3/12 NHL Notes

[Nick Douglas]

The first thing I have to say is that I think many folks overreact to the trade deadline. There are some lines out there today that are pretty wild and you might be able to take advantage to being a contrarian for some good value on some of these games.

-DesRochers gets the start for Carolina, which is a gigantic red flag. The mood in Buffalo was funereal after Barnes was dealt. There will be a ton of rookies in the lineup again for Carolina while Briere will make his debut for Buffalo.

-The Kings are basically gutted. Last time they started an eastern swing they lost 5-0 in game 1. Lightning have won the past 3 times these two have met.

-Preds are 9-23 minus 1/2 on the road, haven't scored more than 2 in their last 4, yet are giving a half puck and money tonight in Pittsburgh. Pens went into full on rebuilding mode, but still have Lemieux and Straka for a power play that has scored in each of the last 2 games.

-Habs have been outshot in 5 of 6, going 1-4-1 in those games. Panthers are an amazing 7-28 minus 1/2 at home this season. Both teams have terrible offensive and great defensive numbers on both shooting% and power play the last 5 games.

-Dallas is in a 3 in 4, b2b situation. They lost at lowly Buffalo last time they had this scenario. Dallas is 15-20 on the road -1/2 and Minny is 22-12 at home +1/2. Dallas has 2 straight shutout wins.

-Lots of controversy in Phoenix as Gretzky claims the team is better but some moves looked to be motivated by payroll. Wings are in a non b2b 3 in 4, a situation where they have done well all year. Burke, who owns the Wings, has given up just 1 goal in each of the last 2 times he has faced them.

-Big line in Anaheim even though Ducks are 18-17 -1/2 at home while Hawks are 16-19 +1/2 on the road. Ducks have given up exactly one goal in 3 of 4. Hawks come off best offensive output of the season against seive-like Boston.

 

[mw]

Dallas is in a 3 in 4, b2b situation. They lost at lowly Buffalo last time they had this scenario.

But they had played Ottawa the night before. Big difference.

 

[the mugs]

Nick - FYI on Dallas - the last time they did the 3/4 with b2b they played at Ottawa before going into Buffalo and lost to the Sabres. There may have been a giant letdown after the Ottawa game.

Looks like MW beat me to the post.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Thanks for taking the time to post the info Nick!
One thing though in regards to the Pens, you say they have Mario and Straka for the PP. The problem is they don't play the entire PP first off, secondly if you rely on one single aspect of the game then the opposing team will defend it so easily, thirdly who the hell else do you put on the PP with them. Outside of Transtrom who do they have on D. Absolutely nobody. Then what do you do for the second PP unit. This team is now Mario and Straka and an AHL team, plain and simple. I had a lengthy conversation last night with Alex Daigle and even the guys that are the farm team in Scranton feel that they have half of an ECHL team. It is that pathetic. I really believe there are other things going on with Pitt. that we don't know about. How else do you explain what they did yesterday, sure it was a salary dump but Pitt. wants a payroll next year under 20 million and they don't know if they will survive beyond next year or if they will have a next year. Plain and simple. Scary times for Pens fans. Their home games will be half full, no fool will pay to see that kind of hockey and be looked upon as begin taken for a fool. I could go on and on.

HORNS

 

[rc conditioner]

thx for the info nick,

I like minny for those same reasons and I'm going with a small revenge factor since dallas spanked minny 5-0 in dallas earlier this year. Stars visit minnesota where they used to play.(i don't know if that matters):shrug:

good luck

 

[Nick Douglas]

I posted that DesRochers would start for Carolina as if that would be a weakness, but man, that guy has been great tonight. Just a series of awesome saves including a spectacular glove save on the ground during a penalty kill that gave them a chance to tie it in the last 10 seconds. He looks worlds better than he did last time he was in the NHL.