Hockey Rambling

  Answering some comments below, because I think interactivity is a strength here...   We all know I'm a Price backer. In fact, I'm criticized for going too far with it. So if I'm hard on him, that's just me being balanced (or...trying). And yes, Montreal's defense is suspect. But come on. They allowed just [...]

  Curious if the same group of dissenters here on DobberHockey and on Twitter are laughing at me quite as much when I say this again: "I would rather own Malkin over Stamkos in a keeper league - it's not even close".   The rest did Geno a world of good - eight points in [...]

  Interesting analysis by Fear the Fin. He takes a look at Sharks defensemen and what percentage of the faceoffs they are out for are in the defensive zone. Justin Braun leads all Sharks defensemen in the category. Considering he has been an offensive force for the team, the fact that he is doing it [...]

  Goldie Says: Report is up on Lawson's NHL debut. Impressive, but smoked in the shootout. I discussed Mike Smith's rise in value last week due to refined technique and Ellis' struggles. Since then he's been a major factor in TB's last two wins.   Paul Stastny will play today.   The Sens have recalled Mike Brodeur to replace an ailing [...]

  Sergei Kostitsyn has an eight game point streak going for the Preds.   Marty Erat is flying right now for the Preds – he looks to have shaken the rust off from some early season injury troubles. He’s got 10 points in his past eight games.   Shea Weber has points in four consecutive [...]

  Goldie Says: I wrote a doozy on Steve Mason's struggles and how he can improve. Time to get him a sports psychologist coach. My eyes are also locked onto Mike Smith - his shootout win over ATL plus Nabby rumors could push him to perform very well over the next week.    Jeremy Morin was sent back down by Chicago, but [...]

  A few injuries from last night:   Paul Stastny was drilled from behind by Bryan Bickell - it doesn't sound serious, though (stiff back/neck).   Erik Johnson left the Blues game with a leg injury. It looked a bit more serious and he didn't return.   Lecavalier returned last night, to the surprise of [...]

  Matt Stajan will be back in the lineup to face his former team the Leafs - look for him to step it up.   Pekka Rinne is "really close" to returning, according to the Tennessean. He had a solid practice today and I'm thinking the weekend is a possibility.   Sergei Kostitsyn was back [...]

  Goldie Says: Here's why I think Nabokov still belongs in the NHL, preferrably in a TBL uni. Ellis and Smith insight included. I'll have a pulse on this until TB announces they are "confident" in Ellis/Smith. Which they shouldn't be.   I agree about NSH's defensive system. But Mitch Korn still produces amazing "NHL ready" goalies [...]

  Turco gets the start against the Avs tonight. A mediocre performance means this thing drags on for another week (again). A horrible performance shifts the starting job firmly into Crawford's court. A great performance probably shifts it slightly into Turco's direction.   Jody Shelley got two games for the hit I show below.   [...]