I also alluded to the fact that I rejoined one of my old hockey pools, so needless to say for the past week I've been tracking some of the games, keeping an eye on early stats and getting a feel for what changes (if any) that I would need to make to the picks in this particular pool.The pool itself follows most of the standard rules you'll find in any hockey pool or fantasy hockey league but with it's own tweaks and spins that make it more enjoyable for first time participants, and even allows groups of people to fill slots in the pool roster.
Friday is the deadline to finalize your picks for the season, leaving some moments throughout the year for potential swaps and changes. After all, injuries do happen. But this Friday remains the last chance to give your initial picks (aside from drafted players - they're locked) a bit of a makeover.
As such I've decided I'm going to do a sort of Week in Review of what's gone down in the NHL, including surprises, disappointments and my take on who's Hot and who's Not.
Since this is the first week there's not too much to go on, as for who's really Hot or Cold, give it another week and we'll see who's really sleeping on the job.
Suprises
The Toronto Maple Leafs started last season 0-8 and notched only 2 wins in their first 11 games. In a complete 180 degree turnaround the Leafs have opened up this season at 3-0, including a lashing of the Ottawa Senators and their latest victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight.Mr. Lady Byng, Pavel Datsyuk, who won the Lady Byng Memorial trophy 4 years in a row (prior to last season) got into a scrap with Corey Perry during their opening game against the Anaheim Ducks, marking Datsyuk's first regular season fight in nearly 10 years in the NHL.
The Lady Byng trophy is given to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
Disappointments
The Anaheim Ducks are off to a disastrous start, currently sitting 0-3 and currently facing Vancouver as I write this. In 4 games, the Ducks have scored only three goals and allowed a whopping 15, though I wouldn't blame Jonas Hiller for that (see below). The Ducks blue line is obviously reeling from the loss of Scott Niedermayer and need to get their act together if they hope to get things back on course early in the season.I hate Sidney Crosby and the Penguins but luckily this falls under disappointments, which is fine with me. The Kid and his partner in crime, Evgeni Malkin haven't started off the season with much of a spark, having each only 1 goal and an assist in 4 games. Hardly tragic, considering this is only the first week - but like I said, I hate those guys, so good riddance.
The New Jersey Devils began the season with a streak of bad luck, including blowing a lead in their opening game and a blowout against Washington which saw Martin Brodeur surrender 7 goals. They notched their first win tonight in OT thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk's first goal. Their front line has the potential to go on a tear, so I don't expect them to sit in this category for long.
Who's Hot
Teams:
Toronto Maple Leafs - (3-0-0)
Washington Capitals - (3-1-0)
Players: Alex Ovechkin, LW (WAS) - 4G 3A +3
Steven Stamkos, C (TB) - 3G 2A +1 (only two games played)
Marian Hossa, RW (CHI) - 3G 3A +5
Derek Roy, C (BUF) - 4G 1A +1
John-Michael Liles, D (COL) - 5A +4
Johnathan Quick, G (LA) - 2W Save% .964, GAA 0.96
Nikolai Khabibulin, G (EDM) - 2W, 1 Shutout, Save% .969, GAA 1.00
Jimmy Howard, G (DET) - 1W 1OTL, 1 Shutout, Save% .932, GAA 1.94
Who's Not
Teams:
Anaheim Ducks - (0-3-0)
Ottawa Senators - (0-2-1)
Players:
Anaheim Ducks, except Jonas Hiller - faced 39/43 and 45/49 shots in his first two games before being pulled before the end of the second period of their third game, after already having faced 35 shots in as many minutes.
Like I mentioned before, it's still very early in the season, but it's definitely off to an interesting start.
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