Super Saturday

February 28, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

It’s another action packed Saturday of puck with 22 teams on the ice including three matinees. Two are underway with the seemingly invincible Devils up 2-0 on the sixth seeded Panthers in a game of interest to others.

Apparently, it’s the Zach Parise show so far with the Hart candidate tallying No.’s 37 and 38. Martin Brodeur’s back in and has stopped all seven shots his way thus far making this blogger ponder if the Devils will ever lose again this season.

All kidding aside, this team should be very tough to beat come this Spring. Though you have to wonder why they’re giving Marty such a busy workload right away with a game also tomorrow versus the rival Flyers. Think Kevin Weekes is starting that one? If that’s the case, then you also believe in the tooth fairy.

While the Devs are looking to avenge a recent 4-0 road defeat to Florida, there’s a big battle of first place teams taking place in Beantown where the Caps and Bruins are all tied at one following the first. The goalscorers are Nicklas Backstrom and Matt Hunwick.

This could be a possible playoff preview if they somehow meet in the Conference Finals. Each is a lock to win their divisions with the only question as to whether the Caps will be seeded 2 or 3 depending on Atlantic leader New Jersey. That could prove large in say a seven-game series if the two clubs met in the Conference Semis.

There’s one other afternoon tilt with an all Pacific battle where Dallas hosts the Ducks. Both clubs enter with the same amount of points (65) but the Stars by virtue of three less games are tied with the Wild for seventh in the West while Anaheim ranks 10th behind Edmonton due to playing 63 games.

Anyone who’s followed this topsy turvy race knows that eight total points separate seventh from last place Colorado meaning nobody’s really out of it. If someone gets hot down the stretch, watch out.

The Preds are 11th with 64 points while the Blues who are getting outstanding netminding from Chris Mason are 12th with 62.The Kings (61) are 13th with the struggling Coyotes (59) 14th and the Avs (57) 15th visiting offensive juggernaut the Rangers tonight.

The Rangers will attempt to score more than a goal with the game being televised on PIX 11. I guess MSG couldn’t bare to air them anymore and wanted to torment other local TV watchers. 

While John Tortorella tries to figure out how to keep his team from aiming pucks into either Peter Budaj or Andrew Raycroft’s crest turning either into Patrick Roy, the Sabres visit the last overall Islanders a point behind the seventh seeded Blueshirts. They could be getting leading finisher Thomas Vanek back which should only help.

The Hurricanes who also have 69 points but are ninth due to 63 games played visit the Thrashers. While Atlanta doesn’t win much, they can score with captain Ilya Kovalchuk sizzling with goals in eight of his last nine (11 goals) along with five helpers for 16 points during that stretch. Expect at least six goals between these up and down Southeast rivals.

Here are the other games:

San Jose at Montreal, 7 ET- Habs aim for four straight looking to get within a point of fifth Flyers.

Maple Leafs at Sens, 7 ET- A classic Canadian battle between these Northeast rivals is usually fun to watch. Too bad neither looks to be making the postseason though the Leafs are playing some excellent hockey these days winners of three straight and nine out of the last spot while their rival chases John Tavares losing as much as possible.

Red Wings at Preds, 8 ET- The high scoring defending champs trail first overall Sharks by three but have played two more games. The Preds need the game to stay close in the race.

Blues at Coyotes, 9 ET- St. Louis has gotten great goaltending from Mason to make a run while Phoenix has struggled needing this one in regulation badly.

Wild at Oilers, 10 ET-Two teams with the same amount of points both coming off disappointing losses with the Oilers shutout by Vezina frontrunner Steve Mason 1-0 and the Wild downed by Calgary 4-1 last night. Who wants it?

I’ll have a Ranger recap hoping it doesn’t emulate Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day Phil Connors character much later as I’m headed out with the brother to Old Bridge.

Updating the two games now, the Devils are now up three which pretty much means Florida should throw in the towel and the Caps and B’s are now tied at two.

Enjoy the games!