The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread

[lgna69xxx]

give it up mrs c.

wrong again,. (but we are used to it by now)

NHL POWER RANKINGS AS OF DECEMBER 22, 2009


1. Alexander Ovechkin 102.94
2. Ryan Miller Buffalo 98.77
3. Marian Gaborik N.Y. Rangers 94.98
4. Zach Parise New Jersey 93.14
5. Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh 91.66
6. Mike Green Washington 90.48
7. Patrick Marleau San Jose 89.66
8. Ilya Bryzgalov Phoenix 88.53
9. Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh 88.50
10. Joe Thornton San Jose 88.25
11. Ilya Kovalchuk Atlanta 87.86
12. Miikka Kiprusoff Calgary 87.50
13. Martin Brodeur New Jersey 87.50
14. Alexander Semin Washington 87.37
15. Dany Heatley San Jose 86.97
16. Dustin Penner Edmonton 86.63
17. Dan Boyle San Jose 86.12
18. Duncan Keith Chicago 85.97
19. Nicklas Backstrom Washington 85.97
20. Mike Fisher Ottawa 85.35

* - minimum 27 games (NHL), 30 games




PS, go ahead and try to do your best spin doctor imitation and try to tell me that power rankings have nothing to do with the top players in the league,,,,,,, but you might as well save yoursefl the work............ the "proof is in the pudding" my closet habs fan (wink wink)

A big loss is right! Even at his advanced age Alfredsson is one of the top dozen or so best players in the league. Others include - in no particular order, and not counting goalies (a separate breed!) - Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom (even at his advanced age!), Ovechkin, Iginla, Crosby, Malkin, St. Louis, Chara, Gaborik, Savard (no, not Thornton although he's close).

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs goalie named to Olympic team

Gustavsson and Forsberg chosen for Sweden's Olympic team

Maple Leafs rookie goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has been named to Sweden's Olympic hockey team for the winter games in Vancouver.

Gustavsson will play a backup role to netminder Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.

Former NHL MVP Peter Forsberg is also on Sweden's defending champion Olympic squad.

The veteran centre was selected for the 23-man Olympic team announced Sunday by coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson.

Forsberg has won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche and was the NHL's MVP in 2003. He now plays for Swedish team Modo but has dealt with nagging ankle and foot problems for several years.

Gustafsson says he is not worried about Forsberg's injuries ahead of the Olympics.

The Swedish roster also includes Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and Nicklas Lidstrom, the winner of six Norris trophies as the NHL's top defensive player with the Detroit Red Wings.

 

[Octavian]

Halak Halak Halak

TORONTO - The Canadiens have come up with an interesting game plan: Score a few goals to take the lead and then sit back and let Jaroslav Halak do the rest.

Andrei Kostitsyn scored 34 seconds into overtime to give the Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night but that was Halak’s game from start to finish.

For the fourth consecutive game, Halak faced at least 40 shots.

And for the fourth consecutive game, Halak was the difference as he matched a career high with 47 saves on a night when the Canadiens were outshot 49-23 en route to squandering a 2-0 lead

The Leafs made it interesting when Ian White beat Halak with a shot through heavy traffic in front of the net at 15:07 of the second period to cut the Canadiens’ lead to 2-1. At the time, the Leafs were outshooting the Canadiens, 33-13.

Jason Blake tied the game at 2:41 of the third period when he was credited with a goal off a scramble in the Canadiens’ crease. Halak juggled the puck on a shot by Rickard Wallin and the puck went in as Blake crashed the net.

The Leafs had four good chances to go ahead later in the period. Niklas Hagman hit a post at 9:30; Halak made a glove save on Phil Kessel two minutes later; he stopped Mikhail Grabovski from close range with just over four minutes left and Kessel fired wide in the dying seconds of regulation.

The Canadiens jumped off to a quick 2-0 lead with two goals in a 55-second span in the first period.

The Canadiens’ power play, which came into the game ranked No. 1 in the National Hockey League, continued on a roll when Scott Gomez scored at 3:34. It was only the fifth goal this season for Gomez, who scored on a rebound after Jonas Gustvasson stopped Max Pacioretty’s backhander. It was Gomez’s 600th NHL point.

Tomas Plekanec made it 2-0 when he outraced Toronto defenceman Jeff Finger from the blueline and lifted a shot to the top corner. Andrei Markov started the play with a two-line pass which Michael Cammalleri tipped ahead to Plekanec.

It was only the eighth goal of the season for Plekanec but he leads the Canadiens with 44 points. The Canadiens’ road trip continues Monday night in Ottawa. They then head to Florida for games Wednesday in Tampa and Thursday against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise.

Montreal could have some reinforcements for the Ottawa game. Coach Jacques Martin said earlier yesterday that right winger Brian Gionta and defenceman Roman Hamrlik will both return to the lineup on this trip and could play as early as tomorrow

 

[Doc Holliday]

Will the Habs be able to afford Tomas Plekanec?

Considering they presently don't have much cap room left, it will be a struggle to re-sign top 10 scorer & future unrestricted free agent Tomas Plekanec. Other UFA's are Paul Mara, Glenn Metropolit & JF Bergeron. Restricted free agents such as Carey Price & Jaroslav Halak will want salaries in the $4 million+ range & will get many offers throughout the league. Andrei Markov is UFA after the 2010-11 season & will seek a deal in the $7 million+ range, if not more. The team presently is stuck for the next 4-5 years with Gomez, Cammallari & Gionta's contracts. What will they do? How will they do it?

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/hockey/200911/17/01-922335-le-ch-pourra-t-il-se-payer-plekanec.php

 

[joelcairo]

wrong again,. (but we are used to it by now)

PS, go ahead and try to do your best spin doctor imitation (wink wink)

Well Iggy I'll give you some credit: you actually included hockey stats for possibly the first time ever. It's interesting however that you believe some stats but not others.

Here are some accurate stats for example: The Leafs have played the habs 4 times this season and have lost 3 of the 4. The leafs have the worst PK in the NHL.The leafs currently have more points than exactly 2 teams in the league: the Canes and the Oilers. The Oilers haowever have a game in hand. Moreover at least the Canes won a Cup a few years ago (not 42 going on 43) and at least the Oilers won 5 Cups in the 80s (not one Cup in 67).

Unfortunately your insults ("wrong again but we are used to it by now") and sexual confusion (the title you used) are again in evidence and in the wrong thread.

And one more error that you have made many times (and that I have corrected just as many times, sadly to no avail): I am not a habs fan - I am and always have been a Wings fan - you know, the team with 3 of the top dozen players in the NHL, the team that has 4 Cups in the past decade, the team that Mr. Hockey (that's Gordie Howe in case you didn't know) and Stevie Y played for.

 

[joelcairo]

The Swedish roster includes Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and Nicklas Lidstrom, the winner of six Norris trophies as the NHL's top defensive player with the Detroit Red Wings.

Two great selections! Let's hope Alfredsson's fully healed by then.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Two great selections! Let's hope Alfredsson's fully healed by then.

So i take it that you're cheering for Sweden?

 

[lgna69xxx]

trust me, coming from a habs fan like yourself, (which by the way are the most biased fans of any team in any sport) stats from your point of view mean nothing to anyone but habs fans themselves ........ and if you think "adding" stats by copy and paste is some kind of talent and is something that makes more of and a better hockey fan than the other, you are sadly mistaken...... just gives you something to rant and rave about is all ... some buttons seem to get pushed way to easy around here ....

Well Iggy I'll give you some credit: you actually included hockey stats for possibly the first time ever. It's interesting however that you believe some stats but not others.

.

 

[lgna69xxx]

if there is a hab on it, why not cheer for them?

So i take it that you're cheering for Sweden?

 

[lgna69xxx]

not here to be a S**T disturber eh? i rest my case, "again" (my post was in comment to your "top" players in the league and nothing more)

as far as last nights game, if any "true" habs fans without bias watched, then they honestly understand what the habs are all about this season, relying on halak or price to bail them out, the habs actually played a total of roughly 3 minutes last night, meaning they were dominated for the rest and only came out the victor because of Halak. which by the way i applaud Halak, he is a fantastic goalie, a obvious #1 on alot of nhl teams, but no one can have game in game out this tremendous luck forever...... not even Roy or Broduer can/could withstand 40 plus shots a game and play like this for a full season, which is why Gainey should trade halak now to get value.... but then that leaves the habs with what? a shaky and unproven Price... tough call, and as usual i am sure gainey will do the wrong move

I think habs fans got a real dose of what the 2009/2010 habs are all about last night... they won when they shouldnt have, which is the same as about 14 of their wins this year, thats fact, not just because i am a Leafs fan, i watch most of Montreals games and have friends who are habs fans , REAL habs fans, that call it like it is, not blinded by the Logo.... still roughly 40 games to go, it is gonna be a interesting rest of the season

Here are some accurate stats for example: The Leafs have played the habs 4 times this season and have lost 3 of the 4. The leafs have the worst PK in the NHL.The leafs currently have more points than exactly 2 teams in the league: the Canes and the Oilers. The Oilers haowever have a game in hand. Moreover at least the Canes won a Cup a few years ago (not 42 going on 43) and at least the Oilers won 5 Cups in the 80s (not one Cup in 67).

Unfortunately your insults ("wrong again but we are used to it by now") and sexual confusion (the title you used) are again in evidence and in the wrong thread.

And one more error that you have made many times (and that I have corrected just as many times, sadly to no avail): I am not a habs fan - I am and always have been a Wings fan - you know, the team with 3 of the top dozen players in the NHL, the team that has 4 Cups in the past decade, the team that Mr. Hockey (that's Gordie Howe in case you didn't know) and Stevie Y played for.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Chris Chelios

anyone think a NHL team will pick him up for the playoff run ?...... i think he would be a great addition to a young team like the Blackawks..... or even a serious contender like san jose or buffalo...... there are a handfull of teams actually who i think could greatly benefit from his leadership and experience, not to mention his skills......thoughts????

 

[Octavian]

A big loss is right! Even at his advanced age Alfredsson is one of the top dozen or so best players in the league. Others include - in no particular order, and not counting goalies (a separate breed!) - Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom (even at his advanced age!), Ovechkin, Iginla, Crosby, Malkin, St. Louis, Chara, Gaborik, Savard (no, not Thornton although he's close).

You forgot Markov. At this stage of his career he is just starting to get better. The incredible thing with Markov is that he makes everybody that plays with him look like great players. Souray,Streit and even Komisarek. Can't wait to see what him and Bergeron can do on the power play in the second half. If you had to choose a player between Savard,Saint Louis and Markov to add to your team,which would you choose? Markov hands down.

 

[Octavian]

I was just checking the standings and noticed that if Mtl loses against NJ tonight, and the Leafs beat the Coyotes, THE LEAFS WILL HAVE SURPASSED THE HABS IN THE STANDINGS!!!!

You're gonna have to keep dreaming until next season Doc because it won't happen this season. Habs have the best power play in the league and one of the best pk, goalies are steady as a rock and Gomez has started to play better. With Gionta's return on Monday Gomez should have a decent second half. You read it here first, Habs will win the division.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Sports psychologist Dr. David Scott Ph.D hired by the Habs

The team hasn't lost a game since he was hired:

http://legrandclub.rds.ca/profils/608518/posts/49676

 

[lgna69xxx]

there are 40 games to go, lol........ and the habs will not win anything let alone the division Octavian, have you not been watching them? yes they have won 4 in a row but do you really think they are that good? seriously? 186 shots against in 4 games is the sign of a good team? hmmmm if you say so.... take your advice for doc and keep the dreams a flowing lol

You're gonna have to keep dreaming until next season Doc because it won't happen this season. Habs have the best power play in the league and one of the best pk, goalies are steady as a rock and Gomez has started to play better. With Gionta's return on Monday Gomez should have a decent second half. You read it here first, Habs will win the division.

 

[Illiterati]

Well, in fairness, it does depend on the team's style of play. The Oilers in their day managed to leave Fuhr open to a cruel barrage of shots because they weren't so much worried about it.

Not that I'm equating the Habs' current offense to the 80s Oilers... alas.

there are 40 games to go, lol........ and the habs will not win anything let alone the division Octavian, have you not been watching them? yes they have won 4 in a row but do you really think they are that good? seriously? 186 shots against in 4 games is the sign of a good team? hmmmm if you say so.... take your advice for doc and keep the dreams a flowing lol

 

[lgna69xxx]

oups, my mistake Octavian, i was thinking you meant the conference, but still gonna be hard to catch the Sabres for the division, plus the Bruins are playing better as well

Habs will win the division.

 

[joelcairo]

So i take it that you're cheering for Sweden?

No, I don't like Sweden's backup goaltender.

I do want to see competitive hockey though and Alfredsson will make Sweden more competitive.

 

[joelcairo]

trust me, coming from a habs fan like yourself, (which by the way are the most biased fans of any team in any sport) stats from your point of view mean nothing to anyone but habs fans themselves ........ and if you think "adding" stats by copy and paste is some kind of talent and is something that makes more of and a better hockey fan than the other, you are sadly mistaken...... just gives you something to rant and rave about is all ... some buttons seem to get pushed way to easy around here ....

1. True, copy and paste requires no talent but I was honestly impressed that you at least used stats for the first time ever, even if you did just copy and paste. So don't put yourself down - everyone has to start somewhere.
2. Just to once again correct your mistaken impression: no, I'm not a habs fan. I'm a Detroit fan. It's true that I like the habs a lot more than the leafs, but I like every team a lot more than the leafs. Hell, I like swine flu more than the leafs.
3. I agree with you that many habs fans are biased. Actually, many fans everywhere are biased but the worst are probably in Toronto, Montreal and Boston.

 

[lgna69xxx]

so you say, but actions speak louder than words

I'm not a habs fan..