2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

They are by far the most entertaining team in the league. It is good for the league when teams like Chicago succeed. The game against Detroit the other day was a joy to watch. There are far too many Nashville’s and Minnesota’s shoved down our throat on a nightly basis.

 

Equally important in Canada: contenders and excitement in Montreal and Toronto, No way Leaf fans -- and there are generations of them -- deserve to miss the playoffs seven years in a row or not have a sniff at the Cup for 45 years. And Montreal: 20 years between Cups is unheard of. Good to see them both back among the playoff contenders

 

Gosh, it's almost as if shortening the regular season improves the quality of hockey played therein. But that's crazy talk.

 

He's probably already been on the line with Dean Lombardi.

 

Mostly, but when teams are playing their fourth game in six nights, they get pretty slow. I've seen some dog games in that regard.

 

This is not important in most of Canada, it is important in the self centre of the universe.

Interesting stat I saw today, the Leafs have the same amount of points as they did last year after the same amount of games. Good thing they have a lot less time to blow it.

 

I was actually thinking something along the same lines without know the stat . . .

 

nice to see Davey Bolland back on the ice tonight for the Blackhawks.

 

Davey?

Calling him that in the Goose here in Mimico will get you tossed out on your ear.

But yeah, good to see David back.

 

First period in Los Angeles - both the Kings and Blues have filled their penalty boxes.

 

Bolland in the regular season always makes me want to see him replaced or at least shoved down to the fourth line. Then the playoffs start and he's amazing.

 

I'm not in the centre of the hockey universe -- either Toronto or Montreal -- but the Leafs and Habs still have fans in every city in Canada, and more that get on the bandwagon when things are perceived to be going well. In a lockout year, when the prevailing sentiment was outrage, it was important that Leafs and Canadiens come back strong. Not a die hard fan of either team -- Go Wings Go! -- but glad to see it for the fans in those cities and for all those old men and kids who still wear Leaf hats to the mall...