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Monthly Archives: May 2010
Nicklas Backstrom signed by Washington Capitals to a 10-year contract
The Washington Capitals shoring up one of their leading scorers for the next decade, made another move this week. A 10 year $67 million deal was signed to Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom had his best season ever scoring 33 goals and 68 assists. To place him 4th in the league in scoring his 101 points in 2010 was good enough.
It is a smart move by the Capitals to spend this kind of money on one of the best centers in the league, who is only 22 years old. They are getting a very durable player at a reasonable price as Ovechkin is signed for 10 more years as well, with this they ensure that they will have two of the best players in the world on their roster for the next decade. Backstrom has yet to miss a game over three NHL seasons.
Considering their team was just upset in the first round of the NHL playoffs by 8 seed Montreal, many Capitals fans might be worried that the team is overspending and committing too much money to just two players in Backstrom and Ovechkin. I do not agree with it however, while I do not blame some fans for thinking this way. Whenever you get the chance to lock up two players who combined for 210 points, easily making the top scoring teammate duo in the league, you have to make sure you do so. It appears that Washington Capitals will be competitive for many years to come with the signing of Backstrom.
Tagged NHL, Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin
NHL Playoffs – Philadelphia vs. Boston – Game 3 – Preview
In this heated match, penalty killing was a definite factor. Against Boston’s 8, penalty time for Philadelphia totaled 10 minutes. Both teams were able to turn away 9 power plays, totaling 17:56 of power play time. Even strength goals proved to be the difference. In the first two periods, each team scored a goal, with the Bruins scoring the winning goal in the 3rd. For the first two periods, the advantage went to the Flyers with a 22-16 shots on goal edge. The Bruins gained the lead with 11 shots on goal to the Flyers 5, in the third period. Final score was 3-2 in favor of Boston.
In the success, both games 1 and 2 were played in Boston which may have been a factor. The Philadelphia Flyers have the home arena advantage for Game 3; but, that may not be enough. The Boston Bruins have momentum and a higher goal to shots on goal percentage. More aggression has been their focus. The Boston Bruins have limited penalty time giving less power play time to their opponents. Into game 3, their focus limiting penalty time is likely to continue. The Philadelphia Flyers, in turn, do not have this focus which has limited their scoring opportunities. In the playoffs, Boston has been carrying through under pressure.
The NHL’s future in the Olympics
Olympic Games spring up on us yet again, after every two to four rears. Whether or not professional athletes should be allowed to compete in the games is one recurring topic, however. Events that involve the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and soccer, this discussion is rampant.
Olympics are a worldwide event meant for healthy competition and to bring countries together thereby promoting world peace and harmony. Olympics was held in high regard but the ideals seems to have declined somewhat. This has now become an arena for the world’s highest paid premier athletes in a highly competitive atmosphere.
For up and coming sports and the companies, the Olympics have become a sort of marketing tool.
The ratings that the Olympics used to bring earlier are lost now. Professional athlete’s inclusion into the Olympics helps their ratings rise. Lesser-known sports that are showcased at these events are helped by the popular athletes thereby bringing the world audience’s attention and appreciation.
Professional athletes set the bar for competition at the Olympic Games apart from all the marketing purposes aside. How can you have some events with professionals like Michael Phelps dominating the waters, and have other events that only take amateur players? For Olympic Qualifiers, it sets an odd standard. It makes sense for each country to watch sports competition at its highest level and send the best of the best to compete in Olympics. To be labeled “to good for the Olympics” puts the wrong kind of picture in people’s heads. All competitors meeting on equal grounds to battle out for the Gold and the Olympics should be the peak of sports competition.If one looks at the hockey game previews in the perspective of Olympics then it is one of the few sports that has held the bar at a higher level for this quadrennial extravaganza.
For World Peace, the Olympics provide a small solution, but they are also a collaboration of venues meant to increase national pride. All countries have professionals that can compete and in the light of the times, professional athletes can leave a good impression on the future of the games.
Tagged NHL, Olympic Games, premier athletes
Game 3 – Preview – NHL Playoffs – Philadelphia vs. Boston
In this heated match, penalty killing was a definite factor. Against Boston’s 8, penalty time for Philadelphia Flyers totaled 10 minutes. Both teams were able to turn away 9 power plays, totaling 17:56 of power play time. Even strength goals proved to be the difference. In the first two periods, each team scored a goal, with the Boston Bruins scoring the winning goal in the 3rd. For the first two periods, the advantage went to the Flyers with a 22-16 shots on goal edge. The Bruins gained the lead with 11 shots on goal to the Flyers 5, in the third period. Final score was 3-2 in favor of Boston.
In the success, both games 1 and 2 were played in Boston which may have been a factor. The Flyers have the home arena advantage for Game 3; but, that may not be enough. The Bruins have momentum and a higher goal to shots on goal percentage. More aggression has been their focus. The Boston Bruins have limited penalty time giving less power play time to their opponents. Into game 3, their focus limiting penalty time is likely to continue. The Philadelphia Flyers, in turn, do not have this focus which has limited their scoring opportunities. In the playoffs, Boston has been carrying through under pressure
NHL Playoffs – Preview – Game 2 – Red Wings vs. Sharks
In San Jose, on Thursday night, Pavelski led the San Jose Sharks to victory over the Detroit Red Wings in the first game of their second round series. Over the Red Wings, Pavelski scored three goals and San Jose was held on for a 4-3 victory.
For the Sharks in the first period, Pavelski scored a goal, as did Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi.
Within a span of seventy-nine seconds, three goals were scored. In one minute nineteen seconds, the three goals were the fastest in Sharks playoff history. Detroit made the score 3-2 but in the third period Pavelski scored his second goal, a five on three power play goal, and the Sharks would prevail 4-3. Brian Rafalski, Johan Franzen and Dan Cleary scored for the Red Wings.
On Sunday night, the second game is also in San Jose. Son Jose played without Patrick Marleau, their regular season leading scorer. He is still listed as day to day and was scratched because of an illness. If San Jose wants to finally advance past the second round, Patrick Marleau must get healthy. Sharks must produce as he plays on their top line.
Because of their playoff experience, some still consider Detroit the favorites. The San Jose Sharks, who have yet to make it past the second round, are considered playoff underachievers. If Detroit wants to win the series, they must improve their power play. On the power play, the Sharks were able to hold them 0 for 5.
Tagged Detroit Red Wings, NHL, San Jose Sharks