In Original Six Matchup, Boston Bruins Meet Montreal Canadians

  By admin | November 10, 2010 - 6:39 am | NHL Leave a comment

On Thursday night, this week, one of the better NHL hockey games will take place in Boston, when the Montreal Canadians come to town to take on the Boston Bruins. In this young NHL season, both the Canadians and Bruins are off to a good start and currently sit 1st and 2nd respectively in their division.

By relying on their excellent defense, and surprisingly efficient offense, Boston to get off to a 7-3-1 start. Overall the Bruins rank 2nd in Goals Against at 1.7 goals per game and have the best penalty kill in the NHL at 92.9%.This season, Boston’s offense, which was considered to be the weak spot on their team, ranks 7th in the league in goals per game with an average of 3.0 and the 9th best power play at 21.4%.

To help them win games and get off to an 8-5-1 start, Montreal on the other hand has been relying solely on their defense. While their power plays has been a dismal 6.4% good enough for 30th in the NHL, the Canadians rank 25th in the league in scoring averaging just 2.4 goals per contest. While Montreal used a 6-1 stretch in the middle of October to take an early division lead, the Canadians rank 7th in goals against with 2.4 per game and have the league’s 5th best penalty kill at 87.9% even though the Canadians have struggled a bit as of late winning only once in their last 4 attempts.

Thursday night match up should be a good one between two original six teams. The Boston Bruins are looking for a little payback in the first meeting of the 2010-2011 seasons as Montreal won last year’s season series 5 games to 1.

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Season Preview – NHL – Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins

  By admin | October 28, 2010 - 6:15 am | NHL Leave a comment

On Thursday, NHL Hockey action features an Original Six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

In recent seasons, Toronto is off to one of its best starts, going 5-2-1 SU in its first eight games. Boston are out of the gate with a 4-2-0 SU record, despite being hit with a rash of injuries early in the season.

Forward Colby Armstrong, who is out indefinitely with a hand injury in included in the Maple Leafs’ injuries. Marco Sturm (knee surgery), defenseman Johnny Boychuk is out indefinitely with an arm injury, and forwards Marc Savard (concussion) and Trent Whitfield (achilles surgery), are also all out indefinitely for the Bruins.

In recent head-to-head matchups, Boston has dominated, going 8-1-0-1. On April 3 last season, the teams last met, when the Bruins edged the Maple Leafs 2-1. A +105 home underdog had been Toronto.

The Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Tuesday, in their last game, cashing as a -160-moneyline favorite. After the club had won its first four games of the season, the win ended the Leaf’s 3-game losing streak.

Since Saturday, Boston hasn’t played, when it was upset 3-2 by the New York Rangers, losing as a -180-moneyline favorite in NHL betting.

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NHL 2010-11 Preview: Boston Bruins

  By admin | October 4, 2010 - 11:33 am | NHL Leave a comment

After last season’s meltdown against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Finals (in which they led three games to zero and game seven 3-0), the Boston Bruins return youth and firepower that should lead the club to hoisting the Stanley Cup at the end of the year.

Despite the loss of Marc Savard due to injury (post-concussion syndrome), Boston has the right blend of experience (Recchi, 42 years old) and youth (Sanguin, 18) to get it done at the next level.

The offense is a balanced, if pedestrian, attack that was 30th last year in goals scored while converting only 7.47% of shot opportunities. With the loss of Savard, Patrice Bergeron moves up to the first line at center to lead a balanced attack that also includes David Krejci and Mark Recchi. Bergeron (19 goals, 33 assists, 52 points), Krejci (17,35,52), and Recchi (18,25,43) numbers should go up with the addition of Nathan Horton at RW from Florida, listed first line on the current depth chart.

The defense is the cornerstone of the Bruin attack and is led by team captain Zdeno Chara. The unit was second in the league in goals allowed and third in the penalty kill and with Tuukka Rask listed as lead goalie (1.97 GAA and .931 save pct.) defense will again shine for Boston.

“Offense wins games, defense wins championships”. Boston appears “loaded for bear” as management has put together a young club that should improve on last year’s playoff surge.

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New York Rangers Drury out four weeks due to injury: NHL

  By admin | September 23, 2010 - 6:20 am | NHL Leave a comment

For the New York Rangers, it did not take long to suffer their first injury as NHL training camps opened on the weekend.

On Monday, Center Chris Drury was hit with a broken finger during a training-camp scrimmage and will be out at least four weeks, the NHL club said Tuesday.

The team captain, Drury is coming off a horrible season. In the 2009-10 season, he scored a career-low 14 goals and 32 points and the Rangers failed to advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

To the Flyers, a 2-1 shootout loss in the season finale left the Rangers in the Eastern Conference’s ninth spot.

According to the team’s website, Drury said last week, “The only thing worse than going through that as a team would be not learning from it. When you go through something bad as a team and you don’t learn from it, and you don’t come out better for it, then that’s strike three as far as I’m concerned.”

Drury, 34, as his left index finger heals, he will miss the regular season’s first four games.

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Bruins Still Seeking a Deal with Marc Savard: NHL

  By admin | September 4, 2010 - 5:59 am | NHL Leave a comment

As sources are saying that the team is actively looking to deal him with several teams showing interest, the rumors that the Boston Bruins were looking to deal center Marc Savard have come back to life. Savard is poplular in the online sportsbook odds.

The Bruins are looking to get under the salary cap and Savard brings along a $4 million dollar price tag, according to sources close to the Savard situation. As the deciding point on other teams’ chances of getting him as well, the salary cap has also been a factor.

You are going to get controversy is the thing with Savard. The NHL is saying that its wording may be in breach of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, therefore they are investigating Savard’s contract.

The same scrutinizing is going on as that of the monster deal that was given to Ilya Kovalchuk by the New Jersey Devils. As far as the Bruins wanting to trade Savard, the contract dispute by the league has also been a hindrance.

‘Teams have been turned off by the investigation by the league office and this has caused teams to back off interest in Savard but the Bruins are still actively looking for a deal to trade him’, said the source.

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Murray comments on Ducks Deal’s Status

  By admin | August 10, 2010 - 9:54 am | NHL Leave a comment

Earlier this summer, Bob Murray tried to sign Bobby Ryan to a long-term deal, even going so far as publicly revealing the terms of five years and $25 million. Now he’s going at it in a different way as he was rebuffed.

On Monday, during a conference call, Murray told reporters, “There is the Bobby Ryan issue still sitting out there and we’re attempting to go at that in a different way in the next couple of days. I don’t want to comment on contract negotiations, but we’re going to try something different and that’s all I’m going to say.” He was then asked if that means a shorter-term deal, but Murray stood his ground and he wouldn’t comment.

On the rampant rumors of Paul Kariya’s imminent return to Anaheim, Murray also fielded questions, which were fueled earlier Monday. All of this happened when Teemu Selanne said on his conference call that he has spoken with Murray and Kariya, and he hopes thing can work out.

About the history that Kariya and Selanne have together in Anaheim, the GM said nothing. He even uttered no word about the magic they created from 1996-2001 will factor into what the team ultimately decides.

Murray said, “With my guys we try to figure out how we can put a good hockey team on the ice and be competitive. I couldn’t give two cents what has gone on in the past. All you have to do is look at our team last year. You thought for sure Saku (Koivu) and Teemu would have chemistry right of the bat. Well, they didn’t. The best laid plans don’t always work. If we feel Paul Kariya can be a good fit within our organization than we will move forward.”

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Three free agents signed by Toronto Maple Leafs – NHL

  By admin | July 20, 2010 - 6:13 am | NHL Leave a comment

The signing of three unrestricted free agents has been announced by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is big announcement for the hockey betting news. Right winger Joey Crabb, defenseman Danny Richmond and Center Mike Zigomanis are the players.

Dave Poulin, Vice President of hockey operations released a statement that said the Maple Leafs have added depth. The players signed will provide leadership for the organization’s younger players and they have National Hockey League experience.

With Peoria and Rockford, Richmond, 25, played in the American Hockey league, last season. Stints with Chicago and Carolina for a total of forty-nine games, includes in his NHL experience. In the 2nd round, Richmond was drafted, 31st overall by Carolina in 2003. Last year, Zigomanis, 29, played for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and also played with Djurgardens of the Swedish Elite League. With Carolina, St. Louis, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh, he has played in 189 games in the NHL. In the 2nd round, Zigomanis was drafted 46th by Carolina in 2001.

In the NHL, Crabb, 27, has played in twenty-nine games with the Atlanta Thrashers. Crabb was born in Anchorage, Alaska, he scored twenty-four goals, twenty-nine assists and spent last season with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). In 2002, he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the seventh round, 226th overall.

After failing to make the playoffs last year, Toronto is looking to rebound.

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Possible destinations for Ilya Kovalchuk: NHL

  By admin | July 10, 2010 - 6:29 am | NHL Leave a comment

As free agency kicks into high gear, NHL free-agent Ilya Kovalchuk continues to be courted around the league. In an early February trade, acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers, the New Jersey Devils hope to retain the high scoring Left Winger for at least another season.

Over 6 seasons, having reportedly turned down a $60 million dollar contract, the two sides are currently at an impasse regarding negotiations. The Los Angeles Kings are considered one of the front runners for the 27 year old, thinking they were just one big scorer from making a run to the Stanly Cup. However, after hitting a snag again on their offers, they have allegedly withdrawn their bid.

Besides the NHL, Kovalchuk has other options, if he so chooses. By the KHL (Russian Hockey League), there are purportedly feelers floated out that could entice the native to return to his home country for at least one year. The fact that a contact can’t be reached from either of the 2 front runners has to be frustrating.

Without at least making a bid, the Devils won’t just allow him to make a bid for his services. But the winger may be persuaded to relocate for a lesser deal and he also loves the L.A. lifestyle. That is the only way that he would be willing to take less money in order to sign a new contract.

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Edmonton Oilers – NHL Draft Preview

  By admin | June 22, 2010 - 7:14 am | NHL Leave a comment

Heading into the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers face a tough decision. For other 30 NHL teams, it is a problem and they would love to have.

Do they select Taylor or Tyler?

As the top two players available in the draft, Taylor Hall of the Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Tyler Seguin of the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL have established themselves and will likely be picked first and second. Hence, which player should be selected first is one of the biggest debates heading into the draft. With the first overall pick, the Edmonton Oilers will settle the dispute as to who the top pick will be.

The Oilers are rumored to be in favor of selecting Hall (a left wing), even though they have needs at center (where Seguin plays). Hall has a crowd-pleasing game that has Edmonton fans giddy with excitement and he is the winner of two straight Memorial Cups. When he visited Edmonton a short time ago, the chef at the restaurant he was eating at came out to have his apron signed by Hall.

To improve a defense that allowed a league-worst 3.39 goals per game last season, the Oilers also see this draft as an opportunity. Expect them to take a defenseman such as Alexander Petrovic or Jarred Tinordi, when they pick again with the 31st overall pick. Both players are at least 6-4. He would immediately be one of the biggest players on the team, if either of them becomes an Edmonton Oiler.

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California tourney features more 100 games: Roller Hockey

  By admin | June 12, 2010 - 6:43 am | Roller Hockey Leave a comment

Recently, the Escondido Sports Center held a roller hockey tournament that featured more than one hundred hockey games. The tournament served as a qualifying tournament for the North American Roller Championship hockey finals and featured teams from all over the western half of the nation. The finals will take place soon in San Jose, California.

For the area, this event is really a big deal. In San Diego County, the tournament was the largest of its kind to ever be held. The tournament attracted a wide range of talent. There were players that are NCAA Division I hockey players, although, certainly not every player in the tournament was a top prospect. This sort of attraction was a huge success for the city and area in general.

The big winner of the Junior Men’s group was a team from Las Vegas, called the Las Vegas Tour Rebels and there were several different divisions. To take the title, en route to winning the tournament the Las Vegas Rebels had to beat the Stingrays. They were successful, winning by a score of 7-3.

In the United States and Canada, this tournament is one of 19 that are held worldwide. The teams are able to participate in the aforementioned North American Roller Championship hockey finals and can gain huge fan popularity by NHL hockey previews, by performing at a high enough level.

For many young players, this tournament also serves as a start. As they begin playing hockey at ages younger than 8 years old, children are able to take part in this tournament against others their age.

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