November 14, 2011

Flyers @ Hurricanes

Is there a better player in the league right now than Claude Giroux? Like Jonathan Toews, this kid does everything. Playing alongside Jaromir Jagr, Giroux has been able to express his offense talents with ease. Just look at this sequence. Sweet pass by Jagr; smooth skating by Giroux.

It looks as though a change of scenery was all Jakub Voracek needed. Voracek has been on an incredible hot streak with seven points in his last four games. Hard work creates chances, like this play along the boards.

Matt Read is an early candidate for the Calder Trophy. Obviously he has some stiff competition with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog, Luke Adam and Craig Smith, but if this kid keeps up his play, a nomination is in sight.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Jussi Jokinen is very underrated. Look at his pass on Tuomo Ruutu’s goal. Not bad, right?

Oh yeah, Pat Dwyer got two short-handed goals as well. I guess that’s pretty good.

Sabres @ Canadiens

Jhonas Enroth is 13-0-1 in his last 14 starts and hasn’t lost a game this season. Are you kidding? Why are people not talking about this guy? I know Ryan Miller is a Vezina winner and will continue to be the starter, but Enroth deserves some credit!

Thomas Vanek makes shootouts look WAY too easy.

I see Derek Roy out at the local bars all the time and I’m not usually very excited. After this game, that might change. On the first goal, Roy shows tremendous vision in finding Jason Pominville. On the second goal, he pulls the same move twice on Alexei Emelin. Cutback Central!

After starting the season 1-6-2, the Canadiens have picked up their play slightly – jumping to 7-7-3. It’s not great, but to make the playoffs a team has to play better than they have as of late.

Lightning @ Jets

Ondrej Pavelec had one heck of a game with some timely saves. It was a much needed win after going 0-3-2 in his last five starts.

Mark Flood has four points in seven games for the Jets. That may not seem like a lot, but did anyone know his name before the season started?

In this game, I saw Bryan Little, Alexander Burmistrov and Evander Kane on the same line. That’s a pretty formidable line. Little has speed. Burmistrov has vision. Kane can snipe. Seriously, he snipes. It was a great keep by Dustin Byfuglien as well.

Steven Stamkos threw a hissy fit at the end of the game for being tripped. Relax Steven, you’re too precious to get hurt. Try faking another high-stick. That being said, Stamkos is a phenomenal hockey player.

Martin St. Louis keeps doing his thing night in and night out. He’s easily one of the best, most durable players over the past decade – a true pleasure to watch. 

Other news:

Milan Lucic was not suspended for his hit on Ryan Miller for lack of intent. HAHAHA.

How does it get more intentional than that?