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Archive for March, 2010

College Hockey Conference Championships

Mar 19

Posted by Eddie in News | 2 Comments

Last week I previewed the quarterfinal rounds of the college hockey conference tournaments. I did pretty well in my picks as I picked 16 of 21 teams that would advance to the semifinals that began last night with the WCHA Final Five, but will really kick into gear tonight as the other conferences play semifinal games.

The conference I totally missed the mark on was College Hockey America, where Alabama-Huntsville won not only the last CHA tournament championship but the school’s last hockey conference title as they will compete as an independent next season.

Since I ran out of time to complete the story and just named teams that will advance in Hockey East, Atlantic Hockey, and ECAC, I’ll preview those conferences first before previewing the CCHA and WCHA.

Hockey East

Boston College will take on Vermont in the first semifinal. These two teams love to meet in even-numbered years as they have faced each other in the Hockey East tournament in 2006 and 2008. BC has won each meeting, including the 2008 championship. Although Vermont is the #8 seed as they shocked New Hampshire last week to advance this far, Vermont has taken two of the three meetings against BC this season. Vermont is ranked 14th in the latest USCHO.com poll, so it won’t be a easy game for BC which is ranked #4. Vermont needs to win the conference tournament to get the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. In Hockey East, a #8 seed has never played in the title game and I see that drought to continue.

The second semifinal features Boston University and Maine. This is a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal series, in which the Terriers won 2-1 en route to the national championship. The Terriers also took the season series 2-1 over the Black Bears. I sense another 2-1 happening Friday night, and that’s a 2-1 victory by the Terriers. As consolation to the Black Bears though, is they have some of my favorite uniforms in all of college hockey.

Championship Pick: Boston University over Boston College

Atlantic Hockey

The first semifinal from Rochester, NY will put top seeded R.I.T. playing against Canisus. R.I.T. cruised easily to the regular season title and in their first round series versus Connecticut. These two teams should be quite familiar with each other, as the only meeting between the two schools occurredthe last week of the regular season. R.I.T. won bothgames by a combined total of 13-4, a 8-0 drubbing and a closer 5-4 game the second night. R.I.T. looks like a serious contender for the NCAA tournament, but they still need to take care of business as they only way they will get in is by winning both games this weekend.

Sacred Heart will take on Air Force in the second game. Both teams are evenly matched as only a couple points separated the two teams during the regular season. The teams are so evenly matched, that not only did the home team win each of the four meetings, but each game was at least a three goal game. Not really sure who’s the favorite in this game, but I’m confident the Falcons will find a way to beat the Pioneers and advance to the championship.

Championship Pick: R.I.T. over Air Force

ECAC

Can lightning strike twice for Brown? As the 11th seed, they upset top-seeded Yale. This time they will have to take on #2 seed Cornell. Cornell looks very strong this season and as the last ECAC team to play in the Frozen Four in 2003, the Big Red has big expectations and big weight on its shoulders. The Bears have to play the game of their lives to play for a championship, and I think it will be too much to overcome.

The second game from Albany, NY will feature St. Lawrence and Union. The Dutchmen is enjoying the best season the school has ever had, and they have owned the Saints this season as they scored four goals in both victories between the teams this season. It’s times like these where the cream usually rises to the top, and that cream is located at a school located 20 miles away from where tonight’s game will be played. A season Union is having is very similar to a school that lost the 2003 CCHA tournament final and where yours truly decided to attend college.

Championship Pick: Cornell over Union

CCHA

The first semifinal is a game where I will be in attendance where Ferris State will be taking on Northern Michigan. The Wildcats took five of six points from the Bulldogs in Big Rapids thisseason. But dating back to 2006-07 with a 3-2-1 mark. This is Ferris State’s first return to Detroit since 2003 when they qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time. The Wildcats have been to the semifinals for the third straight season. In each of the last two season, NMU has lost the semifinal before winning the third-place game. Northern Michigan has two options: will a team be hungry enough to win a game at Joe Louis Arena, or will they play like the Finland Olympic hockey team and win the consolation game? (Finland has taken the bronze medal in three of the past five Olympics.)

The second game looks like it could be the best game of the weekend as the best team in the nation takes on a team that’s hanging by a thread to make it in the NCAA tournament for the 20th consecutive season. Miami suffered a little jolt when it was almost upset by Ohio State last week. Miami looks like the obvious pick in this game, but I’ve seen Michigan play four times  in the 2010 calendar year. Last week against Michigan State, they looked like a team that was the home team and not someone playing on the road. Michigan has to win the tournament to get the automatic bid because Alabama-Huntsville getting the automatic bid in CHA. There’s not a lot of at-large bids remaining mathematically between the team that were essential locks not winning their conference tournaments. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Michigan will win the CCHA, which could squeeze Alaska out of a NCAA bid. Rematch of the 2003 title game? Yes please!

Championship Pick: Michigan over Ferris State

WCHA

The Final Five actually began last night as NorthDakota defeated Minnesota-Duluth. Now, the fifth-ranked Fighting Sioux will take on the best team in the nation: Denver. The Pioneers are even more of a deadly team than the CCHA’s Miami Redhawks. The WCHA is the best conference in the nation as all four teams remaining make up the top six teams in the nation. Not to mention, the WCHA had all four of the Frozen Four finalists in 2005. Although North Dakota can pull the feat of winning three games in three nights, I don’t think they can get past Denver.

The second game from St. Paul, Minn. features Wisconsin and St. Cloud State. I got to see the Badgers at the Camp Randall Classic in February and they looked really good against Michigan. They will have a challenge against the Huskies because St. Cloud State is no pushover. The season series was a split, with the Huskies winning the Friday game, but the Badgers took the Saturday game of each weekend series. You would think this game being played Friday night would go in favor of the Huskies, but not so fast my friend… I believe the Badgers will the ones coming out with a victory Friday night.

Championship Pick: Wisconsin over Denver

Lecavalier speaks out: “Cooke is a dirty player”

Mar 19

Posted by Chris in Media | No Comments

Matt Cooke is public enemy number one in the NHL right now.

Hockey World Blog has well documented the events over the last few weeks from the initial head shot to Marc Savard, who is likely to be out for the remainder of the season, to Don Cherry’s comments on Cooke and his montage of Cooke cheap shots over the years to the most recent video that Matt posted of Shawn Thornton going after Cooke to get retribution for the Savard hit. Most players in the league, including his own teammates in Pittsburgh, know that Cooke has a history of violent acts in the league and that he put himself in a disgraceful position when he followed through with the Savard hit.

The latest NHL superstar to speak out against Cooke is Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Vincent Lecavalier who, if you recall from the Don Cherry video, took a blind-side hit from Cooke nearly two years ago that forced Lecavalier to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. Cherry stated in his rant that Lecavalier, “never was the same,” since getting hit by Cooke. Lecavalier has spoken out against Cooke and the league’s decision not to suspend him several times already and continued his media assault on Cooke yesterday during an interview with NHL Live.

“I just know that a player like Matt Cooke knew exactly what he was doing, coming in with his shoulder. He had plenty of time to move out of the way but that’s the type of player he is. Matt Cooke is a dirty player. He’s been doing it his whole career, he’s done it this year and I’m not even surprised he’d make a hit like that.”

Lecavalier added, “I thought he should have been suspending, I couldn’t believe the league would protect a guy like that.”

The entire interview can be found on NHL.com and lasts a little under 12 minutes. Lecavalier also touches on the new ownership situation in Tampa Bay and the recent losses the team has experienced that further push them out of playoff contention.

Matt Cooke vs. Shawn Thornton

Mar 18

Posted by Matt in Media | 2 Comments

I think a lot of NHL fans were looking forward to tonights game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins. Last time the two teams met, we saw Matt Cooke cheap shot Marc Savard giving him a concussion. Savard is now out the remainder of the season.

Well it certainly didn’t take long for the Bruins to try to get revenge. Not even two minutes into the game, on Cooke’s first shift, he and Shawn Thornton dropped the gloves. Thornton definitely got the best of Cooke, which I’m glad to see. He clearly showed zero respect for Cooke as he continued to throw punches even after Cooke was down and the refs attempted to restrain him.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the game plays out. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some heavy hits on Sidney Crosby, or even another fight involving Cooke.

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Matt Cooke and the Boston Bruins

Mar 18

Posted by EB in News | No Comments

Colin Campbell looks stumped, just as Boston and NHL fans are about the non disciplinary action against Matt Cooke and his head shot to Bruins Marc Savard.

Colin Campbell looks stumped, just as Boston and NHL fans are about the non-disciplinary action against Matt Cooke and his head shot to Bruin's Marc Savard.

Tonight, Matt Cooke and the Pittsburgh Penguins face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden Arena.

The last time the two teams met, Cooke blindsided center Marc Savard which resulted in a serious injury. However, no suspension nor any disciplinary action has been taken against Cooke.

Many fans, especially those of Boston, and players themselves, are unhappy with the NHL’s handling of the incident. Previously in the season, Philadelphia Flyer’s captain Mike Richards blind-sided and injured Florida Panther’s David Booth. The hit also left an injury, and set precedent to the current Cooke hit, that being no suspension.

How could this be?

The league has met and spoken since then, and next year hope to implement a new rule change that would ban blind-side hits in the NHL. Still though, it seems this season has no real discipline for the reckless and dangerous incidents.

Tonight, the NHL’s sole disciplinarian, VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, will be in attendance at the game to monitor any possible retaliation. Expect the building to erupt with loud boo’s and negative chants of, “Campbell sucks”, or something of the like. When asked by a local news source if Campbell is expected to speak with the team before hand, Bruin’s forward Mark Recchi responded, “No, we don’t want him in our room.”

Some believe the game tonight will be nothing more than a normal game with  Campbell’s presence being a deterrence to any rough stuff. Others, like myself, feel there will be a good ‘ol fashion hockey game, you know, the one sport that self disciplines with bench depleting brawls.

No matter what anyone believes, Matt Cooke is expected to drop the gloves. The questions that will be answered in due time is with whom, and who will end up on top.

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Hallelujah! Versus and DirecTV Reach Agreement

Mar 16

Posted by Eddie in Media, News | No Comments

Hockey fans, MMA fans, College Football fans, Indy Racing fans, and yes, Tour de France fans who subscribe to DirecTV can rejoice as both sides reached an agreement to resume normal broadcasting as it was in August 2009.

As reported in August 2009, the two sides were fighting over carriage fees. And it looks like a give-and-take compromise between the sides won.  It was reported that it was the zero hour for both sides as MMA cage fighting is to make its debut on Versus this weekend. Racing fans like myself already missed the first Indy Racing League race of the 2010 season, which took place in Brazil Sunday afternoon.

A statement from Versus reads as follows:

“DIRECTV and Comcast have reached an agreement to return VERSUS to the DIRECTV programming lineup today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

VERSUS will return to the same DIRECTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009.

“We are pleased that both sides were able to work out a satisfactory deal to bring this programming back to our customers,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV.

“We’re excited that we were able to come to a fair agreement that puts VERSUS back in millions of homes with DIRECTV in time for our busy spring programming schedule,” said Jamie Davis, president of VERSUS.  “We look forward to super-serving these fans with NHL regular-season and playoff coverage, our first live UFC event and much more.”"

Versus can be found on Directv channel 603.

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Don Cherry Calls Out Matt Cooke

Mar 14

Posted by Matt in Media | 2 Comments

I’m not a big fan of Don Cherry, he shouts at the camera and is just generally annoying. On Saturday, however, he hit the nail on the head when it comes to Matt Cooke. Cooke is worthless, a piece of trash, and should be suspended for his cheap shot on Marc Savard. Watch the entire segement below:

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Previewing The College Conference Tournaments

Mar 12

Posted by Eddie in News | No Comments

This weekend and next weekend, college hockey teams from all over the NCAA map will be vying for conference championships and NCAA tournament births. While conferences such as the CCHA has already started (their first round was last weekend), the other tournaments will begin first round/quarterfinal action tonight.

College Hockey America

Well, this is the last hurrah for the CHA. With only four teams in the conference, the teams will go their separate ways after this season. Niagara and Robert Morris will head to Atlantic Hockey next season. Bemidji State will join the Nebraska-Omaha (who is leaving the CCHA) to make the WCHA a 12-team conference. Alabama-Huntsville applied for admission to the CCHA but was denied. UAH will compete as an independent for 2010-11.

The first semi-final features Robert Morris vs. Alabama-Huntsville. The Colonials are already celebrating in Pittsburgh as it’s men’s basketball team earned a NCAA tournament birth. Could the hockey team accomplish the same feat? I think so.

The second semi-final puts Bemidji State vs. Niagara. Niagara as the no. 4 seed would shake up the entire tournament if they win. But the Beavers are just too good. If the Beavers just get to the championship and perhaps lose to the Colonials, they could still make the tournament at the expense of bumping out a power conference team.

Championship Pick: Bemidji State over Robert Morris

CCHA

Michigan State, Miami, Ferris State and Northern Michigan all had the weekend off last week as the other eight teams played in the first round. The first round went chalk as each team recorded sweeps. While the Redhawks is the only team guaranteed a NCAA tournament birth. The Spartans and Bulldogs are currently “in” but can be “out” if each team loses this weekend. The Spartans play host to the Michigan Wolverines. Good thing the series is in East Lansing because something isn’t right with the water in Ann Arbor. The football team stinks, the men’s basketball team stinks, and the hockey team has had it’s worse season in nearly two decades. Can the 19-year NCAA streak come to an end? The only way Michigan makes the tournament is if they run the table.

Having their best season since the 2003 regular-season championship year, the Bulldogs play host to Nebraska-Omaha. The teams are meeting for the second consecutive season in the playoffs as the Mavericks swept the Bulldogs in Omaha. UNO is 7-6-3 all-time in Big Rapids, and I anticipate two or three close games this weekend. If the Bulldogs win this series, they are in the NCAA tournament provided they don’t get blown out in the semi’s at Joe Louis Arena. The question of thought is if UNO win’s the Mason Cup, do they keep it and take it to the WCHA with them? Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Miami is playing host to Ohio State. When ever these two teams square off, it’s either Miami blowing Ohio State or the teams play a close game. Miami is the no. 1 team in the country. They still have the final minute of the national championship in the back of their minds and they are on a mission this season. Expect two blowout games this weekend as Miami expects to make two trips to Detroit this postseason.

In Marquette, we will see two teams that are on a hot streak. The Wildcats haven’t lost at home in the 2010 calendar year, while the Nanook’s are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games. Alaska has already taken out one Michigan directional school as they swept Western Michigan. Can they make it two-for-two?

Advancing to next weekend’s semi-finals: Miami, Michigan, Ferris State, Northern Michigan

WCHA

The Final Five in St. Paul is always one of the best conference tournaments. The 10 teams will all compete this weekend in hope is advancing to the Xcel Energy Center.

Denver plays host to Michigan Tech. The Pioneers took both matchups this season and don’t expect anything different to happen. Expect the Huskies to compete and give it their all, but MTU has won only four games in-conference this season. Don’t expect them to capture two this weekend.

I had the pleasure of seeing Wisconsin play this season. They have been playing well and steady all season. This is a NCAA tournament team for sure, and it will be great seeing them play again at Ford Field in the Frozen Four. Their opponent this weekend is Alaska-Anchorage, and the Seawolves will have their hands full in Madison is they want to cause an upset.

Other matchups in the WCHA include St. Cloud State vs. Minnesota State, North Dakota vs. Minnesota, and Minnesota-Duluth vs. Colorado College.

Advancing to St. Paul next weekend: Denver, North Dakota, Colorado College, St. Cloud State, and Wisconsin.

Other Conference Tournament Picks:

Hockey East: New Hampshire, Boston College, Boston University, Maine

ECAC: Yale, Cornell, Quinnipiac, St. Lawrence

Atlantic Hockey: RIT, Sacred Heart, Air force, Mercyhurst

Next weekend will feature previews of the semi-finals as well as picks for all conference championships.

 

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GMs contemplate headshots, rule changes

Mar 9

Posted by Chris in News, Soap Box | 2 Comments

Several key issues and new ideas are being tossed around at the annual three-day general managers meeting currently taking place in Florida, with none perhaps more important than rule changes concerning hits to the head.

The headshot issue gained even more attention with the recent hit by Matt Cooke on Boston’s Marc Savard (pictured) that resulted in a Grade 2 concussion for Savard, which will likely end his season. However, headshots have continually been a hot topic in hockey circles this season, starting with the vicious blind side hit that Mike Richards gave David Booth earlier this year. Booth missed half the season recovering from the effects of that hit.

A small group comprised of eight general managers is closely looking at headshots and contemplating recommendations on how to proceed with new rules and regulations and how to classify what is and isn’t a legal hit. More than likely ne59836447w rules will be put into effect along with stronger suspension policies.

“We’d like to leave here — in my mind anyhow — with some clarity or closure going forward,” said San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson. “(I think) we can put something in place to really say `this is how we’re going to play the game.’ What’s acceptable, what’s not acceptable.”

All headshots are illegal in international play and in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the top developmental leagues for the NHL.

Other proposed rule changes include a mini-playoff for the bubble teams fighting for the eighth playoff spot in each conference. Winner of the mini-playoff would move into the eighth seed and into the playoff picture. Another proposed rule change would allow coaches to send players onto the ice for the shootout without having to submit a written list of the first three shooters to the refs and scorekeeper. League GMs are also considering adapting new rule changes for tie-breakers at the end of the season for teams tied in points. The current system looks at each team’s number of wins if they are tied in points, but a new rule change could have officials looking at regulation wins instead of overall wins so that overtime and shootout wins don’t have as much merit on the overall picture.

If the league plans on minimizing the impact of shootout victories, why not eliminate shootouts entirely? As exciting as it is to watch guys like Datsyuk, Kovalchuk and Ribeiro dangle goaltenders in a one-on-one situation, I think there are better ways to handle the NHL’s overtime. Don’t bother with any of this 4-on-4 for five minutes and then 3-on-3 for five minutes before going to a shootout that has been proposed before. Instead, lengthen the overtime period to 10 or 20 minutes of four-on-four hockey before going to a shootout. I would bet that more than half of those games would end on the power play after a tired player takes a stupid penalty.

Or, the league could say that for the first 40 games, overtime will be decided by four-on-four hockey for five minutes and then a shootout. For the next 20 games, 10 minutes of overtime before a shootout. For the remainder of the season, 20 minutes of overtime before the shootout. This would generate a lot of excitement for the games that should be exciting – the games at the end of the season between teams fighting for playoff spots. Imagine if that rule were implemented now and Nashville and Detroit went into a 20 minute sudden death overtime period where the outcome could potentially determine which team claims the eighth seed in the playoff race. Now that’s exciting hockey.

The final meetings for the annual GM conference take place tomorrow, after which we should have a better idea what types of changes may be in store for the league next season. With that being said, I’d like to know what types of changes our readers (and my fellow bloggers) would like to see occur in the NHL? From the basic to the absurd, what do you think would make the game better and more exciting for fans to watch?

Phoenix Coyote’s Trade Deadline Acquisitions Paying Off

Mar 8

Posted by EB in News | 1 Comment

Wojtek Wolski looking good in his new uniform with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Wojtek Wolski looking good in his new uniform with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Phoenix Coyote’s made a big splash on NHL trade deadline day. The team, who was expected to be run out of town this year, has had an impressive year thus far. Coyote’s fans were a little down after then team point leader Scottie Upshall was hurt and not to return for the rest of the season,  but now fans can cheer as the Coyote’s stocked up not only for the rest of the season, but for the upcoming playoff run. Here is a run down of those additions.

Wojtek Wolski has 2 goals and an assist in the two games played under a new jersey. In addition, he has a +3 rating and the game winning goal against his former team the Colorado Avalanche. Wolski was a stud in his Junior career earning the Ontario Hockey League’s MVP in the 2006 season. The trend seems to be continuing, and at the young age of 24, it is only expected he will get better and better.

Derek Morris returns home as he played with the Coyotes for 5 seasons from 2003-2009. The tough defenseman has put up a power play assist, +3 rating, and has already been in a fight. Morris’ physical presence in front of the net will assist in keeping it clean for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Mathieu Schneider has yet to play a game with the Coyotes and is currently playing with their AHL affiliate the San Antonio Rampage. The veteran defensman has been in question of his capabilities at his age, but optimist think he will be a good addition especially come playoff time.

Lee Stempniak entered the league at the tender age of 19 with the St. Louis Blues and posted an impressive 27 points. Since then, he has had a high of 52 points, but averages more around 35 points. Since joining the Coyotes, Stempniak has a point in each of his two games, a +3 rating, and 3 shots each game. Stempniak’s point production should be solid, making the third line even more dangerous than what it is already with the likes of sniper Robert Lang.

I cannot say I know too much about young center Petteri Nokelainen, but it seems he will be playing on the fourth line. Many people overlook the importance of this line thinking of it as less ice time away from better lines. True as that may be, those lines do need rest, and a good fourth line does not only give them that rest, they also keep pucks from going in the net. Nokelainen is currently sporting a balanced +/- rating, not scoring any goals, but not letting any in.

The Phoenix Coyote’s made some great steps to improving their already solid team. As much as I love my home team the Wing’s, I will be rooting for the Coyote’s this year in the playoffs. Let’s go Yotes!

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NHL elite look to continue impressive pace

Mar 7

Posted by Chris in Fantasy, Soap Box | No Comments

Steve Stamkos, the number one overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, struggled to produce just over 40 points in his rookie campaign. Last night against Atlanta, Stamkos recorded goals 39 and 40 for a grand total of 76 points in 64 games. By season’s end, Stamkos could double his point production from his rookie year. But Stamkos isn’t the only player exceeding expectations this season. As the NHL rounds the corner to the last leg of the season before playoffs begin in April, here’s a look at some of the stat leaders and what to expect in the last 18 games. Toronto+Maple+Leafs+v+Tampa+Bay+Lightning+Lf7ld430P19l

Looking at the NHL points leader board, the usual names are there. Alexander Ovechkin tops the list with 90 total points scored this season and Sidney Crosby comes in tied at second with Henrik Sedin at 83 points. In only 64 games, Sedin has already surpassed last year’s career-high total of 82 points. Ovechkin seems primed to finish with over 100 points and could ultimately land around 110. Crosby and Sedin will most likely finish right around the 100-point plateau. Martin St. Louis, fourth on the points list with 78, should finish around 90 points, which is average for the super-consistent winger.

Sidney Crosby has taken over in a category normally dominated by Ovechkin. Crosby currently leads the league with 44 goals – a career high and counting.  Ovechkin and Steve Stamkos fall in line with 42 and 40 respectively. This is unfamiliar territory for Crosby who usually serves as a set-up man in Pittsburgh instead of a goal scorer. Before this season, his best goals output in a single season was 39 in his rookie year. Will Crosby get to the 50-goal plateau? You better believe it. Crosby has been on a tear all season long and could finish with 55-60 goals by the end of the season. Ovechkin will undoubtedly reach 50 as well with his ability to rip the puck. The wild card here is Stamkos. With seven goals over his last five games, Stamkos could even surpass Ovechkin and Crosby for the goal scoring title if he maintains this pace. For reference, Crosby has five goals  in his last five games and Ovechkin has two. And with Tampa Bay fighting for a playoff spot, Stamkos will be called upon to produce and help catapult the team into the playoffs.

Another familiar face dominates the assists category. With the addition of Dany Heatley to the San Jose lineup in the off season, many believed that Joe Thornton could get back up to 90 assists. Well, 90 will be unattainable this year, but 75 sure wouldn’t be a long shot with 61 on the board already for Big Joe Tho. Henrik Sedin and Martin St. Louis fall in with 58 and 55 assists to occupy the second and third spots. Both players could end up around with a season total around 70. St. Louis could manage more or less depending on the play of Stamkos and Vincent Lecavelier. With Lacevelier experiencing a lackluster season in terms of production, St. Louis has been paired with Stamkos for the most part. This pairing gives Tampa Bay the best chance to win night in and night out. St. Louis could end with as many as 75 assists if the electrifying duo of Stamkos and St. Louis stays together.

Washington+Capitals+v+Florida+Panthers+7R7pIsnITS6lIn goal, a few unfamiliar names have set up shop on the league leader boards. Tomas Vokoun (pictured) and Ilya Bryzgalov are tied with juggernaut Martin Brodeur for the lead in shutouts with seven shutouts all around. Craig Anderson of the Colorado Avalanche has played his way to six shutouts while Ryan Miller has five. Will any goalie make it to an even ten shutouts? It’s highly unlikely. Bryzgalov, Brodeur and Vokoun shoulder most of the workload for their respective teams though and any one of them could notch another goose egg or two down the stretch.

Miller and Vokoun land on top of the save percentage category as well. Each goalie sports an impressive .931 save percentage. A surprise on that list comes with Jimmy Howard at number five with a .925 save percentage. Howard will need to be great in the last stretch of games for the Wings if the team wants to make the playoffs. In his last four games since the Olympic break, however, Howard has been pulled once and let in 12 goals. More consistency will be needed from the rookie goaltender.