October 27, 2009
Dobber Sports
2009-10-27
Column 500 is up – Top 10 scoring race disappointments.
Saturday’s THN column was on my Top 10 scoring race surprises. Today the column will feature the Top 10 scoring race disappointments. Today’s column will also be my 500th Fantasy Pool Look for The Hockey News. It all started right there for me.
Bryzgalov finally had an off night. He was yanked after giving up four goals on 11 shots to the NHL’s top offense – the Rangers.
Gaborik, who had three points, limped off the bench to the dressing room in the third period. It’s reportedly nothing serious. But it is, however, Gaborik. It’s only a matter of time.
With Kotalik hitting his potential, Prospal hitting his “on year” of his on/off career pattern, Del Zotto making an impact, it’s still hard to see how the Rags are tops in the league for goals. This house of cards will fall eventually, as some of these guys come back down to Earth. In the meantime, I really like how Enver Lisin is performing. He played 17 minutes last night (two points) with Prospal and Gabby. If Gabby is hurt, however, that could cause the house of cards to fall, so be wary.
I’m sure by now you know that the Leafs won their first game last night. Now all the people who insisted that they would finish last and give the Bruins Taylor Hall are now saying they are Cup-bound. That’s the passion – and fickleness (is that a word? It is now) – that the Leafs spark in hockey fans. I’m still saying 18th to 24th and I’ll say that even if they start 3-20-3.
Some Leafs had a big game – Kaberle (five pts), Stempniak (four), Hagman and Stajan (three each). Interestingly enough, Viktor Stalberg played with Stempniak and Stajan and yet was held pointless. It was “The Monster” Jonas Gustavsson’s first NHL win.
Not fantasy relevant, but interesting to note that Schenn played just 10 minutes, and Blake just 12:44.
The Ducks sent Luca Sbisa back to junior, where he’ll remain for the season.
Florida has recalled Michal Repik and Kenndal McArdle. This is to replace David Booth, who is likely out for at least a couple of weeks, and Radek Dvorak (leg injury). Repik will be one to watch. But one guy I really like, now that Booth is out, is Rusty Olesz. He’s actually third on the team in scoring with just four points, but the added ice time will help.
In another bid to shake things up, the Preds have sent down Ryan Jones and recalled Mike Santorelli.
Parros vs. Orr – and they don’t want the linesman interfering (funny!)
WOW – this goal is crazy good – Patrick Kane: