's a few clues as to who I'm talking about.

1) He wore #32.

2) He played for the Nordiques, Capitals, and Avalanche.

3) He once scored a big OT goal, but is more famous for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xte-Vtxg-m8 [embedding was disabled on youtube!]

and now, this: [Note Bill Clement's vicious words]



Yes folks, I'm talking about the one, the only, Dale Hunter.

In 2000, a cool 9 years ago, the Washington Capitals sent Hunter's 32 high above the then-MCI Center ice. This was a huge, anti-climatic mistake, mainly because of the above videos.

It is a disgrace to the Capitals previously-prestigious name [??] to honor a player who engaged in such acts during his career. Players like Hunter are why hockey gets little respect from the professional sporting community.

Just thought I'd share that. Now back to your regularly scheduled life.

The first time I predict a game

And I'm 100% correct. As I predicted earlier [see 2 posts down], the Washington Capitals powered their way past the Boston Bruins tonight, 2-1. The shorthanded Bruins simply couldn't muster the offensive attack they've shown all season, and the Caps took advantage.

The game was highlighted by a marvelous slap-shot game winner from Alexander Semin in the third period. Unfortunately, I couldn't find Semin after the game to discuss the blast.

He probably would have explained to me why he's better than Crosby -- and guess what, if we judge tonight alone, he may have been right. We rarely see a stickhandling performance as good as the one the "other" Alex put on this evening.

Can't wait to see these two teams meet in Boston in a few weeks -- should be a preview of an eventual exciting playoff matchup.

The All-Star Game -- Montreal Canadi-craps

Giving fans full control over the All-Star game was never a good idea in my eyes.

WHO SHOULD NOT BE THERE

1) Each of the Montreal Canadiens Starters

Yes, the game is being played in Montreal, yes it's their centennial, and yes, fans are allowed to vote in, and yes the more votes you get, the more chance you have of being a starter and blah blah blah etc.

The facts remain:

-Mike Komisarek has four [count 'em, four!] points this season, and he's a starter in the All-Star game. By this standard, Michal Roszival is a freaking superstar!

-Carey Price's 16 wins are tied for 8th in the league. 8th.

-Alexei Kovalev's 32 points put him in a tie for 59th in the league so far. But not so fast, he could make it to 58th by the season's end.

Andrei Markov is a solid defenseman, and is perhpaps the only one of the four who deserves to be a starter.

-Roberto Luongo should NOT be a starter. He does not play for Montreal and thus probably shouldn't even be in this section.

2) OTHER INJUSTICES

Alex Ovechkin, Jeff Carter, and Tomas Vanek could all be starters. Is the All-Star voting system, like the Electoral College, flawed and outdated? Maybe there should just simply be an All-Star committee.

Phil Kessel, Alex Semin, Nik Backstrom, Nik Zherdev - by Montreal Canadiens standards, these guys all should have made it yet did not.

Maybe the lesson here is to get out and vote. That seems to be what Montreal fans did.

Games of the Week: Boston Asserts Dominance

I was scheduled (by yours truly) to analyze Vancouver's game vs. Edmonton, and the return of Mats Sundin. However, good ole Mats did not register any points in this game -- and I sure as heck wasn't able to watch the contest. Thus, my analysis would merely be a regurgitation of someone else's evaluation. Therefore, I won't discuss this game.

That being said, it's worth noting that through four games with the Canucks, Sundin has just a goal and an assist. Talk about a bust! I mean, this guy was the first overall pick! [20 years ago] [Disclaimer: I'm kidding]

In the OTHER game of the week, while the Edmonton Oilers thrashed the Capitals just down the East Coast, the All-Star Montreal Canadiens [see my All-Star post following this one] stormed into TD Banknorth Garden Tuesaday night for dinner and a movie with their "arch-rivals," the Bruins. For the second straight time, Boston overcame their neighbor to the north, proven that the tables in the Northeast Division have indeed turned since last season.

Goaltender Tim Thomas called his club's 3-1 victory "one of the funnest games" he's played this year, and patented the word "funnest" in the process. The team was led by two goals from defensive slugger Zdeno Chara, who finally seems to be pulling his weight in Beantown.

The Bruins, like teams such as the Washington Capitals, have experienced somewhat of a revival this season. Tuesday night's game was the 11th home sellout of the year, and coaches and players alike called the atmosphere "playoff-like."

Expect the B's to slow things down a bit in the coming weeks for one reason: Phil Kessel managed to get mono, either through sharing a soda with someone, or, well, doing something else. This season, Kessel's third in the NHL, the forward has finally lived up to his early draft selection. With Kess gone from the lineup for 2-4 weeks, the B's will miss the outstanding skating ability #81 brings to the table -- especially this Saturday at Washington.

Marco Sturm is also sidelined, likely for quite some time, with a knee injury. He hasn't been the biggest factor on this team, but nevertheless, every injury counts. Lastly, Milan Lucic, the most overrated player in the NHL BY FAR, sat Tuesday due to an "undisclosed" injury [gotta love those...]

This week, I won't be profiling a West game, just to get my bearings. As you can see above, the first time I tried to do it, I failed miserably, and I need to really figure out what I'm doing before I can effectively try it. It's like playing with fire, that West.

Anyway, the East game:

Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals, Saturday, 7PM

-This matchup is far more anticipated in my eyes than Ovechkin vs. Crosby tonight. The last time the club's met, it was the Caps coming out on top. This time, I'll have to predict the same result. The Bruins are battling injuries, and barring a total collapse from those ever-unpredictable Capitals goalies, the Caps should be able to fight this one out and prove they're the best team in the East. Prediction [NEW!]: Capitals 2-1.

The Shootout

And now, I'm going to talk about why I hate the shootout.

Close your eyes for a second.

Imagine you and a friend have been racing for a mile. You come to the end of the race, both crossing the finish line at exactly the same time. The judge gives you two options. You can call the race a tie, or play rock paper scissors to decide the winner. Oh, and one more thing. You are Gary Bettman. Which option do you decide to go with?

Do you see what I'm getting at?

When a regular season game ends through overtime, the game should be called a tie. Yes, we would lose out on a little excitement, but we would gain an extra dose of fairness! Here are a few reasons why shooutouts should be "shot out" as fast as that horrible pun I just made.

1) Shootouts allow teams with good goaltenders *cough cough not naming any names newyorkrangers cough cough* to coast through overtime with the hope of winning the game on a breakaway competition. The formula is simple: first, get to overtime by barely tying the opposition. Second, once in OT, maybe try a little offense to see what kind of luck you can garner. When that doesn't work, play tight D, counting on your goalie to guide you through. Once he does, shoot first in the shootout. This way, when you've shamelessly won the game in a one-on-one competition with the opposing goalie, your own goalie will stop the puck and get you that extra special second point.

How is this fair?

Good [real] teams with the game in regulation/overtime, and don't rely on their goalie. The shootout should not be a large reason for a good team's wins. Clubs should be forced to take risks during the actual game rather than play conservatively, hoping to make it to a final round of breakaways.

2) The shootout takes away from the novelty of a penalty shot, previously the most exciting play in hockey. Remember how exciting penalty shots used to be? We only saw them maybe once every...well, only a little bit. Barely ever, in fact. Now with the advent of the shootout, a penalty shot is just a "weird" shootout in the middle of a game. What's that about?

3) Maybe it's just me, but somehow, when a team wins through a shootout, the outcome doesn't "feel" like a real win. It feels like the victor got lucky and gained an extra point in the standings. Hockey is the most exciting game on earth, and should be kept that way -- while the shootout is masked to be exciting, the real excitement comes from goals DURING GAMES -- and I just said exciting many times to emphasize this point.

A crapshoot skills competition should never decide the outcome of a professional sporting event. Perhaps the only positive the NHL has going with the addition of the shootout is the elimination of the event during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I've always been against penalty kicks -- which are even more ridiculous -- deciding the world cup.

Conclusion: The shootout should go.

It's been a while

I know I haven't written in quite some time. Some of my more devoted readers have probably gone into a state of utter despair.

But don't fear. I'm ready to get back into hockey writing.

Here's a quick assessment of the NHL so far:

1) In the East, the Bruins and Capitals appear to be the real deal. Both clubs have shown how to build a team around a core of young players. The main difference for the B's this season? Phil Kessel is finally playing like a top 5 draft choice. For the Caps, the whole system of youth has simply gelled perfectly.

The Rangers, on the other hand, ought to fire Tom Renney (or whoever is running the power play, for that matter). With these guys, on any given night, you'll see a completely different, inconsistent team. And should this come as any surprise? After all, the line combinations are changed just as often.

2) The West, the west, the west. What is there to say? It's still better than the East, for one. [Insightful analysis, I know]. This year's Winter "Classic" was an exciting showing, although I question the league's decision to put the Red Wings in the game. We know the Red Wings are that team in the middle of America that's simply the best every season - even when they don't win the Cup. Hasn't America gotten bored of the Motor City boys? I mean, all they do is, well, win. Next year, I say the NHL put an East/West matchup in the WC; say, the Rangers and the Stars. We can play the game at the Ballpark in Arlington. I only truly meant a small amount of what I just wrote.

But I digress.

You've got to love the Blackhawks. A slow start, a coaching change, and suddenly the youth movement is in full swing - even if Patrick Kane looks 13. And San Jose - well, I'd say it's about time Doug Wilson brought home a Cup for the Sharks.

It's now January 7th, 2009 and I am officialy picking the Stanley Cup Finals - the Sharks against the Capitals, with the Sharks winning in 7 games! You heard it at Playedonice -- a crummy blog written by a "nobody" -- first.

3) Sean Avery could be just what the struggling Rangers need.

4) I pledge to start writing in this thing more. I'll start now by giving my game of the week to watch. It's a weekly [who woulda guessed that] segment I'll be doing for each conference. After the game, analysis will ensue. This week, for the West:

Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers - Tonight, 10 PM ET.
-Mats Sundin MAY play but WILL be paid $5 million regardless. We here at Playedonice have the greatest respect for Mats, even if all those Swedes in New York couldn't lure him to the Rangers. Money apparently can buy happiness.
-This game is also a crucial Northwest matchup. Currently, Dion Phaneuf and the sloppy-seconds Flames [whoops] are only 5 points up on the Canucks with a game in hand.

For the East:

Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins - Tuesday, 7 PM ET

-The Canadiens will return to the TD Banknorth Garden following a thrashing during their last visit. Apparently, Montreal thought the Bruins would roll over and die like they did through much of the "rivalry." Expect this contest to be a little closer. The Bruins are clearly the better team this season, and have dominated on home ice.

Everything is Bigger in Texas, Even Sean Avery's Ego

Not that it ever needed to be more official, but Sean Avery is the most hated man in the NHL – and #16 certainly lived up to his title Saturday night in Beantown.

As the Struggling Stars of Dallas entered the TD Banknorth Garden for a bout with the Bruins, Avery was feisty enough to manage a Gordie Howe Hat Trick – except for the “assist” part. He got the goal (the only one scored by his club) and compensated for the lack of a helper with an unhealthy dosage of fighting in what became a wild and crazy contest.

First Period
It all began just like any other hockey game. Following Marco Strum’s early tally to give the B’s the early lead, Avery – playing alongside Brad Richards and Steve Ott – forged a nice individual effort on his third shift, breaking up a Boston pass play in the defensive zone and rushing the puck the length of the ice. When he reached the top of the circle, the Great Gabbo launched a wrister directly over the right shoulder of a surprised Tim Thomas to tie the game. The unassisted goal, booed loudly by the Boston fans upon its announcement, was just Avery’s second of the season.

On his next shift, Avery’s line started off the Stars power play. Showing that he can do more than simply score, Avery got over-aggressive on one of Thomas’ frozen pucks. Fearless Sean was mauled by the imposing presence of Zdeno Chara, highlighting a serious size difference.

The rest of the period was fairly uneventful for everyone’s favorite player, disregarding the fact that Avery did time for hooking in the offensive zone. It would be the first of many trips to the sin bin.

Second Period
The second frame began the Saga of Steve Ott, as Avery’s linemate would be involved with several altercations, namely with Bruins-tough-guy Shawn Thornton. On the line’s third shift of the period, Ott’s attempt to fight Shane Hnidy was unsuccessful. However, the end result of Avery and Ott’s need to “keep it real” with their opponents was unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for both players. Is Avery’s apparent lack of discipline upsetting the Stars yet? Maybe four years at $15.5 million was a bit much after all…

On his first shift out of the box, Avery didn’t seem to have learned his lesson. A friendly “talk” with Shawn Thornton soon ensued, much to the chagrin of Thornton, who complained to the nearest official.

Toward the end of the period, the Avery line looked sharp, generating a fair amount of offense and cycling the puck well in the attacking zone – but alas, no goals. When the period ended, the game was still 2-1 – very much in reach for the Struggling Stars. However, all that was about to change.

Third Period – Where Everything Went Downright Haywire
During his first shift, Avery kept on jawing with Thornton. After all, even though his team was down a goal, there were important discussions to be had!

Just about four minutes into the period, Phil Kessel’s strike significantly brought down the Stars’ confidence. The team – led by the likes of Avery – decided to abandon any rational game plan and to begin playing Slapshot style.

In the minute following Kessel’s goal, Andrew Ference leveled popular target Steve Ott at center ice. The crowd exploded, and so did Avery, who decided he hadn’t seen enough of the Garden penalty box yet, picking a fight with Ference. Upon arrival at the box once again, Avery showed his fun-loving side, smiling, laughing, and pointing at taunting fans. [Yes folks, he’s a class act and a half.]

But let’s not fault Avery too much for his fisticuffs. After all, there was still a great deal of time left, and fighting often rallies the troops, right?

Wrong. There’s an old saying that goes “I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out.” It may as well have been written after the third period of this game, as the matchup deteriorated into a virtually glorified street brawl.

The score was now 4-1 – most definitely out of reach for our Struggling Stars. It was Avery – yet again – who started it all, collaborating with teammate Matt Niskanen off a late faceoff to sucker Milan Lucic from behind in the boards. In the chaos that resulted, Marc Savard began punching Avery to the ground. All on the ice followed, even the two goaltenders – who desperately wanted to get in on the action but were restrained.

The refs had seen enough. This time, Avery wasn’t going to the penalty box. He was going to the dressing room for good. The long night – which consisted of a goal and 21 total penalty minutes – nearly a third of the 67 PIM assessed to the Stars in total – was mercifully over.

Post Game
We couldn’t get Sean’s thoughts on the rollercoaster of a night, as #16, according a Stars PR guy, won’t address the media “on a night like this.” Despite pleas of multiple reporters, in a purely unprofessional display, Sean proved yet again that he can walk the walk but not talk the talk.

It’s after games like these when one realizes why Glen Sather and the Rangers weren’t in such a hurry to ink Avery to a long-term deal. Granted – he’s exciting to watch, and always involved in every play. He’s also a multifaceted threat every night who’s got finesse with a [generous] dose of toughness.

But in spite of all that – lies that not-so-lucky number 21 – if we wanted to milk the Blackjack analogy for all it’s worth, it’s as if Avery took a few too many gambles Saturday night. In this case, “21” translates as undisciplined, immature, and, at times, downright stupid. Yes, to an extent a player should stick up for his teammates, but to say Avery has a tendency to go too far would be the understatement of the century.

And the icing on the cake – he couldn’t even explain his actions after the game!