Aussie_Wing

Standings to come shortly (also deciding whether to implement the drop 3 approach this week, and considering the lateness of this thread, I'd expect this will be one many will drop) Friday: NY Rangers @ New Jersey Buffalo @ Atlanta Vancouver @ Florida Colorado @ Detroit Anaheim @ St Louis Dallas @ Edmonton Saturday: NY Islanders @ Montreal Chicago @ San Jose Detroit @ Boston Ottawa @ Toronto Los Angeles @ New Jersey Anaheim @ Philadelphia Atlanta @ Washington Minnesota @ Columbus Carolina @ Pittsburgh Florida @ Tampa Bay Phoenix @ Nashville Colorado @ St Louis Dallas @ Calgary Sunday: NY Rangers @ Montreal

Results- Week 17: 1. interminded 15/20 1. Aussie_Wing 15 3. wingschamps 14 4. GoCryWolfe 13 4. irishtemper14+25 13 4. North Guy 13 4. wings1fan19 13 8. Dominator2005 12 8. GoWings1905 12 8. Wildwings44 12 8. Wings_Dynasty 12 8. wingslogo19 12 13. Never Forget Mac #25 11 13. betterREDthandead 11 13. T-Ruff 11 13. Elshupacabra 11 13. Vladinator 11 13. CupChamps979802 11 13. swedishconnection 11 13. Systemfel 11 13. wingsfan979802 11 13. Kp-Wings 11 13. edicius 11 13. redwingslady87 11 13. #19=Legend 11 26. shannyfan1414 10 26. LEBDA22 10 26. hawkupaloogie 10 26. Duck Guy 10 26. FinWing 10 26. wingsfan40 10 26. FinRedWing 10 26. sibiriak 10 26. bcwingsfan19 10 26. CrossCheck24 10 36. naranja 9 36. TRD604 9 36. Hockeytown0001 9 39. Mickeyisms Rule! 8 39. rwfan007 8 39. zetterisbetter 8 39. zata40 8 43. F.Michael 7 43. johnnyoski 7 43. Lou_Siffer 7 46. wingsgirl001 6 Congratulations to interminded and…….. myself ( ) for top scoring with scores of 15. Standings to come on Thursday with the drop 3 rule enforced.

Yeh I was thinking about this very issue after yesterday's game. The secondary scoring has indeed dried up recently and we have been relying on the top line far too much. However I don't think guys like Cleary, Filppula and Hudler will stay down for too much longer and at least we're still winning while this is happening.

15/19 with 1 game to come. 'Bout time I had a decent week!

Once again, what the heck??? Small? Well of course Hudler's small, as for the other two, not so much. I know you hate Kopecky for some reason, but that line was great yesterday and with a bit of luck could've scored 2 or 3 goals. Time to give them some credit.

It just seems that half of his goals are scored without a goalie these days. He's such a good faceoff man that Babs always puts him out there to finish the game, and he always seems to be the one scoring. The question is who'll score first with someone guarding the net?

Draper with the EN goal. Too funny, was always going to happen wasn't it?

Zetterberg! Finally, finally we score. Now please keep the lead, you've worked hard enough to get it.

Really? Couldn't disagree more actually, but you're entitled to your opinion (as wrong as it may be).

Huds-Flip-Kopecky has been our best line tonight. They've had so many chances, surely they'll score soon.

Some love him (?), some hate him, but I'm sorry, Lilja is rubbish.

I sure hope so, but can't see it happening. I used to laugh at that, but now I just shake my head. 4 shots, FOUR? That's ridiculous. Can't believe this game is tied.

Phew! I just just about to label this the worst game of the year before the ref called it off. Edit: Can't spell.

Who's up for a bet? Will Draper score another goal for his career (other than an EN goal)? Who's worse offensively, him or Samuelsson?

Is Babcock double shifting Dats and Hank? We do have other capable players Mike...

Good to know I'm not alone. Good 'ol Lilja, he's always one to make it interesting.

Yawn. Another boring period, at least it sounded like it. When's the last time we actually played an exciting game? I vaguely remembed one before the All-Star break but it's been a while. Outshooting them big time, but nothing to show for it.

A PP specialist if ever there was one, more than half his points come with the man advantage. A very good young defenceman, good signing for the Flames.

Friday: NY Rangers @ New Jersey Buffalo @ Atlanta Vancouver @ Florida Colorado @ Detroit Anaheim @ St Louis Dallas @ Edmonton Saturday: NY Islanders @ Montreal Chicago @ San Jose Detroit @ Boston Ottawa @ Toronto Los Angeles @ New Jersey Anaheim @ Philadelphia Atlanta @ Washington Minnesota @ Columbus Carolina @ Pittsburgh Florida @ Tampa Bay Phoenix @ Nashville Colorado @ St Louis Dallas @ Calgary Sunday: NY Rangers @ Montreal

But you can't seriously deny he's injury prone can you?

Let me guess, another freak injury and another unlucky injury? It's beyond a joke now; his 5 year contract is starting to look real bad. I know he's lifted his play this year, on both ends of the ice, but it's just one injury after the other with Kronwall. It's probably the best time of the season to have a top four defenseman go down, but I don't want it to happen once again in the playoffs, that would spell disaster. I'm not fussed who they call up as I'm a big fan of both Quincey and Ericsson.

Wow, just read it and I’m in shock. That is one of, if not the most disgusting acts I’ve ever read. How anyone could do such a thing; it just goes to show what a sick and twisted world we live in. What a legend Yzerman is though. What sickens me though is that a portion of Yzerman’s life has been a complete lie, he must feel so used. Oh no, surely you didn't?

Am I the only one who thinks we may have been better off letting him walk at the end of last season, or at least signed him to a shorter deal? I like him, I think he gives this team some heart, but I’m not sure if he’s doing much to benefit the team these days. About 5 years ago I remember him being one of the best short handed players in the league and he was always a threat to score a man down. He was also a pretty good agitator. However over the past 2/3 seasons his production has significantly dropped. He put up a mere 11 points in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons, and so far this season he has 6 points in 32 games, and 3 points in his last 20 games. I know he’s not counted on a lot for scoring, but his minutes are even being reduced on the PK due to the emergence of Cleary, Filppula and Franzen. What are your thoughts on Maltby? Perhaps the plan is that when his contract is up (after the 2009/2010 season) Darren Helm will be read to take over his role?

Well the tennis season has just started and the first Grand Slam of 2008 will be underway shortly. The Australian Open kicks off on the 14th of January and I’m pleased to say I will be in attendance for the first week! On the men’s side the odds on favourite will yet again be Roger Federer. I believe the gap is starting to close and he was beaten 9 times last year which is a lot by his standards. However I don’t think there is anyone who will prevent him for winning his 13th Slam. I’d love to see Nadal win as I thoroughly enjoy watching him play and I think he’s about the only one who poses a serious threat to Federer. Novak Djokovic improved rapidly in 2007 and he has the game and confidence to go deep in the tournament. Lleyton Hewitt is back with his ex-coach as well as Tony Roach so you should see some improvements in his game, hopefully more aggressive play. My dark horse, just as it was last year, is Tomas Berdych. I think you’ll struggle to find a more naturally talented player; it’s just a case of staying mentally strong and playing with consistency. The women’s side is extremely open and it’s tough to predict a winner. Justin Henin will be the favourite but there is a lot of competition this time around. Serena Williams is the defending champion and she looks in great shape. Maria Sharapova always performs in the Slams and she’ll be a threat but I’m not convinced she’s Slam material right now. Ana Ivanovic is my favourite player and she’s risen to #4 in the world. She hasn’t fared too well in Melbourne but that should change this time around. Lindsay Davenport is back on the tour and she’s already causing headaches. As I speak she’s just reached the SF of the Gold Coast tournament. My dark horse is 18 year old Victoria Azarenka who I think has a massive future in the game. She has huge groundstrokes and plays without fear, the only thing holding her back is that she is very emotional and tends to lose her cool. Also keep an eye out for Radwanska and Safarova. So what are everyone’s predictions?

Gee, I thought it was a very good final at a very high standard. While it felt a bit weird that Federer wasn’t playing, I absolutely loved the fact he wasn’t there and it had a fresh feeling to it. Very intense game, mainly due to the crowd who were all going for Tsonga (stupid people) so Novak had two opponents out there. In the end he was just too good, too strong and gradually wore him down. Well done Novak, Australian Open Champion for 2008!