Martin Brodeur Out 3 to 4 MONTHS
Nov 4, 2008 NHL
Here’s the news over at TSN…wow. Not quite Tom Brady level for a loss, but pretty severe. Not sure Weekes can keep up his performance last night for the next 40 games. Does this put NJ in the market for another goalie?
Tags: brodeur, devils, Hockey, injury, new jersey, NHL, weekes
One Picture Tells The Story
Thanks to the Canadian Press
I think John Madden seems genuinely surprised to see the puck in front of the net. Or he’s about to try and head it in soccer-style, I can’t tell.
Tags: buffalo, devils, Hockey, John Madden, new jersey, NHL, picture, Ryan Miller, sabres
TWO STRAIGHT SHUTOUTS
Nov 3, 2008 NHL
I’m going to keep up these titles as long as Ryan Miller keeps throwing down shutouts. The Buffalo Sabres blazed a fiery trail through the Devils in the first period, but it was strong goaltending and a fantastic PK that ultimately won them the game, 2-0. Kevin Weekes played out of his mind for the first 19 minutes as Buffalo took shot after shot, until Jason Pominville finally roofed one on the power play on a tic-tac-toe play. Buffalo had 20 shots to New Jersey’s 3.
The second period had the Devils rebound a bit, though an assist does go to the zebras for putting Wyshynski’s team on the power play a few times. ;) Miller and the defensemen were equal to the task however, and the Sabres survived being outshot 12-5 in the second with the score still 1-0.
The parade to the penalty box continued for the Sabres in the third, but they managed to extend the league on a booming shot from Andrej Sekera that Patrick Kaleta redirected at the net. There were some tense moments at the end, but Ryan Miller clamped it down and got his second consecutive shutout, the first time he has done that in the NHL.
The Gaustad-Kaleta-Paille line deserves some praise, as they carried the physical play all night. Patrick Kaleta, in particular, continued to show that he can contribute even when he’s not pissing someone off to the point that they try and fight him or kick him while he’s down. Rivet was a surprise addition to the lineup, and looked very good in playing just under 17 minutes.
For negatives, well, Max continues to frustrate. He just doesn’t have the finish he had from two years ago…he skates into the zone, past defenders, behind the net, and just backhands a weak shot in the general vicinity of the goaltender. He and Stafford both appeared to ride the pine toward the end of the game. (edit: Stafford seemed to be taking a regular (albeit infrequent) shift, but Max only had 2 in the third) Also, the official attendance according to NHL.com was 10,567. What the hell NJ.
The next game is Friday, as the Thrashers come to Buffalo for a 7:30pm game. They play at the Bruins the next night, so look for Lalime to get one of these games (I’d keep Miller in for Friday myself, let’s see how far that shutout streak can roll).
Tags: buffalo, devils, Hockey, kaleta, new jersey, NHL, pominville, Ryan Miller, sabres, sekera, the kaleta, weekes, wyshynski
Gameday - Sabres at Devils
Nov 3, 2008 NHL
The Sabres travel to the Rock tonight to take on the wounded Devils at 7pm. Martin Brodeur is out as previously mentioned, but I still haven’t seen any further details on just how long that will be. Brian Rolston, Andy Greene and a few others are already down. All this while the Sabres continue to get healthier, witness Tim Connolly returning to play 19 minutes last game.
Buffalo will be trying to put together two good game after playing two stinkers before the 5-0 drubbing of the Caps. If I’m able, I’ll update any lineup changes or injury news here throughout the day.
Tags: brodeur, buffalo, connolly, devils, greene, Hockey, injury, new jersey, NHL, rolston, sabres
No Brodeur Tomorrow
Nov 2, 2008 NHL
It’s confirmed, Martin Brodeur is out for tomorrow’s game against the Sabres. He’s having whatever testing the Devils can throw at him today to determine the extent of the injury. Backup goalie Kevin Weekes may start, and helpfully noted that the torn biceps he suffered last year was first diagnosed as a bruised elbow. Looked more like a hyperextension, according to those who saw it, but we’ll see. H/T to (and shoelaces/belt removed from) Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy.
Tags: brodeur, buffalo, devils, Hockey, injury, new jersey, NHL, puck daddy, sabres, weekes, wyshynski
Road Trip!
Aug 12, 2008 NHL
Drew from Illegal Curve found out the sad truth of Carolina hockey, and it was at a Durham Bulls game:
I sauntered over to find, unmanned and unmonitored I remind you, a table filled with “Buy one ticket, get one ticket free coupons” for Carolina Hurricanes hockey games.
Normally, a little cross-promotion for some of those early season stinkers wouldn’t be so bad, except that’s not what this was:
via Getty Images
Limit 8 tickets per person.
The kicker: No one monitoring the table where these are being distributed. An individual could have picked up hundreds of these coupons.
…
The majority of the arena applies to this promo. Only exceptions are the “Champion’s Club”, “V.I.P. Ledge”, and “Upper Goal Zone”.
I’d worry about a “V.I.P. Ledge” to be honest, wouldn’t your drunker fans fall off? But seriously, as I mentioned, these tickets were for games against the Blue Jackets or Kings, with opponents including the Washington Ovechkins, Anaheim and New Jersey. I think I’m honored that none of the Sabres games were included. Guess they know what fans will REALLY fill the seats. H/T to Puck Daddy.
.
Tags: alexander ovechkin, anaheim, buffalo, capitals, Carolina, devils, ducks, Hockey, Hurricanes, new jersey, NHL, ovechkin, sabres, washington
NHL Playoff Picture
Apr 21, 2008 NHL
A few more team advanced to the next round of the playoffs over the weekend, but not the defending champs. The Dallas Stars took out the Ducks in 6 games, and join the Avalanche and the Red Wings coming out of the West. Kipper forced game 7 for Calgary as the Flames shut out the Sharks 2-0.
The Rangers took out the Devils in 5, joining the Pens in the next round. Boston has won 2 straight games to force game 7 up in Montreal, and Washington staved off elimination on Saturday but play in Philly tonight. No late game tonight, which sucks as that’s the one I’m more likely to see.
Tags: anaheim, avalanche, boston, bruins, calgary, Canadiens, colorado, dallas, detroit, devils, ducks, flames, Hockey, Montreal, new jersey, new york, NHL, playoffs, rangers, red wings, san jose, sharks, stars
Random NHL Thoughts
Apr 14, 2008 NHL
I watched a fair bit of the games last night, except for the part of the Calgary/San Jose game where I fell asleep (stupid late games). The Rangers/Devils game helped me come to a decision on which team I want to win…the Devils, as I don’t ever want Sean Avery to win another game in his life. His little stick waving dance in front of Brodeur was very bush league. I was watching on CBC, and Ron MacLean and Kelly Hrudey pointed out a rule about inciting a penalty where the ref (who did warn Avery) could’ve given him a 10 minute misconduct. You also saw Chris Drury skate over to Avery and say something to him after the warning, maybe to tell him to cut that out? I’d love to know.
Calgary/San Jose was CRAZY. San Jose gets a PP 30 seconds in, and within minutes it’s 3-0 and Kipper is storming off the ice. Curtis Joseph came off the bench and slammed the door…and the momentum shifted back to Calgary after Cory Sarich slammed Patrick Marleau to the ice on a monster hit along the boards. Marleau had already been bloodied once by Dion Phaneuf so he was having a rough night. Brian Campbell was instrumental in the Calgary win, as he didn’t take anybody on the winning goal, just kinda standing between Owen Nolan and Nabokov, being a great screen for the Calgary vet.
Montreal and Boston had quite a goaltending duel, as Carey Price was great, Tim Thomas outdid him though. Martin Biron got his first playoff win to get Philly back into things there, and he is going to be a dad again today, congratulations Marty!
Tags: boston, brodeur, bruins, calgary, campbell, cbc, devils, drury, flames, flyers, hnic, Hockey, joseph, kiprusoff, marleau, Martin Biron, nabokov, new jersey, new york, NHL, nolan, phaneuf, philadelphia, price, rangers, san jose, sarich, Sean Avery, sharks, thomas
Playoff Update
Apr 11, 2008 NHL
Three series are underway in the East, with Montreal, Pittsburgh and the New York Rangers all holding a 1-0 lead. Montreal scored twice in the first two minutes (one each from the Kostitsyns) and took the body on the supposedly more physical Bruins. I’d vote the Bruins most likely team to get swept if the Sens didn’t look so terrible right now. The Rangers took advantage of an off-his-game Brodeur, and Devils fans are hoping that was a one game let down or they have no shot. Washington and Philly get started tonight.
All four Western Conference series are underway, with Detroit, Colorado and Dallas holding 1-0 leads. Calagary/San Jose is 1-1. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve been able to stay up and see of the Flames and Sharks (especially Iginla ripping it from Campbell and scoring). A little shocked that Anaheim got shut out. Should be some fun stuff tonight.
Tags: avalanche, boston, bruins, calgary, campbell, Canadiens, colorado, dallas, detroit, devils, flames, Hockey, iginla, Montreal, new jersey, new york, NHL, ottawa, penguins, pittsburgh, playoffs, rangers, red wings, san jose, senators, sharks, stars
Stanley Cup Playoffs Start Tonight!
Apr 9, 2008 NHL
Dave posted a good breakdown of the matchups over at BfloBlog, but I thought I’d put my two cents in. I pretty much agree with all of his ‘wants’ - I want the Sens to get owned, I like the Flames and Iginla, and the NYR/NJ series should end in a bus accident where both teams are incapacitated. Montreal’s postseason hinges on Carey Price staying hot, if that happens, they’ve got a great shot. It’ll be nice to see some hockey again.
Tags: calgary, Canadiens, devils, flames, Hockey, iginla, Montreal, new jersey, new york, NHL, ottawa, playoffs, price, rangers, senators
