Puck Daddy - NHL

Puck Daddy

Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:00 pm EST

Puck Previews: Jackets seek rebound; Briere suspended

By Greg Wyshynski

Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. Huge night in the NHL ... for anyone that has Blue Jackets or Canadiens players on their fantasy team. The lone contest on the schedule pits Carey Price(notes) (4-2-1 in his last seven) against Mathieu Garon(notes), starting in place of Steve Mason(notes), who was yanked against the Rangers last night. But the real intrigue is the return of Sergei Kostitsyn(notes), who went from suspended by the franchise to AHL exile to back to the big league. Watch The Game Live Via Hockey Night on Y!

Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games (OK, "game") on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page.

Evening Reading

• Danny Briere(notes) has been "suspended for two games, without pay, as a result of a late hit on an unsuspecting opponent -- Avalanche defenseman Scott Hannan(notes)" in the Philadelphia Flyers' game at Colorado last night. The Flyers seem surprisingly cool with it, being the Flyers and all. [Courier Post]

• Don Cherry on how he'll watch the CBC bio-pic about him that's premiering in 2010: "I'm going to be in the basement by myself, and I'll cry and laugh - I guess at the same time." A.K.A. how most of us watch Coach's Corner. [CP]

• Bettman on the passing of Abe Pollin, former Washington Capitals owner: "Abe Pollin always wanted the best for his teams, for the fans and for Washington -- and all of those passions combined to create the arena that revitalized the entire downtown community. He was a man of commitment and principle and we all will miss him. The National Hockey League family sends sincere condolences to his loved ones."

• Michael Farber looks at the state of he Minnesota Wild, and after reading it we're thinking they should go in the tank, count the ticket receipts and get themselves a top two pick. [SI]

• Western College Hockey Blog pwns the NY Times. [WCHB]

• The Falconer picks up the beat from a drum we've been banging for years: "My hunch is that the best 'hockey markets' are often markets that have witnessed the most post-season success." [Bird Watchers Anonymous]

• BD Gallof with some more opining on the Islanders' arena project. [Huffington Post]

• Life on the Olympic bubble for Mike Green(notes). Many burgers and beers will give their lives during the 2010 break if Green is snubbed. [CBC Sports]

• More coverage of Marian Hossa's(notes) long-awaited debut for the Chicago Blackhawks. Second City's nickname for Toews/Kane is "Daydream Nation," because that Sonic Youth album came out in 1988. Thank god Kane doesn't wear No. 90. [Second City Hockey]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: LT, bringing it strong on the women's hockey front on the mini-Phaneuf hit post --

"Weisenheimer is complaining about contact? Pot calling the kettle black. She is a dirty player and has no room to whine. But then again, that's what she and her team do best."

OH SNAP!

Bold Prediction: Mark it down -- a Kostitsyn scores tonight. Not A. Kostitsyn, necessarily, but one of them.

digg delicious
more

55 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Zamboni's Dad
    1. Posted by Zamboni's Dad Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:21 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    If it takes post season success for a "non-traditional" hockey market to succeed, how do you explain San Jose always selling out?
  2. deargodwhy
    2. Posted by deargodwhy Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:21 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Hey Wysh! You happen to know what happend to Kimmo Timonen last night? He only took two shifts in the 3rd period, and was not seen again on the bench. Any ideas? I haven't heard anything regarding an injury...
  3. Chris
    3. Posted by Chris Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:35 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Good picture of Nash.
  4. larry
    4. Posted by larry Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:06 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    too bad the NHL is a joke....did you know as of today only 5 teams are under 500. the only sport in the world where u get a point for losing...lol...MAKES ME LAUGH
    wish they went back too the- win loss tie format....
  5. Chak
    5. Posted by Chak Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:07 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Briere deserved the suspension and deserved an ass beating if anyone could have gotten ahold of him. That being said anyone who says they never wanted to drill an opponent after they've scored is a liar.
  6. M
    6. Posted by M Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:27 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I would really like to see the video evidence of the hit. It seemed to be simultaneous with the shot not afterwards by more than a second. But they didn't show the replay and I have not seen any replays. I have to defer to the unbiased ruling of the league. (vomiting sounds in the background).
  7. Magnet-Crotch
    7. Posted by Magnet-Crotch Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:02 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Briere's suspension is deserved. A penalty on the play would also have made sense but that's NHL officiating for you.
  8. Chak
    8. Posted by Chak Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:15 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    @ M
    Here's the video
    http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2009/11/24/1172710/danny-briere-suspended-two-games?ref=yahoo
  9. habs1rule
    9. Posted by habs1rule Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:23 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I was gonna comment on tonights Habs-Jackets game tonight, but I saw Don Cherry's comment about his Bio being shown and how he would be alone in his basement watching it. Kinda reminds me of the closing ceremony at the Montreal Forum, friends and family all gathered at my brothers restaurant for a Private Party, and all the while, for days, I knew I wasnt going, but told nobody. I sat alone in my basement and balled my eyes out, screamed, made a complete fool of myself ...This was My Night, My Glorieux, My Habs, My Love, My Team, My Memories. Godspeed my team in its future endeavors.
  10. Brian C
    10. Posted by Brian C Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:25 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    M - you need to see the video. It was definately 2-3 seconds after the goal, and it's not just that, it's a high stick to the chops. It was deserved.
    Check out the video embedded on this page:
    http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=299730
    I'm mad and intrigued about the game so far. Until the last 1/2 of the 2nd, Montreal has been playing like $#it - not surprising since half the roster is injured, and Columbus is fired up after the drubbing they took by the Rangers (I hate playing teams after embarrassing losses). But Nash had a borderline board/hit from behind that didn't get called - you could make a case either way, but he did smash a guy into the boards. In response, Moen came in to really paste him with, if he connected, would have been a headshot I would be decrying on here with everyone else. But that's the thing - he didn't connect. Nash ducked it, but the ref called a penalty anyway. I'm going to give the ref some credit and assume he THOUGHT Nash was at least connected. But he was standing RIGHT THERE, and had as good a line on it as possible, so, if I were a Red Wings fan and that were a Red Wing player with a whiff on Crosby and the hand goes up, I'd be screaming about conspiracies and ref bias and everything else under the sun. (Really, for a fanbase of a team that has had as much success as the Red Wings, is there a fan base that whines more about league bias? Cause the last thing Bettman wants is the most popular team in the USA to be successful??? Oh right, he's blowing "Crysby." I forgot. :rolleyes: )
    It's interesting. The intention of Travis Moen was to paste Nash in the chops - it would have been a nasty shot on a player I love watching go to work (especially in the Olympics - Nash and Crosby on the top line? I wouldn't want to defend that...). But he didn't connect, and the penalty was called anyway. I would have no problem in the league instituted a "intent to injure" enforcement on headshots in cases like this - but given that's not the case, I don't see what the ref was calling. Other than "You almost nailed one of our stars - you sit in the box, lunchpail boy!"
  11. habs1rule
    11. Posted by habs1rule Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:38 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Hey Brian...Tell the Habs to keep me shutting up...Love it!! Alley Y Habitants...The little Engine that Could...
  12. Tacks
    12. Posted by Tacks Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:02 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I remember orpik absolutely creaming jagr from the blindside after he scored on the pens. Obviously given it was jagr and the pens, there was no call, but good to see they're looking out for that kidn of thing now.
  13. Brian C
    13. Posted by Brian C Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:04 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    My one major regret sports-wise is I never got a chance to attend a game or even walk in the doors of the grand old Forum.
  14. Brian C
    14. Posted by Brian C Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:14 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Habs1 - OK, I have hated all the "smurf" comments, but "the little engine that could" made me laugh. But that's this team. Few teams are facing bigger adversity right now. Markov, Gionta, Spacek, Gill, Gomez, D'Agostini. You know things are bad when Ryan O'Byrne is your go-to guy on defense. The team has a raft of young, new and first time player sin the lineup, and it showed tonight. There were stretches of this game, especially the shift right after they went up by two in the 3rd, where I was screaming at the players on the ice "What the $#@$%$#%$% are you DOING????" But they find a way to battle through it, scrap and claw and keep it close, and Carey Price puts them in a position to win.
    Man alive, if Price can keep this up, this is what we have been waiting for. He has been unbelievable lately. If they had a better defense, he'd have a few shut outs.
    The biggest difference between last year and this? For me? COACHING. Martin is making in-game adjustments, he's putting the guys through their paces, and he owns the dressing room. All things Guy Carbonneau couldn't, or wouldn't, do last year. I loved Carbo as a player, but he was a poor coach. He's good on CBC - he should stay there. The lineup tonight was a patchwork roster, and it showed. But Martin kept them at it, and they started clicking as the game wore on. He kept matching up players and found lines that clicked. He really earned his paycheque tonight.
    Bottom line - everyone can say Montreal sucks. Everyone can say they are too small. But they have 5 of 6 possible points in their last three games - and Detroit and Washington are very good teams, and Columbus is a team that is struggling in goal but has a very good team otherwise. This team is almost never "out" of a game, and they just scrap for everything they get. If they can get over this injury hump, there will be a very good team here that has played through adversity and knows what it takes to win.
  15. habs1rule
    15. Posted by habs1rule Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:36 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Brian...As crazy as this sounds, me returning back to Habs inside/out on the live chat vs the Capitals the other night has us working as a team now. We all made amends and are back on track getting Montreal back where they rightfully belong...One ream, One fans One Love Alley Y Habs....
  16. habs1rule
    16. Posted by habs1rule Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:37 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Habs all the way..."Win or Overtime loss"...
  17. miah
    17. Posted by miah Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:40 pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I'm gonna spoil the Habs lovefest. Jackets gave this game away, they are having major issues on D, their GAA as a team has skyrocketed. As soon as they were up I knew it would just be a matter of time. A few weeks ago they were up on the Oilers 4-1 or 5-1 only to watch them score 5 unanswered goals and lose. Last night against the Rangers, same thing. Up 2-0, then monumental collapse. Rinse, Repeat for most of November. This time it wasn't monumental, but they just can NOT play with a lead. I feel sorry for them. Steve Mason is the second coming of Carey Price. Wildly inconsistent (his play over the last week not included in this assessment)
    Brian C: I couldn't agree with you more about the Red Whiners.
  18. Guy F
    18. Posted by Guy F Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:03 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Green on the bubble?
    Pronger, Niedermayer, Bouwmeester, Keith, Seabrook, Weber, Doughty, Boyle...
    I'd take Myers or Del Zotto ahead of Green. Nash went around Green like a freaking pylon. He could not remove Crosby from the crease, how is he going to handle Holmstrom? He would be afraid to hit OV (although that is irrelevant because he does not hit). The team does not need Boyle and Green, and Dan Boyle is far better choice.
    Pronger-Boyle
    Niedermayer-Weber
    Seabrook-Keith
    Bouwmeester-Doughty
    Phaneuf and Green have no place on Team Canada. Maybe Green in 2014, but it's too much of a risk at this point in his career. What you gain with Green does not justify the risk (ditto Dion)
  19. Bubbabanjo
    19. Posted by Bubbabanjo Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:59 am EST

    Report Abuse

    You blasphemous heathen!!! How dare you insult the Don!!!
    You stink!!! 25 Hail Mario's and put an extra large in the collection plate.
  20. Bubbabanjo
    20. Posted by Bubbabanjo Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:09 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Puck Buddy............douche!!
  21. Fox
    21. Posted by Fox Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:00 am EST

    Report Abuse

    So Guy, I can put you down in the "wish it didn't take two sets of assets, but I'd rather have Boyle than Campbell" category? That loss to SJ for doing two deals is pretty much Bernier and a pick (too lazy to check who) and I believe you are happy with his performance?
  22. Brian C
    22. Posted by Brian C Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:11 am EST

    Report Abuse

    miah - Oh I agree wholeheartedly to a certain extent. Columbus played great defense at times - totally stymy-ing any Montreal rush. But BOTH teams played absolutely boneheaded at times. Montreal's mistakes were mostly, unsurprisingly, rookie mistakes.
    Columbus could have locked that game away. However, Montreal doesn't win if they don't execute, and they played really good hockey, with a lot of help from amazing play from Price, for the second half of the game. Columbus didn't put the game away, but they weren't GIVING the game to Montreal. If Montreal doesn't have some talent, they wouldn't execute. Garon is as much to blame for this as anyone of Columbus. He played horrible.
    I don't agree with your assessment of either Price or Mason. They are YOUNG. Of COURSE they are going to be inconsistent. But if you look at both of their games, they clearly have the talent to become good/great goalies. It takes time for goalies to develop. People have too much expectation. Brodeur and Patrick Roy are anomalies. Look at Belfour - he was almost 30 before he got regular starts in the NHL. Ditto Tim Thomas. Young goalies are almost always up and down. They are kids facing guys who have been training and shooting pucks at the highest level for years. It takes a while to settle into your team, get a rhythm, and get the experience to deal with a wide variety of situations. Luongo is one of the most talented goalies out there, and he STILL hasn't got it totally nailed down. Mason is 21, Price is 22. Give them until they are at least 25 before judging them on their careers.
  23. M
    23. Posted by M Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:38 am EST

    Report Abuse

    Okay, finally saw the hit, it is suspendible. That was pretty dumb he did go a little high but it was close to the 2 second window. They never showed the replay from that angle so it just seemed that Hannah paid the price for admiring his his shot. And since they never called any penalties on the ice at the time it also seemed to be incidental contact. Briere is about 4'1" and white so even if he jumped how high could he have really gotten. What did Jones do after the play that Hartnell was so incensed about? Guess he retaliated.

Puck Daddy

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More NHL Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Puck Daddy Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)