Total Randomness

March 26, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

The Rangers are in Atlanta looking for another victory closer to a fourth consecutive postseason. But that’s not really what’s on my mind.

Today kinda sucked for me but sometimes, it’s like that. Here are a few quick random musings floating around my brain:

1.Cujo’s performance in relief of Martin Gerber against the Caps was utterly amazing. To come in so ice cold and stone the game’s best player making nine saves and stopping all three in the shootout was just awesome. People mock what he’s become but don’t forget that Curtis Joseph was a damn good goalie at one time. He did that at 41. It was pretty cool.

2.The league again shot itself in the foot suspending Gerber three games. If anyone saw Brooks Laich’s tying goal with under a minute left, it was total bs. He clearly shoved Gerber in and you couldn’t even see the puck. How they ever ruled that a goal is beyond this blogger. I realize his reaction was a little overboard shoving a ref and tossing a puck but he was justified. In a league that overlooks blatant cheapshots like Glen Metropolit’s elbow to Sean Avery cause they want him out, I wouldn’t have given Gerber more than a game. He was right. When will the NHL grow a pair and suspend refs for bad calls?

3.That collective thud you heard last night in Buffalo was the Florida Panthers choking.

4.It becomes obvious just how remarkable Marian Gaborik is when healthy. Three goals and five points since he returned from hip surgery. If only he could stay on the ice minus the groin issues. Will the Wild keep him next year? For the sanity of the franchise, they better cause Owen Nolan ain’t getting younger and they really got little else.

5.Tuuku Rask’s recent episode where he blew up at an AHL game following poor rulings against in what else but a lame skill competition was discussed thoroughly at Puck Daddy. While it might’ve been amusing at first, there was nothing funny about the goalie prospect tossing his goalie stick. What if someone got struck by it? Scary stuff.

6.I’m in agreement with Anthony from our section on Henrik Lundqvist. For a so-called “elite goalie,” he hasn’t improved. His second season was probably his best. He is a total liability handling the puck putting extra stress on his D and is too far back in the net. He also has a propensity to give up bad goals. Hence the nickname Mr. Softie. Lundqvist really needs work with his glove. Might a call to Mike Richter be in the offing?

7.Most dangerous sleeper in the East probably are the Hurricanes. They’re getting outstanding netminding from Cam Ward and boast a talented crop of forwards along with an overlooked blueline that’s improved leaps and bounds since Paul Maurice took over. This is a team I wouldn’t want to draw in the opening round. They have tons of speed along with a dangerous power play and Ward is playing to form. Keep a close eye on this team.

8.I’m not taking the Red Wings or Sharks to get to the Cup Final. Something is lacking for both. Detroit in net and I just don’t trust San Jose despite their talent. If Calgary could win on the road, they’ve got the most balanced roster. Maybe buddy Chris Wassell has it right that a lower seed could represent the West. Is Chico Resch even listening?

9.The Selke should go to Mike Richards as there isn’t a more complete hockey player. What a defensive pest the Flyer captain is. He edges out Pavel Datsyuk and the Devs’ most improved Travis Zajac.

10.Who gets the third nomination for the Hart? Datsyuk or Zach Parise? Will both get shafted?

11.Niklas Backstrom is the best goaltender this season and should be rewarded with his first Vezina. Just look at the team he plays on. If they get in, it’s hard not to see him winning it. I’d give it to him over Roberto Luongo, Ward and talented rooks Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne.

12.Steve Stamkos is finally looking like the No.1 overall pick under Rick Tocchet. He has been scoring and setting up goals lately. Expect a very good sophomore season.

13.Updating the Ranger game, they lead 1-0 on the Thrashers. Scott Gomez tallied his 17th from Derek Morris. Now changed to Chris Drury from Gomez and Morris. It must’ve got redirected. Apparently, it was ruled too high. So it didn’t count. Yahoo is about as dependable as the New York Knick defense.

14.Nobody talks about Zach Bogosian but he’s a future star on Atlanta’s blueline. Boy do they need that.

15.So the Sabres got one start out of Mikael Tellqvist. Great trade!

16.Someone should tell Bobby Holik that his foolish penalties could hurt the Devils in the second season. This isn’t Terminator.

17.If Parise is a stud for the Devils, then what is Kyle Okposo for the Islanders? He sure looks to be in that same mold. Imagine if they land Tavares. Could he save the franchise? Stay tuned.

18.I can’t think of a bigger jackass than Bob Gainey. Too bad his lifeless team will probably back into the playoffs by default with Florida falling apart.

19.Anyone else think Jay Bouwmeester will land in Montreal?

20.It’s hard to ignore what Crosby’s done putting up points in 14 straight. He’s easy to hate but we have to give credit where it’s due.

21.Colorado sure must hate Tony Granato.

22.2nd Ranger Update: Zherdev scores late in the period from Dubinsky and Sjostrom to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead after one. They still have the Drury no-goal in the Yahoo boxscore even tho it says 1-0. Wtf???

You can’t make it up.

23.Finally, regarding Alexander Ovechkin’s goal celebrations, I’m on the side that likes them. While it’s true his 50th preplanned one was lame, it’s nice to see an electrifying superstar with passion. I seem to recall Devils’ 2003 Cup hero Jeff Friesen having some pretty cool celebrations after goals. Why not? They should be pumped. It’s not easy to score in this league and last we checked, it looks like Ovie will be the only 50-goal member. Let the guy have a little fun.