2/4/12- Studs & Duds

[guthey]

Studs

Ilya Koval-punch and the Moose- Ilya Kovalchuk's Gordie Howe hat trick day was the definition of making an impact. Kovalchuk was dangerous offensively and as engaged with the other aspects game any player, role player or otherwise could be, just ask Brayden Schenn. Kovalchuk has the potential for games like this that very few superstars do in the NHL but he can not become a multi-cat threat on a regular basis because it often hurts his team when he crosses the line of aggressive to out of control. On some days like yesterday, his play was as good as it gets in terms of balancing both facets of his game. Usually the threat of his physical side is enough to make a smaller impact with the skill that he has.

Johan Hedberg was tested and played very well through two periods. It shouldn't surprise anyone that a goalie who has sat from January 11 to yesterday's game got shelled a bit. Luckily for him, his team had given him enough offense where a four goal Flyers outburst was still the two-goal lead that the Devils won by, 6-4. Once Hedberg gets more playing time and less than 40 shots (he faced 41 yesterday), he should be fine in most spots.

Still Sweet Maple Syrup- Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have been catalysts for the Maple Leafs all season which is a good sign after last season, when Toronto got out of the gate quickly but the magic faded soon after. The addition of Lupul has been great as whomever Ron Wilson sticks between him and Kessel seems to do the trick whether it is Tim Connolly or Tyler Bozak. Last night it was Bozak who mirrored Kessel's stat line of one goal, two assists and a plus-three rating.

Of course not to be forgotten is the play of James Reimer, who was considered to be the heir apparent this year to Toronto's crease until injures and a red-hot Jonas Gustavsson usurped his place. Gustavsson has had strides this season becoming a more technically sound and controlled goalie which has led to his recent consistency. However, Reimer usually has the mental toughness needed to be as good or better than Gustavsson; even when the Monster is at his best. It is a situation worth watching as both goalies push each other in a way that may be reminiscent for Ron Wilson and GM, Brian Burke of their days with the Ducks where Jonas Hiller, Ilya Brygalov and J.S. Giguere all pushed each other in Anaheim.

Retro Night in Tampa Bay- Even though young star, Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist in the Lightning's 6-3 victory over their in-state rivals, Florida Panthers; the stellar performances from veterans Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier was the game's highlight. St. Louis had a hat trick and Lecavalier had a goal and three assists. Stamkos is a fabulous player but if Tampa Bay is going to go far in the playoffs again, they are going to need more scoring from others and the likely source would be the two long-time faces of the franchise.

Duds

A Shark Slap- The San Jose Sharks as a team struggled to keep up with a Phoenix Coyotes team that will seldom be confused for as an offensive juggernaut. There was not a single Shark who ended with a plus rating in their 5-3 loss to the desert dogs. Many players like defensive first, Colin White it is not surprising to consistently see just an even rating night in and night out and on the season many of the Sharks leading players are solidly in the plus side of the puck. However, goaltender Antti Niemi allowed four goals on only 23 shots from the typically low-scoring Coyotes and Patrick Marleau's goal in the last minute of the game was too little too late. Unfortunately for San Jose, last night's performance was a reminder of the memo on the Sharks: talented team but will never get over the hump because they can't exert their will consistently enough to be a championship team.

Broken Wing- Last night's 5-4 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers was a reminder of just how much Jimmy Howard means to the Detroit Red Wings. It was no secret that Howard was often the glue that held the Red Wings together in net most nights. The evolution of Howard from when he first joined Detroit and was seen by some as a beneficiary of the Red Wings stellar defense has come at a price: what to do if Howard is out for an extended period of time.

Joey MacDonald and Ty Conklin are not going to be the answer for Mike Babcock's team. Last season, they tried to bring in Evgeni Nabokov only to lose him through waivers to the New York Islanders. They may be looking again to bring in a veteran presence for the short term so I'm sure Marty Turco is regularly checking his phone in Switzerland and Antero Niittymaki is likely hoping for similar luck.

Florida's Top Cats Falling Fast- Tomas Fleischmann, Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss were the darlings of the fantasy world only a month or two ago. However, yesterday's one goal from Fleischmann was drowned out by a minus-two rating and a big Lightning win. The offense is not coming as often as it needs to be. The offensive leaders on the blue line are without Dmitri Kulikov while Brian Campbell and Jason Garrison are not getting the results their team desperately needs at this time of the year if they want to make a push. It seems that the excitement around this team has faded as they have made strides but there are still some growing pains to work out in the Sunshine State.

[TK12555]

Great writeup!

The Panther 3 have been duds on many of my Friday's. Not surprised that they're included once again. Quite the slumpers.

[shingy]

Very good read. Thanks.