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Posts Tagged NHL

Brodeur Out 3-4 Months

Nov 7

Posted by admin in Brodeur, Hockey, NHL, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Stanley Cup, Surgery, Uncategorized, devils, ice hockey, injury, new jersey, online sports community | No Comments

Martin Brodeur has been the picture of stability for the Devils franchise since joining the team in the 91-92 season.

In fact, since 1998 Brodeur has played in at least 70 games during the regular season, hardly ever suffering any serious injuries. Well, it seems that, that streak will be coming to an abrupt end with the elbow injury Brodeur sustained in a game against Atlanta.

Brodeur suffered the injury while making a glove save on a wrist shot that was actually headed wide of the net. While making the save Brodeur said he felt a pop as he extended his arm. The pop was actually his bicep ligament tearing away from the muscle near his elbow.

Brodeur cringes in pain.

Brodeur cringes in pain.

And now for the first time in his career and for the first time since Brodeur became the Devils franchise goaltender he will miss significant playing time during the regular season.

The 4 time Vezina trophy winner has been the one contant throughout the years for the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have always been built as a defense first team. However, in the last few years they have lost some marquee players at the position including Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko to retirement and Scott Niedermeyer to free agency. Those key loses were offset by the remarkable play of Brodeur whose skill at the position is perhaps unmatched in history.

In fact, Brodeur was well within reach of surpassing a number of NHL goaltending records this season including Patrick Roy’s career win total of 551 and Terry Sawchuck’s 103 career shutouts. Brodeur is just 7 wins shy of surpassing Roy and 5 shutouts shy of passing Sawchuck.

With Brodeur sidelined to late February, early March it is likely that those records may have to wait until next season to fall.

The more pressing issue for the Devils however, will not be making NHL history, but simply making the NHL playoffs. Without Brodeurs’ prowess between the pipes the Devils face a long, hard fight and now must ask backup Kevin Weekes to fill some pretty large skates.

The Devils currently hold second place (16pts) in the Atlantic Division trailing the red hot New York Rangers by 7 points.  If the Devils have any hope of catching their cross river rivals they must rely on something they haven’t had to rely on in 13 years…offense.

With young players like Zach Parise (9 goals/5 assists ) and veterans like Patrick Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner the Devils could do it. They can also look to the return of the injured Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik to provide an extra offensive boost when they return to the lineup.

Either way, the Devils find themselves in very unfamiliar territory this season. A season the will play mostly without the aide of Martin Brodeur. Where they end up is anyone’s guess at this point.

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NHL Season Set to Begin Abroad

Oct 3

Posted by admin in Europe, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Hockey, NHL, NHL in Europe, Opening Night, Pre-season hockey, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, ice hockey, online sports community | No Comments

Will Detroit repeat? NHL season kicks off soon in Europe.

Will Detroit repeat? NHL season kicks off soon in Europe.

By Matt Valentine

Yes, its true.  Yes, I understand most of you could probably care less . Yes, that bothers me. Either way, whether you love it or hate it the NHL season will begin and it will begin sooner then you think.

In fact, the NHL is taking a page from MLB and the NBA in doing something that it has never done before… opening its regular season in Europe.

The opening games of the NHL season will take place as a double-header of sorts with games to beplayed in the Czech and Swedish capitals. It is something that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says Europe should get used to, ” We are hopefully ushering an era of a more permanent presence for the league (in Europe).”

That seems to indicate that the commissioner would at some point like to setup a franchise somewhere in the European market, but that day is still a long ways away and for now the NHL is content to give the European fans of hockey just a small sample of itself.

Like Bettman said the NHL is creating, “a program where we’re coming back on a regular basis to satisfy and address the interest that we know is in our game here.

One of the matchups featured in the double header will take place between two Eastern Conference teams on the rise, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. Both teams have undergone some significant roster changes and look to start the season off on the right skate. The game will take place in the Czech capital city of Prague.

The other game in the double-header will feature a match up between last seasons Stanley Cup finalist Pittsburgh Penguins and the underachieving Ottawa Seantors. This game will be played in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

Originally the NHL had planned just two games overseas to both to be played by the Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings in London for the opener but expanded their overseas schedule to the current four games.

The Europeans fans have proven themselves to be excellent hosts showing great enthusiasm for the games and the players. In fact, over 8,000 Czechs turned out just to see a Rangers practice session something that is completely unheard of back in the USA.

The players have also enjoyed their trip overseas though they have admitted that the travel can be tiring, they also enjoy having the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd. Such was the case with Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival a Czech who said he was thrilled to play in front of a home crowd.

Considering the amount of knowledge and enthusiasm Europe has for hockey it makes sense for the NHL to market their brand there and to continue to expand their presence in the European market. Next year the destination seems likely to be Germany, another country will a strong enthusiasm for the game.

If only there was such enthusiasm for the game at home.

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Sundin Remains in Limbo

Sep 3

Posted by admin in Hockey, NHL, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, ice hockey, off season, online sports community | No Comments

Its been a long while since I’ve talked hockey and because I love the sport so damn much I may be one of the only people even thinking about it today, especially on the eve of the opening night for the NFL (go G-MEN!), but I’m going to do it anyway so here it goes.

NHL training camp believe it or not, opens in about two weeks and there is one player out there that many people around the league are keeping a very close eye on. Mats Sundin the 37-year old former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs remains in limbo unsure of wether his body can handle another grueling NHL season.

The talented player has received offers from a number of teams including the Maple Leafs who would like to see the Swede retire as one of their own. Yet, after 17 seasons in the NFL Sundin is just not convinced that it would be worth coming back to give it one last shot.

“I have to prepare differently and warm up 30, 40 minutes before a practice session,” he said. “I didn’t have to do that when I was 25.”

Sundin has won Olympic and world championship gold medals for Sweden, but hockey’s ultimate prize has continued to elude him.  If Sundin is to return it seems unlikely that he would sign withToronto, a team that has little prospect of reaching the Stanley Cup finals. Not knowing personally the offers he has received my bet is that Sundin like Ray Bourque and other before him will try to sign with a contender and make one last run at the Stanley Cup.

For now the Sundin’s focus is on another hobby of his…poker. He has inked a deal with PokerStars.com joining former tennis star Boris Becker as the site’s ambassador. He will play tournaments for charity, he said, and will head to a European Poker Tour event next week in Barcelona, Spain.

In other news from around the league Joe Sakic will return to play at least one more season with the Colorado Avalanche. The 39-year old Sakic has spent 19 years with the franchise and inking the deal means that he will spend at least his 20th with the franchise as well. Sakic did comment on how grateful he was that the Avs did not pressure him into an early decision, like the one Brett Favre was pressured into and that it did have a positive effect on his decision.

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NHL Announces 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

Jul 17

Posted by admin in 2008 NHL Draft, Coaching Staff, Eastern Conference, Hall of Famer, NBC, NHL, NHL on NBC, Playoff hockey, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, coach, commissioner, defense, ice hockey, online sports community, playoffs | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Wrigley Field is no stranger to blustery, cold conditions with the stiff winds coming off Lake Michigan giving Cubs fans each year.

Yet, Wrigley is due for an even further drop in temperature on New Years Day 2009. That’s because Wrigley has been chosen as the site of the NHL’s next Winter Classic, the second installment of the annual outdoor game.

The first Winter Classic was played last year in Buffalo and featured the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. A heavy snow fell on the stadium, but the crowd of 71,217 still saw a great game in which the
Penguins defeated the Sabres 2-1 on Sidney Crosby’s shootout goal.

Last season was not the NHL’s first outdoor game. The idea actually came to fruition in 2003 when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens. The event also featured an old-timers game in which former greats Wanye Gretzky, Gordie Howe and others played a charitable exhibition game.

The Red Wings and Blackhawks are the NHL’s most storied rivalry having met in a league leading 701 regular season contests. Wings fans often make the trip to the Windy City to see their team take on the Hawks. The historic matchup is a perfect fit for the historic setting of Wrigley Field, one of the most storied stadiums in baseball history.

The game will begin at noon Central Time and will be televised nationally by NBC.

The Winter Classic has become a great venue for the NHL to attract attention to itself and has drawn the largest crowds in NHL history. Though the game has stiff competition from the numerous college bowl
games that are traditionally played on New Years Day, the NHL and NBC are not concerned with a hit to their potential ratings. Last year’s Winter Classic was the highest rated regular season game in more than a decade, capturing a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share.

Brian Walker a spokesman for NBC had this to say about the game “It’s a great event that stands on its own. It exceeded our wildest expectations last time and we expect to build on that success at a great venue with two Original Six franchises,” Walker said. “You can’t ask for anything better. Hopefully we’ve started a new tradition. The ratings were extremely healthy last year and we fully anticipate them
to improve.”

The game should also help the Blackhawks draw attention to their long sagging franchise. The Blackhawks popularity in Chicago has slipped significantly since the team has made just one playoff appearance in the last 10 seasons. The Hawks do have a talented young nucleus of players led by of the Year Patrick Kane and may be a playoff contender by the time the Winter Classic rolls around.

The NHL is still trying to negotiate a deal that would set up a Winter Classic in the new Yankee Stadium in the heart of the Bronx. The NHL has attempted to negotiate a Winter Classic in the current Yankee
Stadium, but the old field was ill-equipped to handle the strain of the ice surface.

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Melrose to Coach Tampa Bay Lightning

Jun 25

Posted by admin in 2008 NHL Draft, Analyst, Barry Melrose, ESPN, Eastern Conference, Fantasy Sports, Florida, Hired, NHL, New Coach, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Uncategorized, Western conference, online sports community | No Comments

Hockey fans in Florida can rejoice on two fronts. First, Barry Melrose the esteemed ESPN NHL analyst and former coach of the Los Angeles Kings will be taking the place of John Tortorella to try his magic on Vincent Lecavalier and the rest of the Tampa Bay Lighting. Second, Melrose brings with him one of the most hallowed traditions in hockey…the mullet!

(Barry Melrose…notice the classic Mullet.)

Melrose has been working as an ESPN analyst and commentator for the last 12 years. His dashing suits, and slicked back mullet made him an in-house and fan favorite, and the one man who can make me blush.

Melroses’ last coaching gig with the L.A. Kings lasted just 2 1/2 years in which he posted a regular season record of 82-103-31. He did lead the Kings to the franchises first Stanley Cup Finals in 1993 where they lost a 5 game series to the Montreal Canadiens.

Though he has not coached in 13 seasons Melrose has always remained close to the game and kept a watchful eye over the players, and changes that game has undergone in the past years. He should be well prepared to tackle the dynamics of the “new” NHL and should spark life into a franchise that turned in an extremely disappointing season last year.

The Tampa Bay Lightning finished dead last in the 30 team league and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002, despite having talented superstars Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. The Lightning have not won a playoff series since their Stanley Cup championship in 2004.

Melroses biggest priority will be to improve the teams defensive play, “I believe in effort. I believe in energy. I believe in speed. I believe in aggression. I believe in letting guys be creative, using their imagination,” he said. “I give them a lot of freedom. All I ask in return is that they compete defensively.”

Melrose is no stranger to the Lightning squad and estimated that he watched about 90% of their games on television last season. He believes he knows why the team failed telling reporters that,

“I think what happened here is just a group that lost their passion in the second part of the season. That’s why you win,” Melrose said. “You out-work other teams, you out-want other teams. When you lose that fire and lose that passion, it’s very hard to compete in the NHL.”

Melrose received a vote of confidence from his former player and current Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky who said, “He treats his role players with a great deal of respect. He treats those guys just as good as he treats his top players, I think that’s a fine line and important because guys who don’t play as much … they need to have that reassurance that they’re part of the team also.” Gretzky also called Melrose a tremendous coach, and a true “players coach”.

The Lightning are in the midst of a change in ownership, a deal which should be finalized in June. The Lightning are being sold to a group headed by Oren Koules, Hollywood producer and friend of Barry Melrose and Canadian developer and former NHL player Len Barrie. The pair plan to sign Lecavalier to a contract extension and be an aggressive player in the free agent market.

The Lightning should be a team to watch out for with the talent of Lecavalier, St.Louis and the newly acquired number one overall pick in 2008 NHL draft, Steve Stamkos. Just look up the name on YouTube and you’ll see the type of talent we’re dealing with.

Congrats Barry, just be careful when you go to The Rock in Newark,NJ…I don’t think you’ll want to be seen walking around that building.

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MLB Wants Instant Replay by August

Jun 15

Posted by admin in Baseball, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Sports, Hall of Fame, MLB, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Uncategorized, World Series, american league, batter, boundary calls, bud selig, comissioner, disputed calls, implementation, instant replay, manager, national league, online sports community, pitcher, playoffs, referees, stats, stolen bases, umpires, umpires union, world baseball classic | No Comments

After a year in which Carlos Delgado and Alex Rodriguez were both robbed of home runs and umpires have continued to make questionable call on boundary plays the MLB has finally decided to implement instant replay into the game.

( A-Rod attempt to show the umpires where his “home run” landed.)

Baseball wants to implement the new instant replay system for boundary calls by August so that the system will be fine tuned in time for the playoffs and World Series.

MLB and the umpires union will first need to reach an agreement before instant replay can be used and the two sides have begun discussions on the issue. Bud Selig the comissioner of the league will need to sign off on the deal in order for it to be implemented, and he has been a staunch opposer to instant replay in the past. After seeing many of the blown calls throughout the season it seems that Selig is softening his position on the use of instant replay in MLB.

Many people in baseball find themselves divided on the use of instant replay. Some people think that instant replay should be implemented as soon as possible. Still, others who consider themselves baseball purists or “old school” think that human error is very much an intended part of the game. Also, many believe that instant replay will only slow the pace of an already slowly paced game, “… Baseball has talked about speeding up the game. It’s all you hear. All of a sudden, they want instant replay? You’re going to have slower games and more restless people in the stands.” Cubs Manager Lou Piniella told reporters on Friday.

While I tend to agree with the fact that baseball is an incredibly slow game, I also think that its important to get potential game changing plays correct as often as possible. I’m sure if you were to ask A-Rod or Carlos Delgado if they want those home runs back they would say yes, instant replay can make that happen.

The umpires do not want replay used for any other situation then boundary calls, which I am a little iffy on. If you are going to use instant replay why not make sure that you’re getting all the calls right, such as stolen bases and plays at the plate. I do however, agree with the notion that instant replay should not be used to determine strikes or balls as that would severely hamper the pace of the game.

The MLB is looking to impose a system similar to the one the NHL currently employs. They would establish a replay “headquarters” in New York where a supervisor would review the play in question and explain to the umpire what he saw, but the final decision would be left to the umpire crew chief who has not seen the replay. The system has worked very well in the NHL up to this point.

While many did not expect the MLB to implement instant replay until next season after it was used in the Arizona League and the World Baseball Classic, if all goes well we should see instant replay in baseball by as early as August 1 and no later then August 15.

Heres to hoping that all goes well and instant replay will be available to make its impact felt on this years playoffs and the World Series.

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Hockeytown Opens Its Arms to Embrace Another Stanley Cup

Jun 5

Posted by admin in College Sports, Eastern Conference, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, GAA, Hockey, NBC, NHL, NHL on NBC, Playoff hockey, Pro Sports, Rules, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Stanley Cup, USCHO.com, Uncategorized, Western conference, comissioner, commissioner, ice hockey, instant replay, online sports community, playoffs, red light, slapshot, update, wrist shot | No Comments

For the fourth time in 11 seasons the Stanley Cup will spend the off season nesting in Detroit

Thats because the older,and more experienced Detroit team once again outplayed the young rising stars of the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, securing their place as the NHL’s best team of the past decade.

(Detroit Red Wings celebrate their 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.)

The Wings jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when hometown boy Brian Rafalski netted a power play goal just 5:03 into the first period. The goal seemed to deflate the Penguins team and their home crowd leaving the Penguins unable to muster any significant scoring chances for the rest of the period.

Detroit went up 2-0 when Valtteri Filppula put home the rebound of Mikael Samuelsson’s slapshot from just inside the blue line 8:07 into the second period. Pittsburgh stepped up the pressure with about 6 minutes remaining in the second period, but Gary Roberts was denied t

wice by Chris Osgood just outside the crease.

Pittsburgh finally got on the scoreboard during a power play when Evgeni Malkin ripped a slapshot from just inside the left faceoff circle past Osgood, notching his first goal of the series and closing the deficit to one goal.

Detroit recaptured their 2 goal lead when Conn Smythe winner Henrik Zetterberg made a nice move to open up a shooting lane and took a wrist shot that trickled through Fleury’s legs eventually finding its way to the net when Fleury moved to secure the puck.

The Penguins fought their way back to within one when Marian Hossa scored a power play goal with just 1:37 remaining in the third, giving hope to the Pittsburgh faith

ful that another miracle comeback may be on its way. The Pens came close when captain Sidney Crosby took a backhander from the slot that bounced off Osgood’s shoulder and trickled toward the outside of the post. Marian Hossa came streaking in and with just one hand on his stick poked the puck, sending it just wide of the net and across the crease as time expired.

Many of the fans at Mellon Arena applauded their teams valiant effort and stayed to watch the awarding of the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe trophy from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

The Conn Smythe was awarded to Henrik Zetterberg who was tied for the league lead in post-season points (27) and goals (13), and scored the Cup clinching goal. Then the commissioner called over Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom, the first European born player to captain his team to a Stanley Cup, to receive hockey’s ultimate prize. It was Lidstrom’s fourth Stanley Cup, and he was joined by some other 4 time Stanley Cup winners including: Darren McCarty, Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom , and Kirk Maltby. Dominik Hasek (2), Brian Rafalsk(3), Pavel Datsyuk(2), Chris Chelios(3) and Chris Osgood (3) have all hoisted the cup multiple times as well.

In traditional fashion the cup was passed from player to player and skated around the rink while the fans, players, and coaches allowed the moment to sink in. This marks the 11th Stanley Cup victory for the Detroit Red Wings leaving them third all time behind Toronto(14) and Montreal (24).

Perhaps most noteworthy is that this team is comprised largely of European players, who prefer to play a puck possession game as opposed to the dump and chase game that has been widely employed in the NHL.

Whatever the style of play the outcome is all that matters and for Hockeytown its now time to welcome back an old friend in Lord Stanley’s Cup.

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Sykora Calls His Shot and Forces a Game 6

Jun 3

Posted by admin in High School Sports, Hockey, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Sports Tragedies, Uncategorized, online sports community | No Comments

By Matt Valentine

Move over Babe Ruth, you have some company in the form of Penguins forward Petr Sykora. And while, Ruth’s mythic called shot at Wrigley Field has become the thing of legend and much speculation there can be no doubt about Petr Sykora’s overtime heroics in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Before overtime began Sykora told NHL ice-side reporter Pierre McGuire that he would be the one to score the game winning goal and he lived up to his proclamation.

For a long while though, the game and the Stanley Cup, seemed to be firmly in the grasp of the Detroit Red Wings. They controlled the play in all 3 overtime periods and dominated the third period in which Pittsburgh saw its 2-1 lead quickly vanish into a 3-2 deficit.

The game started out well for the Penguins as they controlled play in the first period and held a 2-0 lead heading into the second. Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead on Marian Hossa’s goal at 8:37 in the first off a feed from linemate Sidney Crosby. They expanded on that lead when forward Adam Hall scored an unassisted goal at 14:41 in the first period his third of the playoffs, and seemed to have Detroit on its heels.

Detroit emerged from the locker room with a renewed determination to capture the Stanley Cup on home ice and quickly tallied their first goal of the game when forward David Helm took a feed from Kirk Maltby and slipped a shot by Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. The rest of the period remained scoreless and ended with the Penguins leading 2-1.

In the third period Detroit seemed to put any notion that they would not be hoisting the Cup to rest, dictating the pace of play from the start. At 6:43 of the third, Pavel Datsyuk took a pass from Henrik Zetterberg and notched his tenth goal of the playoffs, tying the game at 2. Less then 3 minutes letter Brian Rafalski found some open space in Pittsburgh’s zone, secured a pass from Johan Franzen and gave Detroit its first lead of the night.

With about a minute remaining and time quickly running out on Pittsburgh’s seasons, they pulled goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to gain a man advantage. The crowd at Joe Louis Arena was on its feet chanting “We Want the cup!”, and they were just 35 seconds from receiving their wish. That is until Penguins forward Max Talbot jammed a puck from the side of the net past goalie Chris Osgood saving his teams season and sending the game to overtime.

(Penguins bench erupts in celebration after Max Talbot ties Game 5 with just 35 seconds remaining.)

In all 3 overtime periods Detroit seemed to be the fresher team out-skating and out-shooting a tired Pittsburgh squad. And then Pittsburgh received the biggest break of the game when Detroit forward Juri Hudler sent an errant stick check into the lip of Pens defensman Ryan Whitney giving Pittsburgh a 4 minute power play.

It took just 36 seconds for the Penguins to take advantage of the power play. Sergei Gonchar returning to the ice after being injured in the second period sent a pass to Evgeni Malkin who found an open Petr Sykora near the right face off dot he fired a shot over the shoulder of Chris Osgood and sent the series back to Mellon Arena for a Game 6.

This could be the shift in momentum that Pittsburgh has been seeking since dropping the first two games at Joe Louis Arena, before taking one game at home and losing their first game of the playoffs at the Igloo in Game 4.

After a much needed rest the two teams will square off again for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, 8 o’clock at Mellon Arena.

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Ultimate MVP: Conn Smythe Contenders

May 23

Posted by admin in College Sports, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, High School Sports, Hockey, NHL, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Stanley Cup, Uncategorized, ice hockey, playoffs | No Comments

Now that we’ve seen the contenders from the Red Wings, lets take a look at the Conn Smythe contenders from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1. Sydney Crosby

Any conversation about the Penguins needs to start with their captain and face of the franchise, Sydney Crosby. Crosby has accomplished a lot in his three short years in the NHL, capturing the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award. Now, Crosby has the chance to add two new trophies to his mantle, Lord Stanley’s Cup and the Conn Smythe. Crosby has always been a team oriented player and has demonstrated that by his terrific defensive play and his ability to set up his talented teammates posting 17A in the playoffs so far. He’s tallied only 4 goals to date but I’m expecting him to step his goal production for the finals. We all know he is an extremely gifted, and talented player and it only helps that Detroit won’t be able to focus all their attention on him given the depth of the Penguins offense.

2. Evgeni Malkin

Malkin is big, strong, physical, an excellent stick handler, and pure scorer, too bad he can’t speak a spit of English otherwise he could be the face of this franchise if Crosby is unavailable. Actually, in a way he did become the face of the franchise when Crosby went down with an ankle injury during the regular season. Malkin carried the Pittsburgh offense during that stretch and the team never missed a beat. Malkin has been streaky in the playoffs this year going on mini hot streaks and then disappearing for a game or two at a time. Despite that he’s still second on his team in scoring and is tied for third in the league with 19 pts (9G-10A). If Malkin can remain consistent throughout the series and if his team captures the cup then he could be hoisting two trophies that night.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

There have been a lot of factors that have made Fleury a more complete goalie this year, and the most important one is his increased willingness to play the puck. Fleury used to avoid the puck like it carried the plague. Now, his outlet passes have taken pressure off his defenseman and created offensive chances. Fleury also has to credit an optometrist with an assist when he informed Fleury that his yellow pads made him extremely visible to opposing players, he made the switch to white pads, and his game has truly seemed to benefit from the change. Fleury has blossomed in the post-season leading the league in shutouts with 3, save percentage (.938) and is second in GAA (1.70). Fleury has a daunting task ahead of him in shutting down the Wings offense, but if he pulls it off it will be hard to argue against him winning the Conn Smythe.

4. Marian Hossa

Far and away the best trade deadline move made in the NHL this year was the Penguins acquisition of Marian Hossa. Hossa has tallied 9G and 10A for a total of 19pts this post-season and is a threat to score every time he takes the ice. Playing with some of the leagues most talented players doesn’t exactly hurt his stat-line either. This may be the last games Hossa plays in a Penguins uniform and taking home the cup and the Conn Smythe are well within reach for this superstar.

5. Ryan Malone

Malone is a veteran presence for this young team and really seemed to catch fire in the last series against Philadelphia notching 6 points in five games (3G-3A). He has 15 points so far in the post-season with 6G and 9A, and has continued to elevate his game from series to series. Malone is defintely the dark horse candidate to take home the Conn Smythe, but if he continues to elevate his game like he has throughout the playoffs he could be the one taking home the hardware.

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Let’s See That in Instant Replay!

May 23

Posted by admin in Baseball, Basketball, College Sports, Fantasy, Fantasy Sports, Football, High School Sports, Pro Sports, Sports, Sports Events, Sports Stars, Sports Tragedies, Uncategorized, ice hockey, instant replay, online sports community | No Comments

BY Matt Valentine

I really don’t know what Major League Baseball is thinking, but I am pretty sure it’s a thought process that is stuck somewhere in the 1900’s.

MLB needs to face the facts and realize that we are living in a fairly technologically advanced society. Every other major sport including the NFL, NHL, and NBA all employ the modern marvel that is instant replay, and the MLB should follow suit.

We’ve all seen games turn on important calls made by officials after they have taken a good long look at instant replay. Instant replay allows us to see whether or not Crosby kicked that puck in with a skate, or if Randy Moss had both feet in for that game winning catch, or if Carlos Delgado really just hit that three run homer. Oh wait…instant replay didn’t do too much for that last one.

(Delgado’s “foul ball” glances off the foul pole at Yankee Stadium nearly killing a fan…just kidding. )

And this is what I don’t understand. If you have the technology that would allow you to make the right call a helluva lot more often then you would without it, then why not use it? I don’t buy into that whole integrity of the game argument, what integrity is there in getting a call wrong and possibly changing the outcome of a game?

Fortunately for the NY Mets taking away Delgado’s home run didn’t really matter as they went on to trounce the Yanks anyway, but what if it had mattered? And how many times could instant replay have changed the outcome of other baseball games? Home plate Umpire Bob Davidson took the blame for having blown the call telling reporters, ” I —-ed it up. I’m the one who thought it was a —- foul ball. I saw it on the replay. I’m the one who —-ed it up so you can put that in your paper,”.

I for one agree Bob, you definetely F’d it up, but you also said the key words “I saw it on the replay”. Um…hello, if MLB had replay you could have overturned your own bad call right then and there, and you wouldn’t have to feel so bad about it Bob.

I’m not suggesting that instant replay should be used for every play in baseball, but for certain plays it could be incredibly useful. It could have been really useful for Delgado fantasy owners I’ll tell you that much.

So heres my criteria for how instant replay should be used in MLB.

  1. Boundary Calls- Use instant replay to see if balls really cleared the fence, if a fan interfered, or if the ball was fair or foul. Umps are only human they’re bound to make mistakes especially considering the speed of the plays. Instant replay could help eliminate a vast majority of these mistakes.
  2. Plays at the plate- a play at the plate can really change the outcome of a game, that should go without saying, but sometimes even the home plate umpire doesn’t have a clear view, or the play just happens too quickly. Let the ump take a look at replay to see if he made the right call.
  3. Stolen bases- We’ve all seen it, a player slides into second base seemingly way ahead of the tag or way behind the tag and the call goes the opposite way. Stolen bases help lead to runs, look at what happened in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, Roberts steal of second helped force the game to extra innings and the rest is history. Not that, that particular steal was a close call, but in the case of close calls instant replay would help.

Using instant replay for any other means such as deciding strikes or balls would just slow an already slowly paced game and is truly unnecessary. So, heres to hoping that sometime in the very near future the players, the fans, and the umps will all reap the benefits of instant replay.

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