Canadian watch
Nov 3, 2008 14:02:26 GMT -5
Post by Mr. Hockey on Nov 3, 2008 14:02:26 GMT -5
If the Stanley Cup playoffs were to start today, two Canadian-based teams -- the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks -- would miss the dance. And the Canucks would be out by just a point. This is how the six Canadian teams ranked through the first month:
Montreal Canadiens
With only one regular loss through their first 10 games, the Canadiens are living up to pre-season expectations and are easily the class of the six Canadian teams. The Habs were particularly tough on the road, undefeated in regulation with an impressive 4-0-1 record including Saturday's come-from-behind win in Long Island in a game in which the Canadiens trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes and won with four unanswered goals in the third period.
And most importantly, the players expected to lead the team were playing superbly. With six wins, goaltender Carey Price was just two off the league-lead while his goals-against average, 2.17, ranked seventh and save percentage, .928, was sixth. Andrei Markov continues his ascent among the best defencemen in the NHL and was leading all NHL blueliners in points with 13, which had him 16th in league scoring. Alex Tanguay was also proving to be a valuable off-season addition scoring six goals and 11 points in 10 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It isn't reflected in their point total, 13 in 12 games, but the Maple Leafs have vastly overachieved in the early going. With a mostly young group of forwards, the Leafs have demonstrated the ability to come from behind and stay close in games in which they lose, like Sunday's 6-4 defeat in Raleigh. Saturday's five-goal outburst in the third period to beat the Rangers was absolutely dazzling.
Youngsters Mikhail Grabovski, John Mitchell and Nikolai Kuleman have all shown great promise and, of course, Vesa Toskla has been pretty good between the pipes.
Free agent acquisition Niklas Hagman was a brilliant addition, as was defenceman Mike Van Ryn, and 19-year-old defender Luke Schenn has shown he absolutely belongs in the NHL. New coach Ron Wilson has established himself as a no-nonsense leader.
Calgary Flames
After a slow start, some wondered if coach Mike Keenan would still be behind the bench when November arrived. But the Flames rebounded and won five straight -- before losing to Anaheim Sunday night -- thanks in a large part to goalie Miikka Kiprusoff who looked rather ordinary at the beginning of the season, but has since picked his game up. His numbers, a 2.83 GAA and .907 SP are not overly impressive, but are improving.
To nobody's surprise, Jarome Iginla is leading the Flames in scoring with six goals and 14 points in 12 games. But we all know he can't carry this team on his own. That's why it is important to note two players brought to town to add scoring support, right winger Todd Bertuzzi and left winger Mike Cammalleri, were playing up to expectations. Bertuzzi had seven goals and nine points while Cammalleri was 4-8-12. And let's not forget Rene Bourque who has chipped in two goals and seven points.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have been a funny team thus far. One minute Mathieur Garon is establishing himself as the team's No. 1 goalie and the next veteran Dwayne Roloson is bailing the team out of trouble with excellent performances. Dustin Penner opens the year with a two-goal performance and then isn't heard from again until Game 11. Ales Hemsky leads the team in scoring, to nobody's surprise, yet doesn't score his first two goals of the year until Game 11.
Good news for the Oilers is defenceman Sheldon Souray is back and healthy and scoring goals again. Bad news is Sam Gagner is suffering through a sophomore slump with no goals through his first 10 games -- playing well, just not scoring.
Vancouver Canucks
Scoring was supposed to be a huge issue for the Canucks, but that has not been the case. Even with Pavol Demitra limited to just three games because of injury the Canucks have averaged nearly 3.5 goals per game. Imagine how often they'll score when the Sedins crank it up. Henrik had 10 points and Daniel nine through 12 games and neither looked particularly special given this is a contract year for both.
Ryan Kessler and Alex Burrows have taken their games to the next level and Kevin Bieksa is making an impact from the blueline. Roberto Luongo has had his moments in net, but has yet to find a consistent form that will carry the Canucks into the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators
In a nutshell the goaltending is a question mark (where have you heard that before?) and the defence is too slow. Think about it: goaltending has been a problem for this team two seasons running now and there is no indication that will change any time soon.
Also, in the past two years Ottawa has lost Joe Corvo, Tom Preissing and Wade Redden from its blueline. Filip Kuba has been a pleasant surprise, but the defence remains a huge concern.
Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza are producing as you would expect them to, but that has not led to victories. The Sens are completely out of whack, but there is too much talent here and Craig Hartsburg is too good a coach for it to continue this way.
www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/11/03/brophy_canadian_watch/
Montreal Canadiens
With only one regular loss through their first 10 games, the Canadiens are living up to pre-season expectations and are easily the class of the six Canadian teams. The Habs were particularly tough on the road, undefeated in regulation with an impressive 4-0-1 record including Saturday's come-from-behind win in Long Island in a game in which the Canadiens trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes and won with four unanswered goals in the third period.
And most importantly, the players expected to lead the team were playing superbly. With six wins, goaltender Carey Price was just two off the league-lead while his goals-against average, 2.17, ranked seventh and save percentage, .928, was sixth. Andrei Markov continues his ascent among the best defencemen in the NHL and was leading all NHL blueliners in points with 13, which had him 16th in league scoring. Alex Tanguay was also proving to be a valuable off-season addition scoring six goals and 11 points in 10 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It isn't reflected in their point total, 13 in 12 games, but the Maple Leafs have vastly overachieved in the early going. With a mostly young group of forwards, the Leafs have demonstrated the ability to come from behind and stay close in games in which they lose, like Sunday's 6-4 defeat in Raleigh. Saturday's five-goal outburst in the third period to beat the Rangers was absolutely dazzling.
Youngsters Mikhail Grabovski, John Mitchell and Nikolai Kuleman have all shown great promise and, of course, Vesa Toskla has been pretty good between the pipes.
Free agent acquisition Niklas Hagman was a brilliant addition, as was defenceman Mike Van Ryn, and 19-year-old defender Luke Schenn has shown he absolutely belongs in the NHL. New coach Ron Wilson has established himself as a no-nonsense leader.
Calgary Flames
After a slow start, some wondered if coach Mike Keenan would still be behind the bench when November arrived. But the Flames rebounded and won five straight -- before losing to Anaheim Sunday night -- thanks in a large part to goalie Miikka Kiprusoff who looked rather ordinary at the beginning of the season, but has since picked his game up. His numbers, a 2.83 GAA and .907 SP are not overly impressive, but are improving.
To nobody's surprise, Jarome Iginla is leading the Flames in scoring with six goals and 14 points in 12 games. But we all know he can't carry this team on his own. That's why it is important to note two players brought to town to add scoring support, right winger Todd Bertuzzi and left winger Mike Cammalleri, were playing up to expectations. Bertuzzi had seven goals and nine points while Cammalleri was 4-8-12. And let's not forget Rene Bourque who has chipped in two goals and seven points.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have been a funny team thus far. One minute Mathieur Garon is establishing himself as the team's No. 1 goalie and the next veteran Dwayne Roloson is bailing the team out of trouble with excellent performances. Dustin Penner opens the year with a two-goal performance and then isn't heard from again until Game 11. Ales Hemsky leads the team in scoring, to nobody's surprise, yet doesn't score his first two goals of the year until Game 11.
Good news for the Oilers is defenceman Sheldon Souray is back and healthy and scoring goals again. Bad news is Sam Gagner is suffering through a sophomore slump with no goals through his first 10 games -- playing well, just not scoring.
Vancouver Canucks
Scoring was supposed to be a huge issue for the Canucks, but that has not been the case. Even with Pavol Demitra limited to just three games because of injury the Canucks have averaged nearly 3.5 goals per game. Imagine how often they'll score when the Sedins crank it up. Henrik had 10 points and Daniel nine through 12 games and neither looked particularly special given this is a contract year for both.
Ryan Kessler and Alex Burrows have taken their games to the next level and Kevin Bieksa is making an impact from the blueline. Roberto Luongo has had his moments in net, but has yet to find a consistent form that will carry the Canucks into the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators
In a nutshell the goaltending is a question mark (where have you heard that before?) and the defence is too slow. Think about it: goaltending has been a problem for this team two seasons running now and there is no indication that will change any time soon.
Also, in the past two years Ottawa has lost Joe Corvo, Tom Preissing and Wade Redden from its blueline. Filip Kuba has been a pleasant surprise, but the defence remains a huge concern.
Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza are producing as you would expect them to, but that has not led to victories. The Sens are completely out of whack, but there is too much talent here and Craig Hartsburg is too good a coach for it to continue this way.
www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/11/03/brophy_canadian_watch/
?? Kevin Lowe gives Penner 4 to 5 mil a season and what has he done?? Answer ZERO.