Well it is Friday…time to hide the men, women, and children…..wait..wait…wait…..it’s just hockey…..it doesn’t bite or anything. But there sure is a boatload of fight in it and just how we like it here at the Blogspot.
Hockey Roundup — March 23rd
Four games tonight on the docket…..let’s get this one started….
HEADLINE GAME (Insert bad trumpet noise here)
Dallas Stars @ Anaheim Ducks 10pm EDT KDFI,FSPT
Two of the more physical teams in the West gear up for a huge playoff like battle to start determining who will take the Pacific. The Stars have creeped up to just five points out of first with a game in hand while the Ducks have sputtered a bit again…mostly without the services of Chris Pronger. The Ducks tend to get up for these battles so it will be interesting to see which Ducks team shows up. The Stars, on the other hand, have been hot on the power play. They have scored seven times in the last four with the man advantage and appear ready to make the Pacific resemble a three horse stampede to the end. The Ducks appear to be going in the opposite director after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Kings and then a 2-1 stunner to the Coyotes. Who wins tonight will go a long way in starting to make sense of the race for the Pacific. Check out The NHL Arena for the GDT and wrapups.
THE TSN GAME OF THE NIGHT…….
Seems TSN is pumping it up like they always do as the playoffs approach….tonite they have the Toronto — Buffalo matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres 8pm EDT TSN,MSG
The HSBC Arena will be rocking tonight as the Sabres have a chance to cement their #1 seed in the East and come a step closer to taking the Presidents Trophy. However, they will have a pesky opponent in the Maple Leafs, who come off a stirring 2-1 win against the Devils. These games are always tough and always a battle. The Sabres had a relatively easy time their last time out, defeating the Capitals 5-2. Ryan Miller has been steady behind the pipes going 7-3-2 in his last 12 games…while the embattled Andrew Raycroft is helping his team right the ship….after losing five of their last seven…the Leafs have bounced back to a 3-1-1 record in their last five. Raycroft’s numbers are better on the road and he will need a herculean effort tonight as the Sabres will want to put away the Leafs early. Look for Pominville, Drury, and company to put the Leafs D on their heels. If the Leafs can counterpunch well tonight, it will make for one hell of a game. Come check it all out on the GDT at The Arena.
In other playoff like action…..
Colorado Avalanche @ Edmonton Oilers 9PM EDT ALT, RSW
The Avs come in fighting for their playoff lives….six points out with only nine to play…the time is now to keep winning. Tonight is a must win against a team in the Oilers who has not won since the Ryan Smyth trade…that is just over a month folks. In the last meeting…the Avs clubbed the Oilers 5-1 sending Rexall Place into a blinding frenzy of the blahs and booing that baffled even the most the ardent fan. One fan attributed it to being like a mourning process where you are resigned to it the one minute and mad as hell the next. If Budaj and the Avs just stick to their game tonight, Sakic and company should come out with two points but always watch out for a team this hungry to get a win. The NHL Arena will have your GDT and your wrap to go.
And the one for the road…..
Los Angeles Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks 8:30 EDT NO TV
Just two teams playing out the string……..have a good night everyone and enjoy the action as the playoffs draw ever closer.
