- Okay...who can believe the 10-4 Senators win over the poor Sabres last night? And who can remember the last time a team had 2 players score 4 goals in a single game? That's right - both Alfredsson and Havlat scored 4 last night en route to their 2nd blow-out in 3 games. After trouncing Toronto 8-0 (Heatley had 4 himself in that one), Ottawa lost 5-3 to Philly and then moved on to crush Buffalo last night. That's a combined 21 goals in only 3 games!
I was fortunate enough to watch the game on TSN last night...and I can safely say Ottawa scares me. I don't remember the last time I saw a team play with such confidence and ease in the offensive zone. Pity the Leafs - or laugh at them - whatever works for you.
- Looks like those skunks the Edmonton Oilers are back on track. They've won 3 in a row and have outscored their opponents 16-5. Of course, the Greasers also began the season with a three game winning streak before plunging headlong into their 7 game nightmare. Let's see if they avoid that this time around. They are visiting the 12-1 Red Wings tonight.
- Lubomir Visnovsky became the first defensman this year to score a hat trick. He accomplished the feat in the Kings 6-3 victory over Dallas last night. Also note: Craig Conroy with another 2 assists. Way to go Craig! The Kings sure seem to be rolling along nicely right now...
- The Predators continue to deflate after their impressive start to the season. They lost their third straight to San Jose last night. Conversely, the Sharks seem to be doing well despite having to play with their third string goalie Nolan Shaeffer. In fact, Shaeffer has won all 4 games he's played and has a GAA of 2.47 - superior to both Nabokov and Toskala!
Shaeffer stats can be found here here.
- Rick Nash made a "jolting" return to action against Edmonton the other night. the six foot four Nash caught the relatively diminuitive Peca with his head down in the neutral zone and hammered him with a solid shoulder (or elbow, depending on who you ask). As a result, Peca lost consciousness as well as a tooth or too...he apparently has a concussion and will be sidelined for awhile. Nash did not receive a penalty and the play was not reviewed by the league. The resultant drama and Oiler fan outrage should set the stage for an interesting re-match later in the year.
- Detroit's goaltending dynamo Manny Legace was felled by a falling player in Detroit's win over Chicago recently. He's expected to miss some action with a leg injury, as far as I know. Thus far this year, Legace has an incredible 10-1 record with a 1.76 GAA. Chris Osgood will be miniding the Red Wings net in Legaces absence. So far, Osgood has won both games he's played with a 1.75 GAA (maybe it doesn't much matter who's in net for Detroit right now).
Want the stats? Use the link above and find 'em yourself.
Edit - here's a TSN story about the Legace injury.
- And, of course, the Flames are taking on Columbus tonight. Calgary looks to make it 2 wins in a row after downing the Wild 3-0 on Monday. In addition to a victory, Flames faithful would also like to see more than 3 goals in favor of their home team, as well as at least one point from snake-bitten rearguard Jordan Leopold. I believe a "red-mile" type celebration would ensue should all three of these events occur tonight...
