The NHL's Faceoff Rules

Dear NHL,

I'm starting to think this whole drop-the-puck-whether-they're-ready-or-not-on-faceoffs thing is wrong.  It looks stupid and creates chances out of artificial situations.  It feels about as phony as a shootout.  And we know the NHL would never do something as audacious as end games with something as phony as a shootout...  (Oh wait, nevermind.)

I mean, c'mon, you would never see a one-man tipoff in the NBA, would you?  It's silly and unprofessional.  I'd much rather see this kind of delay added to the list of face-off infractions which would lead to the center being ejected from the circle and a possible penalty for multiple infractions.

Respectfully yours,
--Jeff Eiben

PS - Outlawing all head shots, intent or no intent, would be a good idea.

PPS - Please get rid of the blackout rules for Gamecenter LIVE so I can get rid of my horribly overpriced television service.

PPPS - Please get rid of all blackout rules for the Atlanta area.  Haven't those poor people lost enough without being able to watch the next closest teams on CenterIce and Gamecenter???

Round 1 Recap, Round 2 Predictions

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has begun and I suppose I should continue my "analysis" and predictions, just for the hell of it.

But first, a look back at Round 1...

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals def. 8. New York Rangers 4-1 - So the Caps had a bit more D than I gave them credit for.  Had not King Henrik and the Rangers collapsed in Game 4, I believe we see a different outcome.

2. Philadelphia Flyers def. 7. Buffalo Sabres 4-3 - Despite using three different goalies in the series, the Flyers proved to be the better team in Game 7.  I wonder if they even get that far if Mike Richards was where he should have been, in the locker room, at the end of Game 6.

3. Boston Bruins def. 6. Montreal Canadiens 4-3 - Nothing beats an OT in Game 7.  Credit to the Canadiens and Carey Price for almost pulling this one off.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning def. 4. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 - Fleury did everything he could in Game 7, but without their Captain the Penguins offence just ran dry.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks def. 8. Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 - The Canucks had their foot on the Hawks throat after jumping out to a 3-0 series lead, but the Torres hit on Seabrook and the NHL's refusal to exercise logical discipline changed the entire complexion of the series.  The Canucks took every last second, and then some, in Game 7 OT to finish the job.

2. San Jose Sharks def. 7. Los Angeles Kings 4-2 - Entertaining series, but too many injuries for the Kings to come back from.

3. Detroit Red Wings def. 6. Phoenix Coyotes 4-0 - The winged wheel rolled over the desert dogs from the series' opening faceoff.

5. Nashville Predators def. 4. Anaheim Ducks 4-2 - The rise of Jordin Tootoo and the continued stellar play of Rinne in the pipes is enough to knock off the Ducks.

My record:
Method 1 ("Analysis") - 4-4
Method 2 ("Coin Flip") - 4-4

On to Round 2...  And now that I've proven that my "analysis" is just as good as flipping a coin, I'll spare you the coin flipping.

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - The Penguins superior defence was unable to contain the Lightning's offence over the course of the series.  There's no doubt the Capitals have the offence to compete with the Lightning, but I still have many doubts about their defence and goaltending.  If this becomes a series of trading chance for chance the Lightning have the edge.  Lightning in six.

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 3. Boston Bruins - The goaltending edge is with the Bruins, by far.  I wouldn't be surprised if we see all three Flyer goalies again in this series.  And Chris Pronger looked anything but healthy in his return to action, turning his right hand away from any and all contact.  How long until it is re-injured?  The Bruins don't have the firepower up front like the Flyers do, so if Thomas falters it could be the difference in the series.  However, I see no reason to believe that will happen.  Bruins in six.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Was the seven game series win against the Blackhawks a watershed moment for the Canucks?  Or will the emotion of the series be too much for the Canucks to overcome?  Luongo looked shellshocked after the Hawks finally came alive in the series but he rebounded well to win Game 7.  The Predators methodically beat the Ducks with opportunistic scoring and their usual sound defence and stellar goaltending.  In the end, I think the Sedins wake up and the Canucks take this series.  Canucks in five.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 3. Detroit Red Wings - The next installment of a classic rivalry.  I, like many, keep wanting to count the Wings out but they just keep on going.  And the Sharks are perennial playoff underachievers, one series won't change that reputation.  Given those trends...  Wings in six.

My Most Memorable NHL Playoff Moments

I love this time of year.  The temperatures are warming up and the kids are shaking loose of their cabin fever; getting the bicycle tuned-up and hitting the trails after a long, inactive winter; and, of course, the NHL playoffs are getting underway.

These are the reasons I love this time of year.  The following is an unordered list of my most memorable NHL playoff moments:

• The Save.
• Super Mario parting the North Stars' D like the Red Sea.
• 8-0 win for the Penguins first Stanley Cup.
• The shoulders of Ronnie Franchise carrying the team after Graves' slash breaks Lemieux's hand.
• Kevin Stevens' guarantee.
• 11 straight wins to capture the Penguins second Stanley Cup.
• Kevin Stevens' face shattered as he hits the ice unconscious, Ron Francis' tying goal, and David F%$%#$ Volek.
• Kaspar's sliding on his belly and the team piling on after his Game 7 OT winner against the Sabres.
• Mario's "final" goal at home.  Hollywood couldn't have written a better script.
• The post-handshake, "final" ovation and the chants of "Mar-i-o!"  At the Philadelphia Spectrum!!!
• Joe Sakic defers and Ray Bourque lifts his first and only Stanley Cup.
• Petr Nedved beats the Capitals in 4 overtimes.
• Keith Primeau finally ends it at 2:30am, 7 hours after the opening faceoff.
• Max ties Game 5 in the final seconds and Petr Sykora calls his shot in OT.
• The Cup is finally awarded on Mellon Arena ice as the Red Wings take Game 6 in the Penguins barn.
• Max Talbot silences the Flyers.
• Alex Ovechin and Sidney Crosby trade hat tricks.
• Marc Andre Fleury stones Alex Ovechkin, crushing the Capitals hopes in Game 7.
• Evgeni Malkin dominates the Hurricanes, including a hat trick capped off by a move that can only be described as "The Geno."
• The Penguins get the rematch they wanted as the Red Wings finish off the Blackhawks.
• Game 6 - The crowd chants "Fleur-y!" as a show of support for the goalie that got pulled in the previous game; Jordan Staal's shortie; Tyler Kennedy's game winner; Fleury stopping Cleary on a breakaway; and Rob "The Piece" Scuderi stopping everything.
• Game 7 - The captain goes down, but "Superstar" Max Talbot responds; "The Save, Pt. 2" and Sidney raises the cup.
• The worst way to close the Igloo.

My NHL 1st Round Playoff Picks (or, Everyone Else is Doing it so Why Shouldn't I???)

It's that time of year again.  The NHL playoffs begin tomorrow night.  I will, of course, be rooting for my Flightless Waterfowl to go all the way.  But I figured I might as well put some picks together for all of the series.

Now, I haven't had a lot of opportunities to actually watch a lot of hockey this year, outside of the Penguins and especially in the West.  And, I have no time for research and deep analysis.  So, I'll be using two not-so-scientific methods for my picks this year...

Method 1:    Half-assed Attempt at Analysis

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - I just don't believe in the Caps goaltending or defence...  Rangers in six.

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - See above comment about the Caps and apply it to the Flyers, especially with Pronger's status in question...  Sabres in six.

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Should be brutal...  Can't wait!!!  No reason to believe Carey Price can outduel Timmy Thomas, which is the only way the Habs stand a chance...  Bruins in five.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Fluery keeps the Pens in the series, but the return of Sidney Crosby pushes them over the top...  Penguins in seven.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks overcome history and a watered-down Hawks team...  Canucks in five.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Loss of Kopitar too much for Kings to overcome...  Sharks in six.

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Is the Red Wings age finally catching up to them?  Yes, but not in this series...  Wings in six.

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Pekka Rinne plays strong, but Ducks deep offence prevails, barely...  Ducks in seven.


Method 2:   Coin Flip

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - Capitals

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - Sabres

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Penguins

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Kings

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Coyotes

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Predators

Is It Time for Cooke to Go?

While I still thoroughly defend my opinion of Matt Cooke vs. Trevor Gillies (see previous post), I now have to ponder whether or not Cooke has/should have seen his last game in a Penguins sweater.

In the wake of his flagrant flying elbow to the face of Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh, there is no doubt a suspension is coming from the NHL.  General consensus around the radio, newspapers, Twitter, etc., is that Cooke will receive 7-10 games on the shelf for this latest incident.  However, there is no logical entry into the mind of NHL chief-disciplinarian Colin Campbell when it come to suspensions.  Given Cooke's history, and cheap-shot poster boy status, and the NHL's general dissatisfaction with recent public criticisms made by Mario Lemieux, I wouldn't be surprised if the book were thrown at Cooke.

Regardless of NHL discipline, how do you think Mario and Ray Shero are feeling about Mr. Cooke this morning.  It was bad enough that their efforts to ban all head shots were thwarted, almost laughingly, by the Old Boys Club of NHL GMs at their annual meeting in Boca Raton, FL last week.  Now one of their own players has effectively rubbed their faces in it.  You have to think this a major embarrassment for an organization fighting for change in the modern NHL.

There are already sources being sited inside the Penguins organization that are in favor of a long-term suspension for Cooke.  But you have to believe that some of those "sources" have further, team-handled discipline in mind.  This may be one of the stupidest, most selfish, and costly hits I have ever seen.  It shows a complete disregard and lack of respect for other players and for Cooke's teammates.  I would not be surprised if the Penguins voluntarily sat him for the rest of the season, including playoffs, then dumped him in the offseason.

I, for one, am on the fence on the matter.  I know he's a great guy, he does great charity work, he's a great penalty killer, and he's definitely an above-average NHL third-liner.  I just don't know if I can continue to justify his presence given his recent actions.  The Bad, and The Ugly, by far outweigh The Good anymore.

A Message to All You Matt Cooke Haters

I'm completely sick of hearing about how I lack the right to complain about the antics of one Trevor Gillies because I'm a Penguins fan and my team employs Matt Cooke.  Below is an interaction I had with a friend via everyone's favorite social media outlet.  It began after seeing Trevor Gillies hit on Cal Clutterbuck last night.

My original post:

Now is the time for the NHL to make a statement. If Gillies sees another game this season I'm going to vomit!!!

My friend's reply:

Not sure how a pens fan can make a comment like this with matt cooke on the roster

My reply:

Oh, horseshit!!! Once again, Matt Cooke has absolutely nothing to do with this. Nor does being a Pens fan. But if we must...

Matt Cooke is a valuable player. He is part of the top PK line on the top PK team in the league. He leads the NHL in short handed points. He is an exceptional agitator that gets under other players' skins and makes it difficult for them to keep their heads in games. In 60 games played this season, he is averaging 15:43 minutes of ice time and has a total of 110 penalty minutes. Yes, he crosses the line from time to time and he deserves the discipline he receives when he does. The Marc Savard situation is unfortunate and I think the hit was negligent. But there have been, before and since, much worse acts that are much less recognized because the effects were much less substantial. Cooke's reputation suffers because of that one hit.

Trevor Gillies is an out and out goon. He serves his team in no valuable capacity. Since the beginning of his junior hockey career he has 16 goals and 47 assists for 63 points in 775 hockey games. In that same span he has 3,302 penalty minutes. In 33 NHL games played this season he is averaging 2:52 minutes of ice time and has a total of 124 penalty minutes. Gillies blatantly attacked Eric Tangradi from across the ice, delivering a forearm to the head against the glass and following through with a right to the face. Then when Tangradi is obviously injured (and still is to this day), Gillies grabs him and starts wailing on him until Craig Adams had to tackle him. After Gillies was escorted from the ice he stood in the runway, screaming at and taunting Tangradi until the trainers could help Tangradi off the ice. For this he gets a 9-game suspension, which is way too little if you ask me. Then last night 3 shifts into his return from suspension, he does it again. He took offense to a hit Cal Clutterbuck made, which was called boarding at the time, so Gillies ran Clutterbuck. Once again with a forearm to the head against the glass and a follow through left to the face. He got 5 minutes and a game misconduct for a blatant hit from behind that targeted the head with intent to injure.

So you tell me how these two guys are at all the same, because I just can't see it.

For the record, I am a hockey fan, first and foremost. Trevor Gillies is a danger to everyone around him when he steps on the ice and I find it disgusting that his teammates, coaches, and organization can find a basis on which to defend him.

The NHL needs to do something about this before someone gets killed on the ice. Steve Moore almost did, but Todd Bertuzzi is still playing. I at least thought a lesson was learned from that mess, especially by the league, but apparently not.