Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay
Posted on October 18th, 2008 – 1:27 PMBy Michael Russo
Same lineup as last game. Krys Kolanos is indeed scratched, as expected, so Tomas Mojzis will play wing again even-strengthed. I’ll be back after the game.
Should be a tiny crowd tonight at the old Ice Palace. All eyes in these parts will be across the bay in St. Pete, where the Rays will be hosting the Sox in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Coach Jacques Lemaire was keeping the lineup a secret. He said he didn’t think Owen Nolan (leg) would play tonight: “It’s not good enough. So why? It’s not perfect.”
So it sounds like the Wild won’t risk it with Nolan. If he doesn’t play tonight, he’ll be able to get lots of rest for a possible return Thursday against Buffalo.
Marian Gaborik is still not skating with his lower body injury, but he rode the bike this morning. Lemaire wouldn’t say if Krys Kolanos or Tomas Mojzis would play. One of them at least will.
Not much going on. If you didn’t notice, Niklas Backstrom is back to wearing last year’s helmet. He said he reordered his new helmet — the one with the “mean eagle and bear” on it — because it was the wrong size.
Barry Melrose said he’d use the same exact Lightning lineup as its OT loss to the Islanders. Paul Ranger and Lukas Krajicek will probably get the assigment of defending the hottest line in the NHL — Brunette, Koivu and Miettinen.
Koivu was the talk of the skate today. I’ll probably do a lead note on him for tomorrow, but I’m saving lots for a later feature.
Lots of Minnesota connections on the Bolts. Obviously, you know Wes Walz, but there’s also Brian Lawton, front-office man Tom Kurvers, players Ryan Malone, Mike Lundin and Adam Hall (former Wild) and strength and conditioning coach Kevin Ziegler, a Minneapolis firefighter.
Was chatting with Lawton. As you probably know, Bret Hedican is still skating in hopes of latching on with a team. The Lightning had interest in the mobile veteran defenseman from St. Paul, but he wants to catch on with a team closer to California where his wife, Kristi Yamaguchi, lives.
Instead, the Lightning will soon sign Marek Malik.
Mark Parrish also continues to skate on his own, but he probably should have taken that tryout with Carolina. With Justin Williams out long-term, Parrish would have earned himself a spot. Now every team knows Parrish is without a training camp, which is hurting him.
Lawton says he wishes he had room for Parrish, but he doesn’t.
More later.
254 Responses to "Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay"
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Ah fudge. The Stars game is the Altitude feed.
ms. c: Which means it’s much more enjoyable than listening to Ralph ‘I stole Al’s job, thanks to Norm Greed’ Strangis and the insipid comments from ‘Razor’ Reaugh…
In my book, they’re both right down there in the ‘Hayseed’ category…
Michael Russo: From the last thread…Who is Mimi?
Ms. c: Yeah, he did say that. It has to be from Russo or from Stanzel’s blog but I think its Russo.
Maybe Lemaire likes having a third defensemen out there when MAB and Reitz are on the ice to help them out.
WRT: The problem is… I burn with hate for the Avs, so it makes my blood pressure rise to have to listen to the homer crew. Oh well.
Thanks Sunshine… I thought it was one of those two but I can’t find it again.
I almost want to get Gaborik just so someone else in the East won’t. But through five games, we won’t be a factor anyway.
You’d want Gabs after all our belly-aching? Or is it like how I really want to buy this Avs jersey that’s hanging in the window of the pro-shop where I play hockey, just because I know if I buy it, I don’t have to look at it in the window any more? Of course, my luck, they’d replace it with a Ducks jersey.
You haven’t seen the wingers who’ve been playing with Crosby.
WRT:
>>>Stoned: I’d rather have Paul Allen doing hockey than Dan Terhaar and his always-cracking voice.<<<
Aarrgghh! Be careful what you wish for. Funky white boy shtick and hockey do not mix. That he allegedly has a following can only be interpreted as a telltale sign for the decline of western civilization.
I’ve never had that much of a problem with the guys referred to as D & D’er. The pre/post game and between periods analysis is way overdone for my taste, but I can turn it off.
Also, I am all over that Higgins/McDonagh and a conditional #1 for Gaby if Higgins is anything at all. If Gaby’s leg falls off, its our #1 for Higgins and the 12th pick in the first round last year. Yeah we get nothing for Gaby, but if his leg falls off there, its going to do it here and then we’re hosed anyway. If Gaby plays, we get 50 points from what sounds like a team kind of guy and a #1 kid who is maybe a year or two closer to the bigs than what we would get next summer in the draft.
Nice meltdown by Morrow there.
Meltdown? Where? A good captainy, “my team is sucking” meltdown? I wanna see.
Well, he had a tying goal disallowed, then a minute or two later he took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for mouthing off. Dallas killed it off, then in the final 90 seconds or so, he breaks his stick with a hard slash on Adam Foote’s stick and takes another penalty.
Stoned: Don’t worry. Ice is an extremely foreign concept to KFAN’s Paul Allen, as is puck, stick, check, and goal. (Also touchdown, but that’s another story for another teams’ blog.) 
Higgins is out tonight with a sore groin. So is Gabby. A trade tomorow maybe?
The way Wild has started the season, I won´t miss Gabby.
I’d be melting down, too, if I were the captain of the Dallas Stars. He needs to get a fire under them somehow.
I’d be melting down, too, if I were the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He needs to get a fire under them somehow.
Fixed.
Trying times for Sid, eh?
Pretty much.
There are many folks out there who are under the impression that the Minnesota Wild are going to wait on Gaborik.
Trust me on this one. I have talked to the people involved. The Wild will NOT be waiting. They will NOT allow the price to go down over the course of the season. They will NOT risk a Gaborik injury.
The Canadiens are talking to the Wild about this deal and IF it goes down, Higgins will NOT be the sticking point. He will be in the deal. The Habs don’t WANT to trade Higgins. He is a leader and a star. He is a key component to their team. The thing is…Gaborik is better.
The ONLY issue here is simple. Does Gaborik want to sign longterm in Montreal, and if he doesn’t, what kind of alternate compensation can be worked out? The Canadiens see Gaborik as a piece that will bring Cup to them in their 100th season. They are trying to make it happen.
That is what I am being told. Plain and simple.
They will NOT risk a Gaborik injury.
A little late for that, isn’t Ek?
some stats. Not because they are that pertinent, but because they probably won’t last that long.
Wild’s league rank
Goals/gm 1st (4.67)
Goals against/gm T6th (2.33)
PP % 2nd (42.9%)
PK % T1st (100%)
lol yeah, Wallshot, but his injury isn’t serious. Imagine if he tore a quad…?
Anyway, thought it was interesting he posted that deal again, with some explanations.
NiNY, we had awesome stats last year too, for the 1st 7 games. Seems we do that every year, play 500 hockey in November, and then tank in Dec-Jan until we pull our collective heads out of our asses in Feb sometime and right the ship.
We’ll see though. Big game in TB tonight, Melrose looking for his 1st win, and his star players all know what’s on the line.
by comparison
Bolts’ league rank
Goals/gm T28th (2.00)
Goals against/gm T13th (3.00)
PP % 27th (9.1%)
PK % 13th (82.8%)
Something about, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics” comes into play there, NiNY…
MuN and Wallshot: By now we all know that Eklund is a day late and 3 dollars short. Most of the time he is also 52 cards short of a full deck…
Wonder how many will actually show up at the nee-Ice Palace (now St. Pete Times Forum) while the Rays-Red Sox game is going on across the causeway in Downtown St. Pete…or will the arena look like the last two games, half-empty?
ha…fair point, WRT.
KiPA:
We get to see the Pens vs. Leafs game on the NHL Network. They mentioned that that Crosby and Malkin will be on the same line. Isn’t that just having too much power on one line?
Half-empty? How about mostly empty?
It’ll be an early Halloween, and everyones coming as empty seats.
Dude! I think Greenlay called Mikko hot. Now I think Mikko’s hot too, but do you really want Dumb or Dumber calling you that?
My dog just ate my supper. He jumped up on the table on the deck and stole the small pork roast that was going to be our supper tonight. Now I have to wait till the big roasts are done before I get to eat. If it wasn’t so funny, I’d be very very pissed at him. Although it would have been nice if he could have done it without destroying my little six can cooler at the same time.
ouch…that’s grounds for…well a stern talking to in our house, Band.
Why is KSTC the worst channel in the history of hockey broadcasting?!?!
I know Nick, but it’s very difficult to stay mad when he’s just so darn cute.
So how many penalties do you think there will be tonight, good lord! This is getting a little on the weird side.
yeah, not a lot of flow
Ouch! Poor Schultzie, that’s gotta hurt.
KSTC, when it comes to hockey games, buys the table scraps that no one else will broadcast. It’s better than listening to the radio and using your imagination.
What up Beetches! I just got home from the UT tailgate (I know, don’t lecture me!). Go Wild!!
I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of people in the seats. Must mean the Bolts actually have a fan base, even if it is small-ish.
I Love that question… “wow do you defend against the trap.” A-hole.
How is is that Skoula has first crack at a puck in the corner and the other guy comes away with the puck? Magically, the puck ends up in his skates, and then it’s gone, and the opposing player skates away happily with puck on stick.
That would be “how”… maybe I shouldnt have driven home…
Is anyone else watching the TB feed on CI? IS it cut off around the edges for you too? I can’t see the scoreboard…
If I were the opposing team, my entire game plan would be to dump the puck in the zone so that Skoula has to dig out the puck, and then steal it from him, center it, and put it on net.
Is it legal to put stickum on Skoula’s stick? How about double-sided tape?
Walz got a funny haircut.
Austin…I’ve got it, and I can see the whole thing. What did you drink, exactly? And how much of it?
Haha, Nick! I only had some beer, but my feed looks all jacked up. The top and bottom are cut off. Anytime there is a graphic on screen I can’t see it… That seems like a good thing, but it’s also kinda weird.
rock on, bro.
Yippie!! I have food to eat. The big roast are done, and the dog hasn’t stolen them. I am so freakin’ hungry.
Well Nick, do you have a fancy pants HDTV? maybe that is the cause of my woes?
Bandgeek, we ordered pizza… but roast sounds great!
Austin, see my earlier post about what happened to my supper.
nope. I’m strictly CRT guy.
mmm… roast…
bunny ears…wrapped in tin foil…in fact, I’m rocking the B&W!
NiNY, why?
Bandgeek I will research your food problems further.
UT tailgating is not so good for me.
I see your dog ate your pork roast. I swear BG, “leave it” was the best command I have ever taught our dog. She will not eat anything unless I tell her it’s okay. The problem is, I can’t remember how I taught her that…
Burnsie Yoda-ing Reitz tonight.
woo! pp!
Austin, the Mr had left the cooler on the table so the meat could “sit” after coming out of the smoker, he then went to clean up the tools on the front porch. He came back to the backyard and the dog had grabbed the cooler off the table and torn it open. We didn’t even think he was tall enough to reach the top of that table. I feel much better now however, nice amount of pork roast in my tummy from the larger roast that wasn’t done yet when the dog was stealing food in the form of pulled pork sandwiches. I’m babbling because I also have a high caffeine to blood ratio in my body at the moment. When I crash from this it’s not going to be pretty.
wow BG. My dog would be outside for the remainder of the evening if she did that…
I think Wookie would be if we weren’t now keeping a close eye on him to make sure he doesn’t get sick. The roast had tinfoil over it and we don’t know if he ate any of it because it was to shredded to tell. Stupid dog.
For a scoreless game, this hasn’t been uninteresting.
Bandgeek, just don’t let the dog eat a pair of pantyhose… Our dog did that.. and it was not pretty. Tinfoil can’t be much better though.
It was kinda funny watching the other dog lick the leaves in the yard where Wookie had decided to eat his purloined feast.
That’s a good word, purloined.
So Austin with your fancy CI feed, could you hear the people chanting lets go Wild a moment ago. Very giggle worthy.
Hell yes I did BG! I thought I was hearing things!
Golf balls are bad too. A friends’ yellow lab ate a golf ball. She spent $500 on surgery to get the ball out of the dog’s stomach.
MNnAL, that is definitely not good.
So, in our fantasy hockey league I have Smith and Backs playing tonight… I think I like this low scoring game we have here 
Yawn.
I smell a loss in a shootout.
Awwwww, it’s Walzie! We miss you too Walzie. He cut his hair funny, must be trying to look more like management and less like a player.
strange… all our feeds are cut off. every game is missing the scoreboard thingy… I don’t think I like that.
That is weird Austin. You want to hear something weirder…. to bad I’m gonna tell you anyway (remember I’m highly caffinated right now). Ok, so I’m in the gift shop at the p.t.j. and I answer the phone. It’s a political pollster wondering if McCain can count on Mr. Ramsey’s vote. This is the third call similar to this I’d gotten in about half an hour. I tell the man, “While I’m sure being a good Whig man Mr Ramsey would be happy to vote for McCain, but seeing as he has been dead for over 100 years his vote won’t count for much.” I then had to explain to the man that no this is not a private residence, this is a historic house, please remove this number from your call list. So that was my day at the p.t.j.
bandgeek, that is wierd… I don’t quite get it… I need a whiskey and coke. Mmmmmmm… Blanton’s.
Next time dog eats something it is not supposed to, give it peroxide until it vomits. I had to come check here to see if I heard correctly on the rather loud Let’s Go Wild chant in Tampa Bay. Good stuff. Kind of a sloppy game on both sides.
I guess that Burbon, not whiskey…
What don’t you get Austin?
kgopher: how’s married life? OOH look at Moisty getting fiesty!
Hey kgopher! You are beating me in fantasy hockey… but I have to say, if you actually look anything like you avater on yahoo, I would not kick you out of bed. Rawr, redheads!
Austin…doesn’t your WIFE read the blog?!
ok…6th times the charm
How much have you had tonight Austin?
Not THAT much. I am just feeling randy. The wife explained to me why Ramsey was funny. Ramsey House and all.
Mmmmm… Burbon.
Sorry BG, ATX occasionally has a hard time reading sentences.
I was gonna say! Brazen, ATX.
So what’s going on in the game. I’d planned to peek in during the Aeros intermission via Slingbox but my darling husband has football going on it. Hmph. Is it down to a shootout?
And of course I read the blog! But I saw kgopher’s avatar, and I agreed with his assessment.
Oh never mind. There’s the time. How’s it looking?
As close as I can get on an avatar Austin. Pretty darn close, although I am not naturally red. Married life not much different then how we were so no complaints. We did make it to the hockey hall of fame for the honeymoon.
Is it wrong that when I see people pound on the glass I think, “Hey look at me I’m a Doofus ’cause I pound on the glass in an annoying manner.”
BG, you may be my favorite person of all time based on that.
ms.c: lots of penalties on both sides…Bolts have aabout 50% more shots than we do after 2, but Backs has been solid. 0-0 with 13 left in 3rd
Still 0-0 Ms.C. The scoring flurry seems to be put on hold…
QUeen MAB just went nuts.
Couldn’t last forever.
Natural or not, redheads are great!
Hahaha, Lets go Wild in TB. That is great.
There was definitely a “let’s go Wild” chant just now. That’s funny.
You like me! You really like me! 
If I think of it and am on the computer tomorrow before I leave for the week to Roseau for work, I will upload a wedding pic instead of my avator just for Austin and Mrs. Austin.
I agree. Redheads are great.
-Another fake redhead
Brusty got pulled. Didn’t look good.High scoring game tonight. Yeesh. Of course, what’s novel is that the Aeros are in on the high scoring. Hard to get used to this offense and puck possession. I think we’ll cope though.
we got lucky there.
The Mr just called this game a comedy of errors. Un-smurfin’ believable.
ooh… wedding pics! I’m all for that regardless!
Sweet kgoph! Congrats btw!
What was with that pressure by TB there? I don’t like that….
I’m not sure what is going on but we need to get it together!
I used to be a natural red-head, but only in the summer when I spent 9o% of my time out side. And as I get older my hair has gotten darker, almost no red left.
TB is skating, and the Wild are sitting back. That’s what just happened. Standing around, waiting for the puck to come to them instead of going after TB and stopping them.
What’s with the Saw mask on Smith? How lame is that?
this game will not improve our overall national reputation as a boring, no-offense team.
yeah…I’m not a redhead. I’m asian.
Oh well bandgeek, I guess that is waht dye is for
Austin: I thought it was Phantom of the Opera at first (Smith’s mask).
Pou just got pwned
The TB announcers said it was in tribute to the owners’ latest movie, Saw5, which opens this weekend, or next weekend. It is lame. I’m glad my kids aren’t watching.
I’m not a redhead either. I’m Minnesotan. And as such I am blonde.
NiNY, yeah, they keep promoing (is that a word) the movie and showing Sinth’s mask…. I wonder if he rented out the space on his mask?
Is that what that is on his mask? Dude, that’s not very creative.
Who posted the stats that listed the Wild as #1 in goals per? That was the jinx.
that was me, AL.
I will now go to the box and feel shame.
yeah…I’m not a redhead. I’m asian.
I’ll forgive you Nick, you can’t help it. Your not a red head.
thanks Band.
Was that a …kitten? Wow, what a manly man, and you all were pickin’ on my Mr for wanting to put bows on the dogs ears.
So the owner of TB makes the Saw movies? WTF?
Ineptitude. I think a serious case of Skoula has hit most of the Wild players.
Austin: yes. Oren Koules is his name.
haha BG! I think YOU were the one picking on him! I said nothing!
they’re playing like they know it’s a getaway game.
This is gettin’ recockulous.
Mister Know it all figured the reason why Kolonis was called up was becasue JL wants to put Pouliot at left wing. JL is already moving Pouliot over to wing. I think Pouliot will score for the Wild in this game
Ok Band, I’m confused now. Granted I haven’t read all the comments lately, but kittens and bows on dogs ears?
Wow, weird Nick… I had no idea. Still, way to sell out ther Smith.
There are 2 owners of TB. One is a movie producer… the guy who brought Saw 1-4 to the world, and a hockey guy. I think there was an article on that in the Strib.
BOlts color guy just said that the Wild are so timid on loose pucks because they’ve been getting hit so consistently all night…good scouting report…thanks for that Wes.
MKiA, I have never ever said this before… but… I hope you are right.
Whatever happened to the old fashioned facewash? I never see anyone stick their stinky glove in someone else’s face anymore?
WOW BELLA
AL: Malone got a classic facewash on Moisty earlier….there’s the Clutterbuck ms.c raves about!
WOW! How did that not go in? Wild got L-U-C-K-Y!
Not my fault WATX, it’s your Mr postin’ pictures of kittens. During the last game my Mr was saying he wanted to put bows on the dogs ears, I had just brushed the dog and he has ears like a spaniel so when all brushed out they look like pig tails on either side of his head. The dogs head that is, not the Mr’s.
Who is Moisty?
sorry…that’s what I’m calling Mojzis
bandgeek, I think I love you. You amuse me.
Mikko…shoot brah!
Oh Nick… well, that is better than “moist cheese”… that’s what the Panthers announcers were calling him the other night..
Smitty felt that laser from Queen MAB
Austin: that’s where it came from…sort of shortening Moist Cheese
Apparently I missed that BG. I’ve been distracted lately. I’ll get my priorities straight soon.
ahh! I see now Nick. Good call. I think that should be his ninckname fore sure. Moisty ftw.
get outta there Malone! Someone gonna break yer face!
Gee Austin, that’s why the Mr loves me. Ok this game is really weird. I DON’T EVEN REALLY KNOW WHATS GOING ON ANYMORE!!
Does Barry chew bubbalicious?
they just showed your boy, Austin…
Who was the D last year, played sparingly, went back to Switzerland. was good in a shootout?
MAB reminds me of him.
WildinATX: I think Barry looks like Gordon Gecko’s long lost twin tonight.
Nummelin
They’re not skating.
who’s that Nick?
well…this is interesting
Nummelin. Thanks NiNY.
Nummelin = MAB
Austin: who’s Gordon Gecko?
“Gordon Gecko”
LOL! He really does!
Brunette. Time for #15 to pull one out of his bucket.
Sorry bout that, the caps-locks are tricky and devious little buggers who sneak up on you and turn all your letters to capitals. Darn you caps-locks!!
I meant, who’s “my boy”?
Rumor has it that they’re working on a sequel to Wall Street.
Austin: Oren Koules…they’ve shown him twice now in OT
well, we get to see if Backs is really better in the SOs this season
Put Boogie on the shootout!
Who do you put out in the shootout?
He is not “my boy”… but I see what you were saying.
Hmmm. Backs with the Deer-In-Headlights look there… this may not end well.
Koivu, Mittens, and uhhh… Burns?
Tocchet working it with the zebra.
Ref: “Sorry, Rick, you’re wrong.”
Tocchet: “Wanna bet?”
Brunette. Koivu, Mittens.
Well, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad…
Jokinen, Lecav, Stamkos
I hate shootouts, I hate the music their playing in the background right now.
nice.
Dang Mikko!
Sweet!
Wow Vinny. Luck for the Wild there.
Wooo!! Mittens!
MITTENS!!!!!!
Wooo!!! Another victory!
Backs! Quality work. Not flashy, but it works.
YEAH BABY!! 3 Saves for Backs!
LUCKY WIN. Thank you Backs!
I LOVE that the Wild are good starters to the season. It always makes me optimistic… for better or worse.
THANK YOU MR BACKSTROM!!!!… Damn caps-locks.
Backs look SOOOOOOOOOooooo Much better in that shootout. He must have practiced.
Nice move by Mitts. Incredible patience by Backstrom on the third and first chances.
Austin… wool mittens?
You know what is really funny about this game? It’s this… My fantasy goalie stats for the night:
G Niklas Backstrom
(Min - G) G @TB W, 1-0 82% 1 0.00 32 1.000 1
G Mike Smith
(TB - G) G Min L, 1-0 23% 0 0.00 21 1.000 0
LOL!
BG, that should be “wooo! Mittens!”
Like I said… I like booze…
Give Mitts a key to the city (ain’t my city so what do I care?)
WAY TO GO BACKS AND MITTENS!!! What a wierd game. Looks like Backs shootout practice paid off. That had to help his confidence. Sweet shot by Mittens. The Mr. says this is the worst game he has seen.
The Mr. says this is the worst game he has seen.
I dunno about that… Not terribly awesome, but not the worst either…
I honestly thought the Panthers game was more boring…
So do shootout goals count as game goals? Hasnt Mittens scored in every game so far?
wool mittens…itchy! It wasn’t terribly exciting, (and I’m sure it would be much less exciting right now had we lost) but I think the Bolts have the best offense of the last 3 teams we’ve seen, too.
Austin that may be what you typed, but my eyes are kinda watery because I was laughing so hard it looked like wool mittens.
Oilers/Flames on NHLN.
I think there’s a separate category for SO goals….I don’t think they count in the normal tally - though I could certainly be wrong.
Backs was great in the shootout!
Good job, boys.
Gophers sweep SCSU.
Didn’t say I agreed with him. Personally I would rather watch a boring, sloppy close game then one where we get our a$$es handed to us.
So I think our cable is messed up… just switched to the NLCS and the screen is cut off there too… Is my HDTV broken??
F-Bomb… the Red Sox just homered to put them up by a run. Choke SOX CHOKE!!!
I thought the Atlanta game was pretty boring but the Florida game was good. But that’s just my opinion…
The Atlanta game WAS boring. Of the 3, Atlanta was the most boring.
Ugh… every channel is FUBARed… lame.
Yippie! Gophers win, Wild win and my caffeine high is crashing big time. Maybe tonight I’ll actually sleep some. I’ve got things to do before I call it a night. Later people!
STEVE MCQUEEN!!
It’s a bit Jammy, and a bit Clangy…
You’re such a loser ATX.
Shut up Woman!! I will do waht I want!
SO goals do not count in a player’s stats (i.e., Mittens did not score his 6th tonight), however, I do believe Mittens gets credited with a game winning goal (some must, after all).
Yeah, whatever. I’ll take you seriously when you can spell.
I Dun’t now waht u aer tlking aboot.
You are so classy!!!
And thanks for the stat info HD. Very interesting.
On yahoo hockey fantasy, its counted as a PPG.
I’m pretty sure Time Warner sucks.
So woman, do you wanna play some Rockband?
Bruno and Gaby’s Tampa Bay Rays are losing to the Red Sox.
Do you guys have your own computer/laptops and are in the same room, ATXers?
sunshine, let’s not discuss that…
The Sox will CHOKE… I think the “woman” and I are playing Rockband… have a good night folks! Go Wild!
Hahah, Yes sunshine… I borrow the roommates PC while the wife has her own… I know, we are sad people.
Not sad! Just entertained…?
Okay, enough discussion about how sad our lives are… Rockband time! Laterz!
We get to see the Pens vs. Leafs game on the NHL Network. They mentioned that that Crosby and Malkin will be on the same line. Isn’t that just having too much power on one line?
Not really. Four points for each tonight.
And Austin.. just.. wow. (Though I admit I had the same thought re: kgopher’s avatar.)
nude rockband!
now that is entertained!!
you two are too funny.
KiPA: maybe Malkin and Crosby need to play more together.
I was flipping back and forth between that game and the Wild. The team looked strong.
Also, a thank you to Koivu for showing up on the stat sheet after I picked him up and benched Horcoff for him.
Yeah, they were much better tonight, sunshine. Though granted, it was against the Leafs. But all the new lines actually looked pretty good.
Problem with the Crosby-Malkin line was Dupuis always seemed to be the one getting open, and except for one occasion, none of them ended well…
Another also: I’m horribly jealous that Austin’s got such an awesome wife.
I flip to the NHL Network, and I see a 60 second commercial for Space Bags.
Who’s the marketing genius that thinks a bunch of hockey fans are going to buy Space Bags? Ideally, wouldn’t you put it on Lifetime? Oxygen? How about during daytime soap operas?
Wow. In Buddha’s ESPN roto league, I’ve got 16 assists tonight! I was in like the bottom third (of 10) in assists, now I’m second.
Edmonton, why are the cameras behind the benches? Has it always been that way and I just didn’t know it?
Is this the Hockey Night feed? Will I see Don at intermission?
Don was shown at intermission during the Pens vs. Leafs game. Does he have two segments?
Yes, HNIC feed.
OK, seriously… Ms.C. Go to Dallas and put a boot in Turco’s a$$ will ya?
And where the he!! is Ovechkin? Did he decide to not be a superstar this year?
17 skaters going tonight. 5 points. 5. And a loss for Tirdco. Damn fantasy hockey. I should be all happy that Dallas is terrible…
Did I mention I had 16 assists, Buddha?
In one night - 16 assists? Wow.
I have a combined total of 18 assists.
Well, it’s in Buddha’s ESPN league, where we start 18 skaters. But still. Good night. And that was with zeroes from Lecavalier and St. Louis.
Speaking of which, what did you guys see from TB’s defense and Smith tonight? I’m getting fed up with Kipper in one league and Smith and LaBarbera are available. Going to pick up one of them tonight I think.
I think Smith might not be a bad choice. His defense is young but they are pretty decent. They played really well tonight.
If it was between Smith and LaBarbera, I would take Smith.
I am stuck with 3 of the worst goalies at the moment: JSG, Leclaire, and Budaj. JSG might be turning it around but the other two, i just don’t know.
I have three concerns with Smith. 1) Kolzig, 2) the defense, even if they just pitched a shutout, 3) where the heck is their offense?
But yes, might still take him. Not sold on the Kings yet.
We’re bouncing back with JSG it seems, sunshine. Leclaire had nine shutouts last season so if he stays healthy he’ll be fine.
Maybe having Ranger back helped solidify the TB defense a little more. On the Kolzig aspect, are they switching every other game?
I bet Melrose is going to be calling out the offense some more. The Wild, its understandable, but TB, all their big guns were healthy. They were playing against a team that is made up of grinders and newbies to the NHL. They should have played a much better game. Moreover, they had Walz who could have probably anticipated the PP and PK.
Well, Kolzig started the second game of the year, though that might’ve just been because of a back to back. But if Smith falters, I’m sure they won’t hesitate to make a switch, and if Kolzig fares well maybe he’d take the reins. Never mind how nonsensical that makes.
I’ll roll with Smith though. I’ll offer up Carcillo I guess. Let someone else take that suspension machine.
Yeah, thank KiPA… I appreciate it. 5 points… You’re welcome for Parise too…
Mmhmm. 
Don’t worry. It’s a long season.
Toews, Ovechkin, Malone, Zetterberg, Mittens… no. Who gets the goals?
Coburn and Antropov.
Long season… it’s already been a long season…
Hehe.
Antropov had a second one too but he kicked it in and it was waived off.
Though maybe I drop Koivu so he can get back to scoring for you guys.
No Rockband was not the naked variety… but that is a fantastic idea!
No complaining about scoring! Where is Stamkos? No points yet? What a wast of a third round pick! Get off your ass young man and score me some points!! Good thing I benched him tonight.
Kevin, I am glad I could be entertaining to you this fine evening. And I agree, my wife is awesome!
Night peoplez!
FOOD
You know Kevin, given that ATX couldn’t get off his ass tonight to get me some food I may be on the market again shortly. Just saying…
Oh really….well hey, I’d get you food…or beer!
