Undefeated
The Devils have won their first game of the season.
One down, 81 to go. First undefeated NHL team in history, baby! We're the Devils!
October 10, 2002 - 10:57 PM
| Hockey
October 10, 2002 - 10:57 PM
The Devils have won their first game of the season.
One down, 81 to go. First undefeated NHL team in history, baby! We're the Devils!
October 10, 2002 - 10:57 PM
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Reality called. Devils still suck. =)
On a serious note, the first two nights of NHL action have been quite interesting. Teams are coming out flying, and with the addition of the newly added rules (I’ll get to those in a second), the game seems much more open and fast paced.
First and foremost, refs are clearly cracking down on penalties this year. In addition to the more tightly called games, they have begun calling a great many “obstruction” calls. Look for this to be a big factor all year long for teams. Expect less contact, more wide open skating, and a more european style of play this year. Perhaps this will be a benefit to my team - the Washington Capitals, who have many skilled Euro stars (Jagr, Bondra, Gonchar, Lang, and Zubrus to name a few.)
Also added to this year’s rules is the quick face-offs. Whereas last year teams could stall in between plays with line changes in hopes of giving their players a quick rest. Teams now have 8 seconds to get their lines on and off the ice during stoppage in play. I predict coaches will look for other sneaky ways to get their stars a breather - most likely with more scrums in between plays. Expect a little more pushing and shoving this year. =)
A few observations over the last few days regarding a few teams. Its kinda lengthy, but here is my NHL 2002/2003 preview:
-Red Wings : Yikes… still a nasty force. New coach, new goalie. Cujo looks red hot.
-Avalanche : Lost Drury, but have a healthy Peter Forsberg this year. Still a threat.
-Stars : Additions of Guieren, Hecht, and Dahlen have given Dallas a much more potent offense. Expect them to make a run in the playoffs this year.
-Devils : After losing two rather key players (in my opinion) over the off season, will the new look Devils be able to make a run? I expect a few more moves to be made throughout the season.
-Pittsburgh : Season Ticket sales are down after losing Jagr 2 summers ago, and Lang this past summer (both to their rival Washington Capitals). Up and coming star Kris Beech can’t carry the load by himself this year. Super Mario’s back isn’t going to hold out all season. Kovalev has 1 year remaining until free agency. Things are looking bad for the Pens… (did I mention the Leafs killed them 6-0 tonight?)
-Washington : Ah yes, my Caps. New coach, re-inspired team. Key healthy players are back after season ending injuries last year. Picked up Lang over from Pittsburgh, and have a few new rookies as well as gritty RW Grier recently acquired from Edmonton. The Caps, at least on paper, look quite dangerous.. we’ll see how they play under rookie coach Cassidy.
-Columbus: Why am I even mentioning the Blue Jackets? Will they make playoffs? Honestly, no. But top draft pick Nash acquired last summer has earned himself a roster spot. The youngest player on the team, Nash records his first goal in his first NHL game, earning himself player of the game. Not a bad start…
-New York: No, I haven’t forgotten about the Who Wants To Be a Millionare New York Rangers. Coming off another typical summer, 10+ million later, the already stacked Rangers lineup now has star defenseman Darius Kasparitus AND Bobby Holik (who was paid FAR more money than he is worth). While the Rangers seem to blow it every year proving time and time again that YOU CAN’T BUY A STANLEY CUP (excluding Detroit of course). But, with a roster that includes, Leetch, Kaspar, Bure, Messier, Holik, Lindros, Nedved, and Richter among others… I see the Rags finally making a playoff appearance this year. I hate the Rangers, but they looked awfully good on opening night’s 4-1 win over Carolina. Then again, Carolina also looked like crap…
San Jose: While quickly becoming one of the best teams in the Western Conference, they are going nowhere until they sign star goalie Nabakov and leading defeseman Stuart. Their loss is quickly showing as the Sharks currently trail the Red Wings 6-3. The Sharks offense still holds star forwards Damphousse, Nolan, and the gritty Ricci, I don’t see them being enough to compete with their current gaps in defense.
Thats all for now. Quite an exciting, high scoring start to the 2002/2003 season. A recurring trend this year seems to have several stars having 2-goal opening nights. Among them thus far - Messier, Nedved, Maltby, Damphousse, Leclair, Federov, Madden, Sundin… well you get the picture. Not bad for only 2 nights of hockey. Thats all from me, enjoy a new, more wide open, and more exciting NHL season. And Go Caps.