jagr68

I don't see how anyone can be surprised the Pens were ranked higher than the Wings. The rankings are not based on the best team the last few years or the best team this entire season, it's the best teams for the week. They should really have been ranked #1. They had the best record the last 10 games, and their streak was cut at 16 games. They went 16 games with a point. They finally lost to the Islanders. Before that the Pens earned 30 out of a possible 32 points. I'm not completely sure what factors go into their rankings, but statistically they were the best. Maybe they factor in things such as home games, PP goals, records of other teams they played, etc. They didn't have all easy wins, they beat teams like Buffalo, Nashville, New Jersey and Dallas and beat teams they usually have a terrible time against, like Florida and Carolina. The Pens lost to the Islanders. And for the first time, it was mainly due to Fleury playing a bad game. His first bad game in a very long time. He stole a lot of the wins the Pens had, but that game he just wasn't on. The winning goal the Islanders scored, is one that will bother him. And he let in another bad goal too. Only 26 seconds or so, they would have gained another point. Are they a better team then the Wings? I don't think so. But the last 15 games or so they have. We'll have to see how they do after a regulation loss. They have a game coming up against Tampa Bay. They have not beat Tampa in about 11 straight games, maybe 12. If they can beat them, that would be huge for their confidence. The Pens may be 24th in goals against, but they are 2nd in the league in goals scored and have played less games than most teams. During their streak their PP has been over 30%. We knew their streak would end, but they deserve respect. I'm a huge Pens fan and I couldn't see them going 6 straight games with a point, so 16 was pretty amazing. I think they will make the playoffs. I can see them winning a playoff series long as it's not against Buffalo, New Jersey, or Atlanta. Guess they need to finish 4th or 5th which they probably will. How about Crosby, 4pts last night gives him 197 career points. Just three more for 200 career points!

I checked, didn't see this posted, but if I missed this I apoligize and this post can be deleted.... Was just posted today on youtube.com... http://youtube.com/watch?v=9A8guZqRciA If for some reason that doesn't work, go to youtube.com and search for 'nhl commercial' and sort by date added. Should be the first one, because it was just posted today. It is funny. Ovechkin, Crosby, Thornton, Shanahan, Heatley, both Staals, Turco, Miller, Luongo, and St. Louis are in it. There's a couple other guys too....

Yeah I think he mostly gets bored. A goalie on one of my teams does that when we are outplaying the other team. When they are not facing a lot of shots they are just standing there. And they don't really care for it. We find sometimes our goalie will dive out of the net, sometimes hit the boards, just to beat out icing calls. They want to stay active, have some blood flowing.

Although the shots were pretty even, the Pens seemed to play very well. They had the puck in their possession more often than Nashville. Crosby and Malkin had 2pts each. Fleury played another good game. The Pens are now 9-0-2 in their last eleven, picking up 20 of 22 possible points. They sure turned it around. One interesting thing the Pens announcers showed was a stat about Nashville. They are 17-2-3 against Columbus, St. Louis, and Chicago. Three of the weaker teams not only in the division, but in the entire NHL (Philly is worse though). It begs the question, is Nashville the best NHL team, or do they simply win the games that are 'must win divisional games'. Seems the Wings struggle a bit beating teams that they should win against. That win for the Pens is huge, will give them a lot of confidence, and the Wings surely appreciate the help. They are still only a few points behind. Should be a interesting finish for the NHL this year...

I'd like to see him on the Wings too. Or the Pens. Being a fan of both, that would be cool. Crosby could use a guy on his line that can score. Recchi is doing alright, but if Recchi was 10 years younger, Crosby would probably have over 100pts right now, instead of 79. Last I heard though, the Pens were in talks with the Jackets for Zherdev. Malone being the guy shipped out. Zherdev would do good things in Pittsburgh or Detroit. If either team works a deal, it would be the best for him too, I'm sure he'd love to play in the playoffs. The Wings pretty much are a lock for the playoffs and the way the Pens are playing, they just may make it with a 7th or 8th seed. I wouldn't even doubt 6th.

That's pretty much it. At their last game, it was reported 9 teams had scouts watching the Pens game. Two of the scouts were from teams the Pens won't even play this year. With the team doing this bad, I wouldn't doubt a possible trade. They need a defensive defenseman. Firing the coach wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I was on the EA Sports website, reading the NHL 2006 forums. Someone posted that The Score, which is a TV station in Canada I guess, reported that Selanne signed a 2 year deal worth 6 million. No one else has reported it, so I don't really believe it myself. Also, I really doubt Calgary would pay Selanne 3 million a year after his poor performance last couple years. Until I see it on TSN.Ca, I don't believe it. But just in case, I figured it was worth posting.

http://www.hockeytraderumors.com/article5541.html Ryder, Hainsey, 3rd pick.... for Brad Richards Just a rumor..according to the site...not confirmed, so don't get pissed at me if it's not true! But it's kinda big news so I posted here rather then another form..