We just did a new piece on the cool Minny 3rd jerseys. Just purchased a Mikko Koivu as a late birthday gift. The entry isn’t just about the jersey as it also discusses a key quote from Eric Belanger on a recent OT win over Calgary in which they held a huge SOG edge. It was pretty interesting to say the least and seemed to infer disgust at the current point system. So, that was the all important second part of the article. If interested, “A Wild 3rd Jersey Plus A Telling Quote” can be found in entirety. An excerpt:

Of course, he’s referring to the silly point system that rewards losing teams no matter what. The flipside is that one can argue that Miikka Kiprusoff earned his team a point. Maybe it’s just us but we prefer the old system that gave you two for a win and none for a loss regardless. It would separate the pile up we got in the East minus Carolina.

Hope the holiday season is treating ya ‘ll well.

Battle Of New York

Or if you want the entire domain, please copy and paste this:

http://battleofny.blogspot.com/

We hope to see you over there and appreciate all our followers, including a couple of fans who actually recognized me at games. Thanks for the continued support!

Derek

That the three-time Stanley Cup winner, Olympic gold medalist and four-time Vezina recipient also recently became the most active goalie in minutes played and also soon enough games played demonstrates just how durable he has been throughout a Hall Of Fame 16-year career. When I think of Marty, one word comes to mind. Consistency. All the consecutive 40+ win seasons prove it along with the fact the ageless 37 year-old is still performing at a high enough level to wonder if Cup No.4 is coming back to the Garden State on what’s a very good Devil team. Leave that debate for another day.

As someone who has had to watch the best No.30 provide many headaches, the man is a champion on and off the ice who handles himself the way another great player in the metro area does. No wonder they share so much in common except that the Devil franchise plays in obscurity, even if The Rock in Newark is a great arena. So, what if he doesn’t play across the Path on Broadway under the spotlight. This is what has always driven Kool Aid drinkers nuts. For that reason, Brodeur has flown under the radar despite staking his claim as the all-time greatest player to play the most important position in the NHL. If you don’t have a good goalie, you’ll never win Lord Stanley. Ex. Philadelphia Flyers

We’re not here to discuss the difference between playing in The Big Apple and the sister state where Lady Liberty really stands. Something proud New Jerseyans will remind you if you’re from NYC. Perhaps it has to do with the face both the Giants and Jets have New York across their uniforms while playing at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. So, can you blame them?

It shouldn’t matter that Brodeur plays under the shadows for the Devils. Fact is they’re one of the greatest current sports franchises on par with the Red Wings, Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Spurs and Red Sox. Notice the great company they’re in. Only Detroit and San Antonio have won more championships. We left out the Yankees because they’re still the best franchise, now having won five World Series since 1996. Of course, it’s easy to point out that the Yanks play in the Bronx which ain’t exactly paradise even if the brand new Stadium is a crown jewel. If you’re a successful franchise, it shouldn’t matter where you play. Try telling that to this town where if you make it here, you’ll make it anywhere as Frank Sinatra once said.

Would it kill the Daily News or NY Post to give MB30 his proper due instead of the same old same old recycled covers? Guess that’s what happens when you play for New Jersey. It just doesn’t have the same sex appeal. In the newspaper business, they’re trying to sell papers. So, it’s always going to be something over the top and usually from this city. That is unless there’s a bunch of fluff like Tiger Woods’ marriage on rocks due to incompetence. Does anyone really care about his personal life? But hey. It sells. So, we’ll excuse the tabloids for eating it up.

What can’t be ignored is how poorly this sport is treated by ESPN. At one time, they aired games for x amount of years, including a couple we provided stats research for the talent. When I worked there, all the employees involved in making it a great production put everything and more into it. Considering all the money they invested in hockey, it made plenty of sense. One thing about Bristol, Connecticut. If they cover your sport, expect them to give a yeoman effort. Even if it’s resulted in butchering Monday Night Football. The best thing I’ve seen since 2002 was the 30 In 30 features, including The Trade of Wayne Gretzky, which was excellently produced. That’s ESPN at its best. If you want it at its worst, watch Sports Center. A show that once was great as a kid now has zero imagination, even ticking off their own researchers that put in hard hours for ridiculous storylines that have little to do with sports.

That’s what we’re dealing with since Disney took over. If they cover your sport, you’ll usually get great highlights and over analysis. See last night where Aaron Rodgers was treated like a Super Bowl winning quarterback. SC was basically football, football, FOOTBALL with a little AI, then more football, football, FOOTBALL. Sadly, the real King Of The Night- who deserved a lot more than the 11+ percent if most sportsfans weren’t so brainwashed- was reduced to a small blurb showing 2 miniscule highlights of his 103rd career shutout that tied a significant record. Then, they went back to more football. If you caught our last post early this morning on our birthday, then you already know.

Since hockey is hardly covered anymore after Bristol passed on re-upping due to the lockout with it instead winding up on Versus, where DirecTV subscribers got royally screwed and couldn’t catch one second of MB30’s shining moment, it comes as no surprise that such a special night got lost in the ESPN shuffle. Sadly, it’s worse than Phil’s recurring events in Groundhog Day. Even the Rangers aren’t this bad yet. Somehow, Barry Melrose and Matt Barnaby cash checks for zilch. John Buccigross, who’s one of the best hockey people in The States, remains employed working SC. He wrote a damn good column over a week ago on Brian Burke’s openly gay son Brendan. How unfortunate that we don’t benefit from Bucci’s enthusiasm for the sport.

Earlier this year, I pondered if a return to ESPN would be beneficial to the game. Sure. It would be more available to viewers and promoted better than what we get on Versus along with NBC, who has the NHL by the balls. But when I see how little it’s covered along with the ultimate disrespect to a super special athlete who’s much more likable than most of the pampered they push, it would be an exercise in futility. They don’t deserve Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom, Zach Parise, John Tavares and Matt Duchene. Clearly, there’s more talent on display than ever before.

We don’t deserve to be treated like second class citizens. So, while they can continue showcasing the overrated and image conscientious LeBron, I’ll take our gifted batch anyday with Mr. Brodeur the head of the class. Everything a real superstar should be. One of the best to ever play the game and a truly magnificent athlete. Even Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning would agree.

What ever happened to Sports Center?!?!?!?!?!?! Back in my heyday, it kicked ass and I’d always watch before grabbing the bus to school. Now, it’s just an awful show full of garbage that doesn’t even cover everything but just the sports Bristol airs. Here’s a rundown of what we saw on silence as I danced to some beats:

foootball football footballl foooootbbbaalllll AI  fooootballll fooootballlllll foooootballlllll fooooootballlllll oh btw Martin Brodeur tied some record fooooooootballllllll foooooootbbbaalllllllllllll fooooooooootbbbbbaallllllll foooootballlll fooooootbbbbballlllllllll FOOTBALL FOOOOOTBALLLLL FOOOOOTTTBALLL FOOOOOOOTTBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

More on how we feel over at the original Battle location. Any questions???

While Marty was the headliner, tonight’s game was far from a one-man show as an improving defense allowed only twelve shots on net in the first two periods against a good Sabres team, and the Devils’ offense put up three goals within twenty-one minutes against Ryan Miller – who only came into the game with a 1.85 GAA and .936 save percentage.  Perhaps it was fitting that the record-tying shutout was such a team effort with a dominant defense.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Devils game without another MIA player.  Tonight it was Mike Mottau, who caught the flu (oh how I sympathize with ye!).  Matthew Corrente played in Mottau’s place and logged 9:23 including a confidence-building shift late with Mark Fraser as the team was looking to protect the historic shutout.  Perhaps the best part of the night for the team going forward was that Corrente was the only player to receive less than ten minutes of icetime tonight.  Even a previously ineffective fourth line looks a lot better with Illka Pikkaranen and Rod Pelley having a fire lit under them by respective benchings, and the return of forwards Jay Pandolfo and Rob Niedermayer, enabling Jacques Lemaire to spread out minutes more evenly.  With tonight being the fourth of a seven-game in eleven-day stretch, this team needs every man to be a factor, particularly in the immediate future.

Even without Mottau, the Devils’ D looks bolstered by the return of Johnny Oduya, who played a team-leading 26:13 in only his second game back and now looks a lot more comfortable than he did early in the season.  Perhaps he felt pressure to live up to his new contract?  If Oduya can truly play at this level without needing Paul Martin to watch his back, the Devils’ unheralded D becomes that much more dangerous.  Andy Greene ‘only’ played 24:42 tonight, but still managed an assist – giving him 15 points in 25 games, numbers not seen by a Devils defenseman since Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski were roaming around the halls of the CAA.

Before Brodeur could make history however, there was the small matter of winning the game, no easy task playing their fourth game in six nights against a good Sabres team.  Despite a semi-slow start, the Devils outshot the Sabres 12-5 in the first period and two late goals got the ball rolling downhill.  First, a suddenly hot Brian Rolston scored at 17:51 when he poked a loose puck through a crowd and past Miller in front for his tenth goal of the year, with Patrik Elias and Vladimir Zharkov getting the assists on what turned out to be the winning goal.  Just 67 seconds later, Travis Zajac doubled the Devils’ lead with his ninth goal of the year, firing a slap shot that may have deflected off of Andrej Sekera but definitely went past Miller and stunned the home crowd.  Zach Parise and Colin White would get the assists on Zajac’s goal.

For all intents and purposes, the Devils put the game away with a PP goal after just 39 seconds of the second period when Nicklas Bergfors fired a screened shot that went past Miller, giving Bergfors his ninth of the season after assists from Jamie Langenbrunner and Greene.  Interestingly, nine different players registered the points on those three goals.  With a comfortable margin against a surprisingly flat Sabres team, the rest of the night became about the pursuit of history.  Brodeur faced few real challenges, perhaps the most daunting was Steve Montador’s attempt early in the third period that only a quick glove was able to stop.

As the significance of this game dawned on everyone, Doc went into full storytelling mode late in the game – recounting how Marty kept pucks from all of his shutouts but only had 102 1/2 because of a 0-0 tie with Dominik Hasek, where both men kept a piece of the puck.  Maybe it was too bad in a way that the game wasn’t on FSNY but at least Doc himself was there, as was a national audience watching VERSUS.  To their credit, VERSUS did a good enough job in the wake of the record-tying shutout, interviewing Marty and Doc himself in the postgame.

BoNY Three Stars:

1. Martin Brodeur (22 saves, record-tying 103rd career SO)
2. Nicklas Bergfors (PP goal, +1 and 6 SOG in 14:37)
3. Brian Rolston (goal, +1 and 4 SOG in 14:12)

So, why the title? Because our team officially sucks. There’s no reason to even play the remaining 53 as this dysfunctional batch wearing Ranger jerseys aren’t seeing the playoffs unless they purchase a ticket. Not when even on a night Brian Boyle found the back of the net, Henrik Lundqvist reverted with a softie right thru the wickets with 2:03 left, sending many including us to the exits.

Hey. At least the Detroit contingent had something to cheer. They were everywhere. Ran into Mickey Redmond too before the game as he was getting ready to enter the broadcast booth for Hockey Town. Dave Maloney also was there and we gave him some love, saying he deserved to be on national TV which he appreciated. Joe Micheletti also was there. Think both he and Maloney auto’d this diehard fan Steve’s home white Ranger jersey which had between 25-30 on it, including <gulp> Al Rotwig. Apparently, he gets everyone and considers the ‘casters part of the team, noting how Wiggie was shocked because nobody ever asks for his. Duh.

Look. I knew they had no chance in Hell of winning this game. We don’t beat the Red Wings. The one time they did was a few years prior when The Dominator had a nightmarish first that included losing the puck for an empty netter. And that was in the real bad days when it was humiliating to lose to us. Well, those days have returned. Even with Marian Gaborik leading in goals and second in scoring, this team is God awful. To make matters worse, the Wings did a great job keying on The Big Ticket, holding him without a shot. Gabby tried but Nick Lidstrom was real strong, making a key defensive play before Dan Cleary’s decider. Guess that’s what happens when you play the best as soon after, Lidstrom fed Henrik Zetterberg, who was unstoppable all game, setting up the first two Wing scores in what amounted to an all to predictable 3-1 win.

Zetterberg faked and then held the puck forever before shooting down low to Cleary, who somehow squeaked one through from a horrible angle. Do the words swiss cheese mean anything to The Queen? I know it’s too hard to ask him to come up with consecutive good games as even the first Detroit marker was off a leaky rebound of a sharp angle Zetterberg backhand. Maybe he was in a giving mood against his countrymen. It’s just so disappointing because he didn’t play badly. But the guy just doesn’t get it done often enough for this team to have a chance. So, while the joke known as The Garden continues to whore him in every Garden Of Dreams ad along with overpriced Casino Night, when does he start living up to his celebrity status? Lundqvist after a game in which Jimmy Howard outplayed him by a country mile, stoning Ryan Callahan on a penalty shot and denying Chris Higgins’ bid:

“I knew I was in trouble when I couldn’t really see it in front of me. I was expecting a shot earlier, and then I just went far down and I kind of got stuck there. It is a tough one to let in that late.”

That would be because ageless Tomas Holmstrom was doing the screening just as he had at the conclusion of a Detroit power play in the mid-frame that led to Pavel Datsyuk evening it. Still one he can’t allow. Especially at that critical juncture when just getting a point in this ass backwards league is life and death. You wonder what the deal is with Lundqvist. Why does he suffer so many concentration lapses? The people standing behind us in Sec.411 kept referring to how this franchise will never win with him. What does that say? Would it kill John Tortorella to see what Chad Johnson can do? Of course, he won’t be in when they visit the Windy City Wednesday. But with it blatantly obvious that this edition is better off missing and playing for a lottery pick, what’s the point of overplaying Henrik?

It doesn’t get any easier after the Blackhawks as the Sabres pay a visit to MSG Saturday and the much more skilled Thrashers also come in. And here’s what’s even sadder. Atlanta has a realistic shot of making the playoffs with Nik Antropov anchoring their first line. All Russian with Buffalo castoff Maxim Afinogenov and super duper star Ilya Kovalchuk. They also have a good goalie tandem with Ondrej Pavelec and Johan Hedberg each performing well. Plus a nice supporting cast that includes Rich Peverley, Slava Kozlov, Todd White, Bryan Little, Evander Kane and a revamped blueline built around Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian. Remember when they had no hope after unloading Marian Hossa to the Pens for a package that included hexed Angelo Esposito? Look at the team they’ve built.

When does it happen here? Maybe when they stop obsessing over the annoying egocentric Dancin’ “Homo” Larry. What exactly does this buffoon do? Is he on the payroll? Everytime he does his redundant choreographed routine, it’s the opponent that usually scores as was the case tonight. And yes. That was basically uttered before they put the damn spotlight on him. When you have fans uttering, “Game over,” you know it’s gotten way played out. Our section hates him with a passion. Where do you think the “Homo Larry” chant originated from?

Look. I could care less how passionate this baldheaded stooge is. Nobody who pays for their ticket comes to see him dance. If we wanted a Disco Night, go to a night club. There are plenty to choose from. This is H-O-C-K-E-Y! Someone needs to get that message out to Dolan and the losers. Heck. Our fan of the game was a security guard, who the whole night stood next to us and even remarked how it’s time for them to stop showing Larry. When is enough ENOUGH?

Here’s hoping we at least get a good lottery pick.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Nicklas Lidstrom, Det (2 assists, 3 SOG, hit, 2 blocked shots, +1 in 26:15)

2nd Star-Henrik Zetterberg, Det (2 assists, game high 7 SOG, +2 in 22:51)

1st Star-Jimmy Howard, Det (28 saves incl. stop on Cally PS and Higgins breakaway, 12/12 in 3rd)

The question is can they do it again in a 24-hour span? If it’s to be, they’ll have to earn it against another good team. Though the Red Wings are currently out of the playoffs due to a slew of injuries, they gave the Devils all they could handle last night in a very exciting 4-3 skill comp win for the guys in Newark. That it needed such a silly finish speaks to how ridiculous the league has become with way too many games that get to OT winding up there. A one-on-one ain’t a way to decide such valuable extra points. But we digress.

The Red Wings still boast some of the greatest players on the earth with incomparable Nick Lidstrom along with dynamic duo Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. So, it will be far from easy for a team that doesn’t score much. Marian Gaborik has another chance to shine in an always sexy Original Six classic match-up. If only we could play the Wings more because they’re the team with some of the best jerseys in the game. And just to see such remarkable talent including the underappreciated Chris Osgood is always a treat.

Are our Blueshirts up to the task tonight? Faceoff’s after 7 where hopefully the Giants will have somehow saved their season against the hated Cowboys, who lead by a field goal in the second quarter. We’ll be in our usual Sec.411 seats in second to last row donning a classic road Quebec Nordiques jersey. Might even find 2Man’s Josh Burnett, who will be there with a friend.

See ya later!

One listen to the respectable Candy Cane tandem of John Forslund and Tripp Tracy details the seriousness of what was a dangerous hit by the game’s brightest star. Ovechkin was also kicked out of a Buffalo game for catching Patrick Kaleta from behind. So, there was no way the NHL could ignore this latest incident. Amazingly, Gleason returned to the game and the two-time rating MVP tested his knee this morning after looking a lot worse being helped off the ice.

While two games is a start, it says here Ovechkin should’ve received at least four. Especially because of how he led with the knee. A no no in our sport. While we were really tough via Twitter feeling such a reckless hit should warrant eight games, Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski notes that The Great Eight didn’t have a reputation, which might better explain the light sentence. One which has infuriated the hockey world because he probably could use those two nights off to help recover. The Caps don’t play until Thursday anyway. Not that coach Bruce Boudreau minds. Especially if his top gun is alright. Even he expressed genuine concern for how Ovie plays. Of course, his pupil basically came out and said he was invincible. But that’s hardly the right approach after such a close call.

We hardly expect Ovechkin to change his style but as Boudreau alluded to, he should sit down and talk to his big star, advising him to better pick his spots. It’ll benefit the Caps in the long run. Especially with such a loaded roster that is on the cusp of challenging for Lord Stanley. They might be only a defenseman away from winning the franchise’s first Cup. Would they ever consider trading Alex Semin? A topic for another day.

Hopefully, AO will learn from this and comeback smarter. The game needs him in the spotlight. Even if the league can get carried away at times. This is one of the great talents the game has ever seen and with the persona to match. Let’s hope he keeps it clean.

Sometimes, there are things you just can’t explain. For disgruntled Ranger fans who witnessed this remarkable feat along with waste Donald Brashear playing second line with Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan, it was insult to injury. Oh. We’ve always liked Rupper and he was available over the summer but while John Tortorella let Colton Orr walk to Toronto and sign the washed up stiff, the Penguins wound up with a bargain, inking Rupp to a multi-year worth an average of 825 K. Not bad for an in prime 29 year-old who’s carved a niche. Did we mention Brashear is signed for two at $1.4 per? Ugh. Well, at least my late Thai dinner didn’t come up yet. And man, was it good.

Anyway, despite the final score, it wasn’t indicative as the Rangers actually competed. Sure. Marian Gaborik tallied twice for his league-leading 20th and 21st. But with under 10 minutes to go, it was anyone’s game. And while the refs/linesmen were God awful ignoring many Pen infractions while inventing two bogus ones on us (Brashear phantom hook, Dan Girardi boarding when he hit Rupp from side by far ref 40 feet away!!!!!), that wasn’t why they lost.

It was because our overrated goalie again shit the bed, allowing Rupp to blow one past the weak glove deflating MSG with the exception of many Pen fans, who had to love what they saw. When you can turn Michael Rupp into Sid The Kid or Geno, something’s very wrong. I know we beat it to death in this space but when oh when will Mr. GQ fix the glove and come out and challenge like Marc-Andre Fleury did, making two large stops with the game in the balance? It’s not that I dislike Henrik Lundqvist. He’s done some good things here backstopping the club to four postseasons and a pair of second rounds while conducting himself professionally- a word that’s not in Tiger Woods’ dictionary. Speaking of which, while Tiger might be arrogant, the man ain’t one of the greatest athletes we’ve seen for nothing. So while he might have issues at home with a gem of a wife, he can at least back it up on the golf course. To be considered the best, you have to deliver when it matters most. Unfortunately, time and time again this season, Lundqvist has failed to hold up his end of the bargain.

Save us the built in excuses that the D is suspect and that Artie Anisimov lost an edge which allowed the Pens to take full advantage. Even our home ice is against us. I could care less what defenseman and our forwards didn’t do to allow a glorified fourth liner like Rupp to come in untouched. That’s one you ask your so-called franchise goalie to stop. No ifs, ands or buts about it. More disturbing was the Pens’ insurance marker that came off a faceoff. Save me the whole, ‘Well, Sidney Crosby got a piece of Mark Eaton’s shot.’ That was one of the softest goals Lundqvist has ever permitted. Never has he looked smaller. While he might enjoy the night life our city has to offer, this man has some serious soul searching to do. He needs to ask himself does he want to be great or just what Anthony proclaimed.

“The most overrated goalie since Vanbiesbrouck.“

I liked Beezer growing up but he was never in the same category as Mike Richter. I hate to say it but I could care less if Henrik beats Richter in wins, shutouts, etc. He’s not better than No.35. Right now, he’s a good netminder with holes in his game. He can’t play the puck, has no glove and also stinks on breakaways because he’s become way too passive. Has all of it gone straight to his head? The models. The endorsements. The Garden Of Dreams. The Good Life. I don’t know. But I get the feeling Lundqvist is satisfied. Ask the opposite No.30 across the Hudson the same question and we’ll bet, you’ll get a resounding NO. That’s despite accomplishing anything and everything in the sport.

It’d be very easy to chalk this one up to not being as physically gifted as the mighty Pens, whose captain dominated again- picking high glove via a backhand which Lundqvist also should’ve had. We’re not going to do it because his teammates were in position to win. And for his big stop on Jordan Staal shorthanded and another with the club trailing, here’s a question my Dad wondered along with most of our section except the idiot wearing a Mario Lemieux jersey, who even cheered the weak calls his team got. When does Lundqvist start making those kinda momentum stops with it all knotted? Fleury did twice, coming out aggressively to deny our guys from taking a lead. God forbid our overpaid elite goalie did.

When Crosby got credit for his second of the night with four and change left, I didn’t bother staying. What was the point? When my brother informed me Rupp hit the empty net for a trick, increasing his career best in goals to eight, I was like, ‘It figures.’ It’s so easy to get upset when your team loses. But this one is on the goalie, who too often has played like a sieve. As if to prove a point, the following excerpt from a convo that took place as I was filing out downstairs:

“I think we need another goalie. He was just awful. He allowed three bad goals. Maybe it’s time to find someone else.“

As if this franchise didn’t have enough problems. And there’s this also. When Lundqvist made a routine stop down 2-3, some sarcastic cheers could be heard. Not too loud but just noticeable enough to pick up. More fans are starting to notice that just maybe Lundqvist isn’t the goalie for this team’s future. But then, who the heck is? Chad Johnson’s been real steady for Hartford. But what else is there? Goalies take a while to develop. Kinda wish they’d held onto Al Montoya instead of ruining him. Something the Rangers are very good at.

Btw, how’s Nigel Dawes doing these days in Alberta? Couldn’t use him now. Even Jamie Lundmark would be an upgrade with our popgun offense. All this makes me feel for Gaborik, who if he was on a halfway decent team, would be our runaway choice for the Hart. Imagine how many goals The Big Ticket might have playing around better talent. He signed with us. It all could’ve been different if Alexei Cherepanov was alive. I don’t think this team’s that far away either. Especially with the progress we’re seeing from our young blueline with Bobby Sanguinetti looking ready. Tort finally got around to taking our suggestions on the D pairs putting Michal Rozsival with Marc Staal while sticking Girardi with Mike Del Zotto while Sangs worked with Matt Gilroy. Give it some time. Though it says here Wade Redden is missed. I like what I see from Sanguinetti. Now, we need to see what he can do on the power play and sit out Rozy.

What the organization should do is sacrifice the year. I know it’s got no chance of happening because the East’s not that good, meaning they’ll probably hang around. But what’s the point? It’d be another one and done. Let’s lose more games and bring up the kids. We really need to bottom out and get a high lottery pick. It would be best for the future. With kids like Evgeny Grachev, Derek Stepan, Ryan Bourque, Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin, Roman Horak, Ethan Werek, Tomas Kundratek and Ryan McDonagh, the whole look of this team’s going to dramatically change. Give it 2-3 years. If only we knew what to expect from the goalie.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Sidney Crosby, Pit (2 goals, assist, 3 SOG, takeaway, 9-10 draws, +2 in 24:10)

2nd Star-Marian Gaborik, NYR (2 goals-league leading 20th, 21st, game high 7 SOG, takeaway in 22:23)

1st Star-Mike Rupp, Pit (1st career hat trick-6, 7, 8, 5 SOG, 4 hits, +3 in 13:12)