A (late) Valentine’s Day Plea: Hart for Datsyuk

Its time the NHL started touting the amazing season that is defining 2008-2009 for Pavel Datsyuk. And if the powers that be won’t do it... well, we all know who will.

Last night on Puck Bunny Radio, I passionately argued that Pavel Datsyuk is the best player in the league, that he is the most complete player in the league, that he does it all and does it better than anyone else.


Although no one disagreed with me on the show, you all know I like to back my shiksa up. In researching Pasha, I found ample statistical and empirical evidence to support my argument, as well as some surprising opinions from his peers. Hence I bring you “Part один “ of the 2009 campaign:


Pavel Datsyuk: Hart Trophy Front Runner


Arguably the strongest names being tossed about for MVP at this point are Ovechkin, Crosby and Malkin. Marc Savard, Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau are whispered but their numbers don’t consistently match the elite 4. Because I am not Alpha Dawg Statistician Extraordinaire, LeftWing3Hugger from NHL Connect, I am sticking with the clear front runners and comparing Pavel Datsyuk only to Ovie, Malky and Sid.


BY THE NUMBERS


70 points, +/- of 30, 16 PIM, League leader in takeaways. Pasha undresses more opposing players and goalies with his sick puck handling skills on the ice than Sean Avery undressed models at Fashion Week during his men’s Vogue internship.


Points: Pasha currently ranks 4th in the league in scoring, with 70 points, on a team where he shares ice time with Hank Zetterburg (35th in the league with 49 points) and Marian Hossa (10th in the league with 60 points) (Oh and let’s not forget Jiri Hudler with his 47 points, ranking him 44th in the league.)


With 18 points (6 goals) in his last 12 games, Datsyuk is on pace to become the first Red Wing to hit 100 points since Sergei Fedorov racked up 107 in 95-96.


The only guys beating him in the points categories are Malkin, Ovie and Sid. Only the Wings and the Pens tout two players as top 10 point leaders.


Additionally Pasha has the second highest number of Power Play Goals (10) of these top 4 point leaders and Hart Trophy contenders and only Ovie has more game winners. Pasha and Ovie are tied in second for shorthanded goals (each have 1), with Malkin leading the league (2).


Plus Minus: Pasha sports an incredible +30 rating for the season, with a +15 in his last 12 games. He is second in the league for +/-. Only Blake Wheeler (33) has a better Plus-Minus than Datsyuk (30, Pavel is tied with Krejci). I have argued in previous blogs that the Plus-Minus is, by far, a more important statistic on ice than points scored, so I won’t rehash an old argument here. I will say that the fact that Boston has five guys in the top 10 on the plus minus and 6 in the top 20 represents and helps explain why they are having such an amazing season.


+/- for Ovie, Sid and Malky? They don’t even come close.


Ovie’s +/-is 16

Sid’s +/-is 2

Malkin’s +/- is 15.


In his last 12 games, Pasha’s +/- beats them all, not just for those games, but almost for their entire seasons.

Penalty Minutes: Pasha has only 16 penalty minutes the whole season! (Ovie has 64 PIM; Sid has 65 PIM; Malkin has 54 PIM.) Pasha gets the job done without costing his team.



Statistical Support/Analysis for the 4 front runners. Taking a page from the Reigning Statistical Alpha Dog Extraordinaire at NHL Connect: LeftWing3Hugger (without whose fearless example, I would never attempt the following), I offer the chart below and some pretty colors to highlight my argument points:








Red= 1st

Blue = 2nd

Yellow= 3rd

Green=4th


This chart sets out the stats I have relied in this blog. Perhaps there are some additional statistical categories you will find more compelling than the ones I have relied on. By all means, let me know what you think and why.


As you can see, Pasha and Malkin tie for the most first place rankings (Red). However, Evgeni Malkin appears slightly more consistent with more 1st and 2nd place results. A strong argument can be made that Malkin is truly consistently solid in every area. Truth is these two players should be the front runners.


I, of course, watch nearly every game Datsyuk plays in and see how his numbers translate into skill on the ice. I think Pasha takes the edge away from Malkin based on the intangibles.


THE INTANGIBLES


Datsyuk’s numbers clearly represent a player who is more than a sniper, more than a two way forward- He is the total package. He scores, assists, when he is on the ice good things happen and when he hits, keeps it clean. Datsyuk, makes his teammates better.


Doin’ It Clean: Just how does Pasha achieve such amazing numbers? Pure speed and the sickest puck handling skills from here to Moscow. He isn’t often lauded enough for his incredible speed, but if he steals the takeaway or makes a breakaway, there really aren’t many in the league who can catch him. He makes opposing players look like they are standing still. Nothing dirty- in fact to those people who notice that Datsyuk has a solid forecheck, well apparently he knows how to do it clean, with the following amazing ranking : 510th in the league for total season penalty minutes.


Need to see it to understand what I’m talking about? Watch Pasha “Smear the Grier”, long before my brother ever coined the phrase:







Marian Hossa had this to say about Pasha’s defensive-offense prowess: "When he comes into a situation where you think he's going to get hammered or hit ugly, all the sudden he's like the 'Terminator,' when he goes through the glass, just moves through people,'' Hossa said. "Just unbelievable how he (maintains) the puck and goes like nothing happened. Not many players can do that.''


Datsyukian Dekes


Pavel Datsyuk isn’t just a bunch of pretty numbers, his puck handling and deft scoring skills are unequaled. I had the pleasure of sitting at the Ducks goal end last month about 17 rows up, where I was blown away watching a play break with Datsyuk on the puck. Here is what Pasha brings to the game every night:





Pasha Makes his Teammates Better


Both Pasha and Zetter asked to play center this year, a departure from previous years, having the effect of breaking the Eurotwins up. Recently and hopefully for the playoffs, Coach Babcock will keep D and Z together, because when the do play together, such as in the last 7 games Pasha has five goals and nine points, while Zetterberg has been nailing it with three goals and six points.


Let’s face it, despite Malkin having a slight edge number-wise, they are not translating into helping his team make it to the off-season. And this is where I argue the Plus-Minus is so important. On ice, even when he is not scoring, Datsyuk makes his team better. That is why he should have the edge over Malkin.


Still not buying it? How about taking someone else’s word for it? Someone, who perhaps has recently (say, in Spring of 08) been on both sides of a Pasha jockstrap lynching and who has worked with Pasha, Malkin and Sid.


Marian Hossa Sings Datsyuk’s Praises


“Hoss” had this to say about Pasha in interview last week (with one of my favorite sports writers, Dave Waddell, of the Windsor Star):


"I can't think of somebody who is a more complete (player) than Pavel," said Hossa.


"I think he's the best all-around player in the world right now.” (THIS from the guy who has played with Malkin, Crosby and Pasha.)

“To tell you the truth I don't know why he isn't mentioned more in the league, Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, he's right there. I don't know why people think (he's not a candidate for the Hart Trophy)."


And it isn’t just “Hoss”- Babs and Nic Lidstrom both have recently reiterated Hossa’s sentiments about Pasha.


And let's not forget Dr. Ramani..


There you have it Hockey Fans- He has the numbers, the peer recognition, the intangibles, he makes his team better. He is the complete package. Everything you could want in an MVP.


So why isn’t he getting the attention and kudos he deserves from the rest of the league?


Datsyuk for Hart. The campaign begins…

Ed Note: Yes, Yes I know the MVP award is traditionally given to the player who has the most points or stands out and make his team best, while the best all around player in the League gets the Peterson- I argue pasha deserves both, and sincethis is a Valentine's blog, the hart works better for the metaphor. I mean who wants "Peterson Day card"???Anyway you look at it, Pavel has the elite talent, numbers, skills and brings the same contribution to his team to warrant winning either award.

Originally Posted on Monday February 16, 2009 @ 05:48 PM EST at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/boards/28598

Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Concentrated Juice: Sharks-Bruins, The Scouting Report

I’ll say right off the bat, this was the game the NHL should have featured in prime-time on NBC. From the first face off, this Sharks-Bruins match up had the feel of a second round, Game 5. It was fast and furious hockey at its best. (and DVR-ing it made it even better, although I had to keep stopping to watch that Wings-Flyers promo…)

No one really needs a Wings fan blogging about this game, there are plenty of Sharks fans and a Bruins fan or two who should have plenty to say. But I watched this game with an eye toward rooting out the weaknesses of both teams. And let me tell you this was no easy task. Hey- I know Wings can stop the Sharks, but the Bruins??? Well last fall I didn’t see that we had answer to their style of play. So this blog is really nothing more than an exercise in basically educating myself. These are my “scouting” observations, read on if you are that damn bored. And if you are? Let me know if you think I got it wrong or right.

Speed Kills. Faster Still Faster, Pussycat. Why did the Sharks win? Sharks had the speed and the legs in the third, a flawless Kill, won all the face offs and finished their forechecks. They wore Boston down and eventually figured out how to open up the neutral zone.

STACKED PADS!!! Nabby is fearless. He’ll poke check when there is tons of traffic. Nabby’s initial saves are always amazing, but his weakness is the rebound. He never controls them. The only shots he controls are long slappers. Not only that, but he practically aims the rebound right at an opposing player. And the Bruins knew this- they always had a second guy right there waiting for it.

Boo Bears. The Bruins fans that booed Joe Thornton have less class than the Chicago fans who yelled “Detroit Sucks” and the Pens fans who booed Hossa- I mean – are you really gonna tell me that it was that all about last year’s hit? Hmmmm. Even so, remember, it was the Bruins who got rid of him: Big Joe T. did not ask to leave. SOO glad he got a goal.

Clogging the Neutral Bruins play 5 back, 5 in the neutral, 3 up.The Bruins are fast enough and physical enough to play 5 in the neutral and pull all 5 back in their own zone, clear the puck out without dumping, but they get tired. Bruins are smothering in the neutral until they get tired. They CLOG the blues- half the time all 5 players are between ‘em.

Boston is ineffective if you tire them out and open up the neutral zone. A speedy left wing lock should work on them. By the second half of the third, they weren’t as fast as the Sharks. So you gotta tire them out, open it up, spread them out to the boards, get them in the situation where they have 2 wings between the blues and three guys back. Like I said before, burst through with speed, or open them up and their “trap-like” defense falls apart.

That said, I fully expected them to walk through that third with the one goal lead and just clog the lanes and sit on their lead with a stifling defense.

Aggressive Forechecking The Sharks were successful at throwing the Bruins off the puck when they were aggressive in their forecheck. Make the Bruins run, they aren’t a puck possession passing team, there is nothing pretty about it. Also they don’t finish their forechecks.

B-Boys Best Boy Lucic wanted the hat trick! Boston’s hardest working players? My boy Aaron Ward, Andrew Ference, Bergeron, Savard, Widman and the sniper Lucic.

Sharks best players in this game? Plihal, Boyle, Vlasic, Michalek, and Pavalski. Boy Aaron Ward had Pavalski’s number…Hardest working Sharks? Thornton, Marleau and Clowe.

Cap’t Leading by Example Marleau’s goal was the most important goal of the game- captain giving his team a lift, bringing their heads back into it- you could instantly see the skip in the Shark step and their momentum rise. Stevie Y used to do that, Nic Lids will one time from the point and give our team a lift like that too. It’s what good captains do.

Face Offs – they Are Important Bruins were terrible on the face off. The won only a single face off, (when Thornton was removed from the circle). Losing a face off to SJ turned out to be dangerous because the Sharks love to try and hit the one timer from the blueline off the face off. (Now where have I seen this before??? Hmmm… No. 5, No. 5, No. 5….)

Sharks PP and PK Sharks first goal on the PP, very nice. When the sharks settle on their PP, they will hit the net, don’t let them settle. Its ok if they “cycle”, but don’t let them slow down and see the net.

Sharks’ kill was great. They ate up the first minute of three Kills keeping the Bruins off the cycle. Their Kill reminded me of a Red Wings kill- except no Lilja body blocks. I am partial to the Lilja Body Block. He is, after all, … well you know.

No Sign of Olivia Newton John This game was not nearly as physical as I expected. But the Sharks finish their forechecks, and that is how they got a several of their turnovers and rolled into their pretty passing game. The Shark’s awareness of where other teammates are is really, really impressive. Its only half the equation, however.

Mistakes Were Costly Sharks give away for the Bruin’s second goal on the line change was a disastrous mistake. Even worse, Nabby gave it up on the rebound- Big mistakes. Lucic wasn’t even that fast. Seemed like Nabby was just nervous.

Other Observations:

Neither team played an agitator in front of the opposing goal. I think it’s because neither could slow the game down enough to control it.

Boston’s puck handling is sub-par, but that drop pass to Lucic with 4 minutes in the second (where it looked like a 2 on 1) was brilliant.

Loved seeing Aaron Ward playing and his hit on Vlasic really put the Sharks in a Pickle!

Claude le Mew helped his team. He’s still a kitty cat.

Sharks never really had a good shot on net until the Bruins got tired. Bruins lost because they could not keep up with the Shark’s fast pace in the third.

You can’t let the Bruins go into the third with a lead, because they will stifle on the defense and slow a fast team, UNLESS… unless you have tired them out.

I hate watching regular TV now, this is the second game I have watched on DVR, and its so much better! And when I paused the game to watch scrubs, when I came back- it was in the same spot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weird fact of the Night? I wanted Boston to win so the Sharks lost the point, and with a win for my Wings, that would have allowed us to pull even in the West. PLUS I drafted both Widman and Chara for my fantasy team, but know what? I found myself cheering for the Sharks. I don’t know what that says about me.

Capper of the Day? My Wings won handily and my Pasha has 40 points since December- the most of any player in the league. LOVE Ya Pasha!

Jooce-crest out.

Originally Posted on Wednesday February 11, 2009 @ 02:14 AM EST at

http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/boards/28345

Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the Author.

The Devil Wears Easton

Sean Avery assigned to the Rangers’ AHL Affiliate.

What does it say about an organization that would let Brendan Shanahan drift for nearly a half a year, but who practically salivates at the idea of getting a moderately talented but hugely troubled Sean Avery back?

It tells me that the Rangers organization absolutely has its priorities out of whack, and that makes me feel sorry for all the Ranger fans.

When you joke that Glen Sather is the devil, I clearly understand the frustration.

A management team that chooses a guy like Avery:

A guy about whom Jaromir Jagr has emphatically (literally falling of a chair) stated he would not want to play with again: “Aren’t 2 years in that prison enough?”

A guy who so disrupted the 2008 Western Conference finalist Dallas Star locker room that while he was on the team they were:

5 – 15 (5-11-4) and Last in the League

and SINCE Avery they are:

17-11 (17-9-2) and 6th in the Western Conference, 12th in the League .

A management team that chooses a guy like Avery over Shanny.

The Devils’ record, BTW, since Shanny arrived the week of January 13th:

9-2 with 8 straight wins, including a lovely little 3-0 shutout. ahem.

Wow.

That is some brain trust running the ship there on the Hudson. Good thing these guys don’t fly planes.

h3. A Slap on the Prada Clad Wrist

Bringing Sean Avery back into the NY fold sends the clear signal that no one really thinks he did anything wrong. It turns his suspension into nothing more than a slap on the Prada clad wrist.

Maybe it’s Avery’s even up call- the League’s way of saying: we went overboard in suspending you the way we did.

And honestly, I don’t think the “sloppy seconds” comment warrants punishment more severe than stepping on someone’s Achilles with a skate blade, or uttering the most offensive racist insult.

But he was to be punished, and if your going to punish, then you better make it stick. Any good parent knows that- HEDHS, the Dog Whisperer knows that.

Whether you think Avery’s suspension and purgatorial penance was warranted or not, allowing Sean to come back to the Rangers sends a clear, back-pedaling, signal by the League. It says that the next time a player wants to leave a team or a market for the bright lights and Big City, he need only follow Sean’s lead.

h3. Does Sean Sean Deserve a Second Chance?

Actually I think he does. But I think if the league really cared about his antics, and his type of hockey, they would have urged a team in a smaller market, with a strong on ice leader, to take Sean. They would not have sent him back to the place he loves. Sending him back to New York is a reward.

Don’t kid yourself, Sean hasn’t had enough “Behavior management” and/or therapy to have made any real change in his fundamental personality. Ten years may not be enough therapy. Fact is, a 6 week program of electro shock therapy could not garner significant “anger management” progress in anyone.

Does anyone reading this blog really thing Sean Avery thinks he did anything wrong? Sean is a smart guy, he’s sitting back smiling like a Cheshire cat, with a glint in his eye, knowing he had to run the trained chimp routine in order to get back in the game. Knowing that this was nothing more than a slap on the wrist. And Sean did do exactly what it took to get back in the game. He may even behave himself for a week or two once he hits the ice at MSG. But I have 10-2 odds that says before the end of the season, he has done something offensive.

Ranger Fans- some smart ones like JH Rangers- are begging management to do something, and many are even happy that Avery is coming back. But unless 6 weeks of NHL sanctioned “Anger Management” really changed Sean (and we ALL KNOW it could not have) then I think Ranger fans everywhere will ultimately regret this move. No one on that Ranger team is going to be able to handle him. Unfortunately I believe he will be as toxic in New York as he was in Dallas.

I hope I am wrong in my opinions. I hope Sean Avery proves me wrong. I just sincerely doubt that I am.

I think this is a bad move for Avery, a bad move for the League, and a bad move for New York.

But it is sure to be entertaining. And maybe not in a good way.

Originally posted on Tuesday February 10, 2009 @ 01:09 PM EST athttp://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/boards/28302

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

The Little Monarchy That Could- get Spezza?????

Are the Kings serious about a playoff run? Today’s fun trade rumors seem to indicate so.

The Sporting News reports a rumor Jason Spezza may be headed for Hollywood. And all I can say is HEDHS – yes!

We LOVE rumor and innuendo here in Holly-weird.

Don’t get too excited- the rumor that he’s being traded for Johnny Quick and Jack Johnson is ridiculous. I hate to say this but, so far this year Spezza has not shown that he’s worth that much. But I’m not writing to debate the value of the players…I’m writing based on the excitement I am feeling that the Kings by even trying to deal for a 30+ goal scorer are showing intelligence and intent to compete.

Just last week a co-worker and I debated what sort of trades the Kings should make before March and the co-worker, a long suffering Kings fan, was dejected, demoralized, disillusioned.

“The Kings won’t spend any money.”

“It’s the same old story, every year. You don’t know, you don’t have to deal with this stuff.” He complained. I refrained from reminding him that the 1980’s were pretty hard on us Wings fans and instead told him he was just wrong.

In fact I was adamant in my disagreement. See, I have only been here in LA for 4 years, but this is the first and only year I have seen a Kings team that is a true contender. A team that, on any given night, can compete and beat the league’s best. I see a young talented team that works hard and smart for 60 minutes. I also see management having made a great stride in hiring Terry Murray, and obviously he is leading this team well.

Chemistry is clicking in LA and they look as good as Chicago did last year- actually they look better than either Chicago or Columbus did last year.

I told the co-worker “All the Kings need to do is spend some money and get a decent goal scorer.”

My co-worker jadedly laughed until he had tears in his eyes. Then he broke down sobbing, weeping and muttering “Luc, where are you????”

I handed him my handkerchief, embroidered with little silver Stanley Cups, and patted his back.

“Have faith! I said.

He was incredibly blue, and could not be convinced that I was right. So I said this:

“Well. Even if they aren’t playoff ready this year,

and even if you have been burned too many times to be easily lead down the purple brick road with me into thinking the Kings Management might be actually interested in a successful team,

you have to agree that think the next move the front office makes will be telling.”

He looked at me quizzically. I continued.

“Whether its at trade deadline or on July 1, if the Kings are serious, they have to get some scoring. If they trade guys like Quick, Doughty, Brown, Ersberg, or Kopitar – then they are not serious and they are not interested in growing their own talent for the betterment of the team. Right now we don’t know what their true intent happens to be. I think the very next step they take will be the most telling of all, and based on that move, we will know whether management wants to contend or not.”

He sniffed, wiped his nose one more time and nodded in agreement as he walked slowly back to his office. I stood there watching him retreat wishing I could make him believe. I just know that what I have been witnessing this year in LA is special.

Three days later, sniffly co-worker arrives at my office door, beaming. He hands me a press release from the Sporting News.

It says that the Kings are looking at Spezza. And then it discredited the rumor entirely, claiming the Kings are not ready, that they are “a year away” from making the playoffs and the writer seems to think the Kings will not stray from the “growing our own prospects” strategy they have been adhering to.

I am here to tell you all – I disagree with Mr. Sporting News pro sports writer guy.

The Kings are the Little Monarcy that Can Make the Playoffs

I think this Kings team can make the playoffs this year, if they stay healthy, focused and especially if they get a 30+ goal scorer. They are right in the thick of the hunt now, and a bit of a spark in scoring could be just the push these young guns need to make a great late season run.

Oh I’m not suggesting they’d be able to take the Sharks out in the first round, but I think this team has a legitimate shot at getting into the playoffs.

Sniffing around Spezza is exactly the kind of move that tells me the Kings are headed down the right path and are serious about building a competitive team.

With 7 teams in the west currently boarding, high sticking and hooking their way to the bottom of the playoff pack- the 7th and 8th seeds, I have my eye on the local boys- the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings are smack dab in the middle of the Canucks, Wild, CBJ, Oilers, Preds and ‘Yotes. Contenders looking at the stretch run.

Ever since watching this young, talented disciplined team beat the Washington Capitals in October, I have been excited about the Little Monarchy that Could. It started first with Erik Ersberg- the Iceberg whose goal tending skills rank him highly in a league, that for the first time in ages seems to be laden with stellar goal tending talent. Oh he is exciting to watch…..

Until I watched the Iceberg attempt a routine kick save, sliding to the post in the December Kings- San Jose game and – groan- he did not get up easily.

Groin injury. Iceberg Out.

Johnny Quick called up from the minors- and let me tell you, in ANY OTHER year, this kid would be touted for the Vezina and the Calder. His goal tending numbers as a rookie are second only to the CBJ’s rookie goal tender and resident brick shiphouse: Steve Mason. Mason’s numbers are a phenom not seen since Terry Sawchuck stood between the posts. 7 shutouts already this year, leading the league in GAA. Tough break for the Kid from Milford CT.

But goaltending isn’t the only story in LA. The poise and confidence Drew Doughty exudes as a leader (at 19 years young) puts other young captains to shame. Doughty, Kyle Quincey, Brown and Johnson are making this team very exciting.

Let’s not forget Kopy either. While a team leading 15 goals and 42 points, are good numbers, they are not high enough for a playoff contending team. Despite the rather good year Mr. Kopitar is having, the missing puzzle piece here in LA is a 30+ goal shooter.

And Jason Spezza’s year needs a boost- a move, anywhere, might be good for him.

Please Mr. Lombardi

So PPPLLLEEEZZEEEE Mr. Lombardi: Spend some money (for once in your life), spend some money and get this team a goal scorer. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water…..

And please Mr. Lombardi: Reward this hard working talented young team for a very impressive year. But don’t trade your goalies away, for it.

That 8-spot is yours if you make one or 2 right moves. You have 6 other teams in the hunt with you, and at least three are in a bit of a decline from their season peak.

Please Mr. Lombardi, show all these long suffering Kings fans that you are committed and want to build this team into a contender! Spezza is a good move- but don’t give up your Core for him. Doughty, Kopy, Ersberg, Quick, Brown, Quincey, Greene, Calder, Sully, Frolov and even O’Donnell- this is your base. Don’t let these kids go.

I can’t wait to see what happens. Next move will reveal all!

Originally Posted on Monday February 09, 2009 @ 05:13 PM EST at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/boards/28268

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Concentrated Juice: Wings-Yotes

What’s happenin’ Hossa stuff? (I have been dying to use that one for, like, 8 minutes.)

Wow, is it good to be back here blogging, I have missed you all. Between a personal commitment and my inability to log in here all weekend, it feels like eons since I last checked in with the Connectrix. I wrote a blog Saturday, but its not worth posting at this point.

Story of my life this week- work my asp off and get benched.

I had a hellacious day, so I drove home through LA (making things much better…) with just one goal in mind: See a bit of the Wings- Yotes game.

Well, I had barely chewed the cork off the top of the 2005 Clos du Val CabSauv before Sammy put the biscuit in the basket at the start of the third. Waa-hoo!

Ahh, here it comes, watching this Wings-Phoenix game, some of the stuff I wanted to chat about last week comes rushing back like the blood to my cheeks.

First a riddle:

When is a Slump just a Slump?

To all the bloggers, haters and Wings “fans” who are criticizing, laughing or lamenting the Wings recent record, I present Exhibit A:


The 2008 Stanley Cup Champions Record for February 2008 Record: 2-8-2.

6 losses, a win and then 4 more losses then a win.

Get over it- No one dropped the spirit stick people. Wings are not falling apart. There are no dents in the red armor. Well actually there are a few- injuries.

Wings Injury Report

Z is “back”. Lids and Ozzie are nursing, not resting.

Homer: more MRIs, possible surgery for that pesky hernia. Get well Homes- really well. We need you and your crease-less Butt for the playoffs. And because you make me laugh.

Reason #96: “4 More Months of Hockey”

I LOVE the work ethic and winning mentality. When asked about his hernia issue Holmstrom said “well I have to take care of it now, we have 4 more months of hockey.”

That work ethic and mentality. Operating from the perspective that there are 4 more months of hockey: Reason No. 96 why the Wings are so successful.

One Thousand Reasons I am Grateful for the One Dollar Man.

Congrats to Kris Draper for his 1,000th game, and 981 of those in a Winged Wheel Sweater- we love you Drapes. You are the faster mothra fauker from here to Gardenia. Can’t wait to celebrate your 1000th game in a Red and White Sweater.

The Igor Larionov WAAA-HOOOO Award of the Week

The first ever ILWHAW goes to rookie Ville Leino, for his spinning no look backhanded first ever NHL Goal against the Caps! HEDHS yes- watch it again folks, its one for the Highlight reels:

Spinorama for the Futurama! Gorgeous work Lein-OH! (sigh. I miss jleWings, she has the best nicknames for the players.)

This week’s Igor Larionov “WAAA-HOOO” Award is sponsored by the letter “H” and goes to:

Jiri Hudler for being amazing

and

Brad Helm, for getting called up and playing like a champion. Finally.

OH I love this kid. Hudler and Helm- love love love these two together.

Hudler already has 41 points mid-season, surpassing his entire 2008 record of 42 – and we are grateful in Hockeytown. Jiri Hudler impresses me Every. Single. Game.

Wings-Yote Notes:

This was a sloppy sluggish game, er 3rd period (its all I saw). Wings and Coyotes play very sluggishly against each other. Sort of like they are skating in pea soup. I thought it was just Arizona ice. Not so. Happens at the Joe too.

And what is it with the 5-4 games between these two teams?

Huds- your late game break away left me screaming!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet you hear that a lot.

Lids game winner??? GRETZ was PIZZED!!! Sometimes the re-direct goes your way, sometimes it “Doan-t”.

Ozzie let in a couple soft ones in the third, and almost put one in his own net- pretty inexcusable. Come on Wiz- what gives? You hurt? This is not a blanket criticism of his play through the ages- its two goals, one period, in the beginning of February. Hardly worth the characters it took to type it.

Hossa: Playing for the Winged Wheel on the front, not the name on the back. Love ya Hoss.

Love how I know Rafalski is on the ice just by his body language. So distinctive.

Who can take a sunrise? Sammy- know what bro??? I may have to eat my words about you. You make me crazy but you are a clutch guy. Truth is, in the last month you have been working harder than I have ever seen, and frankly your one of the only Wings consistently connecting in the clutch. Keep it up and I’ll have to consider devoting “Candy Man” to you on my next karaoke excursion (and if your lucky it will be the Christina Aguilera version, not the Sammy Davis jr. version)…

The Chase is Always Better than the Kill

True, true it is- but for once I’m not talking about the Red Wing habit of playing cat and mouse…. WTF boys, your PENALTY KILL was terrible! Did you forget how to play one man down???? Are you merely 3-5 specialist? Letting Phoenix catch up like that, INEXCUSABLE.

Jooce-crest out.

Originally posted on Wednesday February 04, 2009 @ 11:19 PM EST at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/boards/28065

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