Bits and Bites

Some potent notables from last night's action, as far as twentyten hopefuls are concerned:

Hot Hot Heat: Dany Heatley showed up in the second and third periods against twentyten hopeful Steve Mason to score a hat-trick, with an assist thrown in for good measure...not to be completely outdone, teammate Joe Thornton had a four assist night. Could this be the start of something good for the two twentyten bubble bouncers?

A Pennsylvania punishing: In a standard smash and crash classic, the Pens fought to a 5-4 win over their cross-state rivals from Philly. Crosby went pointless??? While Jeff Carter continued his hot start with 2 goals and 2 assists in a losing effort. And, didn't big Jordan Staal look good on the break with a first period goal. I think he needs to be considered in next week's power rankings.

Hard in the head: Corey Perry had a dandy night against my Bruins, netting three points (2 goals and an assist). One of those goals coming on a beauty header into the top corner. (*soccer reference).

WHAMMO!!

Quick Hits

Welcome to the radar: Brent Burns

An interesting twitter post from everyone's favorite SportsCentre anchor, Jay Onrait, I saw this morning on my computer monitor.

"I don’t think there’s five defensemen like him in the league, not even close." Ken Hitchcock on Brent Burns of the Wild.

Not saying I put him on the team, but that's a strong endorsement from one of the coaches of our beloved hockey team in Vancouver.

Luongo struggling

Roberto Luongo allowed 4 goals on 12 shots last night in what became a 5 - 3 for the Canucks at the hands of the mighty Columbus Blue Jackets. This drops Luongo's record to 0 - 3 this year, in 3 games started. His save percentage is .820, with a GAA of 4.55. It may be his defence, it may be the team, but they were nearly perfect in the preseason so I'm having trouble saying there would be THAT much of a fall off.

Hey Bobbo, I know it's early, but you haven't been announced as a member of Team Canada although most figure you to be a lock. You've gotta be the best to be on this team... if we wanted a guy who doesn't win and has a terrible GAA and SV% we could have gone out and easily picked up Chris Osgood (zing!!)

Staal is tough

I have to say I let out a small expletive on Saturday night watching the Bruins - Canes game... not because I had to listen to Matty boast about "his Bruins" incessantly, but because a guy who I figure to be in Vancouver, Eric Staal, took a slapshot to the head during the game.

Thankfully, Staal returned in the 3rd and even notched a goal in a 7-2 loss to the Bruins, all but eliminating Ryan "No one can stand in front of the net like me" Smyth from Twentyten consideration. Also helping to eliminate his chances, his enrollment into the witness protection program... Oh wait, I guess he's in LA, whatever, same difference...

Women are winners

The Canadian Women's hockey team beat the US yesterday, their first win after three consecutive losses to the yanks...

... so yeah... Go Canada!

Where he's right / Where he's wrong / What I like

Marc Savard has broken his silence about being left off of the twentyten summer camp roster.

Where he's right: "I was pretty upset about it" - Hells yes he should have been upset about it. This guy is an elite point producer; one of the tops in the game.

Where he's wrong: "I still haven't counted myself out. So I guess that's all that matters" - Sorry Marc, despite what Stevie Y says about players not at summer camp still having a shot, anyone with half a head knows that will not be the case.

What I like: Savard is obviously determined to prove Stevie et al. wrong and come out like gangbusters to start the year. As a die-hard Bruins fan, this makes me happy.

WHAMMO!!

Green means go...home

First of all...Dewey, I concur, a McGuire-less/Miller-less Olympic broadcast would be a gold medal in itself for all Canadians.

Secondly...I pose the question, "Do we need Mike Green on our Olympic Team?" 31 goals and 73 points in 68 games would suggest that he is a lock (+24 to boot). However, the guy has been nothing if not ordinary for the Capitals thus far in the playoffs and at times looks terrible containing and defending some of the games elites in Sid, Geno and the gang.

I suggest that with the likes of Weber and Phaneuf just to name two big shots, Canada is well-stacked in the area of offensively able D-men.

Green, for my mind, is at best the 7th guy on the blue line and really only used in PP situations...but even then will they need him with the guys I've mentioned above...not to further mention the ability of many of the potential forwards on the team to play the point with the man advantage.

I'm not saying he's a "no go" for certain. He'll certainly be at the camp...he'll almost definitely be on the taxi squad at least...but on the 7-man defensive unit...we shall have to wait and see. I mean...he's no McCabe (not nearly that terrible) but we all know what kind of decision that turned out to be in '06.

Finally, Go Bruins!!