lets go pavel

When winning the Cup is out of the question, it's good to have a summer job lined up ...

Z and Dats played the 4 on 4, then the PK, so Homer was sitting and waiting ... he was out for the 4 minute PP but they never got the zone ...

I agree, Ozzie's the backup ... a capable one who can step up and log some games, but still the backup. If we wanted him to start we never would have signed Dom this year, and I don't see Kenny going backward. I'd like to see Howard get the chance assuming Dom's not back ... he's always going to be untested -- until we test him. I just don't think there's much on the market now, we might do better to try Howard with Ozzie as back up, and if we're not happy try to make a move at next year's deadline. We have a strong enough team that can hold it together through some turbulent netminding.

I believe it's more like this ...

HockeyVille Predators anyone?

Uhhh ... what have you been watching? Pavel, along with the rest of the team, has been taking hits and giving hits back ... I can't think of one person on the team who has been skating scared. And what does Stevens have to do with this series???

very nice!!

mmmmmm, cup'o'joe

** NEWSFLASH : Robert Lang is in the building. Repeat, Robert Lang is in the building. **

ahh the slush ... maybe their crappy ice favors us?? they're supposed to be faster ...

I agree ... I really thought the way we dominated much of the last 2 game was because they were sitting back and playing conservatively ... but it's happening again ... we are taking the game to them, this time from the get go ... keep it up boys!!

Z had it tucked in Hasek's pads all the way .... we're playing strong ... and Lang is skating ... oh yeah!

Conditioning?? How much conditioning does it take to park your ass in front of the goalie and wiggle it when he moves?? I'm kidding of course, his job is probably one of the most physically demanding of them all. Any idea if he's been able to skate or work out while out? Either way, I think he'll be fine ...

I'm thinking he'll probably walk ... slowly ...

Rock on! Homer's ass, meet Nabokov. Nabokov, Homer's ass.

In terms of talent, skill, statistical performance -- no, there is not a huge gap. In terms of work ethic, hustle, and heart -- yes, big gap. I can't think of another player this year who has shown so little of the aforementioned qualities, even guys like Sammy and Lilypads when struggling at least show effort, and I think this is what infuriates most of us so much.

I've got to go the other way on this one ... I think Bert is better on the second line, I don't think he works particularly well with Pavel and Hank ... he can't pass the way they can which breaks up their rhythm, and I don't think he's content standing in front of the goal all day waiting for rebounds ... plus what someone already said, with Bert on line 2 we have two pretty intimidating scoring lines plus the Cleary line that they have to worry about matching up with ... that said, Sammy doesn't bring much to improve this line either, but at least the rest of the lines look better ...

I stand corrected! Which I guess means he should be capable of putting up numbers with the linemates he has, making his performance all the more frustrating.

Couldn't remember Pittsburgh, but I thought he did play with Jagr in DC? But I could be wrong ... and I agree, his effort sucks. On the clutch-and-grab, I was more referring to him possibly preferring to play against that kind of defense ... it slows the game down which probably suits him, and he could use his size to shield the puck in close quarters (it's about all he does with it).

Okay, I will admit I'm not a big fan of Langer ... his nickname in our house happens to be a certain part of the male anatomy that occasionally perks up and "plays hard" but for the most part just hangs around lazily while the rest of the body does all the work ... that said I will try to be objective. I pulled up his career stats because honestly I've never looked before. Here they are: A couple things I notice ... 1. His best years were from 99-02 in Pittsburgh playing with Lemieux and Jagr, and then in DC from 02-04, again with Jagr. He's not playing with anyone near that talent level now, and he doesn't seem like a player who carries a line. 2. His shooting percentage is significantly lower with us than in his previous strong years (except 01-02). Again, this could be a product of who he is playing with, not getting the sweet set-up anymore. 3. This is a big one ... his statistics have dropped a bit since the lockout, but his penalty minutes (mostly hooking) have almost tripled. Thinking about the type of player he is ... big, able to work through clutch-and-grab defense, but not very fast ... he seems better suited for the "old NHL", offensively and especially defensively. 4. He's 36. He's not getting younger or faster. I look at these 4 things and I don't think any of them are going to change, certainly not with us. I don't think he could play on a top line for very many teams anymore, and without the help I don't see his game picking up much, but maybe some one will take a chance and it will rejuvenate him. Wouldn't count on it though ...

too old, too small, too soft, too slow, too finesse, no fans, everything's luck ... oh yeah, and we win too much!

shock collar?

Yup, we finally seemed to have some jump in our step there ... I still wonder whether the short layoff between series took our legs away, and we're just now getting them back?

This is 2 games now where Hasek hasn't quite been on ... I expect him to steal one this series, it would be nice if it happened in SJ.