2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

And Datsyuk dekes Logan Couture so badly that Couture ends up on his ass. And it was Couture's birthday

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/pavel-datsyuk-dekes-logan-couture-onto-posterior-nhl-034433343--nhl.html

 

What a game tonight in Edmonton. Maybe not the best if you like your technical, strong defensive hockey, but damn it was exciting. Back and forth all game and Hemsky gets the winner on a great end to end effort as well, following a terrific save by Dubnyk who was in after Bulin got the hook. They may make it interesting yet for that final playoff spot. Only three points out. Would like to see them be buyers not sellers for once. Don't go all in, but if they can get a top 4 blue liner for say Whitney and a pic or prospect, it's good for now and the future.

 

Not sure if it makes sense, but the Penguins are The Walking Dead?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yMVICJdteO4

 

If teams have watched Whitney play the last 2 years they'd be lucky to get a late pick for him.

I would love to see the Oilers some how sneak in, they are fun to watch.

 

I know it's wishful thinking, but you gotta work the fresh start angle ...

Just tired of watching them miss the playoffs. It can no longer be deemed acceptable. I will be pissed if they cash in Hemsky now for prospects because they've gone into sell mode. If they deal him as us being rumoured, they gotta get a player, preferably a top 3 D back in the deal. Sure it won't be a one for one deal but they cannot just sell him off on the hope a prospect turns out down the road.

 

A team trading for Hemsky is likely going for it so getting a top 4 damn is next to impossible from a team looking to go deep in the playoffs. I think you would need to trade youth or picks to get one, they are hard to get.

 

Not arguing that at all, but you do see the odd, very odd, actual hockey deal at the deadline, as opposed to the straight dumping of a contract. Usually one or two a year. Dealing with say Nashville, who has defensive depth and is desperate for help up front, would be an option, for example. I would have no problem trading picks and prospects, if it landed a top 3 DMan. And really, I don't want to see Hemsky dealt with the way he has been playing this season. But if they do, if all they get back are picks and prospects I'd be very disappointed.

 

Fun with statistics - Dallas backup goalie Richard Bachman had to come on for a little more than 2 minutes when Kari Lehtonen had a skate issue. In that time, the Stars scored the game-winning goal. So despite facing no shots and playing for less than 3 minutes, Bachman gets credit for being the game-winning goalie.

 

Ducks broke a four-game losing streak by beating the Blackhawks, 2-1, on a late goal by Sheldon Souray. Ducks swept the three-game season series. Two of the three were in Chicago.
It was a pretty wide-open, end-to-end game despite the low score. Both goalies were really good (Hiller and Emery).

 

Bachman turned an underdrive.

 

Blackhawks are in a mini-tailspin without Hossa and Sharp.

 

Taylor Hall's hat trick in less than 8 minutes in the first period beats Gretzky's record. Oilers scored 2 goals on their first two shots. Schneider gets yanked and Luongo lets in his first goal on the first shot he sees. Final: 4-0