2005 NHL Season

The Lightning posted a nice 5-2 victory against the Hurricanes to follow raising the Stanley Cup banner. The new starting goaltender John Grahame did ok but he seemed a little overwhelmed, he seemed to spend alot of time standing straight up in what looked like a careless or sloppy stance until the last posible second. He certainly wasnt terrible but hopefully thats something that will get better with some more experience. On the offense, Vinny Prospal is looking like a pretty sweet reacquisition to complement St. Louis.

Meanwhile, Detroit made us look like a bunch chumps at the Joe. As per usual.

It's one game in a long season, but a 5-1 loss where your team is just kinda STANDING THERE isn't easy to shake off.

I'll be at Savvis tomorrow for the home opener. I'm confident being home will give my boys some more jump.

Lstening to the other game reports, the play-by-play snippets of goals being scored elsewhere, honestly gave me goosebumps.

Well tonight was bittersweet. I was glad to see Hockey back again, but my Blackhawks looked as terrible as ever. In a season where effectiveness on the power play is going to be key, we gave up 2 shorthanded goals and only scored once. Minus one on nine powerplay chances?! Khabibulin looked good on a few saves and he was more or less hung out to dry for the most part, but still, he's going to need to do a better job backstopping this team of mostly young talent. It's only the first game of the season, but this could be another long one for this Chicago fan.

It was kind of fun to see the complete collapses of both the Kings and the Flyers tonight, however. I actually kind of like both teams, but it's still exciting to watch a team completely implode like they did. Jagr sure made up for his completely boneheaded plays in the second period with those third period goals. The Kings have been saying that they feel fine about their inexperienced goaltenders all through the preseason, but I think they'll be singing a different tune if they're within striking distance later in the season. But who knows, maybe Garon can shine now that he's out of Theodore's shadow. I was also glad to see J.R. score a couple of goals. Hopefully he can stay healthy this year.

By the way, did anyone else watch the OLN game tonight? It seemed kind of fuzzy and over-saturated to me. I checked on 3 different TVs and their broadcast looked odd on all of them. Hopefully it was just opening night jitters on the tech end. I don't currently have HDTV, so that could be a factor.

Well my beloved Bruins lost with eleven seconds left to the Habs...big suprise!
Fortuately my second favorite team Devils beat the Pens. I didn't see any clips but it sounds like Broduer stoned Crosby a few times. I tivoed the Bruins and the game felt FAST (although I've been watching baseball all week so of course it felt fast). Anyway hockey's back and it was great to watch a game.

A nice 3-2 victory over Gretzky and the Coyotes puts the Canucks off to a good start....kinda annoying that TSN was broadcasting the Vancouver game but we had to wait until the Toronto vs. Ottawa game to finish, and of course it's the first NHL game to be decided via shoot-out.

Outside of my game not starting until 15 after start time the shoot-out is awesome and i'm glad that ties are going to become a thing of the past...nothing more annoying then seeing a game in person and it ending in a tie, or god forbid, a 0-0 tie, money down the drain in that case.

you can be damn sure the NHL scoring leaders are going to be putting up record numbers this season with the inclusion of shoot-outs.

I love hockey and am so happy to have it back. I am a lifelong diehard Devils fan and watching Brodeur be amazing against the Pens tonight was simply awesome. It looked like the same old Marty. Though it was a shock not to see Scott Stevens (my alltime fave) enforcing in the defensive end or Scotty Neidermayer flying around the ice i guess this is the new era and still got some of my favs there. Keep your eyes peeled for Zach Parise. rookie who scored his first NHL goal tonight he is coming in under the radar but he is gonna be good. Game on!

I remember Grahame in his first days with the Boston Bruins, he's always seemed like one of those guys who could be great one night but average most other nights. I wish I could have seen the game to watch them raise the banner, but that's one of the bad things about living in Georgia.. no Sunshine Network.

BTW, what's with the Outdoor Life Network broadcasting hockey now??

Seriously. Fuck you ESPN, just broadcast Sportscenter... again.

I was sorta interested in the Blackhawks again after some nice pick up. I figure I'd check out the first game before Lost started. Then found out it's a home game, like the first 3, and no home tv. No I remember why I don't give a shit about the sport anymore. Stupid Wirtz. Your game is gone for a year and the least you can do for the fans is have a surprise and have the firt game on tv.

The Hawks have never shown home games on TV, except for a couple seasons of pay-per-view. So, when did you care about hockey?

Anyways, I think the Hawks will struggle for a couple weeks, as it takes time to get so many new people to play well together, especially with the new rules. Not to mention, they've still got a number of kids playing out there. After the first month of the season, I think they'll pull it together, though.

When Roenick left I pretty much stopped watching. But them not being on home tv was less of a problem because they were fun to watch. I would look when the games were on. With them being so shitty for years I didn't care to look. I thought I heard something that the Hawks might show some home games on tv. Guess I was wrong.

Roberto Luongo = shutout.

Go Panthers!

I am waiting for Lindro and Allsion to get hurt and retire.

Leafs suck

Well the Leafs are off to a horrible start so i'm inclined to agree with you.

Cancuks are 2-0-1, I hate the 1-3 day gap between games, waiting for the first game of the season to be a real blow out. 6-2 score and such, those are always fun to watch.

Well, after going down like a Saigon whore against the Stars, the Hawks managed to win a damned game, even if it took OT. So to celebrate (since I fear there won't be too many opportunities this season) here's a reasonably funny YTMD praising Ruutu. Enjoy.

Well its never been a better time to live in North Carolina. The Hurricanes are still playing like the best team in hockey and after last night's overtime win against the flyers.. you can see why.

I'm predicting big things from STAAL in the future of hockey. (I doubt he will stay with the Hurricanes). He is the next GREAT ONE.

well I just assumed that since Staal is playing so well that he might have his pick of whereever he wants to go. But if he stays at Carolina that will make me happy. He is great to watch.

But since Carolina is playing so gosh darn great maybe the whole team will stick together a couple of years. Here is hoping anyway.

I just grabbed some tickets to the Hurricanes/Penguins game in February. Its a shame Lemieux will be retired.

So far, this has been a surprisingly fun Sabres season. No, they won't catch Ottawa, nor snag 100 points, but outside of a choke job on a level not seen in the state of New York since October 2004, they'll make the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Whether or not they can play with the big boys (Ottawa/Carolina/Philly) come April, I'm not sure, but I'll be enjoying it anyway. Course, it'll have to be at a sports bar, since I don't have MSG at home sadly.

But they are being broadcast on the radio in Rochester this season, which is rare, and Rick Jeanneret (longtime radio play-by-play man) in playoff heat is always fun to listen to. (Seriously, the man is INSANE. I just bought a compilation CD of his best calls that the Sabres put together for charity, and I swear to God, if the team ever wins the Stanley Cup, he will have a heart attack on-air. Guaranteed.)

So here's hoping that this spring is as fun as past ones. Sure beats having to read about the lockout...

so, I look in on Canada today and I find out the damn Canucks missed the playoffs. Pat Quinn is also unemployed.

Had a chance to see a Carolina Playoff game last night. Double overtime loss to the Canadiens. What a crazy game.

unfortunately the Hurricanes are now down 0-2 in the series. I'm afraid their post season dreams might fizzle.

I was pulling for Carolina because, A) they'll still be the Whale to me until Hartford gets another team, and B) I'm pulling for Doug Weight. Ultimately, I don't really pull for anyone in the east, I just enjoy getting to watch hockey where I don't have any emotional investment. All the teams I loathe reside in the West.

Of course, I'm pulling for Edmonton most of all in the first round. Send those sons of bitches back to Detoilet.

Well Carolina is finally showing some life. They won in overtime last night so that only puts them down 1 game. Let's hope they even the series out on Friday.

I'm totally gutted at the way the Stars have capitulated in their series. OK, I can point the finger at some of the refereeing in game 3 but if they'd played the way they can they wouldn't be in this hole now.

All credit to the Av's though, the way they attacked the goal at the start of overtime was impressive. But damn, they've had a lot of luck so far.

The only bright point so far is seeing Detroit struggling. I guess that's what you get after playing in the easiest division.

I love that in all the elimination games i've watched, the arena is blaring The Final Countdown by Europe, makes me wanna watch Arrested Development again.

Truly sucks that the Canucks didn't make it, I'm pulling for the Canadian teams, though things aren't looking so well for the Montreal Canadians, looks like it's the final countdown for them next game.

The Flyers have done a nice Jekyll and Hyde impersonation on the road vs at home. I never put much stock into the whole home-ice advantage thing, but this series is proving that sometimes fans really can have an impact on the game.
That, or the fact that the home team gets last line change is a big factor. They Flyers always match up Forsberg's line against Briere's line at home, and he's had a lot of success against that line. In Buffalo, when he's not matched up against them, not so much success. Plus the penalties, oy! Let 'em play.

Looks like the Canes play New Jersey next.

This should be some intense hockey.

As much as the 'Canes overcame the Habs after the first two games, I am afraid that New Jersey will not lose another game in the playoffs. They are the perfect hockey club. Sure they found their identity towards the end of the season, but they are going to manhandle everybody until the final horn of Game 4 in the Final.

The Hurricanes are in a for a major MAJOR challenge. Fact of the matter is this. If the 'Canse had such a hard time against an 7th seeded team, how could they fare agains Martin Brodeur in his element?

It's easy to guess who's winning this one, but New Jersey is far from being the team it was last time they raised the Stanley Cup. Their still have couple of vets, and had a killer last season bout, but they still have to face a solid team yet.

The last time I saw the Devils dominate like they did against the Rangers was in the 1995 Cup Final against Detroit. The weird part about this Devils team is that they are basically one dominate line who scores as opposed to four mediocre lines who got the turnover goal. Of course both have the common thread of a hall of fame goaltender.

In the NHL its next to impossible to predict who is going to win a series when there are two competant goaltenders involved. While I don't want to see it, it will be interesting to see the Devils react to a loss as they have won 15 straight.

All I can say after last night's game is that Carolina knows how to get it done.

Talk about shocking. It was bad when NJ shut up the crowd with 29 seconds left. It was unbelievable when the Canes tied the game up with 3 seconds left.

It was just plain awesome for the Canes to score in overtime.

That's gotta be crushing for NJ.

With a 2-0 lead now over the devils, the Canes just need one game in New Jersey to probably seal the deal.

So....angry....can't....form....sentences

Actually...it was 20.7 seconds and yes thank you it was crushing. I havent felt as gutpunched by a game since the devs lost game 7 to the avalanche. This one hurt bad, BUT! 2 home games and 2 series last round turned around after 2-0 starts so some hope remains....Good to see some morristown representation on the boards, I am from Mendham. GO DEVS!

A plain and simple gutpunch game. At least the Nets won, but still...How the fuck does that happen?!?!

THAT CAROLINA GAME WAS AWESOME!

Erm, sorry, excuse the caps, but I was so deflated when the Devils scored so late in the third. What a thrilling victory for the 'Canes.

trust me I know the NJ devils can come back. Hell Carolina came back in their first series from being down 0-2.

That's why I'm thinking if the Canes win at least one game in NJ, it will put them in a better position.

yeah i agree that one loss in NJ could be the end. That was the first game in a while where i didnt even feel mad my team lost but i was stunned and in disbelief. And yes the Nets did win but of course they almost blew a 28 point lead. these teams i follow are gonna be the end of me.

Been meaning to jump back into this thread, and glad to see somebody else watching the playoffs too.

The fact that I don't have OLN at home is driving me bonkers. While I'm not worried about missing any Sabre games, it sure would be nice to be able to watch games on a nightly basis again.

As for the games themselves, it's starting to feel like 1999 all over again for Buffalo. Whether or not the season ends the same way, we'll see...

Yeah OLN is a big problem for me too. I cant believe ESPN doesnt do these games anymore, they had such great coverage. Gary Thorne and Bill Clement were awesome. I mean Doc Emerick is the best but those guys are solid. but not having OLN means i dont even get Devils games and i live in North Jersey for christs sake. There will be no prob watching tonight however as i will be sitting in section 126 for game 3. I am psyched and nervous at the same time. its a must win. We shall see...

First off I will say that OLN's coverage is quite horrible.

Down here most Carolina games are covered by FSN sports and they do a great job.

Watching the game on OLN is hard because their camera angles just plain suck. You miss a lot of the action because they don't know how to follow the puck.

As for last night's game. Carolina won again. It wasn't a flashy win, but it didn't seem that hard for them to win either. Carolina wasn't playing their best and still pulled off the victory.

I don't know how good NJ used to be, but they really aren't playing as well as I have heard they were.

The final game of the series could be Saturday!

Could it be a... SWEEP?

Go Canes!

That hurt last night. I cant believe the soft goals Marty is letting in and the damn inconsistent play of the devils. The Canes play so aggresive it seems to throw the devils off their game. They have such a hard time clearing their zone its absurd. I cant believe its 3-0

While there's now a potential for three sweeps, I was sure I heard the fat lady singing for the 'Canes last round.

Mama Cass must have got a porkchop bone stuck in her esophagus.

The road to 4 staright Devils win starts today at 3. Hope everyone is ready for THAT! PLEASE GOD!

Edmonton is gonna take the Sharks down in 6.

and I would not be surprised one bit if the Devils came back and won 4 straight.

After what Edmonton did to the Red Wings I'd like to see them do well. I really don't want to see Anaheim in the finals.

You crazy.

Indeed.

It was interesting poking around various media the last few days, as the general feeling was that if anyone could rally from 3-0 down, it'd be the Sens.

As the guys on the Sabres' radio postgame were more than happy to bring up, there was a general feeling that Ottawa seriously underestimated Buffalo and that they were just scratching their heads on how they could be 3-0 down in the first place. (Simple math, actually: Ryan Miller > Ray Emery. I swear some of Emery's goals given up were on moves I've only seen made on NHL 06, especially Jason Pominville's OT winner tonight.)

Bring on the Canes!