Studs & Duds - Friday 3-1-2013

[NoWayOut]

Studs

If you want to win, employ a Finn

That particular bit of wisdom comes from the world of motorsports. But it does have it's applications beyond the racetrack. In this case, one Teemu Selanne. The Finnish Flash and the teams he's played for have been winners more often then not over his illustrious career. Last night he passed Luc Robitaille on the all-time goals scored list. He netted his 669th career goal, leaving him just two back of fellow greybeard Jaromir Jagr for 10th and just 19 behind Mario Lemieux in ninth. And, oh yeah, by the way, the Ducks won thereby reinforcing the title of this piece.

May the Schwartz be with you

Blues rookie Jaden Schwartz showed the Oilers that his schwartz was indeed bigger than theirs, by tallying a goal to start the Blues 4-0 run, and added an assist on Backes' insurance goal to seal the 4-2 victory. Yogurt... I mean Ken Hitchcock, gave the rookie a chance to play in a top line role, and Lone Starr...damnit, I mean Jaden delivered. In addition to the goal Jaden tacked on a team high six shots. Yeah I know the Spaceballs jokes are done to death, but it's still one of my top five movies, so sue me.

Get back on that horse and ride

In his first game back after being hauled off the ice at the Joe on a stretcher, Artem Anisimov did his part to help the Blue Jackets try and hand the Blackhawks their first loss in regulation. Sadly things didn't work out for Columbus, but Artem notched a goal, four shots, blocked a shot, and won 12 of his 17 faceoffs. A great effort in his return from what was a really nasty collision and scare for all who saw it.

Like a scene from Groundhog day....

We just keep living the same thing over and over. This time the scene features Brent Seabrook in the starring role as he potted the OT winner for the 'Hawks. They've now run their streak to 21 games without a loss in regulation. In addition to the game winning goal, Seabrook also added three shots, three blocked shots, and eight hits in just under 27 minutes of ice time.


Duds

By demons be driven

One night after the Oilers and Devan Dubnyk conquered their collective demons in Big D, the magic failed to follow them to St. Louis. After being staked to a 2-0 lead the Blues came back to hang four unanswered goals on Dubbie, leaving him with a 4.12/.867 line for the night. Look on the bright side Devan, that's better than your career 4.72/.843 line against the Blues. Until further notice, you might want to have a plan B in place on your fantasy squad when Dubnyk faces St. Louis.

A swing and a miss on that hanging curveball

Marian Hossa is having a splendid bounceback from that Raffi Torres cheapshot during the playoffs last spring. But he has points in just three of the last nine games, and with marshmallow soft Columbus on the menu last night he had goose-eggs in the goals and assists columns and was a minus-2 for the night. He did chip in five shots, second only to Victor Stalberg on the team, but you just expected him to feast on Steve Mason. He'll be fine going forward though so no reason for poolies to sweat this missed opportunity.

From the you just can't make this sh*t up file

This dud didn't happen on the ice, rather off the ice, in the nice comfy front offices of the Calgary Flames. More precisely behind the desk of one Jay Feaster. As you've all heard by now the Flames came periliously close to losing two draft picks to the Avalanche and also Ryan O'Reilly to waivers. Still even though it's been broadcast far and wide, Jay deserves a dud award for not having the foresight to contact the NHL offices to clarify the rules prior to the tendering the offer sheet. Then to sit back in his press release about the matter and say that the Flames don't interpret the rule in the same manner that the league does. Jay....it doesn't matter how you interpret the rule, only the NHL's interpretation matters. When all else fails, read the instructions.

Quick Hits

- Victor Stalberg contributed 1g, 1a, 6 SOG, 2 PIM, and a plus-3 to Chicago's win.

- Ryan Getzlaf had a night to forget in the faceoff circle. He went a paltry 4-for-16. He did at least add a goal to the winning effort.

- Vladimir Sobotka picked up 1g, 1a, and 4 hits. His goal was the game winner for the Blues.

- Fantasy pariah Devin Setoguchi has put together a mini-streak of four points in his last three games, and four points in the last five. This is really only of note in the deepest of fantasy leagues at the moment.

[Bomm Bastic]

Your best yet, NWO. Great job,, especially given so little to work with.

[msb]

Nice read.

Congrats to Selanne, such an impressive career. When I watch the ducks I take it for granted that Selanne is playing because... he has always just, "been there" while growing up.

Feaster needs a huge palm to the face thread with a multitude of gifs.

[PrairieDog]

Teemu could probably play another year - great write up!

[NoWayOut]

Your best yet, NWO. Great job,, especially given so little to work with.

Thanks Bomm. Luckily there's just one more three game Friday left. And after having that Friday night with just one game, coming up with material from a three game night is a piece of cake.

[NoWayOut]

Teemu should play another year - great write up!

Fixed your quote for you.