Hockey Matchup Report

The Detroit Redwings are one of the most dominant teams in NHL history. As a Midwest powerhouse, the Redwings are known for their impeccable offensive and defensive skills on the ice. As one of the six original NHL teams, the Redwings have amassed a global following over the years. As a result, their fan base stretches from Detroit and Windsor to all over the globe. With legions of loyal and adoring fans, the Red Wings have also won the third most Stanley Cup Championships in NHL history. With historic rivalries and a slate of legendary players, the Red Wings have also made the playoffs 25 times in the last 27 seasons. This is considered the longest post-season appearance streak in North American sports, which has yet to be contested or defeated. The Red Wings currently play at the world-famous Joe Louis Arena, which broadcasts a number of their games to mass audiences. As a popular and highly supported franchise, Red Wing fans have even re-christened Detroit as “Hockey Town U.S.A.”

Playoff Goals
Like other NHL franchises, the Red Wings are looking for another playoff berth. While their offensive skills are simply unparalleled, the focus has also been in goaltending this season. According to the fans and media alike, the Red Wings goaltending may be enough to secure another playoff entry. In fact, the team recently commented on the spectacular performances of Jimmy Howard last season. As a seasoned goalie, Howard has successfully defended the net and contributed to several Red Wing victories. While only 27, he is considered a remarkable talent with all the potential to secure greatness. Howard’s stunning performance against the San Jose Sharks, heralded him to greater heights within the franchise. According to General Manager, Ken Holland, Jimmy Howard’s consistency throughout the post-season helped the team a great deal. For the Upstate New York native, this season promises to further showcase his amazing goaltending skills.

In addition to Howard, the Red Wings are also banking on Ty Conklin. As a mainstay with the Red Wings since July, Conklin is considered one of the best backup goalies in the league. With years of extensive experience, Conklin simply offers the Red Wings additional veteran experience and firepower. With Howard and Conklin in net, the Red Wings are certainly slated to make another deep run into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The prospect of securing another league championship is also there as well.

On the Friday of October 21st, 2011, the Carolina Hurricanes will be traveling to St. Louis to play the St. Louis Blues. The match which is scheduled at around 8:05 PM is expected to have many Blues fans since they will be paying home in St. Louis. It has also been a long time coming meeting of the two brothers in the NHL, Anthony Stewart of the Carolina Hurricanes who plays as a forward and his small brother Chris who plays as a forward for the St. Louis Blues.

Anthony is in his sixth season in the NHL and Chris fourth but they have never met before in a match. This is actually the first time the two brothers will face each other in a National Hockey League game. Chris Stewart who says that he owes his career to his brother who had persuaded him to join the ice game as opposed to football has better numbers as compared to his brother. He has 69 (more…)

Among the numerous games being played in the NHL tonight is the matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings. So far this season the two teams look to be headed in two different directions. Columbus is winless through their first six games this season while Detroit is unbeaten with a 4-0 record. Based on the current and recent track record of the two teams it looks like Detroit will likely extend its fast start and send the Blue Jackets away with yet another defeat.

As far as this matchup goes, it has been relatively lopsided as the Red Wings have won 10 of the last 13 meetings between the two teams in this series. Another fact is that the Blue Jackets have lost nine out of their last eleven visits to the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Red Wings swept the Blue Jackets in four games back in the 2009 playoffs so Detroit’s dominance in this matchup is quite apparent.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a loss against Dallas that resulted in a home and home series sweep over the last two games. Columbus lost their last game at home against the Dallas Stars by a score of 3-2 to drop to their 0-5-1 regular season record. For the Blue Jackets they got good performances out of Derrick Brassard and Kris Russell who scored their two (more…)

Penguin coach Dan Bylsma was awarded a three year extension this week, which isn’t a surprise for a coach that won a Stanley Cup just two years ago. The thing is, while his team’s Stanley Cup win was impressive, it may not be the most impressive thing he has done in his three years on the bench.

Arguably, you have to say that this season has been Bylsma’s best coaching job. Why? Because there is no bleeping way that the Penguins should be in the position they are in with their two best players sidelined by injuries. And no, we aren’t talking about two “regular” best players either, we aren’t talking about Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two of the best players, if not the two best players, in the NHL. And yet, two months after losing Crosby and a month after losing Malkin for, all intents and purposes, the year, the Penguins are not only going to make the playoffs, but they still have an outside shot at a number one seed.

How have the Penguin’s done it? How about the best penalty killing in the (more…)

The Pittsburgh Penguins had a difficult start to their 2010 National Hockey League season; however, the team pulled together and has spent much of the year near or at the top of the NHL standings.

The Penguins have as much or more talent on their roster as any team in the NHL, and will likely skate into the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team has been playing exceptional special teams that has contributed largely to their success, but has recently lost team captain Sidney Crosby to a concussion.

Injuries and streaks continue to be a concern for the Penguins. Center Jordan Staal recently returned from foot and hand injuries, but is slowly adapting his game back to a high level. Evgeni Malkin is mired in one of his worst runs of form in his career, but has shown flashes of brilliance over the past few weeks. The Penguins will need Malkin to play at or near the top of his game until team captain Sidney Crosby returns to the lineup.

Crosby has been sidelined with a concussion, but should return to the lineup fairly soon. Saying Sidney is having a fine NHL season is something of an understatement, as his run of twenty five consecutive games with a point (more…)

Could this be the year of the Bruins? The Boston Bruins are currently at the top of the Northeast Division of the NHL’s Eastern conference. With a record of 24 wins, 13 losses and 7 overtime games the Bruins are four points ahead of the nearest division rival. Coach Claude Julien has the players working hard. The hard work has paid off with a good first half of the season for the Bruins.

Net minding duties have been split between Tim Thomas and Ras Tuukka. These two goaltenders have provided a solid presence for the team. The goals against average for the team ranks among the best in the NHL for the first half of the season. With solid goaltending the remainder of the team has it a little easier on the ice.

The defense is anchored by Zdeno Chara, the all star defenseman and captain of (more…)

Although the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team is essentially the same as last year’s team that missed the playoffs, the team is in position to make the NHL playoffs this year. Tampa Bay currently leads the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference by two points over the Washington Capitals.

The major changes made from last year were a new coach, Guy Boucher, and a new general manager, Steve Yzerman. The team signed a new backup goaltender, Dan Ellis, during the off season, and traded with the Philadelphia Flyers for left wing Simon Gagne.

The team’s young superstar, Steven Stamkos, skates on a line with the former Hart Trophy winner, Martin St. Louis, and tough guy Steve Downie. This line is as good as any currently skating in the NHL, and is a scoring threat every time they step on the ice. As last (more…)

The New York Rangers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs, last season, when they lost a shoot out in the last game of the season to the Philadelphia Flyers. They are determined to make the playoffs this year and also determined not to have to do it on the last game of the season.

As of January 16, 2011, the New York Rangers were 26-17-3, third in the National Hockey League’s Atlantic Division. They had 55 points and had the spot in the playoffs if the season ended today. They are in a strong position to keep their playoff spot.

For the New York Rangers to continue in the playoff hunt, they must rely on their defense and excellent goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist. With a capable backup like Martin Biron, Lundqvist will be well rested for the (more…)

The Washington Capitals went into last year’s playoffs as an overwhelming favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Unfortunately, they were knocked out in the first round by a well-prepared Montreal Canadiens team and their hot goaltender, Jaroslav Halak. Currently, the Capitals are in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference.

Even after the disappointing first round loss, the Capitals made only minor changes to their roster. They chose not to resign goaltender Jose Theodore, forwards Brendan Morrison and Eric Belanger, and defenseman Joe Corvo. These players had only minor roles on the team, and were replaced this year by younger players from the Capitals’ minor league team in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The offensive players on the Capitals’ roster are possibly the best group in the NHL. Superstar Alexander Ovechkin is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league, and has already won the Hart Trophy twice. He is joined on the forward lines by Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Brooks Laich and Mike Knuble. The goaltending duo of Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth is more than adequate, and at times, they are outstanding.

The Capitals have the reputation of only playing at their best on (more…)

Regardless of a unsatisfactory initial 3 weeks from the period regarding each groups, the Calgary Flames and New York Islanders possess cause to become fired up concerning the brand new yr.

Calgary appears to increase it’s growing profitable ability in order to 5, although Ny endeavors to remain scorching throughout it’s greatest extend from the period Monday evening in the Saddledome.
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