Dabura

Justin Bourne wrote a piece a little while back about the importance of having a cornerstone defenseman. He listed each team's #1 defenseman and divided the teams according to how they (the teams) ultimately fared this season. The point he was making is that the remaining playoff teams generally boast better #1s than the teams that have been eliminated, and the teams that have been eliminated generally boast better #1s than the teams that didn't make the playoffs. But what really struck me is that virtually none of the league's #1s are shutdown types. These days (maybe like always), a Truly Elite Defenseman is, basically, a two-way monster. He can defend, but maybe more importantly, he moves the puck exceptionally well and puts up lots-o-points. He drives possession, offense. He runs the power play... I'm not saying Dan Boyle is one of the true elites. But he's a lot closer than a Luke Schenn. With Kronwall being excellent (though, not elite) in his own right, we don't necessarily need a true elite. We just need a guy who has that kind of ability. A guy like...Dan Boyle. After two years of Boyle, Smith would, hopefully, be a big producer, and Sproul (who I think has the potential to be a #1 in this league) would be ready to play big minutes. And even if Boyle gets hurt or seriously falters, well, that's an opportunity for one of the kids. So, to me, it's a win-win.

I forgot to mention Ericsson. Ericsson doesn't produce much; he's a shutdown defenseman. Kronwall is our only reliable point producer.

I wouldn't want Schenn as our only addition. He's a shutdown defenseman and I don't think we need another one of those. The Wings are supposed to be a high-scoring team, the offense being driven primarily by two top-end puck-moving, offensively inclined, PP-quarterbacking veteran defensemen. We have one in Kronwall. We could have another in Boyle. His age won't be a big issue if he's used properly and we're able to play our possession game. Timonen in Philly probably should've retired two seasons ago, but he's continued to be their most valuable defenseman. He moves the puck, he drives possession and the attack. He's small and old and slow and weak, but it hasn't mattered all that much, because they haven't asked him to be more like Luke Schenn. We're not getting nearly enough production from our blue line. Kronwall's doing what he can, but that's all we've got. DeKeyser is a defensive defenseman. Smith may or may not become the high-scoring poor man's Erik Karlsson that we want him to be. Quincey is Quincey. I wouldn't expect any of the kids to be big producers in their first few seasons. Adding Schenn would be adding another guy who doesn't have great offensive instincts and won't really help with our breakouts.

Personally, I think it's great that fringe NHLers don't necessarily have to be remembered as, well, fringe NHLers. We take for granted how good the Cory Emmertons of the world actually are. I was hoping you'd chime in, Rus!

This was my first thought. Emпес?

I do think there's a good chance this completely breaks Halak. He clearly wants to prove he can be an elite goalie in this league and maybe even challenge for the Vezina. And he's going to try to prove that...as an Islander. LUBO: "Seeya, pal!" JARO: "Where are you going?" LUBO: "Into retirement!" JARO: "YOU SAID WE WERE IN THIS TOGETHER!" LUBO: "Garth promised he would give me $40 if I helped to convince you to sign. To his credit, he was true to his word. And so I spent that money on this parachute! Farewell, my friend!" [LUBO jumps out plane, parachute doesn't open, he crash lands in Rexall Place]

Yeah, I was definitely off-base. I hadn't noticed on the replay how his shoulder rides up. I guess I'd assumed Stepan had broken his jaw when he hit the ice. But even then, it was a blatantly predatory hit. Good call, DOPS.

Y'know what's crazy? Evander Kane's numbers.The gist of it: he's right where The Other Kane was at his age, and he's done it with second-rate linemates. Maybe he has maturity issues (likely overblown by racist local pundits), but then, so did (does?) The Other Kane. Point being, I'd give up quite a lot to get Evander Kane if the Jets were to shop him.

Prust's hit - the hit itself - was actually clean. I'd thought it was a headshot, but it was shoulder-to-chest. Stepan went flying because it was a total blindside, and that's the only issue. Stepan wasn't expecting a hit because there was no reason for him to be expecting one because the puck was nowhere near him at the time. So it's a minor penalty for interference or roughing. The officials didn't catch it, which sucks, but the DOPS isn't going to discipline him. Now, Carcillo...he's toast. Physically engaging an official is pretty much the ultimate no-no, which is why you almost never see it happen. They'll probably throw the book at him. Double standard? Probably. If a star had done it, nothing would come of it. But you know what? Losing Carcillo for the rest of time will only help the Rags. Carcillo's a huge liability in an ultra-tight series, which this may very well be, and the SCF would certainly be (if the Rags are going to have a chance).

"D? You mean the vitamin?" - Garth Snow

I dunno, dd. There are some Realgud kids in this year's top tier.

I like him, but he's undersized. Which means he's our guy.

Next game is suddenly sort of a must-win for not just the Habs but the Rags as well.

And now it's a series. Lundqvist has to have that Markov goal. He saves that, his team's up 3-0 in the series. I'd rather Prust stay in the lineup. He's a liability for his team.

Really good game. Psyched for some OT! Tokarski has been outstanding.

Good deal for both sides. I like it.

Rags strike first!

Broken record, but Pouliot is awesome. He's hitting everything that moves on the forecheck.

Ah, looks like it was because he was physical with the official. Got an elbow up on him, or something.

Scrap. Now Carcillo's got a game misconduct, or something? I guess he was mouthing off? No way NY does not win this series now. Just has that team-building rallying cry feel to it, to me.

P.K. mouthing along to the Star-Spangled Banner. For some reason, I find that really awesome. Not awesome: Prust blindsides Stepan with a piece-of-s*** hit up high on Stepan, well after the puck had left him. Stepan goes to the locker room, teams officially hate each other, it's getting nasty. Therrien loves him some thuggery. Rags are getting sucked in. Can't stoop to Therrien's level.

Edzo's looking pudgy. Must've binged on ice cream last night. EDZO: "I hate those Kings! I hate them I hate them I hate them!" *cries, wolfs down five whole scoops of mint choco-chip in three seconds, gets brain freeze, wails like a banshee* PIERRE: "something something something, wouldn't you say, Eddie?" EDZO: "....................................I hate you, Pierre."

I wonder this every time I see him behind the bench. I think his record is 38 minutes. Part of it is he has such an angry looking face. He even said in his presser today that he woke up today feeling angry. Sometimes I wonder if it's all just the 'stache. It's clearly a demonic entity with a mind and will all its own.

Wouldn't mind Larkin. He's from Detroit, no?

For good reason, though. His career save percentage in the playoffs is crazy bad.