2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

Four goals in four games for Tarasenko after tonight's win against Nashville. Love the energy the kid is showing, churning some big legs. Seems as if reputed maturity issues a couple of years back have been overcome.

Reference broadcasts opines above: I like Weekes in studio, haven't heard him much as an in-game analyst (maybe twice?) The first time I saw Stock, it was like, what the f***?

Also congrats to former Thrashers radio man Dan Kamal for catching on as a Columbus television pre- and post-game host.

 

His addition could be enough to make them a legit contender. Still not convinced the goaltending will stay hot the same way it has for the last season-plus, but having a Russian Dean Youngblood on the ice is enough to make them very fun to watch.

 

Chris Jones on how the NHL doesn't deserve to have the Stanley Cup.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8865851/is-end-nhl-lockout-good-hockey-espn-magazine

 

+1 your Youngblood reference. It could fall apart but if I'm a St. Louis fan, I'll take that tandem in net. The competition for starts seems to bring out the best in both.

 

The Capitals are a fucking dumpster fire right now. Unwatchable.

 

Anyone watch the Kings and Oilers game tonight? I could only watch it from afar at the office. Officiating was a fucking disaster, but it made for a crazy ending.

Lead to a Theo Fleury-like celebration out of Nail Yakupov on the game tying goal with four seconds left. Felt a little uneasy watching it because Fleury's knee slide came against the Oilers in Edmonton during the playoffs, but after they got jobbed a minute earlier on another goal, I'll let him have it. Not big on celebrations period, but that was as much a release of emotion as anything.

And here's Theo's from 1991.

It sounds like Chris Cuthbert had the call on both of them.

And then Gagner had the winner in OT on a slick pass from Nugent-Hopkins. I hope they can keep this emotion up through the season, good to see it early though. Seen them lose too many of these types of games in the past few years.

And I know I'm not uncovering any secret with this one, but Jonathon Quick is unreal.

 

Winning goal in OT came on a power play after a too many men penalty on the Kings.

 

Yup cause, Carter screwed the pooch getting off the ice. Can't play the puck if you're coming on the ice until the guy you're replacing is off. It was close, but he was still on the ice.

Outside of the last five minutes and OT didn't watch it too close, but every time I looked up there was another 5-on-3. The Oilers had like 9 power plays and I think the Kings had 8. Sounded like it was a lot of ticky tacky crap that was being called from visor violations to faceoff violations. That does not make for good hockey. Neither team sounded impressed with the officiating.

 

My boy Cody Hodgson with three ginos in as many games for the Sabres. Good start for the kid, Buffalo's top line of Hodgson, Vanek and Pominville has been great, rest of the Sabres, not so much.

 

I caught the tail end of it and given that there was only 4.7 seconds left in reg just AFTER the disallowed goal, I think Yakupov's celebration was pretty cool. And that guy can freakin' play.

If I were an Oilers fan, I'd be a little worried about goaltending.

 

The disallowed goal was with about 1:10, left Yakupov tied it with 4.7 left. Both he and Jystin Schultz have been as advertised so far. Yakupov in particular is a lot of fun. He could have had three or four last night had Quick not been playing so well.

In regards to goaltending, it is far too early to be concerned. Dubnyk was rock solid last night, made 30 saves and the one goal was on a breakaway with a pretty nice move. He was brutal in the first period of their home opener but has been real good in the other two games. Last night was an important bounce back game. I think nerves got to him against the Sharks, also, although I did get to watch that game, looking at the highlights, the entire team was pretty terrible in that first, though Dubnyk was particularly bad. Gotta have more than three games to see who the real Dubnyk is.

 

Jets come back from a two goal deficit against the Pens to win 4-2. Sid gets both for Pittsburgh

Best player for Winnipeg was Dustin Byfuglien with a goal, an assist and some riverboat gambler moves.

Even though the Jets arena only seats around 15,000 it may be the loudest rink in the league. Even through the TV you could practically hear the place shake.