So the season is underway, and most of us couldn't be more excited. Great games so far, and it seems to me that the games are faster than last year. Not quite a playoff pace, but it doesn't look like the teams are still finding their way. Well some teams look that way, but we'll get to that.
Carolina has started out strong with two wins up in Finland against the Wild. OK sure, it's the Wild, but this is also Carolina, a team that went winless in their first 14 games last year. They finished the season last year with one of the best records post olympic break, but still couldn't make the playoffs. If they keep this up though, they should be back in the playoff hunt. Minnesota on the other hand, still looks like a bottom 5 team and a lottery pick. Backstom played well, but with no one in front of him expect a lot of losses.
The Hawks looked a lot like everyone expected. With the core of the team still in tact and loaded with talent they at times looked amazing, but then you see how all those off season cap casualties affected their overall performance. Still a solid team who will be competitive. Colorado came out gangbusters again, so far putting off the "sophomore slump" discussion for now. Still have to wonder if the wheels will come off. Stastny had a nice return to form with 2 goals.
Flyers and Pens was everything you expect from the keystone state rivals. Both teams dominated play at times, but the Flyers came away with the first win in the Consol Energy Center. Better luck next arena Pens. The real story of the game was the play of Russian rookie netminder Sergei Bobrovsky. Essentially hung out to dry in the first period he kept the team in it, and looked rather impressive. Time for Flyers faithful to replace their dashboard Jesuses with Bobrovsky statues.
Devils look like a far cry from their old trap days where they won most games by boring the opposition to sleep. Gone are the days of 1-0, 2-1 NJ wins. the youth movement in dallas moved them into an overtime win with a nice goal short side top shelf over marty brodeur. While no one in New Jersey will actually see it, since they don't care, somewhat exciting hockey is being played in the garden state.
Washington loses to the east coast Blackhawks...I mean the Thrashers. Evander Kane came out with a multigoal debut to help beat the Caps 4-2. One wonders what made Atlanta goalie Pavelec collapse early into the first period though. Still a nice start from the Thrashers.
the battle of Alberta was a great showing by the Oilers, dominating on the scoreboard and in the fights. As posted on the facebook page, MacIntyre absolutely destroyed Ivanans in a fight, resulting in Ivanans being helped off the ice. It was a terrific punch to end the fight, but you never want to see someone hurt like that. Unless you're a dick. Jordan Eberle had a beautiful first professional goal with a nice toe drag to beat Kipper.
Currently watching the Bruins and Coyotes. Phoenix so far have looked like last season was not a fluke. I know, I'm just as surprised as you are. They were absolutely dominating a flat Bruins squad through two periods with a 4-0 lead. I fully expected to see Tim Thomas come out and spare Tuuka Rask, but he has played decently, and Claude Julien apparently has the confidence in him to leave him in. And with just over 6 minutes to go, newly acquired Nathan Horton has netted two goals to make this game somewhat interesting. Watching this early, it looked like the Bruins were going to be picking up right where they left off last season, which was losing. They still look like they're going down in this game, but at least they're showing they are capable of battling back. At least a little bit.
But enough of this...there's still hockey to watch.
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